<p>Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino completed a double in the 400m and mixed relay while Flor Denis Ruiz improved her South American record and Jose Figueroa rewrote the record books on the first four days of competition at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.</p>
<p>On the opening day at the stadium, Paulino overcame a sizable deficit with the leading Puerto Rican team to bring home the first gold to the host country in the mixed 4x400m relay. Her anchor leg of 48.51 led the team to defend their title in 3:10.57, more than four seconds faster than their winning time at the 2023 Games.</p>
<p>Erick S&aacute;nchez, Anabel Medina and Christopher Melenciano completed the quartet for the Dominican Republic.</p>
<p>Two days later, Paulino returned to the Felix Sanchez stadium and successfully defended her 400m title in 48.94, a 1.01-second improvement on her previous Games record. She was joined on the podium by her training partner and world finalist Roxana Gomez of Cuba (49.95) and Olympic 800m finalist Shafiqua Maloney of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (51.77).</p>
<p>Gabriel Moronta sealed the Dominican double in the one-lap race with the men&rsquo;s title in 44.70, ahead of Mexico&rsquo;s Luis Aviles (45.06) and Venezuela&rsquo;s Javier Gomez (45.07). The trio denied a medal to Grenada&rsquo;s triple Olympic medallist Kirani James, the region&rsquo;s most successful 400m runner ever.</p>
<p>Colombia&rsquo;s 2023 world silver medallist Flor Denis Ruiz threw a massive 67.34m to retain her javelin title. The 35-year-old broke her own South American record and moves to second on this year&rsquo;s world list. It was her third victory at the CAC Games, having won her first title back in 2014.</p>
<p>Following his impressive opening leg in the mixed relay for Puerto Rico, Jose Figueroa continued his best season ever as he smashed the CAC Games 200m record in the semifinals on Wednesday with 19.76, moving him to sixth on this year&rsquo;s world list. He will go for gold on Thursday (6).</p>
<p>Other standout performances came in the hurdles with Colombia&rsquo;s Maria Murillo and Panama&rsquo;s Giana Woodruff. Murillo became the third fastest South American sprint hurdler with a national record in the 100m hurdles (12.64), in a close battle with Greisys Roble of Cuba (12.68).</p>
<p>In her third CAC Games, Woodruff finally secured gold for Panama in the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles, doing so with a Games record of 53.98. Dominican Republic&rsquo;s Yeral Nunez won the men&rsquo;s race in 48.30.</p>
<p>Other Games record breakers were Cuba&rsquo;s Dayi Cooper in 1500m (4:07.46), Dominican Republic&rsquo;s Liranyi Alonzo in the 100m (11.10), and Alvaro Abreu (1:02:48) and Mexico&rsquo;s Laura Galvan (1:13:43) the half marathon.</p>
<p>South American record-holder Ronald Longa became the first Colombian ever to win the men&rsquo;s 100m (10.06) while newly minted world U20 record holder Jorge Hodelin of Cuba took the long jump title with 8.23m.</p>
<p>In her fifth CAC Games, Puerto Rico&rsquo;s Alysbeth Felix finally enjoyed her first regional crown with the gold medal in the long jump (6.54m). She also leads the heptathlon after day one. She won bronze medals in both events in 2023.</p>
<p>World silver medallist Alegna Gonzalez and Ricardo Ortiz completed a Mexican double in the half marathon race walk.</p>
<p>The world&rsquo;s oldest regional multisport event, the CAC Games, were inaugurated in 1926 and celebrate their centennial edition in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic previously hosted the Games in 1974 and 1986.</p>
<p>The athletics competition will end on 8 August.</p>
<p><strong>Javier Clavelo Robinson for World Athletics</strong></p>

Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino completed a double in the 400m and mixed relay while Flor Denis Ruiz improved her South American record

