Burundi&rsquo;s Rodrigue Kwizera and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw lead the fields for the Cross Internacional de Soria, the fourth Gold level meeting of this season&rsquo;s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, on Sunday (16).&nbsp;
Kwizera is a three-time victor in Soria, having triumphed in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and the 25-year-old is keen to maintain the momentum following his win at the Cross Internacional de Italica in Seville last weekend. His stiffest opposition looks to be Kenya&rsquo;s Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang and Spain&rsquo;s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, but Kwizera appears ready to make history by becoming a four-time winner in Soria to break the tie with Uganda&rsquo;s Timothy Toroitich, who won three times in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Kipsang will compete on his 30th birthday, fresh from a fine win at the Cardiff Cross Challenge on Saturday. The Kenyan finished third in Soria last year and, after PBs of 7:33.23 (3000m) and 12:58.61 (5000m) this year, he should be a dangerous rival for Kwizera as the race will be held over the relatively short distance of 8km. The same goes for Ndikumwenayo &ndash; the 28-year-old Spaniard is still rounding into form and had to settle for fifth last weekend at the Italica meeting but he will be fighting hard to grab his second win in Soria following his 2022 victory.
Other contenders include Burundi&rsquo;s Emile Hafashimana, who won in Amorebieta and was ninth last weekend in Seville, plus Uganda&rsquo;s Martin Kiprotich and Samuel Cherop, and Kenya&rsquo;s Edwin Kiplangat Bett and Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei.
Kiprotich finished 14th at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade and has shown great versatility in clinching silver in the classic race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September. More recently, the 22-year-old resumed his cross-country career and finished second in San Sebastian, just ahead of Mayebei and Bett. As for Cherop, he placed fifth in the 5000m at last year&rsquo;s World U20 Championships in Lima. The local challenge will be led by Ilias Fifa, who showed he is in form with a Casablanca 10km win in 27:51 last month.
<h2>Amebaw versus Jebet</h2>
The women&rsquo;s race will also be held over 8km and promises a showdown between Amebaw and Kenya&rsquo;s Sheila Jebet. Amebaw will be making her third appearance of this cross-country season as she won in Amorebieta last month and finished third last weekend at the Italica. She won in Soria in 2023 and aims for her third podium spot following her 2021 runner-up finish.
Jebet secured second place in Cardiff last weekend and seeks her first win on the European cross-country circuit. The 20-year-old finished fourth in the U20 race at the last World Cross Country Championships and then placed fifth in the 5000m at the World U20 Championships.
Local hopes rest on Idaira Prieto and Marta Perez. Spanish 1500m record-holder Perez has been living and training in Madrid for the last 14 years but she is a Soria native and will enjoy the support of her home crowd as she did last year when she placed fifth. She competed at the World Championships in Tokyo, as did Prieto, who is coached by her father Antonio Prieto, a two-time fifth-place finisher at the World Cross Country Championships.
Illustrious past winners in Soria include 2000 Olympic 5000m champion Million Wolde, 2001 world 10,000m gold medallist Charles Kamathi, 1997 world 10,000m champion Sally Barsosio, 2007 world cross country champion Zersenay Tadese, 2010 world cross country gold medallist Joseph Ebuya, 2009 world 10,000m champion Linet Masai and two-time world cross country gold medallist Jacob Kiplimo.
The venue of the event will be the Monte Valonsadero circuit, a beautiful forest on the outskirts of Soria. Weather forecasters predict a wet and windy day on Sunday, with the temperature ranging between 10-12&deg;C by the time of the event.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics

Kwizera is a three-time victor in Soria, having triumphed in 2021, 2023 and 2024

Kwizera and Amebaw head fields in Soria

Three finalists for the Photograph of the Year award have been selected ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
From the 141 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising two-time world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, four-time world triple jump champion Christian Taylor, photographer and Paris 2024 photo chief Pascal Rondeau, and World Athletics digital creative manager Christel El Saneh &ndash; narrowed the entries to 10 shortlisted images before deciding on the three finalists.
Photographers from 41 countries across all six continental areas submitted entries.
The shortlisted images will form part of a digital exhibition on the World Athletics website that will go live later this month.
The winning photograph will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.
<h3>The finalists</h3>
Fabrizio Bensch 'Champions under the flag'
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a69d364ea40dd602ee01.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Champions under the flag" />
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Photo of the Year finalist - Champions under the flag (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)
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Men&rsquo;s 100m bronze medallist Noah Lyles of the USA celebrates with his teammate Tara Davis-Woodhall, gold medallist from the women's long jump, at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 
Emilee Chinn 'Perseverance'
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a74f364ea40dd602ee04.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Perseverance" />
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Photo of the Year finalist - Perseverance (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,CiAgICA8c3ZnIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgd2lkdGg9IjE2IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE2IiB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNDgwIDM2MCI+CiAgICAgIDxnIHRyYW5zZm9ybT0idHJhbnNsYXRlKDAsMzYwKSBzY2FsZSgwLjEsLTAuMSkiIGZpbGw9IiNCMkIyQjIiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xOTA1IDMxODIgYy0xMjYgLTQ0IC0xODcgLTEwMCAtMjUzIC0yMzMgbC00NyAtOTQgLTM1MCAtNSBjLTMyNiAtNQogICAgICAgIC0zNTQgLTYgLTQwMSAtMjYgLTE0NyAtNjAgLTI0NiAtMTgwIC0yNzQgLTMzMSAtMTQgLTc2IC0xNCAtMTY1OSAwIC0xNzM0IDMxCiAgICAgICAgLTE2NyAxNzMgLTMxMyAzMzggLTM0OCAzNyAtOCA0NzYgLTExIDE0OTAgLTExIDE1NDMgMCAxNDgwIC0yIDE1ODggNTAgMTA0IDUxCiAgICAgICAgMjAwIDE4MSAyMjQgMzA1IDggNDMgMTAgMzAwIDggOTEwIGwtMyA4NTAgLTIzIDU2IGMtNDcgMTEyIC0xNDEgMjA2IC0yNTIgMjUyCiAgICAgICAgLTUyIDIxIC03MiAyMiAtNDA1IDI3IGwtMzUwIDUgLTQ2IDk1IGMtNTQgMTEyIC0xMDYgMTY2IC0yMDcgMjEzIGwtNjcgMzIKICAgICAgICAtNDYwIDIgYy00MTYgMyAtNDY1IDEgLTUxMCAtMTV6IG05NzIgLTIzNyBjMTggLTEzIDUyIC02OCA5MyAtMTUwIDQyIC04MyA3NQogICAgICAgIC0xMzcgOTMgLTE1MCAyNyAtMTkgNDcgLTIwIDQxNSAtMjUgNDM4IC02IDQyNyAtNCA0ODcgLTg5IGwzMCAtNDMgMyAtODM2IGMyCiAgICAgICAgLTYxMCAwIC04NDggLTggLTg3NiAtMTcgLTU2IC01NCAtMTAyIC0xMDQgLTEyNSAtNDIgLTIxIC01MSAtMjEgLTE0ODggLTIxCiAgICAgICAgbC0xNDQ1IDAgLTQ0IDIzIGMtMjkgMTYgLTU0IDQwIC03NCA3MiBsLTMwIDQ4IDAgODUxIGMwIDg0NCAwIDg1MSAyMSA4OTEgMTEKICAgICAgICAyMiA0MCA1NCA2MyA3MCBsNDMgMzAgMzg4IDUgYzM2OSA1IDM5MCA2IDQxNyAyNSAxOCAxMyA1MCA2NCA4OCAxNDEgMzMgNjcgNjcKICAgICAgICAxMjkgNzUgMTM5IDM2IDQzIDUzIDQ1IDUxMiA0MiA0MjIgLTIgNDM4IC0zIDQ2NSAtMjJ6Ii8+CiAgICAgICAgPHBhdGggZD0iTTIzMDAgMjQ1MSBjLTM4MiAtNTQgLTY3MSAtMzYzIC02OTcgLTc0NiAtMjEgLTMxOCAxNjEgLTYyNyA0NTIKICAgICAgICAtNzY2IDEyNiAtNjAgMTg5IC03NCAzNTAgLTc0IDExOSAwIDE1MSA0IDIxNSAyMyAyNzYgODcgNDgwIDI5NiA1NTYgNTcyIDI1CiAgICAgICAgOTAgMjYgMjk5IDEgMzkwIC03OCAyODggLTMwMCA1MDkgLTU4OSA1ODQgLTcxIDE4IC0yMTYgMjcgLTI4OCAxN3ogbTI3MCAtMjQ5CiAgICAgICAgYzE5NyAtNjggMzM0IC0yMTQgMzg1IC00MDcgNzQgLTI4NyAtMTA0IC01OTkgLTM5MCAtNjg0IC0xMDEgLTMwIC0yNjcgLTI3CiAgICAgICAgLTM2MCA3IC0xNzQgNjQgLTMyNyAyNDAgLTM2NCA0MjAgLTYyIDMwNSAxMzUgNjA4IDQzOSA2NzcgODIgMTkgMjE1IDEyIDI5MAogICAgICAgIC0xM3oiLz4KICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgPC9zdmc+CiAgICA=" alt="photographer icon" /> Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Geordie Beamish of New Zealand avoids the foot of Jean-Simon Desgagnes of Canada as he falls to the ground during the men's 3000m steeplechase heats on day one of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 
Vegard Grott&nbsp; 'Shadows'
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a779364ea40dd602ee07.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Shadows" />
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Photo of the Year finalist - Shadows (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Vegard Gr&oslash;tt / Bildbyran)
</div>
Narve Gilje Nordas of Norway, Samuel Pihlstrom of Sweden and athletes compete in the men&rsquo;s Dream Mile during the Bislett Games Diamond League competition in Oslo, Norway 
<h3>About the photographers</h3>
Fabrizio Bensch (GER)
Fabrizio Bensch studied political science at the Freie Universitat Berlin and started his career as a photojournalist in 1989, several months before the Berlin Wall came down. He has worked for the Reuters Newspictures Service, based in Berlin, since 1992, covering breaking news, politics and sports around the world. He has covered conflicts in former Yugoslavia, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Emilee Chinn (USA)
Emilee Chinn is a staff sports photographer for Getty Images based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Her work covers major US professional sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA) and collegiate athletics. She won the 75th College Photographer of the Year competition for her sports portfolio along with awards of excellence and was recognised in 2023 on the 'Forbes 30 Under 30' for her work with the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati sports.
Vegard Grott (NOR)
Vegard Grott has worked as an agency photographer since 2011 and was employed by Bildbyran in 2017. He has covered numerous Olympics and other major sporting events, in addition to being the team photographer for Norway&rsquo;s national football team. On three occasions, Grott has been named one of the best sports photographers in the world by Pictures of the Year International and the National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism.
World Athletics
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Three finalists for the Photograph of the Year award have been selected ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2025

