A look back at the key moments of 2024 in the middle and long distance events

2024 review: middle and long distance

A look back at the key moments of 2024 in the sprints

2024 review: sprints

Tamirat Tola earned Ethiopia&rsquo;s only gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with an extraordinary performance in the men&rsquo;s marathon.
On a uniquely testing course, and in gruelling conditions, he won gold in an Olympic record of 2:06:26 &ndash; a performance that was all the more remarkable for the fact that he had only been called into the team with two weeks&rsquo; notice as a replacement for his injured compatriot Sisay Lemma.
The 33-year-old, who earned Olympic bronze over 10,000m in 2016, thus added a second global marathon title to his collection after his victory at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/66b72e51553963b671cc1242.jpg" alt="Tamirat Tola wins the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games" />
Tamirat Tola wins the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (&copy; Christel Saneh for World Athletics )
</div>
 
<h2>Tola&rsquo;s 2024 in numbers</h2>
With the hills, and the heat, it was tough enough to run on the Paris marathon course. But you set an Olympic record of 2:06:26. How did you manage this feat?
&ldquo;It was a very difficult course in Paris. But the only thought in my mind was that I could not lose. Our country had won no gold medals on the track, and the marathon races were the last chance for us, so I needed to make the most of my talent.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Many athletes found the steep hills and long descents of the Paris course the toughest they had faced, particularly around the 28km mark. Where did it hurt most for you?
&ldquo;It was hardest from 27 to 30 kilometres, with the steep hill and the long drop. I wasn&rsquo;t thinking about the time, but when I finished I had the Olympic record, which was another reason to be proud.
&ldquo;My coach had told me that this was a very difficult course, so when I arrived in Paris I thought about how I could run my best on this course. I used this challenge as motivation, and thankfully I overcame it.
&ldquo;In athletics, challenges are part of the sport. And we always have to do the best for our country.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
This was your second global marathon title following your success at the 2022 World Championships. How did the two victories compare?
&ldquo;In 2022 it was not easy, all the champions were also there. In the past I had been concentrating on the 10,000m, which led to the Olympic bronze medal in 2016. After that I won the marathon silver at the 2017 World Championships in London.
&ldquo;I improved my talent in 2022 to win the gold medal. I was happy at that time because after a long injury I was able to win for my country.
&ldquo;In 2023 I lost that title because of a problem with my stomach. But that made it all the more amazing to fulfil my goals at the Olympics in Paris.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62d44d211e279df31a804ad1.jpg" alt="Tamirat Tola wins the world marathon title in a championship record in Oregon" />
Tamirat Tola wins the world marathon title in a championship record in Oregon (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
&nbsp;
You had just two weeks to prepare after being told you were running in the Olympic marathon following the withdrawal of Sisay Lemma, after which you stepped up as the third Ethiopian entrant alongside Deresa Geleta and Kenenisa Bekele. How did you manage this challenge?
&ldquo;For three months together with Kenenisa, Lemma, Deresa and I prepared for the national team. At that time my coach said, &lsquo;prepare with them, and if you are not needed for Paris then go to do the New York City marathon&rsquo;.
&ldquo;When I heard the news that I was on the team, I was really excited for the following two weeks. But for Sisay, it wasn&rsquo;t an easy decision because it was for our country. We discussed it with him and he said, &lsquo;It won&rsquo;t be easy for me to run injured in Paris, so you go&rsquo;.
&ldquo;When I got to Paris, I was thinking about how I could challenge (Eliud) Kipchoge and other athletes. I knew the main contenders. There were lots of talented athletes.
&ldquo;But I reminded myself that I had worked hard. And when I got in front in the final kilometres, I knew I could win.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6765842f6461240cfad541f2.jpg" alt="Tamirat Tola in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games" />
Tamirat Tola in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
 
In Paris you became the fourth Ethiopian to win the Olympic marathon title after Abebe Bikila in 1960 and 1964, Mamo Wolde in 1968 and Gezahegne Abera in 2000. How proud are you to have done this, and what inspiration did you take from your victorious compatriots?
&ldquo;I did not expect to win because I knew there were runners there like Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time winner. But once I got ahead, I knew I could do it.
&ldquo;For a long time after Gezahegne, for 24 years, we were without an Ethiopian win in the men&rsquo;s marathon at the Olympics. I was happy to attain this goal in a Games record and to join the other Olympic champions.
&ldquo;It was Ethiopia&rsquo;s only gold medal in Paris &ndash; I was able to provide happiness for our country.&rdquo;
Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics

Tamirat Tola earned Ethiopia’s only gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics

World out-of-stadium athlete of the year Tamirat Tola’s 2024 – in numbers

World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that Germany&rsquo;s Klaus Wolfermann, the 1972 Olympic javelin champion, died on Wednesday (18) at the age of 78.
As well as winning gold at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Wolfermann became a world record-holder. He thew 94.08m in Leverkusen in May 1973, setting a world record that would stand for more than three years.
In 2021 he donated his long sleeve jersey from Munich to the <a href="https://viewerxp-wa.azurewebsites.net/#/MOWA-Temporary5/env/00000" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Museum of World Athletics (MOWA)</a>.
Wolfermann, whose father was a gymnast, started out in gymnastics and handball. He discovered his talent for throwing at the age of 14 and he was later dubbed the "small giant with a golden arm" by German media.
Wolfermann had gone out in the qualifying round at the 1968 Mexico Olympics but he knew he was in form ahead of the Games in Munich, having surpassed 90 metres for the first time at a test event 10 days prior.
In Munich, Wolfermann defeated his role model and the clear favourite to win, the defending champion Janis Lusis, by two centimetres &ndash; 90.48m to 90.46m.
He had achieved that 90.48m throw in the fifth round.
&ldquo;I knew that Lusis was in top form, he had thrown a world record ahead of Munich with 93.80m,&rdquo; Wolfermann <a href="https://worldathletics.org/heritage/news/klaus-wolfermann-munich-1972-jersey-mowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">later recalled</a>. &ldquo;He was a model of concentration, a man with steel nerves. After all, in Mexico 1968 he had won gold with his last attempt. I was curious if he would be able to counter this time.
&ldquo;My goal was actually just to get a medal. But suddenly I had beaten the strongest, most dominant javelin thrower, my absolute role model.
&ldquo;I was just happy that we already had a digital distance measurement then,&rdquo; Wolfermann added. &ldquo;Two centimetres are nothing. If they had done it with a tape measure, I wonder if it had been that accurate, say if the grass had been a little uneven.&rdquo;
After celebrating his Olympic title win in autumn 1972, Wolfermann returned to hard training in January 1973.
His coach thought there was more to come and Wolfermann proved it. His 94.08m throw four months later added 28cm to the world record that Lusis had set in Stockholm in July 1972.
&ldquo;With Klaus Wolfermann, German athletics has lost a great personality who not only won the Olympic gold medal in an unforgettable javelin competition at the 1972 Munich Games, but was also one of the most popular athletes and was named Sportsman of the Year in Germany in 1971/1972,&rdquo; said German Athletics Federation Chairman Idriss Gonschinska.
After his own competitive career came to an end, Wolfermann remained connected to sport through his marketing agency.
World Athletics

Klaus Wolfermann, 1946-2024

1972 Olympic javelin champion Wolfermann dies

<h3>&bull; Study covered online abuse at two Olympic Games and two World Athletics Championships &bull; World Athletics commits to continued protection of athletes&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
 World Athletics today (18 December) unveiled the findings of <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/6762bcd37f1b92878441c35f.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a ground-breaking four-year report analysing online abuse in athletics</a>.
World Athletics conducted the study using Signify Group&rsquo;s Threat Matrix service. This is the first time an international federation has conducted such an in-depth, longitudinal analysis of online abuse. The study spanned a four-year event cycle covering track, field and road athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021), World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In total, more than 1.4 million posts or comments were analysed across the study period, protecting 2,438 athletes participating in World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games.&nbsp;
World Athletics&rsquo; deployment of Threat Matrix, which operates in 40 languages, expanded significantly in scope since the initial Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games study. By the Paris Games in 2024, 1,917 athletes and sports officials with at least one active social account were monitored &ndash; almost 12 times the original sample set during Tokyo 2020 (161). Moreover, four platforms (X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok) were monitored during Paris 2024, expanding significantly from coverage of just X (formerly Twitter) in the initial 2021 study. However, this study excluded direct messaging or non-targeted abuse conversation; where the athletes were mentioned but not directly tagged, suggesting the issue is even greater than the study highlights.
The project scope and coverage has evolved significantly over four years with the introduction of additional platforms, and the identification of new issues, tactics and motivations for sending targeted online abuse. While the growth of coverage and scope as well as the difference in size and scale between World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games makes direct comparisons between each event complicated, racism, sexism and sexualised abuse were constant throughout the study, as was the prevalence and increasing volume of targeted abusive content on social media.&nbsp;
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: &ldquo;Over the past four years, we have invested significant resources into conducting research into online abuse during our sport&rsquo;s major events &ndash; our World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games.
&ldquo;One of our significant successes from this initiative has been our ability to offer athletes support and providing them with the tools to proactively protect themselves against online abuse. Athlete welfare is at the very top of our priority list, and we will continue to put measures in place to ensure that athletes can confidently and safely engage with social media platforms.&rdquo;
Analysis of data across the four years of research found several interesting observations, including:
<ul>
<li>X (formerly Twitter) remains the preeminent platform for watching live events and therefore abusing athletes in real time. X, however, does allow full access to data, unlike other platforms, therefore enabling a more complete and accurate detection of abuse.</li>
<li>The use of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms is still growing and evolving among athletes.</li>
<li>Far fewer athletes post during competition time, lending an atmosphere of stasis to their accounts. Those that do often only do so to celebrate success &ndash; and many employ some form of comment management.</li>
<li>The use of emojis in online abuse has increased significantly, on multiple platforms. The data indicates that the &lsquo;weaponisation of emojis&rsquo; has continued to increase, as emojis are often used to circumvent platform guidelines, being deployed with not immediately obvious abusive context.</li>
</ul>
&ldquo;Competing at a global championship is one of the greatest pinnacles of most athletes&rsquo; careers, but it does create added pressures,&rdquo; says Valerie Adams, Chair of the World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission. "Social media is a great way to connect with fans and share event experiences, and for many athletes is also an important tool to build their brand and fulfil sponsor requirements, but when anonymous trolls online send abusive messages or harass athletes in their own comment sections, it can sour their experience and many athletes choose to switch off their accounts during those major milestone moments.
&ldquo;World Athletics&rsquo; work in this space is vitally important as many athletes don&rsquo;t know how to react when they see or receive abusive comments online, or what measures they can put in place to protect themselves before they enter the spotlight. The more we continue to educate athletes on safeguarding measures, the more athletes will feel comfortable flying the flag for their countries and their sport &ndash; on the field of play, and online.&rdquo;
As well as providing insights into online abuse and threats during the four major events, taking real world action lies at the heart of World Athletics&rsquo; approach to protecting its athlete community. Across the period, this has included:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>1,258 posts and comments reported through to the relevant platform&nbsp;</li>
<li>254 accounts verified to have sent abusive or threatening content have been escalated to the relevant platforms&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>25 athletes have been offered year-round AI protection on some of their social media platforms after having been identified as highly-targeted individuals during major events &ndash; this will be expanded over the next year(s)</li>
<li>Two serious cases have been highlighted to authorities after the accounts had been identified and evidence gathered</li>
<li>Educational materials have been created and distributed to athletes to provide more information on how to better protect themselves and their accounts online and more are currently in development&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
The four-year, multi-event study has given World Athletics and the Threat Matrix team a unique perspective and the data insights necessary to outline a path for World Athletics to further enhance online protection of its athletes. And as important, to heighten the athlete care system to ensure the effects of online abuse are minimised and mitigated.
Using this invaluable data, World Athletics is now working on an action plan that will support its safeguarding policy and is exploring the depth and type of future protection for athletes. To ensure the most effective deployment of services, a consultation with athletes on this topic is also taking place.
Some key metrics across each of the four events include:&nbsp;&nbsp;
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
<ul>
<li>161 athletes covered by Threat Matrix (Twitter only)&nbsp;</li>
<li>240,707 posts captured for analysis&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>132 posts verified as abusive and reported to platforms&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>63% of abuse was targeted at two athletes (both female)&nbsp;</li>
<li>29% of abuse was sexist and 26% was racist&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
2022 World Athletics Championships&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>458 athletes covered by Threat Matrix (both Twitter and Instagram)&nbsp;</li>
<li>427,764 posts captured for analysis&nbsp;</li>
<li>59 posts verified as abusive and reported to platforms&nbsp;</li>
<li>59% of abuse targeted at female athletes&nbsp;</li>
<li>36% of abuse was sexual or sexist in nature and 19% was racist&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
2023 World Athletics Championships&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>1,344 athletes covered by Threat Matrix (both X &ndash; formerly Twitter &ndash; and Instagram)&nbsp;</li>
<li>417,240 posts captured for analysis&nbsp;</li>
<li>258 posts verified as abusive and reported to platforms&nbsp;</li>
<li>X was the preferred channel for online abuse, accounting for over 90% of detected abuse</li>
<li>35% of abuse was racist (12x increase compared to 2022 Championships)&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Unlike previous events, abuse was driven by events outside the stadium and based on athletes&rsquo; wider reputation</li>
</ul>
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
<ul>
<li>1,917 athletes covered by Threat Matrix (across X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok)&nbsp;</li>
<li>355,873 posts captured for analysis&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>809 posts verified as abusive and reported to platforms&nbsp;</li>
<li>18% of all verified abuse was racist&nbsp;</li>
<li>Two athletes accounted for 82% of all abuse&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>13% of all detected abuse was sexual in nature and 17% sexist, making up almost 1/3rd of detected abuse in this study</li>
<li>Three out of the top five abused athletes from the 2023 World Championships also featured in the top five most targeted athletes at the Paris Games</li>
</ul>