Paulino, Ruiz and Figueroa shine at Central American and Caribbean Games

<p>Jacory Patterson was working in a UPS factory doing nighttime shifts when he became a world champion in 2025. In the latest instalment of Side Track, he talked about going from stacking boxes to taking on the world's best on track.</p>
<h3>When you finished at the University of Florida with no sponsorship deal, what did do you?</h3>
<p>I just moved back home and honestly I was just going on my faith in myself. I was telling myself I&rsquo;ll give it another two years and, if it goes good, cool and, if not, I&rsquo;m going to transition to real life and the real world. Thanks to family and friends, it worked out.</p>
<h3>Did you ever give up on the athletics dream?</h3>
<p>No, I never felt it was over and I was just hoping it did work out. Track was something that I&rsquo;d been doing since I was 11 years old and it was something I&rsquo;d grown to love. I wanted it to work out so I never told myself it might not work or that I was just 50% in&hellip;. I was 100% all in. I thought If it ends up I&rsquo;m not going to run anymore at least be 100% dialled in trying to make it happen as I didn&rsquo;t want to have regrets.</p>
<h3>So you started working for UPS right?</h3>
<p>I moved back home and didn&rsquo;t have a job yet so I got straight online and started looking up jobs. I was applying for many different jobs. At the time, I knew someone working at UPS that kind of opened that window for me a little bit and got me set up which meant I was able to skip the line a little bit. I started in August 2024 and worked there up until June 2025.</p>
<h3>What did the role entail?</h3>
<p>You&rsquo;ve got people that put boxes on the belt and those who take them off the belt and onto the trucks. I did that bit. We had this long, big trailers and you&rsquo;d start all the way in the back up to the front. Depending on the night, we&rsquo;d fill two to four trucks.</p>
<h3>Did lugging the boxes feel like training?</h3>
<p>Mum and I would joke that it was the second weights run of the day! That&rsquo;s how I looked at it - with optimism. Those big boxes and hardware were like a squat rack I worked with.</p>
<h3>Did you enjoy the work?</h3>
<p>It wasn&rsquo;t like one those things that felt like a burden - man why do I have to do this? Anything that I go into, I go in with optimism. I kept telling myself this is situation we&rsquo;ve got to make it work. This is what it is right now.</p>
<h3>But it must have been tough balancing the world with training.</h3>
<p>My shift would start at 10.30pm and most nights go until 4.30am. During peak season like Thanksgiving to January when orders were crazy you&rsquo;d finish about 5.30 while the latest I ever finished was 6.50am. It was like a vampire shift! The reason I chose those shifts is that I wanted it to fit around training. I could have done morning shifts but that wouldn&rsquo;t have worked with training in the morning while a daytime shift would mean going straight to practice so I thought a nighttime shift would work better. After practice, I could go home for a five, six-hour nap and get my recovery and then another two to three hours after the night shift before hitting it hard in training. That worked best for my schedule.</p>
<h3>Did people clock you were an athlete?</h3>
<p>I tried my best to keep a low profile as I didn&rsquo;t want people to know I was an athlete. Once they found out, they were really supportive and trying to be helpful but I didn&rsquo;t want them feeling sorry for me. I met some really cool people there and am still in touch with some today.</p>
<h3>Balancing the training and work must have been tough?</h3>
<p>I would say at first it was tough - that first month was pretty rough as I&rsquo;d never done anything like that before. It was pretty rough on my body, recovery wise. But you find your rhythm. I got to know how to stack the trucks, the heavy stuff on the bottom, the lighter on top. It was a bit like Tetris plus I&rsquo;ve got OCD so I kind of loved being able to wedge boxes in between gaps. I&rsquo;m not going to lie, it was kind of satisfying.</p>
<h3>But by March 2025 you were a world champion in Nanjing and still working at UPS. Why did you stick with it?</h3>
<p>I didn&rsquo;t stop working at UPS until June because I didn&rsquo;t want to jump the gun. I didn&rsquo;t want to get excited too early. I was running good but I still didn&rsquo;t have a deal so I told myself I&rsquo;d keep stacking boxes until something comes. Sure, conversations and negotiations were happening but until I knew it was set in stone and I was ready to sign my name on my paper that&rsquo;s when I gave my two-week notice.</p>
<h3>Did that year toughen you up as an athlete?</h3>
<p>I would say so for sure. Working that was tough even though I tried to have a positive mindset. I kind of used it as fuel. When you're in those situations when the odds are not really in you favour you&rsquo;ve got to learn to flip the narrative. I got a lot of support from my mum and friends and they kept me grounded.</p>
<h3>Are you pleased you went through it all?</h3>
<p>I&rsquo;m so thankful I had this experience. I tell people I wouldn&rsquo;t change the route I had for anything in the world. It taught me a lot on the track but also about me as a person. It showed me that if I put my mind to whatever I want to do I can do it. Even after I finally signed to Nike I told myself I will never get comfortable, always remember where you started. When I worked at UPS I had a barcode on my phone to scan in when I got in. I still have that on my phone and look at that every day to remind me.</p>
<h3>Did you suddenly feel like you&rsquo;ve got a lot of free time?!</h3>
<p>That&rsquo;s the biggest thing for me. I can get a full night&rsquo;s rest and I&rsquo;m able to use different recovery options whether that be a chiropractor, accupuncture, ice bath or sauna, I have time to do all those things now. And as an only child, I&rsquo;ve always been pretty good in my own company so I don&rsquo;t mind just chilling out.</p>
<h3>Do you think it made you a better athlete?</h3>
<p>A lot better. It gave me a chip a little bit and made me hungry. I remember plenty of nights when coach would beast me at practice and, even after a five-hour nap, I was dead tired at night. Remember those things, remember to stay hungry and grounded, and then don&rsquo;t get a big head if you have the success. And I tell myself don&rsquo;t get comfortable as there might be someone else out there working night shifts about to come through.</p>

World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Jacory Patterson was working in a UPS factory doing nighttime shifts when he became a world champion in 2025. In the latest instalment of Side Track, he talked about going from stacking boxes to taking on the world's best on track.

