Kenyan athletes in line for billions on offer at inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 22.07.26. | 17:20
In another major departure from athletics tradition, the championship will not award medals
Kenyan athletics stars will have the opportunity to compete for a share of a record-breaking prize purse when the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship makes its debut in Budapest, Hungary, from Friday, 11 to Sunday, 13 September.
The three-day competition will bring together the world's biggest athletics stars, including Olympic champions, World champions and Wanda Diamond League winners, in a new event designed to determine the sport's ultimate champions.
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World Athletics has set aside a record $10 million (approximately Ksh1.3 billion) prize fund, the largest ever offered in track and field.
Individual event winners will walk away with $150,000 (about Ksh19.4 million), while every athlete who competes will be guaranteed prize money regardless of their finishing position.
The championship programme will feature 28 finals spread across three days, with both men's and women's competitions in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, hurdles, pole vault, high jump, long jump and javelin.
Additional events will include the women's triple jump, men's hammer throw, as well as the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Unlike traditional global championships, the Ultimate Championship will not be based on national team selections or country quotas.
Instead, invitations will automatically go to the 2024 Olympic champions, 2025 World champions and winners of this year's Wanda Diamond League, opening the door for Kenya's top-performing athletes to compete against the very best.
The competition has also been designed with a unique format aimed at creating a faster-paced and more engaging spectacle for fans.
Each three-hour session will feature a combination of track and field events, including one horizontal jump, one vertical jump, one throwing event and several track finals, with only one field event taking place at any given time whenever possible.
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World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the championship represents a fresh approach to presenting the sport.
"We have said from the very beginning that we are doing things differently with the Ultimate Championship," Coe said.
"These innovations offer a taste of how we intend to move the sport forward with this brand-new global championship, elevating athletics and its many stars while reimagining how fans will experience the inaugural edition,” he added.
In another major departure from athletics tradition, the championship will not award medals.
Instead, winners will be crowned Ultimate Champions and presented with specially designed trophies, while every invited athlete will receive a unique participation token as part of the event's award concept.
World Athletics also plans to enhance the fan experience through expanded digital content.
Athletes will receive official championship footage and photography for their personal use, while supporters will benefit from enhanced broadcast features, live performance data and a dedicated mobile app offering results, videos and exclusive athlete stories.