Finalists announced for 2025 World Athletics Photograph of the Year

The competition schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, published today, confirms that for the first time in history, athletics will span the entire Olympic period &ndash; starting on day one and running through to the final day of the Games.
The athletics competition will begin with a bang on Saturday 15 July 2028, as the women&rsquo;s 100m takes centre stage on the very first day of Olympic action. All three rounds &ndash; including the final &ndash; will take place that day, ensuring the Games opens with one of the most electrifying events in sport. The men&rsquo;s 10,000m and women&rsquo;s shot put finals will also feature in the opening session, followed by the men&rsquo;s 100m final on day two.
In total, athletics will be contested across 13 days between 15-30 July 2028. In-stadium competition at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum will run for the first 10 days (15-24 July), before the focus shifts to the road events on 27, 29 and 30 July &ndash; culminating in the men&rsquo;s marathon on the final day, with medals presented during the closing ceremony.
Finals will feature in 17 of the 20 sessions, with the schedule carefully crafted to allow the maximum number of potential doubles &ndash; such as the 100m &amp; 200m, 200m &amp; 400m (plus relays), 800m &amp; 1500m, 1500m &amp; 5000m, 5000m &amp; 10,000m, and long jump &amp; triple jump. This opens the door for stars such as Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to emulate the heroics of LA 1984 Olympic legend Carl Lewis, while also enabling middle- and long-distance doubles reminiscent of past Olympic greats.
A new repechage format will provide improved recovery time for athletes &ndash; at least 36 hours between round one and repechage in the 400m, and about 24 hours for the 800m and 1500m. The mixed 4x100m relay will also make its Olympic debut, slotted between the 100m and 200m events.
At this stage, it is only the event allocation per session that has been finalised. World Athletics will now work with the LA28 OCOG over the next 2.5 years to finalise the detailed timetable.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: &ldquo;It is in the spirit of collaboration between World Athletics, LA28, Olympic Broadcasting Services, IOC and NBC as Host Broadcaster that we have landed on an athletics programme that will start with a bang as our women&rsquo;s sprinters take centre stage on day one and then the men&rsquo;s sprinters on day two to maximise and sustain global interest after the Opening Ceremony. It is a schedule that is both innovative but also honours tradition, with the men&rsquo;s marathon on the final day, and, with one eye on LA84, athletes can dare to dream to emulate Olympic legends of the past through the compelling proposition of the maximum amount of potential doubles.&rdquo;
World and Olympic gold medallist Sha&rsquo;Carri Richardson said: &ldquo;Track and field is having its moment, and the road to LA28 is about to be something special, especially for the women&rsquo;s sprints. The talent, energy, and competition &hellip; it&rsquo;s all going to shine. Just look at day one of the LA Games. I&rsquo;m locked in on accomplishing some personal goals and doing my part to help the sport keep growing and inspiring the next generation at home in the USA and across the globe.&rdquo;
World gold and Olympic silver medallist Dina Asher-Smith said: &ldquo;It will be an honour for the women&rsquo;s 100m to open the LA Games. It&rsquo;s such an exciting opportunity &ndash; celebrating enduring legacy, strength and global power of women&rsquo;s sprinting, exactly 100 years on from the first time women competed in Olympic Track and Field. Can&rsquo;t wait to set the tone for what will be a thrilling and spectacular Games!&rdquo;
&ldquo;This is Olympic innovation at its best,&rdquo; said Shana Ferguson, LA28 Chief of Sport and Games Delivery Officer. &ldquo;By collaborating with World Athletics and listening directly to their athlete community, we&rsquo;ve created something unprecedented with the women&rsquo;s 100m. We are thrilled to showcase the fastest women in the world on day one, allowing them to inspire a global audience at the start of the most comprehensive Olympic sport programme in history."
The LA 2028 Olympic Games will take place from 14-30 July 2028, featuring more than 10,000 athletes from about 200 nations competing in 35 sports. It will mark the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.
World Athletics