Side Track with Jacory Patterson

<ul>
<li><strong>Championship mixed 4x400m record for USA in front of home fans</strong></li>
<li><strong>Frankline Kibet and Charity Cherop enjoy golden return in 5000m</strong></li>
<li><strong>Alessandro Borges celebrates emotional shot put win</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The US team rocked Hayward Field on Wednesday (5), achieving the fastest U20 mixed 4x400m in history with 3:15.31 on the first night of competition at the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong>.</p>
<p>The quartet of Joshua Shelton, Taylor-Nicole Overton, Jaelen Hunter and Olivia Harris took more than two seconds off the previous best of 3:17.69 achieved by another US team at the 2022 edition of the World U20 Championships in Cali.</p>
<p>Linda Botkov&aacute; of Czechia took her team from sixth to second with the fastest anchor leg of the race, crossing the finish line in a national U20 record of 3:18.16. Botkov&aacute; will now switch her attention to the 100m hurdles in Oregon.</p>
<p>Australia and Jamaica battled throughout the race, Australia eventually getting the bronze in an area U20 record of 3:18.45. Although Jamaica did not make the podium, the team did come away with a national U20 record, 3:18.78. Czechia, Australia and Jamaica now respectively sit third, fourth and fifth on the world all-time list.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I knew I just had to hold the lead they all gave me and finish strong because that is what it was going take to get the record and win overall,&rdquo; said Harris. &ldquo;We will all run the (women&rsquo;s or men&rsquo;s) 4x400m relays later this week.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>5000m titles for Kibet and Cherop</h2>
<p>After winning the world U20 cross-country title in Tallahassee in January, Frankline Kibet clinched his second global gold by winning the 5000m in Eugene. His Kenyan teammate Nehemiah Kipngeno finished second in 13:30.09, while Ethiopia&rsquo;s Damitew Kebede shocked fans with a bronze finish, improving his PB by almost 20 seconds to 13:35.38.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was so grateful to be able to win the World Cross Country Championships and I went back and trained very well,&rdquo; said Kibet. &ldquo;That is why I was able to win this championship.&rdquo;</p>
<p>There was an emotional finish by Uganda&rsquo;s Charity Cherop in the women&rsquo;s 5000m as she earned gold in 15:03.88 after celebrating on her way to the finish line.</p>
<p>As well as being a silver medallist from the last World U20 Championships in Lima, the 19-year-old also got world U20 cross-country bronze in January. The 5000m may not be her only opportunity to win hardware this week as she is also entered for the 3000m on Saturday.</p>
<p>Shito Gumi was listed second behind Cherop on the entry list and the race went to the form book as the Ethiopian finished four seconds behind the winner to earn silver in 15:07.91. Taking bronze was Kenya&rsquo;s Joyline Chepkemoi who improved her PB by almost half a minute to 15:09.08.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3UWczm20-Vs?si=RArVUS1Is9z3q-TL" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>Big shot for Borges</h2>
<p>Following his final throw, Alessandro Borges was embraced by Brazilian fans in the crowd after the competition of his life saw him earn shot put gold with a PB of 20.35m.</p>
<p>In the early rounds, Korea&rsquo;s frontrunner Park Si-hoon was the athlete to beat and he improved to 20.31m in the third round. But he couldn&rsquo;t respond when Borges threw four centimetres farther. South Africa&rsquo;s 16-year-old Jaco van Dyk launched himself into a medal position during the fifth round, throwing a PB of 19.80m to bring home bronze.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I cannot believe I am world champion,&rdquo; said Borges. &ldquo;I knew Izabela (Da Silva) won (the world U20 discus title) here in 2014 and I wanted to add another gold in the shot put. I want to return to this country for the Olympic Games in 2028.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Virjonen heads the heptathlon</h2>
<p>The leaderboard was shaken up following the morning's heptathlon events. Enni Virjonen ended the first day in the lead, looking to grab another U20 medal to go with her European U20 bronze from last year in her home country, Finland.</p>
<p>Many of the athletes had impressive performances in the shot put, with multiple PBs recorded across the board. Zola Ndouma-Mona of France set a championship heptathlon best of 14.72m, 37 centimetres farther than Virjonen&rsquo;s PB performance.</p>
<p>Virjonen then went quickest in the 200m in 23.99 and will continue to fight to stay in the top spot. She finished day one on 3676 ahead of Ndouma-Mona on 3669. Great Britain&rsquo;s Thea Brown started the afternoon in the lead and ended it in third place on 3632 after a PB in the shot put and third place overall behind Virjonen and Mia Mireia Uusorg in the 200m.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sprint contenders continue</h2>
<p>USA&rsquo;s Tate Taylor, South Africa&rsquo;s Marko Ferreira and Jamaica&rsquo;s Gary Card dominated the men&rsquo;s 100m semifinals, all three winning their heats. Taylor achieved the fastest time of 10.06, while Ferreira ran 10.13. World U20 leader Card, who ran 9.93 in June, narrowly won his semifinal in 10.16.</p>
<p>USA&rsquo;s Mia and Mariah Maxwell were among the athletes to impress in the women&rsquo;s 100m semifinals. Mia went quickest overall with 11.13, while her twin sister Mariah ran 11.25. Jamaica&rsquo;s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge and world leader Shanoya Douglas both recorded 11.21 and they will be joined in the final by Xenia Buri, who set a Swiss U20 record of 11.23. Italy&rsquo;s 16-year-old Kelly Doualla won the first semifinal in 11.36.</p>
<p>Kenya&rsquo;s African silver medallist Mercy Chepngeno Kosgei led the first round of the 3000m steeplechase, winning the first heat in 9:36.19 ahead of Wosane Asefa (9:56.36). Ethiopia&rsquo;s Almaz Yohannis won the second heat in 9:42.45 ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Anatasha Cheptoo who secured her spot in the final despite having to turn back after missing the first water jump.</p>
<p>Four athletes achieved the automatic qualification mark of 55.00m in the discus, China&rsquo;s Su Yixin and Ma Chenyi leading the way with 58.06m and 57.72m, respectively. Germany&rsquo;s Favour Adesokan threw 56.14 and USA&rsquo;s Jaslene Massey 55.47m.</p>
<p>A total of 13 athletes qualified for the pole vault final after clearing 4.10m. Czechia&rsquo;s world U20 leader Nicole Krutilov&aacute; will be among those going for gold, along with Estonia&rsquo;s Allika Inkeri Moser, who set a world U18 best of 4.52m last year.</p>
<p><strong>Morgan Hoopes for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

World Athletics U20 Championships

The US team rocked Hayward Field on Wednesday, achieving the fastest U20 mixed 4x400m in history

US team runs fastest ever U20 mixed 4x400m with 3:15.31 in Oregon

<p>Five more champions will be crowned on day two of the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here are just three of the many things to follow at Hayward Field on Thursday (6).&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Highly anticipated 100m battles</h2>
<p>On a day that will see five titles decided, two of the most anticipated races will be saved for last. The 100m battles look set to offer showdowns between Jamaica and the US. Both teams have formidable athletes in their ranks, all looking for gold.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Jamaica has world U20 leaders Shanoya Douglas and Gary Card. Douglas earned bronze in the 200m and gold in 4x100m in Lima back in 2024, while Card is the only athlete with a time below 10 seconds this year. His national U20 record of 9.93 bumped him up to third on the world U20 all-time list.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The US team has a few players up its sleeve that could give them the edge over Jamaica. The women&rsquo;s team features the Maxwell twins, Mia and Mariah, while Tate Taylor is on their men&rsquo;s squad. Racing on home soil, all three athletes are on the hunt for gold.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-sprints" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 sprint events preview</a></strong></p>
<h2>Heptathlon heroes</h2>
<p>Thursday features the final three events in the heptathlon &ndash; the long jump, javelin and 800m.</p>
<p>Enni Virjonen will be looking to get another world U20 gold for Finland following her compatriot Saga Vanninen&rsquo;s victories in 2021 and 2022. She is the world U20 leader after scoring a PB of 6189 in G&ouml;tzis in May.</p>
<p>Zola Ndouma-Mona finished the first day just seven points behind leader Virjonen after a series that included a championship heptathlon best in the shot put. Thea Brown, who finished runner-up to Virjonen at the 2024 European U18 Championships, will also be looking to build on a strong first day during which she set a championship heptathlon best in the 100m hurdles.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-combined-events-race-walks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 combined events preview</a></strong></p>
<h2>Throws stars in the spotlight</h2>
<p>Two throwing finals will take place &ndash; the women&rsquo;s discus and shot put.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nigeria&rsquo;s Jessica Oji stars in the shot put after securing a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She set an African record of 18.50m indoors in March, making her the only athlete in the field to have surpassed 18 metres. She&rsquo;ll face athletes including Ecuador&rsquo;s Belsy Jennifer Qui&ntilde;onez who has a PB of 17.75m.</p>
<p>In the discus, look out for future University of Oregon student Jaslene Massey who hopes to take home the gold in this event again after throwing 60.27m to win the US U20 title at Hayward Field in June. China&rsquo;s Su Yixin will also be on the medal hunt &ndash; she threw a PB of 59.44m in May.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-throws" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 throws events preview</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Ash Wehrly for World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Five more champions will be crowned on day two of the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26. 

