World Athletics Championship is the highest level of senior track and field competition, with a gold medal on the line for the best athletes in the sport. Organised by World Athletics – previously known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) – it’s a huge event that takes place every two years.
There are 49 events on the programme and 147 medals to be won over nine days of competition. Athletes can qualify for the event through the top five finishers at a Platinum Label marathon or an area championship, as well as through entry standards.
This year’s tournament will be held in Tokyo from 13-21 September. The city last staged the championships in 1991, and the main stadium will be familiar to the athletes as it served as the venue for the 2020 Olympic Games.
It’s a major honour to don a national vest at the championships, with a gold medal a real career-defining milestone. That’s why the event is so popular – it’s the biggest sporting occasion in track and field and a massive opportunity for athletes to show off their skills and talent. There have been many great champions over the years – including Carl Lewis who won triple gold in the 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay, Mary Decker’s 1500m-3000m double, Ed Moses’ 400m hurdles victory and Sergey Bubka’s pole vault reign.