The competition schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, published today, confirms that for the first time in history, athletics will span the entire Olympic period

Women’s 100m to kick-start LA28 with athletics to cover entire Games period

Athletics is getting a shake-up. The World Athletics Ultimate Championship promises to fuse sport, spectacle, and serious money &ndash; with a record-breaking $10million prize fund and a fast-paced, fan-first format designed to keep the world&rsquo;s best athletes in the spotlight year-round.
&ldquo;The athletes are in the spotlight during the Olympics, and then it seems like they disappear. That is not true. They are present all the time, and our job is to make them visible,&rdquo; said US entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, one of the special guests at the one-year-to-go celebration for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The event will take place in Budapest from 11&ndash;13 September 2026.
Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and a leading investor in women&rsquo;s sport, has been expanding his portfolio into athletics. In 2024, he financed Athlos, a women-only track-and-field meeting in New York that drew major attention. &ldquo;High prizes motivate athletes and attract people&rsquo;s attention,&rdquo; he said &ndash; a philosophy that aligns closely with the new championship&rsquo;s ambitions.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691332c8ca2c613b93e01950.jpg" alt="Alexis Ohanian at the Ultimate Party" />
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Alexis Ohanian at the Ultimate Party (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Christel Saneh)
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<h3>Reaching new audiences</h3>
The Ultimate Championship will boast the largest prize fund in athletics history. &ldquo;We have a $10million prize pot where every athlete who competes goes home with something,&rdquo; explained World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. &ldquo;These are the things that really keep me up at night. I want to get all those in place, and so I wake up hungry.
&ldquo;During a four-year cycle, we want a large global audience every year. There is one year when we do not have that event, and the Ultimate Championship is set to address that issue.&rdquo;
The two-time Olympic gold medallist said the format was shaped by extensive research. &ldquo;A lot of what we are doing is data-driven,&rdquo; he noted. &ldquo;It is about understanding our audiences. It is about unlocking new fans, but at the same time, not letting our traditional fans disappear because they do not think there is anything in it for them.&rdquo;
After testing and consultation, World Athletics opted for a compact three-day programme &ndash; 28 disciplines delivered in a fast-paced, made-for-television format. &ldquo;It is three evenings of three hours each: a straightforward final for the field events and a semi-final and a final for the track events,&rdquo; said Coe. &ldquo;It is important that our fans get the opportunity to see the best of the best.&rdquo;
<h3>Vision backed by legends</h3>
Several celebrated names from athletics history &ndash; including Ultimate legend Usain Bolt &ndash; attended the celebrations in Tokyo and expressed strong enthusiasm for the new championships.
&ldquo;I loved the idea from the very start,&rdquo; said two-time world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson. &ldquo;I like the purity of it: we understand head-to-heads, there is nothing complicated, nothing you need to worry too much about. You can sit there, watch, and go through the whole process.&rdquo;
He believes the new competition format will motivate athletes to prove who is truly the best in their event &ndash; the Olympic champion, the world champion, or the Diamond League winner.
Jackson, now a commentator and television presenter for the BBC, said he looks forward to the competition, which will take place at the end of the 2026 season. &ldquo;You have had your whole season, and then you have a little break to prepare for the final competition,&rdquo; he said.
<h3>High-stakes season finale</h3>
End-of-season events in the past &ndash; such as the World Athletics Final and the Continental Cup &ndash; may no longer appear on the calendar, but World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon is confident the Ultimate Championship will stand the test of time.
&ldquo;There was very little at stake (with the previous competitions), and the fans knew that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This event is about reigning Olympic champions and reigning world champions competing against each other. The stakes are high. All the athletes will be there, so it will be a much more entertaining and meaningful event than anything we have done towards the end of the season before.&rdquo;
Ridgeon also noted that the Ultimate Championship isn&rsquo;t the only initiative aimed at improving the financial situation of athletes. &ldquo;In the last Olympic cycle, we paid US$25 million in prize money,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;In the current cycle, between 2024 and 2028, we have doubled this amount.
&ldquo;We are working to develop the sport at grassroots level, but we also want to ensure that professional athletes can earn a sustainable living from the sport,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;We have to be mindful that our most talented athletes are in demand in other sports, so we need to make sure they stay in athletics and can make a viable professional living. They deserve to.&rdquo;
Lucijan Zalokar for World Athletics Produced as part of the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/media-academy-new-talent-journalism-photography-commentary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Media Academy</a> project

World Athletics Ultimate Championships

Athletics is getting a shake-up.