World Athletics commits to continued protection of athletes  

World Athletics publishes ground-breaking four-year analysis into online abuse

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was named women&rsquo;s track athlete of the year at the World Athletics Awards 2024 in Monaco after a season in which she twice lowered her own world 400m hurdles record and retained her Olympic title.
At this summer&rsquo;s Paris Games, she also helped the United States make a successful defence of the women&rsquo;s 4x400m title.
McLaughlin-Levrone&rsquo;s first world record of the year came at the US Olympic Trials which she won in 50.65, taking 0.03 off the world record she had set on the same track two years earlier in securing the world title.
In Paris, the day after her 25th birthday, she lowered that mark to 50.37 to add a second Olympic 400m hurdles gold to the one she had won three years earlier in Tokyo.
She followed up by running the second leg for a US 4x400m relay team that won gold in a North American record of 3:15.27, the second-fastest time in history and just 0.10 shy of the long-standing world record.
Speaking on stage with her award at the Theatre Princess Grace, McLaughlin-Levrone commented: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an honour to come here to have the season that the team have had together be recognised. We are always going to find something we can improve.
&ldquo;It was an amazing year. I&rsquo;m so grateful being able to be healthy coming back after last year. The ultimately glory goes to God. I am so super-honoured to be here.
Asked about her targets for next year, she replied with a smile: &ldquo;I honestly don&rsquo;t really know! Mondo&rsquo;s already training. Maybe I should be!&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6762a4b0312ca00b3d84dce8.jpg" alt="Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at the 2024 World Athletics Awards" />
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at the 2024 World Athletics Awards (&copy; Christel Saneh for World Athletics)
</div>
<h2> McLaughlin-Levrone&rsquo;s 2024 in numbers</h2>
You broke the world 400m hurdles record twice in 2024, taking it from 50.68 to 50.65, and then 50.37. Do you think going below 50 seconds is now a possibility?
&ldquo;That definitely is on my mind for sure. An athlete would naturally want to do that. Whether that happens or not is up to God. I&rsquo;m just going to work for it, I can&rsquo;t put a number on it.
&ldquo;It may be me, or maybe an athlete in five or 10 years from now. So I&rsquo;m just going to continue to try to be the best I can be and if it comes it comes, and if it doesn&rsquo;t, it doesn&rsquo;t.
&ldquo;But I think for me it&rsquo;s just the desire to improve. Every time you go back to the table and look at it, there is always something you can do better. It&rsquo;s exciting in the hurdles, that there is always something you can improve on.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6762ab0bb43c1ec381e7e2b0.jpg" alt="Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins the 400m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games" />
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins the 400m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (&copy; AFP / Getty Images)
</div>
 