Three things to follow on day two in Oregon

<p>When Mael-Bephassou Lannurien was a young boy, he watched Jamaican sprint great Usain Bolt flash across his TV screen with long strides and a joyful charisma.</p>
<p>Craving the energy that Bolt so famously exuded, Lannurien ran all around the house, so much so that his parents pushed him to run at a club to get his energy out. Upon arriving at the track, Lannurien found his best friends, competitions he excelled at, and most importantly, all the fun he could ever need.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I have the best time at the track and I think athletics is just the best sport. That's why I've stuck with it,&rdquo; said Lannurien, speaking through an interpreter during the pre-event press conference for the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong>.</p>
<p>Pulling on his various spikes, the rising French decathlete has pursued athletics over other sports from his childhood such as gymnastics, swimming, table tennis and basketball. His great love for athletics led him to try every discipline he could.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I started the decathlon just because I was so good at everything that I was doing, and I didn't want to choose just one,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>Although his focus is spread, Lannurien has a passion for the hurdles, where his 6ft 3in frame gives him a natural advantage clearing the barriers. This pushed him to compete and win the 60m hurdles at the French U20 Indoor Championships earlier this year in 7.62.</p>
<p>The ability to finish first among specialists while simultaneously focusing on other events is a blessing that Lannurien relishes.</p>
<p>In Eugene, the 18-year-old had the opportunity to meet USA&rsquo;s two-time Olympic decathlon champion and former University of Oregon student-athlete Ashton Eaton.</p>
<p>When asked about the pressure he might feel competing in front of such a decorated athlete,&nbsp;Lannurien&nbsp;responded humbly: &ldquo;I don't know if Ashton will be looking at me or everyone else, but just knowing that he's going to be in the stands is an awesome and incredible thing, and I am going to make sure I enjoy this opportunity.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a738730ba53e8cb44bca822.jpg" alt="Mael-Bephassou Lannurien with Ashton Eaton in Oregon" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Mael-Bephassou Lannurien with Ashton Eaton in Oregon (&copy; World Athletics)</p>
<p>Despite Lannurien always having fun on the track, his mentality is clearly focused on learning and perfecting every little detail rigorously.</p>
<p>&ldquo;You always have to want to learn, because if you don't want to learn, that's where you are going to stutter,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You will never progress, and you're never going to improve in life.&rdquo;</p>
<p>At the French U20 Combined Events Championships, Lannurien faced a learning experience that all young track and field athletes may dread. In the call room before the decathlon 100m, he fell asleep while battling the fatigue the extreme heat was exerting on his body. As a result, he clocked 11.34, compared to his PB of 10.88 set earlier in the season.</p>
<p>For the rest of the weekend, Lannurien focused on the smallest details, making sure he was taking care of his body in order to always improve and progress. Despite the 100m setback, Lannurien still found himself top of the podium when the weekend concluded, winning by more than 200 points.</p>
<p>Heading into the competition in Oregon on Friday and Saturday (7-8), Lannurien doesn't have one clear goal. Although he is conscious of being listed second on the entry list with the PB of 7785 set in Montpellier in May and his opportunity to return home with a medal, his main objective &ndash; as always &ndash; is to go out there, have fun, and enjoy the moment.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I know that if I do have fun when I'm competing, then a good performance is bound to happen, so I am trusting the process,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>Above all, Lannurien is the perfect example of what can happen when physical talent combines with the dedication and drive that only love can create.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I know that waking up in the morning, if I do this thing, the love of my life, I am going to have fun,&rdquo; he said when asked what makes him get up every day and continue training.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I go to the track to have the fun I want to have, and I know I'm going to meet my friends and have a good time.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Success on the track is crucial, but Lannurien is chasing more: the joy and happiness that Usain Bolt showcased to him years ago.</p>
<p><strong>Colin Ernst for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>

When Mael-Bephassou Lannurien was a young boy, he watched Jamaican sprint great Usain Bolt flash across his TV screen with long strides and a joyful charisma.