Ultimate Championship to redefine athletics with record prize fund and fan-first format

World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2025 Women's Rising Star Award, which will recognise this year's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025.
The nominations reflect some of the standout performances that the sport has witnessed this year, at events including the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
The winner of the 2025 Women's Rising Star Award will be announced on 30 November.
<h3>The finalists are:</h3>
Birke Haylom, Ethiopia &bull; world U20 3000m record &bull; world indoor 3000m fifth place
Yan Ziyi, China &bull; world U20 javelin record &bull; national champion
Zhang Jiale, China &bull; world U20 hammer record &bull; world hammer bronze
The finalists for the Men's Rising Star Award were <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/finalists-announced-2025-men-rising-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced yesterday</a>.
As well as the Rising Star honours, the 2025 World Athletics Awards includes the World Athlete of the Year awards, Coaching Achievement Award, Woman of the Year, Photograph of the Year, Member Federation Award and President&rsquo;s Award.
World Athletics&nbsp;

The Women's Rising Star Award will recognise this year's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025

Finalists announced for 2025 Women's Rising Star Award

Dutch heptathlete Anouk Vetter has announced her retirement, following a career that featured four global medals and a European title.
&ldquo;The word is out: I'm ending my elite sports career,&rdquo; the 32-year-old wrote on social media. &ldquo;For over 10 years, I competed with complete dedication at the highest level. There were lows, but so many more highs!
&ldquo;I was so fortunate to have a great team around me, along with a fantastic coach and wonderful training partners. It was a wonderful adventure. I enjoyed it, learned a lot, and am grateful for everything this journey has brought me.&rdquo;
The first of Vetter&rsquo;s major medals was won on home soil, when she clinched the heptathlon crown at the 2016 European Championships in Amsterdam.
Three world medals and one Olympic medal followed as she claimed world bronze in London in 2017, world silver in Oregon in 2022, Olympic silver in Tokyo in 2021 and another world bronze in Budapest in 2023.
The Dutch record of 6867 points she set when finishing runner-up to Nafissatou Thiam in Oregon places her 13th on the world heptathlon all-time list.
Thiam was among those to pay tribute to Vetter. &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t be the same without you Anouk,&rdquo; she wrote on Instagram. &ldquo;It was a privilege to compete and get to know you all these years! Congratulations for a wonderful career and all the best for the even more amazing things coming ahead.&rdquo;
Vetter last contested a heptathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she was unable to finish due to a hamstring injury, and she has focused on the javelin in 2025, winning the national title in August. Her PB in the event of 59.81m set as part of her winning campaign at the 2022 Hypo Meeting in G&ouml;tzis was the best ever throw within a 6000-point heptathlon.

The Dutch heptathlete claimed four global medals and a European title during her career

Four-time global heptathlon medallist Vetter retires

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 (WXC Tallahassee 26) is proud to unveil the official medal design for the highly anticipated event, taking place in just two months, on 10 January 2026.&nbsp;
A bold and symbolic creation designed by Florida State University Athletics Hall of Famer and 2008 US Olympian Rafeeq Curry, the design brings together local culture, natural beauty and the enduring spirit of athletic performance.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I drew inspiration from the culture of Florida, cross country, and the flow state &ndash; that rare alignment where a clear goal meets a worthy challenge,&rdquo; said Curry. &ldquo;The body and mind rise instinctively to meet it. It&rsquo;s the peak experience where athletes and artists perform at their highest level."
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6911e8aba41314bb3b31d070.jpg" alt="Medals for the WXC Tallahassee 26" />
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Medals for the WXC Tallahassee 26
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The medal&rsquo;s engraved lines symbolise both terrain and movement &ndash; echoing Florida&rsquo;s rivers and rolling hills. At the top, radiating sunrays embody Florida&rsquo;s global moniker, The Sunshine State, while an arrowhead pattern honours the Apalachee people &ndash; native tribe in the Tallahassee region &ndash; as an acknowledgment of the land&rsquo;s deep cultural legacy.
The WXC Tallahassee 26 event logo is at the centre of the design, prominently placed to establish the global recognition of the race. The base of the medal includes carefully etched waves to reflect Florida&rsquo;s distinct coastal geography and surrounding lakes and rivers.
The ribbon design complements this vision, with a seamless gradient and a rising wave leading to the sun, a reflection of both natural elements and the spirit of competition. The waveforms mirror Florida&rsquo;s dynamic environment, reflecting fluidity and motion. The sunrise represents the energy of daybreak, early starts, and the quiet intensity before the race begins.
After more than three decades, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships returns to the United States, placing Tallahassee on a global stage as a premier destination for sport and culture. The event will be broadcast to more than 70 nations worldwide, showcasing Tallahassee&rsquo;s scenic landscapes, dynamic culture, and legendary hospitality.
<h3>Event details</h3>
<ul>
<li>Date: 10 January 2026</li>
<li>Location: Apalachee Regional Park - Tallahassee, Florida, USA</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships

The design brings together local culture, natural beauty and the enduring spirit of athletic performance

World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 unveils official medal design

World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2025 Men's Rising Star Award, which will recognise this year's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025.
The nominations reflect some of the standout performances that the sport has witnessed this year, at events including the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
The winner of the 2025 Men's Rising Star Award will be announced on 30 November.
<h3>The finalists are:</h3>
Phanuel Koech, Kenya &bull; world U20 1500m record &bull; London Diamond League winner
Biniam Mehary, Ethiopia &bull; world U20 3000m short track record &bull; world 5000m fifth place
Edmund Serem, Kenya &bull; world 3000m steeplechase bronze &bull; Diamond League final runner-up
The finalists for the Women's Rising Star Award will be announced tomorrow, Tuesday 11 November.
As well as the Rising Star honours, the 2025 World Athletics Awards includes the World Athlete of the Year awards, Coaching Achievement Award, Woman of the Year, Photograph of the Year, Member Federation Award and President&rsquo;s Award.
World Athletics

The Men's Rising Star Award will recognise this year's best U20 athlete at the World Athletics Awards 2025

Finalists announced for 2025 Men's Rising Star Award

Bahrain&rsquo;s Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi and Burundi&rsquo;s Rodrigue Kwizera were the winners at the Cross Internacional de Italica &ndash; a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting &ndash; held on the outskirts of Seville on Sunday (9).
While Yavi became an overwhelming victor of the women&rsquo;s race, two-time Cross Country Tour champion Kwizera prevailed in a much tighter finish over his Kenyan rivals.
The women&rsquo;s 9.2km contest saw last year&rsquo;s runner-up Daisy Jepkemei of Kazakhstan take an early lead, closely followed by Yavi, Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw and Kenya&rsquo;s Celestine Jepkosgei Biwott. By just one minute into the race, that quartet travelled clear of a chasing group headed by Portugal&rsquo;s Mariana Machado and leading Spaniards Isabel Barreiro and European U23 cross country silver medallist Maria Forero.
The first 2.3km lap took 7:19, with Jepkemei always at the helm and Biwott beginning to struggle as the chase group travelled 33 seconds in arrears. The second circuit was slightly quicker (7:15) and Biwott soon lost any chance of a podium place, while the distance between the lead trio and the local pack increased to 1:08.
It was at the beginning of the third lap when Yavi began to dictate the pace and it soon paid off as Jepkemei could not live with the cadence and the race became a battle between Yavi and Amebaw. They both again clocked 7:15 for the penultimate loop, while Jepkemei ran four seconds behind at the bell.
Yavi unleashed a devastating change of speed some 200 metres into the final lap to break away from Amebaw, opening up a sizeable margin on the Ethiopian in a matter of a few hundred metres. From there, Yavi displayed an impressive solo run to strengthen her lead over her pursuers and finish unopposed after a blistering final lap of 6:58.
Attention turned to the fight for the other podium places. Amebaw looked to be a safe bet for second place but Jepkemei came through to pip her rival, just one second &ndash; 30:36 to 30:37 &ndash; separating the pair. A lonesome Biwott secured fourth place, while Forero dropped Barreiro and Machado over the closing lap to take fifth place.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so happy to win on my debut in Italica,&rdquo; said Yavi. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m quite strong now as I&rsquo;ll be competing at the Islamic Games in Riyadh next week.&rdquo;
Unlike the women&rsquo;s race, the men&rsquo;s event started at a moderate pace, the first kilometre being ruled by the Kenyan pair of world U20 5000m champion Andrew Alamisi and Titus Kibet. Pre-race favourite Kwizera moved to the front four minutes into the race, the first lap being covered in 6:28.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6910d9e2b37dadea6de29ece.jpeg" alt="Rodrigue Kwizera leads during the Cross Internacional de Italica" />
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Rodrigue Kwizera leads during the Cross Internacional de Italica (&copy; Diputaci&oacute;n de Sevilla)
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The second circuit had no remarkable changes, the Burundian athlete setting a steady pace to leave him joined by 10 athletes including Spain&rsquo;s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Aaron Las Heras and national champion Yahya Aouina following a 6:34 lap.
After a similar third lap which took 6:41, Kwizera&rsquo;s front tactics finally paid dividends as only Alamisi and Dennis Kipkoech, third at the Kenyan trials held in Eldoret a fortnight ago, managed to follow his footsteps. Alamisi took the lead with around a kilometre left to run, but Kipkoech and Kwizera covered the break. The key movement came some 500 metres from home when the Spain-based Kwizera found another gear on the downhill section to open a shy but significant margin on the Kenyan duo.
Kwizera eventually clinched the win ahead of Alamisi and could afford to smile as they both clocked 26:10, with Kipkoech finishing one second back.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so honoured to win here for the second time after my victory in 2021,&rdquo; said Kwizera. &ldquo;This year the circuit has changed and there were some tough hills. Despite leading for much of the race, I still kept energy for the last section. I knew I had a change of speed and decided to execute it some 500 metres to go. It proved to be enough, although it&rsquo;s true the Kenyan boys pushed me to the end.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (9.2km) 1 Winfred Yavi (BRN) 28:58 2 Daisy Jepkemei (KAZ) 30:36 3 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 30:37 4 Celestine Jepkosgei Biwott (KEN) 30:41 5 Mar&iacute;a Forero (ESP) 31:07 6 Isabel Barreiro (ESP) 31:26 7 Mariana Machado (POR) 31:30 8 Angela Viciosa (ESP) 31:35 9 Marta Serrano (ESP) 31:35 10 Carolina Robles (ESP) 31:44
Men (9.2km) 1 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 26:10 2 Andrew Alamisi (KEN) 26:10 3 Dennis Kipkoech (KEN) 26:11 4 Titus Kibet (KEN) 26:23 5 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 26:26 6 Aaron Las Heras (ESP) 26:26 7 Naibei Kiplimo (KEN) 26:26 8 Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI) 26:35 9 Emile Hafashimana (BDI) 26:35 10 Yahya Aouina (ESP) 26:38
&nbsp;

