When Nicholas Kimeli looks back on 2020, he is under no illusion how fortunate he has been to have such a successful season during the most unexpected of years.

Joshua Cheptegei's world 5000m record of 12:35.36 set at the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco on 14 August has been ratified.

The Spanish city of Valencia had never seen an outdoor world record on the track before Wednesday night (7) but within the space of 50 minutes it witnessed not one but two, as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey went into new territory.

Sifan Hassan, Faith Kipyegon and Yomif Kejelcha are among the stars signed up for a middle and long distance meeting set for 10 October at FBK Stadium in the Dutch city of Hengelo.

The atypical 2020 season is set to feature another stunning chapter on Wednesday (7) when Uganda’s recently-minted world 5000m record-holder Joshua Cheptegei takes aim at the world 10,000m record at the Turia Stadium in Valencia, Spain.

Three of Kenya’s world champions – Timothy Cheruiyot, Hellen Obiri and Beatrice Chepkoech – were triumphant at the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting on Saturday (3) as Nairobi hosted its first ever global one-day meet at the newly-refurbished Nyayo National Stadium.

When Joshua Cheptegei made history to wipe 1.99 seconds from Kenenisa Bekele’s world 5000m record in Monaco in August, it generated an outpouring of ecstasy in a mild-mannered Dutchman situated some 9000 kilometres away in Uganda.

Hellen Obiri came close to walking away from the sport eight years ago.

Twenty years ago today, the Sydney Olympic Games enraptured the world with what is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling nights in athletics history.

Impressive victories by Jacob Kiplimo, Ryan Crouser and Christian Taylor produced the key highlights at the Golden Spike, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Tuesday (8).

Olympic champion Ryan Crouser produced the 12th-best throw in history to win the shot put at the Drake Blue Oval Showcase, throwing 22.72m at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Des Moines on Saturday (29).

Joshua Cheptegei had a simple plan.