Love at first spike for French decathlete Lannurien

<ul>
<li><strong>US quartet runs fourth-fastest mixed 4x400m in history to top qualification</strong></li>
<li><strong>Thea Brown opens campaign with championship heptathlon 100m hurdles best</strong></li>
<li><strong>Key contenders Tate Taylor and Gary Card lead first round of men's 100m</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The world&rsquo;s leading teenage athletes made some early statements as the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong> kicked off at Hayward Field on Wednesday (5).</p>
<p>The mixed 4x400m got off to an electric start, with several national U20 records set and a world U20 lead achieved. The US quartet of Joshua Shelton, Natalie Dumas, Jaelen Hunter and Olivia Harris led the way, clocking 3:18.26 for the fourth-fastest U20 performance in history.</p>
<p>They cruised through to tonight&rsquo;s final, where they will be joined by Australia, who clocked 3:19.59 to finish second in that heat, and Spain (3:21.90).</p>
<p>Great Britain &amp; NI, Poland and Czechia raced to qualification places in the first heat, Great Britain utilising a strong anchor leg from Noa Chodokufa to move from third to first in 3:21.27 and Czechia improving the national U20 record by almost two seconds to 3:21.58.</p>
<p>Jamaica won the second heat in 3:21.47 ahead of South Africa and Colombia, respectively setting national U20 records of 3:22.12 and 3:22.14 to also qualify for the final.</p>
<h2>Leading sprint contenders advance</h2>
<p>Jamaica&rsquo;s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge got off to a strong start in the women&rsquo;s 100m, topping the first round with 11.21. Her compatriot Shanoya Douglas, the world U20 leader, ran 11.35 to comfortably qualify for the semifinals along with fellow medal contenders Mariah and Mia Maxwell of the USA who respectively clocked 11.33 and 11.37.</p>
<p>Saint Lucia's 17-year-old Jady Emmanuel improved her own national U18 record to 11.28 to win her heat ahead of Guyana&rsquo;s Athaleyha Hinckson (11.31) and others joining them in the next round include Emma Goretzka (11.29), Kelly Doualla (11.35) and Xenia Buri (11.38).</p>
<p>The men&rsquo;s 100m heats also featured top performances from the favourites. After winning the Wanda Diamond League 200m in Eugene, Tate Taylor returned and demonstrated his prowess in the 100m. He ran 10.05, 0.01 off his PB, to lead the first round. Jamaica&rsquo;s world U20 leader Gary Card, whose PB of 9.93 places him joint third on the world U20 all-time list, ran 10.07 to advance, while South Africa&rsquo;s Marko Ferreira clocked 10.11. Hong Kong&rsquo;s Kwok Chun Ting (10.29) and Estonia&rsquo;s Dmitri Petrogradov (10.37) both set national U20 records to progress.</p>
<p>Uganda&rsquo;s 17-year-old Shafeck Murungi improved his PB by almost two seconds with 1:46.64 to lead the first round of the men&rsquo;s 800m. Australia&rsquo;s Daniel Willams, who entered with the field's top PB, ran 1:47.47 and Morocco&rsquo;s African silver medallist Imad Bouchajda also comfortably qualified.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Japan&rsquo;s 18-year-old Asian silver medallist Rin Kubo ran 2:03.27 to top the heats of the women&rsquo;s 800m, two years on from her sixth-place finish at the World U20 Championships in Lima. Slovenia&rsquo;s 16-year-old Živa Remic (2.09:86) also comfortably qualified for the semifinals along with Ethiopia&rsquo;s Habtam Gebeyehu (2:04.66), but they won&rsquo;t be joined in the next round by Kenya&rsquo;s Nancy Jepngetich as she was disqualified for breaking her lane too early.</p>
<h2>Brown runs championship heptathlon 100m hurdles best</h2>
<p>Great Britain&rsquo;s Thea Brown made history with a blazing start to the heptathlon. Her 13.23 PB in the 100m hurdles was a championship heptathlon best, a 0.01 improvement on the previous best that was set by Nadine Visser also in Eugene when the event was last held at Hayward Field in 2014. World U20 leader Enni Virjonen opened well, too, finishing second in 13.36.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a73aedf006b1b27d7408ef5.JPG" alt="Enni Virjonen and Thea Brown in the heptathlon 100m hurdles in Oregon" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Enni Virjonen and Thea Brown in the heptathlon 100m hurdles in Oregon (&copy; Getty Images)</p>
<p>Brown went on to finish second in the high jump with a clearance of 1.78m, behind Finland&rsquo;s Nuppu Willman with a PB of 1.81m, to end the morning session top of the leaderboard on 2043 points. Portugal&rsquo;s Natacha Cand&eacute; and France&rsquo;s Zola Ndouma-Mona sit second and third overall so far, with 1979 and 1942, while Virjonen occupies fifth place (1877) after the morning&rsquo;s action.&nbsp;</p>
<p>South African U20 javelin champion Jan-Hendrik Heymans started off hot in Eugene, hitting the automatic qualifying mark on his first throw with 76.02m. That was more than six metres farther than the next best throw, and the sole attempt beyond 70 metres. Behind Heymans, three athletes surpassed 69 metres, including India&rsquo;s Ashish Yadav (69.87m), Poland&rsquo;s Aleksander Wojna (69.80m) and China&rsquo;s Yang Zhaoyi (69.80m), setting the stage for a final that could feature a tight medal fight. USA&rsquo;s Nolan Carey, who set a PB of 74.72m in May and won the US U20 title in Eugene in July, did not advance.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Chen throws world U20 lead</h2>
<p>Chinese U20 champion Chen Jiawei clinched his spot in the hammer final with a big PB and the best U20 throw in the world this year, 80.39m. That mark was more than six metres farther than the next closest contender.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Poland&rsquo;s Jan Delewski, who entered with the best PB of the field, had the second longest throw at 73.61m. Cyprus&rsquo;s Alexandros Ghamrawi, the third athlete in the field to have ever thrown beyond 77 metres, qualified with 72.38m. Ecuador&rsquo;s Patry Ivan Valdez Arroyo set a national U20 record of 71.62m to also clinch a spot in the final.</p>
<p>Greek U20 champion Aristion Anastasios Papadopoulos punched his ticket into the shot put final with a 19.82m throw to lead qualification. Right behind him is Korea&rsquo;s Asian U20 record-holder Park Si-hoon who threw 19.69m. Brazilian U20 champion Alessandro Borges also had a strong showing, throwing 19.69m. They will be joined in tonight&rsquo;s final by NACAC U18 champion Jayden Walcott (18.86m), but they won&rsquo;t face world U20 leader Omar Hussein who won the US U20 title in Eugene with a 20.97m PB, as his best of 18.54m was not enough to progress.</p>
<p>Ella Alvelin Malm of Sweden soared a PB of 6.36m in the long jump to become the sole athlete to hit the automatic qualifying mark of 6.35m, improving her previous best by 10 centimetres. Greece&rsquo;s Evelyn Mitropoulou topped her group with 6.33m, while France&rsquo;s Djelika Diarra (6.28m) and Hungary&rsquo;s Bori R&oacute;zsahegyi (6.17m) also qualified for what looks set to be a competitive final.</p>
<p><strong>Owen Bogert for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong><br /><br /></p>
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The world’s leading teenage athletes made some early statements as the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 kicked off at Hayward Field