Bahrain’s Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi and Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera were the winners at the Cross Internacional de Italica 

Yavi and Kwizera win in Seville

World 5000m finalist Mathew Kipsang kicked to victory at the Cardiff Cross Challenge, while 17-year-old compatriot Cynthia Chepkirui made it a Kenyan double at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event at Llandaff Fields on Saturday (8).
The senior men&rsquo;s 9.6km contest began with a large lead group setting a steady early pace. After 2.5km, Kenyan trio Stephen Kimutai, Victor Kimosop, and Mathew Kipsang were joined at the front by Britain&rsquo;s Zakariya Mahamed, forming a quartet that quickly established control.
By halfway, Britain&rsquo;s Jacob Cann and Richard Slade had bridged the gap, creating a breakaway pack of six. Kipsang took command at about 6km, gradually stretching the lead as the chasing group began to splinter. One kilometre later, Cann and Slade began to fade, leaving Kipsang, Kimosop, Kimutai, and Mahamed to battle it out for the podium.
Mahamed started to lose contact soon after, turning the closing stages into a Kenyan duel. With less than a kilometre remaining, Kimosop surged to the front, but Kipsang bided his time, waiting until the final straight to unleash a decisive kick. The 29-year-old powered ahead to take victory in 28:12, with Kimosop second and Kimutai completing the all-Kenyan podium. Mahamed finished fourth, just ahead of Cann.
Cynthia Chepkirui, the African U18 3000m champion, announced herself in style with a dominant performance in the senior women&rsquo;s 6.4km race.
Defending champion Megan Keith led during the early stages from Canada&rsquo;s Ceili McCabe, Jess Gibbon, Chepkirui, and Sheila Jebet, a world U20 finalist and winner in Hannut earlier this year. Gibbon soon lost touch, leaving a leading quartet to dictate the pace through the second kilometre.
At about the halfway mark, Chepkirui started to make her move and gradually opened up a gap on Jebet and McCabe while Keith was forced to stop briefly to adjust her shoe.
Chepkirui never looked back, extending her lead over the final kilometres to win decisively in 20:11. Jebet secured second place in 20:31, three seconds ahead of McCabe, while Keith finished fourth in 20:51.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (6.4km) 1 Cynthia Chepkirui (KEN) 20:11 2 Sheila Jebet (KEN) 20:31 3 Ceili McCabe (CAN) 20:33 4 Megan Keith (GBR) 20:51 5 Poppy Tank (GBR) 21:09 6 Sofia Thogersen (DEN) 21:16
Men (9.6km) 1 Mathew Kipsang (KEN) 28:14 2 Victor Kimosop (KEN) 28:19 3 Stephen Kimutai (KEN) 28:27 4 Zakariya Mahamed (GBR) 28:28 5 Jacob Cann (GBR) 28:29 6 Richard Slade (GBR) 28:41

