World Athletics Launches Ultimate Championship with Reduced Events and Higher Stakes
World Athletics is launching its new "Ultimate Championship" event in Budapest, aiming to create a shorter, faster, and more lucrative competition designed to appeal to a younger audience. The three-day event, scheduled to occur every two years, will feature a limited number of disciplines, focusing on elite athletes including reigning Olympic, World, and Diamond League champions, along with top-ranked competitors. Each track event will have 16 participants, relays will feature eight teams, and field events will have eight competitors. Events deemed less attractive, such as the marathon, 3,000m steeplechase, 10,000m, shot put, and discus, have been excluded from the program.
The championship offers a significant prize of $150,000 to winners, with only gold medals awarded, a stark contrast to the silver and bronze medals typically given. This format has drawn criticism from athletes and fans, particularly from nations like Kenya, which excels in long-distance running, and those who feel traditional, historically rich events are being marginalized. The exclusion of events like the marathon is a notable blow to Israel, which has seen success in that discipline.
Despite the controversy, high expectations surround certain events, such as the men's pole vault, where Armand Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis are expected to deliver a thrilling competition. Other anticipated performances include Audrey Werro in the 800m, though her recent form has been less dominant. The success of the Ultimate Championship is uncertain, with World Athletics hoping for impressive results and high ratings to build momentum for future editions.
This initiative is distinct from previous attempts at alternative championships, such as Michael Johnson's unsuccessful venture, and is backed by the international federation. The organizers are hopeful that the event will capture audience interest and establish itself as a major fixture in the athletics calendar, potentially rivaling the Olympics and World Championships in prestige.