You have now set six consecutive world records in the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles. Do you have a favourite?
&ldquo;I think you can&rsquo;t ever beat the first time,&rdquo; she said, referring to her mark of 51.90 set at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene three years ago, which beat the record of 52.16 compatriot Dalilah Muhammad had set in beating her to the 2019 world title.
&ldquo;It was the first moment of realising that my childhood dreams came true. Going under 52, all that hard work, seeing it come to fruition &ndash; I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ll ever get past it.
&ldquo;Realising that barrier was possible to break. Learning about myself as an athlete. That race, for me, was the stepping stone. We then were able to see that we could push this further and further.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
You ran 47.71 on the second leg as the United States won the Olympic 4x400m title in 3:15.27, the second-fastest time in history. You have also run 48.74 in individual competition, just 0.04 off the US record. How do you see your 400m flat running progressing?
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s always amazing to run with those ladies. We are really together now and we have our own training situations. Representing the USA together and getting that gold in Paris was just a really special moment.
&ldquo;The 400m flat almost hurts a bit more than the hurdles, to be honest. You&rsquo;re going faster and you definitely feel that. But I think the open 400m is very helpful in terms of speed endurance, and it&rsquo;s always very helpful to have those hurdles in your mind when you&rsquo;re running it.
&ldquo;So they&rsquo;re both great, and hopefully I will get some more opportunities next year to do some flat 400s.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6762ab3fb43c1ec381e7e2b6.jpg" alt="The US 4x400m team celebrates their victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games" />
The US 4x400m team celebrates their victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (&copy; AFP / Getty Images)
</div>
 
The next summer Olympics in 2028 are due to take place in Los Angeles. Your thoughts?
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s super-exciting to be able to have the Games in LA, where I&rsquo;m training right now. I drive by the Coliseum at times and imagine what it is going to look like during the Olympics. I hope LA is going to be prepared for that moment. I know it will be. It&rsquo;s a really special opportunity to have the Olympics in our back yard.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Only two women have broken 51 seconds for the 400m hurdles &ndash; you and Femke Bol. How do you rate her as competition and how do you see your rivalry playing out in the next few years?
&ldquo;I think every athlete is focused on themselves, to be honest, because you still have to jump over those 10 hurdles. Obviously Femke is a wonderful competitor and there are so many women in our event that are just getting faster and faster. So you always have to show respect for your opposition because you never know what anyone is going to produce on any given day.
&ldquo;But like I said, it&rsquo;s you against you. And you have to be prepared to be at your highest level when you step on the track, because our event is going to heights I don&rsquo;t think any of us imagined &ndash; which is amazing because we are all just pushing one another to be the best. And I am really happy to be a part of this transition.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
You have said that moments after winning the 400m hurdles world title in 2022, you experienced the worst physical pain of your life. Was the post-race pain better or worse in Paris?
&ldquo;Believe it or not, it actually was better in Paris, although still very painful! But I think my body got used to 50-point and what it felt like going into shock.
&ldquo;In Paris it was a bit better for sure because I knew what to expect. So the second half of the race and what that felt like was a little bit better this time around.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6762ab1eb43c1ec381e7e2b3.jpg" alt="Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in Paris" />
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in Paris (&copy; AFP / Getty Images)
</div>
 
You have achieved enormous success in your career so far. What is the one thing you have found hardest?
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think this will be a shock to the media but I think that for me would be the media and their opinions and stories of you they write. I know it&rsquo;s their job to get an interesting story, but their story may not always reflect the truth.
&ldquo;To any young athlete who is still very impressionable and trying to discover who they are, having the whole world have an opinion about them can be a little overwhelming.
&ldquo;And I think that&rsquo;s something that can be very difficult, especially on the world stage when you see articles that are written about you that are not true, and things that are posted about you that are not true.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s very easy to let that get into your mind, into your performance, and I think that&rsquo;s something I tell young athletes all the time that is just something you have to be aware of what you let into your mind and into your circle. Because it can affect you.&rdquo;
Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics

A numerical look back at Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone's 2024 season

World track athlete of the year Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 2024 – in numbers

Olympic silver medallists Katie Moon and Daniel Roberts have been announced for the Millrose Games &ndash; a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting &ndash; in New York on 8 February.
Moon, the Tokyo Olympic pole vault champion, returns for her fifth Millrose Games and will be on the hunt for more success following her win in 2023. After that victory, she went on to claim the second of her two world titles in Budapest.
Her US compatriot Roberts will also be on the hunt for another win in New York. The world bronze medallist topped the 60m hurdles at the event in 2020 and claimed runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2024.
The women&rsquo;s 60m hurdles will star the Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell.
They will be joined at the Armory by the previously announced Cole Hocker and Grant Fisher, who will go head-to-head in the 3000m.
Hocker claimed the 1500m title at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Fisher claimed two bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m.
The first two names have also been announced for the INIT Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe, the fifth World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event of 2025, taking place the day before the competition in New York.
Home sprint star Gina Luckenkemper will be among those competing and she will be joined at the Europahalle by her German compatriot, long jumper Mikaelle Assani.

