Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, announced at a press conference today that there will be a new global event in 2026. This event, which Coe says will be an in-stadium track event, will take place during the one year out of every four that there is neither a World Championships nor an Olympic Games.
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Coe stated that this new event aims to provide athletes with an opportunity to showcase their skills and increase their prize money. “I didn’t want the athletes to slide off the radar screen for one year in every four,” said the World Athletics President.
“I wanted them to have the opportunity to really showcase. We’re still working on the format; much to be discussed and much to be agreed upon. But it is again totemic of the direction we want to take the sport, which is building profile for the athletes, providing competition opportunities, and unashamedly, putting more money in their pockets.”
The announcement of this new event was met with excitement by many athletes and fans of track and field. “I can’t wait to see what this new event will be like,” said the former Olympic gold medalist.
“Anything that gives us more opportunities to compete and earn prize money is a good thing,” added Coe.
As for the specifics of the event, Coe remained tight-lipped, saying only that “more details would be released at a later date.”
Regardless, it is clear that World Athletics is committed to finding new ways to support and promote its athletes, and the 2026 global event is just one example of this.
[…] Excitement builds as World Athletics unveils plans for 2026 global event […]