Competition kicks off on busy first morning in Oregon

<p>Tatiana Stepanova was a former athlete who turned her attention to coaching most successfully with Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who she has guided to Olympic and World Championship glory. She explains her coaching methodology and the reason for the pair's success in the latest episode of Coaching Class.</p>
<h3>You were an athlete yourself, how easy was the transition for you from athlete to coach?</h3>
<p>I began doing athletics at the age of 15. At first, I ran the 100 and 200m, and then I switched over to the 400m hurdles. At the age of 21, I graduated from the institute where I was studying and began working with children and enjoyed it straight away.</p>
<h3>And how did that journey take place in terms of what you did, who you were coaching?</h3>
<p>At that time, I went to schools and recruited children from 12 to 15 years old. There were three beginner groups, with 20 children in each group. It was all-round training and then, at 16, they chose their specialism. My athletes went on to become medalists at their national championships and also finalists at the European Athletics Junior Championships in the 400m hurdles.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a71ba72f84b2628dffb7763.jpg" alt="Yaroslava Mahuchikh with her coach Tetiana Stepanova" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Yaroslava Mahuchikh with her coach Tetiana Stepanova (&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)</p>
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<h3>What&rsquo;s your coaching philosophy?</h3>
<p>I always considered the children I coached to be my large family and always helped them not only in training but also in their daily lives. I compare a coach&rsquo;s work to that of a sculptor, when you begin to sculpt perfection.</p>
<h3>And is that something that&rsquo;s always changing?</h3>
<p>My philosophy does not change over time but I understand that one alwayss has to work energetically with children!</p>
<h3>What makes a good coach and what makes a good coach-athlete relationship?</h3>
<p>Deep knowledge of one&rsquo;s field, an individual approach, developed intuition, willpower and the ability to preserve an athlete&rsquo;s health. You also need excellent communication, mutual respect, a shared goal, and, of course, support during difficult moments. It's a fine balance between being demanding and being humane.</p>
<h3>You&rsquo;ve had amazing success with Yaroslava, how did that partnership begin? </h3>
<p>Yaroslava was 12 when I began coaching her. At first, she ran hurdles, did the long jump and was still growing. Then I realised that I needed to work with her on the high jump. This discipline was difficult for me, but Yaroslava liked it. She was easy to coach because she did everything I told her to do in training without any unnecessary words.</p>
<h3>Do you remember your first impressions of her?</h3>
<p>The first thing that caught my eye was her large, slightly mischievous eyes. They showed love, respect, diligence and, at the same time, great sincerity, as though they were always plotting something.</p>
<h3>Why is the dynamic between you so good? What&rsquo;s the secret?!</h3>
<p>There is no secret, we are simply on the same wavelength.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a71baa8f84b2628dffb7766.jpg" alt="Yaroslava Mahuchikh with her coach Tetiana Stepanova" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Yaroslava Mahuchikh with her coach Tetiana Stepanova (&copy; World Athletics)</p>
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<h3>When an athlete achieves the very greatest success, how do you follow that the next season? Is it hard to keep motivation?</h3>
<p>When success comes, a coach would like the athlete to stop in time and analyse their actions. I always give one month of rest and then we begin recovering, and everything starts from the beginning again.</p>
<h3>Is there a specific session in training from which you know Yaroslava is ready for a major championships?</h3>
<p>When I see a good take-off in the high jump from a full approach and a flight over the bar with plenty of clearance, that is pure joy.</p>
<h3>She said the decision to go back to Ukraine to train has helped a lot this year. Is that something you decided upon together?</h3>
<p>This is already the fifth year of the war in Ukraine. It is very difficult to be in different countries, so I decided that Yaroslava needed to spend time with her friends and family and train at her home school, despite the missiles and Shahed drones.</p>

Tatiana Stepanova was a former athlete who turned her attention to coaching most successfully with Yaroslava Mahuchikh who she has guided to Olympic and World Championship glory. She explains her coaching methodology and the reason for the pair's success in the latest episode of Coaching Class.

Coaching Class with Tatiana Stepanova

<p>Five days of action at the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong> kicks off on Wednesday (5), when rising stars from around the globe will compete for age-group honours.</p>
<p>Here are just three of the many things to watch out for on day one at Hayward Field.</p>
<h2>Shot put in the spotlight for first final</h2>
<p>Be sure to watch out for the first final of the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 &ndash; the men&rsquo;s shot put. Omar Hussein tops the entry list with a PB of 20.97m. With that distance winning the US U20 title in June, Hussein looks forward to returning to Hayward Field with another gold in his sights.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Korea&rsquo;s Park Si-hoon set an Asian U20 record of 20.65m in May, while Aristion Anastasios Papadopoulos of Greece threw 20.45m to claim Greek U20 gold in July.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Two other athletes have surpassed the 20-metre mark: Brazil&rsquo;s Alessandro Borges with a PB of 20.29m and 17-year-old Jayden Walcott of Barbados who has already thrown 20.19m.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-throws" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 throws events preview</a></strong></p>
<h2>5000m showdowns</h2>
<p>Day one will be a showcase for the 5000m athletes.</p>
<p>Uganda&rsquo;s Charity Cherop leads the women&rsquo;s field with her national record of 14:39.38 from the Diamond League in Shaoxing/Keqiao. She won silver in this event in Lima two years ago and looks to be the runner to beat. Shito Gumi of Ethiopia, who has a PB of 14:49.66, should be among her main challengers.</p>
<p>Sweden&rsquo;s Carmen Cernjul, a double European U20 medallist, has run 15:06.71 this year. Also keep an eye on Ethiopia&rsquo;s Emebet Tilahun, the runner-up at the Ethiopian U20 Championships.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Frankline Kibet is the heavy favourite in the men&rsquo;s 5000m. He has run 13:08.32 this season and hopes to leave Oregon with another gold to go with his world U20 cross-country title from Tallahassee in January.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Japan&rsquo;s athletes are separated by only one second so far this season. Yota Mashiko has run 13:20.35 and Asian U20 champion Ryo Kurimura 13:21.99. Nehemiah Kipngeno of Kenya will also be racing for a podium place.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-distance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 distance events preview</a></strong></p>
<h2>Home-track advantage in the mixed 4x400m</h2>
<p>USA hold the fastest U20 mixed 4x400m time ever run (3:17.69 from 2022). With a home-track advantage and a deep pool, they are the pre-race favourites.</p>
<p>Australia return as defending champions, having won in Lima in 3:19.27. Poland also return after they finished second in Lima with a 3:20.44, just over a second back.</p>
<p>Jamaica, India and Germany, who all made the final in 2024, could challenge for the podium this time.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/oregon26/news/preview/wu20-oregon-26-preview-relays" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WU20 Oregon 26 relays preview</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Sofiah Gravley for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Five days of action at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 kicks off on Wednesday