Mathew Kipsang kicked to victory at the Cardiff Cross Challenge, while 17-year-old compatriot Cynthia Chepkurui made it a Kenyan double

Kipsang and Chepkirui secure Kenyan double in Cardiff

On the track, Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell are rivals. In training, they&rsquo;re friends, sparring mates, and &ndash; according to their coach Trevor Painter &ndash; &ldquo;quite sassy.&rdquo; Together, they&rsquo;ve turned the M11 Track Club into one of the most formidable training environments in middle-distance running.
Painter, who runs the Manchester-based group alongside wife and 2009 world bronze medallist Jenny Meadows, laughs when asked about coaching the duo. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re both very different, but also the same in other ways,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;They both have this amazing will to win. I&rsquo;m quite often getting scolded by them for different reasons.&rdquo;
That blend of fire and friendship has carried them through a turbulent season leading up to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m champion, has fought back from multiple injuries. &ldquo;It was quite difficult at times,&rdquo; Painter says in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ILmt8ah-A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive World Athletics video feature</a>. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of soul searching and a lot of tears when it&rsquo;s not going your way. But that&rsquo;s athletics.&rdquo;
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R-ILmt8ah-A" width="100%" height="475" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
In mid-August, when Hodgkinson made her season debut at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia, things finally began to click. &ldquo;I was hoping she&rsquo;d be in 1:54 shape by the time she got to the World Championshhips,&rdquo; says Painter. &ldquo;But when she won in Silesia (in 1:54.74), I&rsquo;m like, &lsquo;Oh, you&rsquo;re in 1:54 shape. Ok, we&rsquo;ve done it early&rsquo;.&rdquo;
She produced another 1:54 clocking in Tokyo, earning the bronze medal just 0.01 behind Hunter Bell as both Brits finished behind surprise winner Lilian Odira of Kenya.
For Hodgkinson, that medal meant more than redemption. &ldquo;If you&rsquo;d told me in June that I&rsquo;d run two 1:54s this season and earn world bronze, I&rsquo;d have taken it,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;At one point I didn&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;d even make it back this season. It just shows how strong I am &ndash; and how strong the team around me is.&rdquo;
Hunter Bell&rsquo;s route to global podiums has been anything but conventional. A former tech sales executive, she spent seven years juggling full-time work and self-funded training. &ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t start with &lsquo;I&rsquo;m going back to go to the Olympics&rsquo;,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;It started small &ndash; parkruns, a local track race. Then it just progressed. It doesn&rsquo;t always have to be the same path everyone else takes.&rdquo;
She&rsquo;s now an Olympic 1500m bronze medallist and a world silver medallist over 800m, just 0.01 ahead of her training partner. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always taken the approach that the best thing to do is to go into a race and just have fun,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;You never want to be the best in the group &ndash; you need people better than you pulling you forward.&rdquo;
Painter agrees: &ldquo;There are lots of moments in the group where you can take inspiration. Everyone&rsquo;s pushing each other to new limits.&rdquo;
Two medals. Two extraordinary journeys. And one partnership still rewriting the rules of middle-distance running.
Interview and video production by Marta Gorczyńska for World Athletics

World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025

On the track, Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell are rivals. In training, they’re friends and sparring mates

Camaraderie – Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell

World Athletics is looking for an intern to join the International Relations and Development department.
The internship will involve supporting the International Relations and Development department in project-based tasks (research and consultation) and providing support to the department&rsquo;s teams as needed, as well as providing direct support to the Director in administrative day-to-day activities (diary, administrative tasks, travel, etc).&nbsp;
The duration of the internship is six months.
Position description: <a href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=0dcbc222-2947-4c78-9ca0-6d02615d91ad.pdf&amp;urlSlug=department-intern-international-relations-dev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">English</a> | <a href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=03f14a6a-5dc3-46d5-a93a-e2f128daddc5.pdf&amp;urlSlug=stagiaire-au-sein-du-departement-relations-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">French</a>
To apply, candidates should send the following in English to <a href="mailto:jobs@worldathletics.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jobs@worldathletics.org</a> before 4 December 2025:
&bull; Letter of application highlighting your motivation for the post and relevant experience&nbsp;
&bull; Up to date curriculum vitae&nbsp;

World Athletics is looking for an intern to join the International Relations and Development department

Shot put legend Gong retires

Amebaw dominates while Kipsang outsprints Kwizera in Soria

The pole vault family – Manolo Karalis

Ultimate Championship session schedule revealed with 300 days to go

U18 athlete refugee team members selected as programme expands to Uganda