New global event means world championship every year

LONDON :World Athletics has unveiled a new biennial global championship meant to serve as a grand conclusion to the 2026 season, with a record $10 million prize pot on offer and Budapest as the inaugural host city.

The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will be held every two years, with gold medallists receiving $150,000 as part of what the sport's world governing body says is the richest prize pot ever in the sport.

The event is aligned with World Athletics' aim to stay relevant, and keep pace with the interests of a desired younger viewing audience.

"It absolutely sits at the epicentre of what we're trying to do," World Athletics president Sebastian Coe told reporters in a video call from Budapest.

"We're trying to remain interesting. We're trying to create new formats that keep our sport at the top of people's consciousness.

"Our sport is in very, very good shape. This is the time to keep the pedal flat to the floor."

The inaugural championships are scheduled for three evenings, Sept. 11-13, with each session taking place in under three hours, in a bid to offer a fast-paced event to captivate global television viewers.

The three-hour slots, however, mean not every discipline will be included, with longer events such as race walks likely to miss out.

"Going forward, there are innovations out there, there are disciplines we're looking at, the 4x100 metres mixed relay, but only if they road test well," said Coe, who announced on Friday that the mixed relay and a steeplechase mile will be tested.

"I can tell you is that all those marquee events that you would expect to be in there will be in there."

WORLD RANKINGS

The meet will feature between eight and 16 of the world's top-ranked athletes per discipline, with selections