Three things to watch on day one in Oregon

<p>Development in athletics &ndash; both on and off the field of play &ndash; is in the spotlight as the sport prepares to welcome its rising stars to the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong>.</p>
<p>Speaking at the pre-event press conference for the championships taking place at Hayward Field from 5-9 August, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe reinforced how the importance of the age-group competition goes beyond performance.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s much more than just simply a medals table or the distribution of medals and records,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is an important pathway and programme for the development of young athletes.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Development initiatives held alongside the competition include Athletes Connect, which will offer workshops and talks from some of the sport&rsquo;s legends as well as a space dedicated to athletes. The World Athletics Media Academy, in partnership with Sony, will also continue as students from the University of Oregon learn from mentors across editorial and photography and assist on coverage throughout the event.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I've often said that your passport is your performance,&rdquo; Coe added, looking to the athletes in the audience, &ldquo;but, actually, the journey that you're on is also about personality and the ability to convey some really positive messages about yourselves, and about our sport while you're doing that.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I'm grateful that you, as athletes, are here &ndash; that you've chosen this sport &ndash; and this is a great platform to shine. I'd also like to pay tribute to the coaches. We never minimise the role that you play.&rdquo;</p>
<p>It is now 40 years since the World U20 Championships launched in Athens in 1986 and the upcoming competition sees the championships return to Oregon for the second time, following the 2014 edition that also took place at Hayward Field.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are in a town synonymous with track and field,&rdquo; added Coe. &ldquo;I would like to thank the local organising committee and USATF, the city of Eugene and the University of Oregon for all the tireless work that has taken place in pulling the championships together. It feels a bit like coming home when we come to Eugene.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a7277c3462af1b4f58e949a.jpg" alt="World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, USA Track &amp; Field CEO Max Siegel and TrackTown USA COO Jody Smith" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, USA Track &amp; Field CEO Max Siegel and TrackTown USA COO Jody Smith (&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" /> Christel Saneh)</p>
<p>Coe was joined at the pre-event press conference by TrackTown USA Chief Operating Officer Jody Smith and USA Track &amp; Field CEO Max Siegel, as well as by five rising athletes &ndash; Leendert Koekemoer, Mael-Bephassou Lannurien, Izobelle Louison-Roe, Mia Maxwell and Mariah Maxwell.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We're proud of the fact that this is our third world championships here in the States over the last four years,&rdquo; said Siegel, referencing the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon and January&rsquo;s World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, in addition to this week&rsquo;s World U20 Championships.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This may be a stepping stone to something even bigger in the next couple of years, as many of the athletes here will probably be representing their country in the Olympic Games in LA28. We look forward to seeing the development of the athletes and the performances here.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Welcoming the world to Hayward Field, Smith said: &ldquo;Our team is excited about what lies ahead this week: the best athletes in the world, a gorgeous venue, our loveable but slightly mischievous mascot Legend the Bigfoot, and performances that remind you of why we love track and field.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are eager to see what these amazing athletes will achieve this week. And we are confident our special initiatives will ensure that these championships continue to have an impact on the sport and the communities around the world after the final medal is won on Sunday.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Louison-Roe and Koekemoer already have global medal experience, Louison-Roe as a world U20 high jump silver medallist from Lima two years ago and Koekemoer as a world 4x400m bronze medallist from Tokyo last year.</p>
<p>Asked about the impact of having fellow Australian high jumpers such as Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers to turn to for advice, Louison-Roe said: &ldquo;They've helped me out a lot &ndash; giving me advice, learning how to handle competition and everything. They are such great role models. It&rsquo;s amazing having them there and being able to follow along in their footsteps.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Despite having competed on the senior stage, South Africa&rsquo;s Koekemoer reinforced how age-group competition remains important to him, while he also thanked his more experienced teammates for their support.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Being part of a senior team has helped me with my confidence, especially coming to the World U20 Championships now,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I got advice from the senior athletes of my team like Wayde van Niekerk, Akani Simbine, Zakithi Nene &ndash; all the big names in the 400m. That really helped me a lot.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Twin sisters Mia and Mariah Maxwell also return to a familiar setting as they head back to the track on which they respectively gained gold and silver in both the 100m and 200m at the US U20 Championships.</p>
<p>Asked about navigating competition against each other, Mia replied: &ldquo;Individually we are both track athletes. We both came here to compete, we both came here to get gold. No matter the outcome of each race, we&rsquo;re always going to be there for each other and that&rsquo;s what comes first.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Mariah added: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely cool to go 1-2. Of course, we&rsquo;re going to go into the race thinking we each are going to win. It&rsquo;s friendly competition.&rdquo;</p>
<p>On a similar theme, French decathlete Lannurien explained that the most important thing is having fun.</p>
<p>Speaking through an interpreter, he said: &ldquo;Although I am conscious that I am second on the entry list and that winning a medal is possible, my main objective is to go out there, have fun, and enjoy the moment. I know that if I do have fun when I compete, then good performances are going to happen.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>
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Development in athletics – both on and off the field of play – is in the spotlight as the sport prepares to welcome its rising stars to the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26.

Athletics looks to the future at World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26

<p><strong>Nissin Foods, the internationally renowned food company, has been named an official global supplier of the inaugural edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.</strong></p>
<p>From 11 to 13 September, the world&rsquo;s greatest athletes will compete in Budapest to settle the debate and crown the best of the best. The inaugural Ultimate Championship will bring together Olympic champions, world champions, Wanda Diamond League winners and this year&rsquo;s best performing athletes.</p>
<p>Delivering a world-class championship requires the same dedication from staff and volunteers as it does from athletes. Nissin Foods will ensure that all staff members and volunteers are supported with high-quality, easy-to-prepare meals throughout the event.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are looking forward to being part of this global championship and playing our small part by supplying one of our latest product innovations, Cup Noodles Soba Protein,&rdquo; said Olaf Buettner, CEO of Nissin Foods Europe.</p>
<p>The company has received numerous awards for its ready meals and instant noodle products.</p>
<p>In 2022, Demae Ramen was awarded Top Brand by German food industry paper &ldquo;Lebensmittelzeitung&rdquo; in the dry ready-meals category, and Cup Noodles Ramen followed in the same category in 2024. Most recently, Cup Noodles Soba Protein, the product that will be available for the LOC staff and volunteers at the Ultimate Championship, won &ldquo;Best introduction 2025&rdquo; by Dutch food industry paper &ldquo;Levensmiddelenkrant&rdquo;.</p>
<p>Their products not only provide nourishment but are also developed with a strong commitment to quality and sustainability.</p>
<p>While Nissin Foods will play a key role in supporting staff and volunteers throughout the championship, the partnership is also built on a shared commitment to bringing people together and helping them achieve their full potential. Nissin Foods and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship are both committed to creating opportunities for people to connect, grow and perform at their best.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Global championship event:</strong> Launching in 2026, the championship will take place every two years and serve as a grand conclusion to the track and field season.</li>
<li><strong>Compact format:</strong> A three-day event, with each evening session packed with semi-finals and finals for track disciplines, and straight finals for field disciplines.</li>
<li><strong>Elite athlete participation:</strong> Featuring 8-16 of the world's top-ranked athletes per discipline, with selections based primarily on world rankings. Approaching 400 athletes from about 70 countries will compete, representing the pinnacle of global athletic talent.</li>
</ul>

Nissin Foods, the internationally renowned food company, has been named an official global supplier of the inaugural edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Nissin Foods Europe announced as an official global supplier of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship

<p>Larissa Iapichino is a national record holder in her native Italy eclipsing a long-held record by her mother, Fiona May. One of the world's best long jumpers this year, she is a two-time Diamond League champion, a World and European medallist, and the latest athlete to be asked... What's your Ultimate?</p>
<p><strong>Ultimate performance...</strong>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">My national record 7.12m at the Pre Classic on 4 July.</span></p>
<p><strong>Ultimate event (bar your own)...</strong> 400m hurdles.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate career goal...</strong> To complete athletics!</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate athlete...</strong> Usain Bolt.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate clash...</strong> The European Athletics Championships 2024 in Rome.</p>
<p><strong>⁠Ultimate memory...</strong> The same, competing in front of a home crowd at the Europeans.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate venue...</strong> The San Siro Stadium in Milan for the Weeknd's concert.</p>
<p><strong>⁠Ultimate meal...</strong> Pizza as soon as I land in Italy after a trip abroad.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate night out/night in...</strong> Night in with friends - homemade dinner (or ordering in 😂), movie/boardgame and lots of laughs.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate possession...</strong> Kindness, curiosity and perseverance.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate hidden talent...</strong> I can imitate a goat... hahahaha.</p>
<p><strong>⁠Ultimate day off...</strong> Day on the beach with my girles.</p>
<p>⁠<strong>Ultimate holiday destination...</strong> Holiday in Jamaica to get to know my roots.</p>
<p><strong>⁠Ultimate pre-competition song...</strong> Sao Paulo by The Weeknd featuring Anitta.</p>
<p><strong>⁠Ultimate movie...</strong> I don't have one. I get fascinated by every sort of story really easily.</p>

The two-time Diamond League champion at the long jump is also a World and European medallist, and recently broke her mother Fiona May's national record. In the days leading up to Budapest, we asked her... What's your Ultimate?

What's your Ultimate? Larissa Iapichino

<p>Versatility and endurance will be put to the test when the <strong>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</strong> takes place in Eugene from 5-9 August.</p>
<p>Here we take a look at the women&rsquo;s heptathlon, men&rsquo;s decathlon and women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s 5000m race walks.</p>
<div><a href="https://worldathletics.org/watch/live" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a70cd89e571c58c3e2f703e.jpg" alt="WU20 Oregon 26 watch live" /></a>
<h2>Women&rsquo;s heptathlon</h2>
<p>Finnish athletes have enjoyed considerable success in the heptathlon at the international age-group level in recent years, and that looks set to continue in Eugene.</p>
<p>Following Saga Vanninen&rsquo;s victories in 2021 and 2022, Enni Virjonen hopes to return the world U20 heptathlon title to Finnish hands. The European U20 bronze medallist, who also won the European U18 title in 2024, heads the world U20 lists this year after scoring a PB of 6189 in G&ouml;tzis in May.</p>
<p>Estonia&rsquo;s Mia Mireia Uusorg is just 90 points behind on season&rsquo;s bests, having improved to 6099 in Valmiera on the same weekend. Portugal&rsquo;s Natacha Cand&eacute; is next on the entry list with 5914, while Uusorg&rsquo;s teammate Annika P&otilde;lluaas has scored 5859.</p>
<p>Great Britain&rsquo;s Thea Brown, who finished runner-up to Virjonen at the 2024 European U18 Championships, adds further depth to the field and arrives with a PB of 5738.</p>
<h2>Men&rsquo;s decathlon</h2>
<p>Sweden&rsquo;s Liam Belo da Silva leads the entries after scoring a PB of 7981 this year. The European U18 silver medallist is followed by France&rsquo;s Mael-Bephassou Lannurien, who has improved to 7785.</p>
<p>South Africa&rsquo;s Daniel von der Heyden and Greece&rsquo;s Nikolaos Kosmopoulos are separated by just six points on season&rsquo;s bests, having scored 7614 and 7608 respectively.</p>
<p>US teammates Brody Foster and Darius Jones will return to the track where they finished first and second at the US U20 Championships in June. Foster won with 7604, with Jones second on 7547, while Great Britain&rsquo;s Samuel Newton is also among the leading contenders with 7531.</p>
<h2>Women&rsquo;s 5000m race walk</h2>
<p>Serena Di Fabio heads the women&rsquo;s field by almost a minute after clocking 20:42.74 at the Italian U20 Championships in Caorle in July &ndash; the fastest time by an U20 athlete since 2007.</p>
<p>Yang Yutong, who finished 10 seconds ahead of Di Fabio in the U20 race at the World Race Walking Team Championships earlier this year, will start as another strong contender, along with Chinese teammate Sun Xiaoxue.</p>
<p>France&rsquo;s Chloe Le Roch is the next-fastest entrant with 21:41.80, while Tunisia&rsquo;s Imen Saii has set an African U20 best of 22:00.00. Australia&rsquo;s Zoe Woods, Italy&rsquo;s Beatrice Palmonari and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Hiwot Ambaw are also likely challengers, as are Japanese duo Hiromi Tabata and Ibuki Hori.</p>
<h2>Men&rsquo;s 5000m race walk</h2>
<p>India&rsquo;s Nitin Gupta heads the men&rsquo;s entries by more than half a minute after clocking a world U20 best of 18:54.37 in Bengaluru in April. But the 18-year-old may not have it all his own way in Eugene.</p>
<p>The dominant nature of Pu Huajia&rsquo;s victory in the U20 men&rsquo;s race at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia &ndash; where he won by 49 seconds &ndash; suggests the Chinese race walker will be a major threat.</p>
<p>Australia&rsquo;s Isaac Beacroft, winner of the U20 race at the 2024 World Race Walking Team Championships, is fresh from a victory over 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games, where he finished ahead of elite senior internationals.</p>
<p>Peru&rsquo;s Jos&eacute; Duvan Ccoscco Sueldo set a South American U20 best of 19:27.12 last month. Italy&rsquo;s Alessio Coppola, who finished third behind Pu and Beacroft at the World Race Walking Team Championships, has achieved an indoor best of 19:30.77.</p>
<p>Mexico&rsquo;s Emiliano Barba, silver medallist in Lima two years ago, will be hoping to at least match that achievement.</p>
<p><strong>Morgan Hoopes for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
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Versatility and endurance will be put to the test when the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 takes place in Eugene

Koekemoer seeking to extend South African 400m dynasty

Taylor and Maxwell win US world U20 100m double in Oregon

Three things to watch on day three in Oregon

World U20 records set as mixed 4x100m makes debut in Oregon

Double advantage for Mariah and Mia Maxwell