Olympic silver medallists Katie Moon and Daniel Roberts have been announced for the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in New York

Moon and Roberts set for Millrose Games

China&rsquo;s Yang Jiayu and Brazil&rsquo;s Caio Bonfim have been confirmed as the overall winners in the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Tour.
The scoring system combines each athlete&rsquo;s three best world ranking performances from the series. The man and woman with the highest score each win US$25,000.
Yang, the world record-holder over 20km, started her season with a runner-up finish in Taicang in March, narrowly beaten by compatriot Ma Zhenxia, both women clocking 1:26:07. Two months later, Yang placed sixth in a high-quality race in La Coruna in 1:27:27.
But Yang was unbeatable on the sport&rsquo;s biggest stage, taking the Olympic title in Paris in 1:25:54 &ndash; the third-fastest clocking of her career and her quickest time since setting the world record of 1:23:49 in 2021.
Her performance score of 1490 elevated her to the top of the Race Walking Tour standings, ahead of Australia&rsquo;s Jemima Montag (3938) and Peru&rsquo;s Kimberly Garcia (3901).
Bonfim, winner of last season&rsquo;s tour, competed in five races on this year&rsquo;s tour. Although he didn&rsquo;t achieve any individual victories this season, his year-long consistency led to podium finishes in all five races and the overall lead in the Race Walking Tour.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/67617389a43af2d33308076c.jpg" alt="Brazil's Caio Bonfim celebrates his Olympic silver medal win in Paris" />
Brazil's Caio Bonfim celebrates his Olympic silver medal win in Paris (&copy; Dan Vernon)
</div>
Like Yang, he kicked off his season with a strong showing in Taicang, clocking a Brazilian record of 1:17:44 to finish third. He achieved another third-place finish a month later in Podebrady, clocking 1:18:50.
After a runner-up finish in Warsaw (1:19:17) and a third-place finish in La Coruna (1:17:52), Bonfim went on to take the 20km silver medal in Paris in 1:19:09.
He ended the series with a score of 4072, putting him just four points ahead of Olympic champion Brian Daniel Pintado. Olympic bronze medallist Alvaro Martin was third in the standings with 4035.
The 2025 World Race Walking Tour &ndash; which has events in Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania &ndash; kicks off on 12 January with the USA 35km Race Walking Championships. The first Gold level meeting of the season will be held on 1-2 March in Taicang.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-tour/calendar-results?season=2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-race-walking-tour/calendar-results?season=2025">2025 World Race Walking Tour calendar</a>
<h3>2024 World Race Walking Tour final standings</h3>
Women 1 Yang Jiayu (CHN) 3998 2 Jemima Montag (AUS) 3938 3 Kimberly Garcia (PER) 3901 4 Alegna Gonzalez (MEX) 3873 5 Lorena Arenas (COL) 3836 6&nbsp;Ma Zhenxia (CHN) 3788 7 Liu Hong (CHN) 3776 8 Laura Garcia-Caro (ESP) 3773
Men 1 Caio Bonfim (BRA) 4072 2 Brian Pintado (ECU) 4068 3 Alvaro Martin (ESP) 4035 4 Massimo Stano (ITA) 3987 5 Evan Dunfee (CAN) 3946 6&nbsp;Toshikazu Yamanishi (JPN) 3889 7 Zhang Jun (CHN) 3889 8 Diego Garcia Carrera (ESP) 3817
World Athletics

China’s Yang Jiayu and Brazil’s Caio Bonfim have been confirmed as the overall winners in the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Tour

