US mulls more events after World Athletics Championships success

EUGENE, Oregon: As a metaphor for a sport with lofty ambitions, Armand Duplantis soaring to a pole vault world record was the perfectly scripted final act that a thrilling World Athletics Championships deserved.

The Swedish star brought the curtain down on the 10-day track and field extravaganza in Eugene on Sunday with a jaw-dropping leap of 6.21m, sailing over the bar with ease to electrify Hayward Field.

Duplantis — routinely referred to as a “rock star” by World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe — is part of a golden generation of athletes who lit up the 10-day championships in Oregon.

A slew of other athletes also grabbed the spotlight during the championships, with 400m hurdler Sydney McLaughlin delivering a dazzling world record run and the charismatic Noah Lyles racing to gold in the 200m.

Those kind of compelling performances delighted both Coe and United States Track and Field (USATF), who are desperate to boost the profile of the sport in the country after years where it has languished out of the spotlight.

In pursuit of that goal, more major track and field events in the US are a certainty.

In 2023, Eugene will host the finale of the Diamond League season — the first time in history that the meeting has been held outside of Europe.

Others have even wondered whether Los Angeles could be a contender to host the World Championships in 2027, a year ahead of the Olympics in 2028 in the city.

Asked about that possibility on Sunday, USATF chief executive Max Siegel did not rule it out.

“As far as hosting other events we’d love to continue to host events,” Siegel told reporters when asked about 2027.

“The more that we can support and give visibility to the sport is great for all of us. The timetable is