If you’re a fan of running, jumping or throwing, then there’s nothing quite like World Athletics Championship. The 2023 edition takes place from August 19 to 27 and is nine days jam-packed with 49 track and field events. That’s 24 events for men and 24 for women, with one mixed-gender relay event.
There was a lot to get excited about at Eugene’s Hayward Field last year, with the crowds going wild for every big event, including Femke Bol falling within sight of the finish line in the women’s 4x400m relay and a US sweep in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Last summer, Jakob Ingebrigtsen was the heavy favorite in the 1500m and 5000m and was trying to pull off what only three other men have ever done before: the double gold. However, Brit Josh Kerr stormed through on the final straight to force Ingebrigtsen back into second place.
This year, the US won 33 medals, its best total ever at the event. This is an astonishing number considering they didn’t even compete in all the heptathlon disciplines. It’s no wonder that the American athletes were able to outshine Jamaica’s best efforts with crisp and clean handoffs, great sprinting, the strongest hurdling and a very impressive performance by the defending champion in the high jump. The other highlight came from Mondo Duplantis, who cleared 6.21 meters in the pole vault, setting a new world record outdoors and beating his indoor mark of 6.16.