Yang and Bonfim confirmed winners of World Athletics Race Walking Tour

<h3>&bull; Initiative identifies the healthiest day to run in the city</h3>
 Running for Clean Air has reached a major milestone with the publication of its inaugural report, demonstrating the impact of the initiative for cities looking to combat air pollution.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/air-quality/running-for-clean-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Running for Clean Air</a> is a World Athletics project, funded by the <a href="https://www.cleanairfund.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clean Air Fund</a>. Its objective is to address air pollution in urban areas, using city marathons as a powerful platform. By integrating air quality monitoring and public awareness campaigns into road running events, the initiative seeks to make clean air a priority for city governments, event organisers and the public, ultimately contributing to healthier urban environments and better conditions for physical activity.
The initiative kicked off in Warsaw in Poland in March and has already launched in a second city, with August marking the start of Running for Clean Air in Lagos, Nigeria. The inaugural campaign concluded at the Warsaw City Marathon in September, leading to the publication of the project&rsquo;s <a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/health-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first report</a>.
<h2>Minimising personal exposure</h2>
Running for Clean Air has been monitoring air quality and heat stress in one of Warsaw&rsquo;s city parks for five months. By analysing the data collected, it is possible to identify the optimal days and times for exercise at that location.
Air pollution is ever-present and its threats to human health are undeniable. While the health benefits of regular exercise generally outweigh the risks associated with air pollution, it&rsquo;s important to stay informed about local air quality conditions. Adjusting the timing and intensity of workouts to match cleaner air periods can make a significant difference.
Running for Clean Air Warsaw 2024 employed the project&rsquo;s <a href="https://iaafmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/misc/air-quality/Dynamic%20and%20stationary%20monitoring%20of%20air%20pollutant%20exposures%20and%20dose%20during%20marathons.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously developed and scientifically documented methodology</a>. A <a href="https://kunakair.com/air-quality-monitor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high-quality sensor</a> was installed in a Warsaw city park to collect data over five months &ndash; this extended monitoring period allowed patterns to be observed and identification of the safest times for exercise at the location.
<h2>Key findings: the cleanest and dirtiest days</h2>
Looking at the graphs below, Friday clearly stands out as the most polluted day of the week in Warsaw, while Sunday and Monday lie on the opposite end of the spectrum. The high values on Fridays are mainly caused by individually high values of ozone and particulate matter, the most prominent pollutants recorded at this location.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/67603eeb8c2039652f7b19e8.jpg" alt="Daily evolution of AQI EU throughout the project period" />
Daily evolution of AQI EU throughout the project period
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px 20px 5px 20px; border: 2px solid #76d7e1;">
AQI EU stands for the European Air Quality Index and serves as an air quality indicator, aggregating the individual values of five pollutants: O3, NO2, NO, PM2.5, and PM10. The value of the index corresponds to the poorest value of any of the five pollutants.
</div>
<h2>Timing matters: the cleanest hours</h2>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/67603f478c2039652f7b19eb.jpg" alt="Hourly evolution of AQI EU throughout the project period" />
Hourly evolution of AQI EU throughout the project period
</div>
When examining pollution levels throughout the day, the data shows that air quality peaks between 12:00pm and 2:00pm, driven by ozone levels. This mid-afternoon rise occurs as the fumes from the morning commute react with sunlight. After this peak, pollution levels gradually decline.
This provides a good indication as to the most suitable times for physical activity at this location. For anyone regularly exercising in this area, the report provides a recommendation of adjusting exercising times to avoid the air pollution peaks. If rescheduling workouts isn&rsquo;t feasible, athletes can consider reducing their intensity or duration during these periods.
See full results and recommendations in the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/health-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">summary report</a>.
<h2>A local perspective with broader implications</h2>
While this data is hyperlocal and reflects the situation in the park where the sensor was installed, some conclusions may apply to other locations and having access to local air quality data is critical for making informed decisions.
It is hoped that by sharing this in-depth data for Warsaw, other cities will be inspired to follow suit.
<h2>It is always better to exercise, even in poor air</h2>
World Athletics champions physical activity as a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. While air pollution is a valid concern, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/1/142/5559550?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it is proven</a> that the health benefits of exercise in most regions outweigh the risks posed by polluted air. For the general population, it is far better to stay active, even in less-than-ideal air quality.
Professional athletes, however, may require more tailored guidance.
<h2>Building on years of research</h2>
World Athletics has prioritised air quality since 2017, producing multiple scientific publications under the guidance of its Health &amp; Science Department. This research serves as the backbone of the organisation&rsquo;s commitment to addressing global air quality, which is now one of the six pillars of its sustainability strategy.
Thanks to the partnership with the Clean Air Fund, this work has expanded to include practical, real-world applications of scientific findings.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/67603f638c2039652f7b19ee.jpg" alt="Air quality timeline" /></div>
As the example of the Warsaw running community demonstrates, sport has the power to unite people around important social and environmental issues. It shows, too, that communities genuinely care about the quality of the air they breathe, and with support and the right data, they can make a positive difference.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletics-better-world/air-quality/running-for-clean-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit the project website</a> to learn more.

Running for Clean Air has reached a major milestone with the publication of its inaugural report

Running for Clean Air makes strides with Warsaw report release

Olympic champions Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred and Grant Holloway are set to headline the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix &ndash; a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting &ndash; in Boston on 2 February 2025.
Lyles is returning to defend his crown, having achieved his third consecutive victory in Boston last year in a PB of 6.44. He went on to reduce his PB to 6.43, then earned 60m silver at the World Indoor Championships. The peak of his outdoor season, meanwhile, was his 9.79 triumph over 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Two-time world indoor champion Grant Holloway will also be vying for a fourth consecutive win in Boston. The world and Olympic 110m hurdles champion owns eight of the nine fastest times ever recorded in the 60m hurdles, topped by his world indoor record of 7.27 set earlier this year.
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred will be making her New Balance Indoor Grand Prix debut. Before winning the Olympic 100m title in Paris, the sprinter from St Lucia also struck gold over 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year.
Elsewhere, Britain&rsquo;s 2022 world champion Jake Wightman leads the men&rsquo;s 1500m field, while six-time NCAA champion Parker Valby will make her professional racing debut in the women&rsquo;s 3000m.

Olympic champions Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred and Grant Holloway are set to headline the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

