Obiri, O’Brien and four Budapest medallists among 23 athletes entering MOWA

Competition artefacts from multiple world champions Kenya’s Hellen Obiri (singlet) and USA’s Dan O’Brien (singlet and bodysuit) are among the historic items inducted into the World Athletics Heritage Collection which is displayed on the online 3D platform of the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).

Entering MOWA along with Obiri’s 2023 Boston Marathon winning singlet are artefacts from two Olympic marathon champions, USA’s Frank Shorter, Munich 1972 gold medallist (t-shirt) and Italy’s Athens 2004 winner Stefano Baldini (pair of shoes). The previously announced donation of fellow Italian, 1984 and 1985 New York City Marathon winner Orlando Pizzolato goes on display in MOWA too.

The annual MOWA intake also sees the 1991 World Championships outfits of decathlon world record breaker O’Brien joined by treasured items from World Athletics Council Member Sylvia Barlag, who set a heptathlon world best in 1979 (trophy and two pairs of spikes).

Selfless generosity

The artefacts from two 2023 world champions go on exhibit, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon (spikes), the 1500m and 5000m victor in Budapest, and USA’s Grant Holloway (singlet and spike shoe) who won his third world 110m hurdles title in the Hungarian capital.

There are further gifts from two bronze medallists, Hungary’s Bence Halasz (hammer throw glove) and USA’s Joe Kovacs, the two-time world champion shot putter (singlet).

The generosity of all donors to our museum knows few bounds.

Eliud takes up mentorship role for U20 World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team

On Saturday 26 August, in the mixed zone in Budapest’s National Athletics Centre, immediately following her 5000m victory, Kipyegon removed her shoes and gifted them to her friend Sandrine Prokopowicz. Matching the Kenyan’s kindness, Prokopowicz – who is World Athletics’ Technical Services Manager – in turn donated the spikes to the MOWA.

Topping that kindness was Anjelina Lohalith, the most experienced athlete of the ASICS-sponsored Athlete Refugee Team (ART), who in Budapest donated her winning singlet from the European Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country in February 2023. That was the first-ever international victory of any member of the ART.

30 artefacts, 23 athletes, 11 countries, four areas

In total, 30 artefacts of 23 athletes from 11 countries and the Athlete Refugee Team, representing four continental areas, have today been added across the MOWA’s five online galleries. Another three athletes who kindly donated artefacts in 2023 will enter the 3D museum when a new gallery is launched next year.

Much of the clothing, shoes, equipment, and trophies entering the MOWA, all donated during 2023, were exhibited in a five-month-long MOWA Heritage Athletics Exhibition in Budapest which celebrated 40 years of the World Athletics Championships.

Double delight for Kipyegon as she is feted by the state

Currently, all the new additions are on show at the World Athletics offices in Monaco and some will be exhibited for one-month next year in the MOWA Indoor Athletics Exhibition in Glasgow (3 February to 3 March) ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in the Scottish city.

Credit: World Athletics