The World Athletics Championship, or simply World Championships, is the biennial international competition for track and field athletics held by World Athletics (formerly the IAAF). It is the highest level of senior international outdoor athletics championships and is parallel to the Olympic Games. Other competitions, such as the World Indoor Championships, are contested in the same year.
A total of 23 events will be contested in this edition. As per the rules, the top three athletes in each event will secure a place at the World Championships by finishing in the top three positions of the respective global ranking list. Those who don’t qualify through this method will be placed into the championships’ qualifying rounds, the results of which will be used to determine the final rankings in the event they wish to compete.
Noah Lyles, who won a gold medal in the men’s 100m and a silver in the 4x100m at the Olympics, will look to add to his collection of global titles when he defends both of those at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Other potential winners include distance-running legend Faith Kipyegon, who is bidding to win a fourth consecutive global 1500m crown and a third consecutive 5000m title, and Bulgaria’s Stefka Kostadinova, who will attempt to retain her women’s high jump title.