Lyles, Alfred and Holloway confirmed for Boston

Spain's Carolina Robles and Nassim Hassaous captured victories at the Cross Internacional de Venta de Banos, the 12th Gold level meeting of this season&rsquo;s World Athletics Cross Country Tour, on Sunday (15).
In doing so, both confirmed their fine form and took their first ever wins at a Gold level event on a cold and foggy day.
Following the last minute withdrawal of Portugal&rsquo;s Mariana Machado, the 33-year-old Robles became the favourite in the women&rsquo;s 9.3km contest. The race kicked off at a moderate rhythm, the opening 1km small lap taking 3:39. By then the leading quartet featured steeplechaser Robles, Carla Gallardo, Cristina Ruiz and Angela Viciosa, who finished fourth in the U23 race at last year&rsquo;s European Cross Country Championships. Surprisingly, Maria Forero, fresh from an U23 silver medal at the recent European Championships in Antalya, had already lost any chance of a podium place and travelled a way back from that quartet.
The first big 2.2km lap was covered in 7:38, with the Tokyo Olympics 14th-place finisher Robles taking on the pacing duties closely followed by her three compatriots. The key move came some 13 minutes into the race when Robles decided to pick up the pace to become a lonesome leader. The Seville-born athlete built a solid 11-second gap on Gallardo and Ruiz, who were two seconds ahead of a faltering Viciosa, and Robles had killed the race thanks to a 7:24 circuit.
Robles continued to increase her lead over the penultimate loop, taking it to 24 seconds over the chasing duo at the bell following a 7:33 circuit.
The virtual winner slowed her speed a little over the closing lap, which took her 7:36, but she still ran home unopposed in 33:56. The fight for the runner-up spot was exciting as Ruiz only overtook Gallardo over the last 200m.
&ldquo;I had never thought of winning a Gold event,&rdquo; said Robles. &ldquo;Today was a great opportunity and I took advantage, I&rsquo;m really pleased to take the victory in this prestigious event. Last weekend I was aiming for a top eight place at the Europeans but I had to settle for 16th, so today is a minor revenge from that.&rdquo;
On her ambitions for the 2025 season, Robles added: &ldquo;I ran my last 3000m steeplechase race at the Paris Olympics. My plan now is to tackle the road events &ndash; 10km and half marathon &ndash; and make the Spanish team for the European and World Championships. I would like to compete at the Tokyo World Championships over 5000m or 10,000m.&rdquo;
<h2>Guerra carves out race, Hassaous prevails</h2>
The men's 9.3km event also opened at a moderate pace as the first small lap was timed at 3:08. Portugal&rsquo;s Rui Pinto was at the helm, closely followed by the Eritrean teenager Amanuel Berhe, the in-form Hassaous, Aaron Las Heras and the evergreen Javier Guerra, among others. With the clock reading six minutes it was Guerra who took command of the race, his closest pursuers being Berhe, Hassaous and Las Heras who ran in crocodile file behind the two-time European Championships marathon fourth-place finisher.
After a 6:42 first 2.2km lap, Guerra&rsquo;s relentless rhythm whittled down the main pack to four athletes. The second circuit took a similar 6:41 time and it was then that Las Heras, the 2019 European U20 5000m champion, moved to the front and ruled the race for a mile before Guerra regained top spot during the closing stages of the penultimate lap. That lap was covered in a faster 6:34, with four athletes still in contention.
The 30-year-old Hassaous, fresh from seventh place at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, made his move some 1.4km from home to open a sizeable five-second gap in a matter of 300 metres to decide the race in his favour. Meanwhile, Guerra and Berhe were fighting hard for the runner-up place as Las Heras lost some 15 metres and seemed to be out of podium contention.
The closing 300 metres over the ash track proved thrilling as the 24-year-old Las Heras managed to catch Guerra and Behre to clinch second place, while Guerra pipped Behre to complete the podium.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m super happy as my name is now among an incredible list of past winners here,&rdquo; said Hassaous. &ldquo;As I had expected, Guerra set the pace. I had not felt the best until midway, but then I felt much more comfortable. I felt strong at the bell and decided to attack shortly afterwards.&rdquo;
Despite his recent seventh place in Antalya, Hassaous plans to build up for longer distances. &ldquo;I made my half marathon debut in Valencia last October (1:01:48) and would like to improve on that over the following seasons,&rdquo; he added.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Carolina Robles (ESP) 33:56 2 Cristina Ruiz (ESP) 34:11 3 Carla Gallardo (ESP) 34:19 4 Angela Viciosa (ESP) 34:50 5 Blanca Fernandez (ESP) 35:10
Men 1 Nassim Hassaous (ESP) 29:38 2 Aaron Las Heras (ESP) 29:45 3 Javier Guerra (ESP) 29:46 4 Amanuel Berhe (ERI) 29:53 5 Younes Kniya (MAR) 30:01

Spain's Carolina Robles and Nassim Hassaous captured victories at the 12th Gold level meeting of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Tour

Robles and Hassaous dominate in Venta de Banos

Ethiopia&rsquo;s Nibret Melak and Kenya&rsquo;s Winfridah Moraa Moseti were victorious at the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, in Chon Buri in Thailand on Sunday (15).
Racing in humid conditions, Melak outkicked Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Geoffrey Toroitich in the closing stages to win in 1:02:32, while Moseti made her break earlier in the race to triumph in 1:10:01.
In the men&rsquo;s race, eight athletes remained together as 10km was reached in 30:41, with Melak &ndash; who finished seventh in the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships last year &ndash; running towards the back of the pack. The pace picked up and the lead group was down to four by 15km, with Melak, Munyao and Toroitich joined by Leul Gebresilase as they passed that point in 45:07.
Toroitich, Melak and Munyao then made a break, with Toroitich leading the attack. The trio ran side-by-side with the finish line in sight, before Melak kicked again and created a clear gap to win by two seconds.
Kenya&rsquo;s Munyao was second in 1:02:34, while his compatriot Toroitich was third in 1:02:36 and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Gebresilase finished another three seconds back.
Hamburg Marathon runner-up Moseti was always among the leaders in the women&rsquo;s race and was part of the group that reached 10km in 34:36, led by Kenya&rsquo;s Gladys Chepkurui.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/675ead25f113417a0f7e9565.jpg" alt="Winfridah Moraa Moseti wins the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon" />
Winfridah Moraa Moseti wins the Bangsaen21 Half Marathon (&copy; Organisers)
</div>
Chepkurui and Moseti had Uganda&rsquo;s Rebecca Chelangat and Kenya&rsquo;s Rosemary Wanjiru for company at the 15km mark, reached in 50:44, but Chepkurui couldn&rsquo;t maintain the pace as Moseti, Chelangat and Wanjiru made a break.
Moseti was clearly waiting for her moment to strike and she made a winning move, creating a gap on her rivals that would grow to 33 seconds by the finish line. She won in 1:10:01 ahead of Chelangat in 1:10:34, Wanjiru in 1:10:53 and Chepkurui in 1:11:11.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN) 1:10:01 2 Rebecca Chelangat (UGA) 1:10:34 3 Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) 1:10:53 4 Gladys Chepkurui (KEN) 1:11:11 5 Antonina Kwambai (KEN) 1:12:01
Men 1 Nibret Melak (ETH) 1:02:32 2 Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) 1:02:34 3 Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) 1:02:36 4 Leul Gebresilase (ETH) 1:02:39 5 Justus Kipkogei Kangogo (KEN) 1:03:55
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7208978/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Kebede retains 25km crown in Kolkata, Kissa beats Ebenyo</h2>
Sutume Kebede secured a second successive Tata Steel Kolkata World 25K crown, while Stephen Kissa beat defending champion Daniel Ebenyo to the men&rsquo;s title in the World Athletics Gold Label road race on Sunday (15).
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Kebede recovered from a stomach issue just in time to defend her title. She set a stand-alone world 25km best of 1:18:47 to win last year&rsquo;s race and this time clocked 1:19:21 to triumph ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Viola Chepngeno and Bahrain&rsquo;s Desi Jisa.
Kebede was challenged by 2022 winner Jisa and Chpengeno, but after Chpengeno started to fade over the final couple of kilometres, Kebede became a clear leader after 23km.
Chepngeno finished second in 1:19:48, while Jisa finished a distant third in 1:21:33.
&ldquo;I am very happy to win (here) again,&rdquo; said Kebede. &ldquo;I wanted to break the course record but was a little tired of travelling. I am training for the next year and will participate in marathons.&rdquo;
In the men&rsquo;s race, Uganda&rsquo;s Kissa rebounded to log his first win in an international competition in five years.
The lead group of Ebenyo, Benson Kipruto, Kissa and Haymanot Alew reached 10km in 28:42. Last year&rsquo;s winner Ebenyo &ndash; who also set a stand-alone world best for 25km (1:11:13) when winning last year's race &ndash; looked strong, remaining at the helm or alongside Kissa for much of the race.
They reached 15km in 42:56, with Ebenyo and Kissa still leading the pack as the pace picked up along the tram tracks of South Kolkata. Kipruto dropped off as Kissa took the lead at the 20km mark, clocking 57:50, with Ebenyo close behind.
Ebenyo tried to move away from Kissa but the Ugandan athlete held off the challenge to sprint to the tape and win in 1:12:33.
Ebenyo finished runner-up four seconds later, while Anthony Kipchirchir came through for third place in 1:12:55.
&ldquo;I realised that I ran well today,&rdquo; said Kissa. &ldquo;I thought this could be my day. At the last kilometre I was comfortable, and I knew I could do it.&rdquo;
Ebenyo, who finished fifth on his marathon debut in Chicago in October, said: &ldquo;Every day, a champion is born in sports. Last year, it was me. This year, it was Kissa. That is the fun of sports. I am very happy. He has flown the flag of Uganda and congratulations. I was a little tired this year as I did not recover from the Chicago Marathon. I will take a break for the festive season and spend time with my family. I felt some fatigue today, but it is sports.&rdquo;
Ram Murali Krishnan (organisers) for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Sutume Kebede (ETH) 1:19:21 2 Viola Chepngeno (KEN) 1:19:48 3 Desi Jisa (BRN) 1:21:33 4 Alemaddis Eyayu (ETH) 1:21:46 5 Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 1:22:20
Men 1 Stephen Kissa (UGA) 1:12:33 2 Daniel Ebenyo (KEN) 1:12:37 3 Anthony Kipchirchir (KEN) 1:12:55 4 Benson Kipruto (KEN) 1:13:25 5 Asbel Rutto (KEN) 1:13:36
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7216474/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a> 
<h2>Gebrhiwet and Alemayo win 5km clashes in Al Khobar</h2>
Hagos Gebrhiwet and Marta Alemayo won two close 5km races at the Al Sharqiyah International, a World Athletics Elite Label event, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (15).
Gebrhiwet held off his Ethiopian compatriot Kuma Girma to narrowly claim the men's crown. They both clocked 12:58 &ndash; strengthening Gebrhiwet&rsquo;s position at fifth on the world all-time list and moving 19-year-old Girma to join him there with a world U20 best on his 5km debut.
Their 19-year-old compatriot Mezgebu Sime finished third in 13:01.
It was an Ethiopian double as 16-year-old world U20 cross country champion Alemayo won the women&rsquo;s race in a world U18 best of 14:44, pipping her compatriot Hirut Meshesha, who recorded the same time. Kenya&rsquo;s Lilian Kasait Rengeruk was third in 14:50.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7212703/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>
The half marathon races were won by Ethiopia&rsquo;s Gotytom Gebreslase in 1:07:11 and Kenya's Alex Matata in 1:00:17.
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7212702/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>

Ethiopia’s Nibret Melak and Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti were victorious at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in Chon Buri

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