Why Athletics hold the ace this year

Edwin
Edwin  - CEO January 12, 2024
Updated 2024/01/12 at 9:47 AM
7 Min Read
Paris 2024
Paris 2024

Ten reasons to be excited for 2024

Noah Lyles with fans at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 (© Getty Images)

As World Athletics reports, there are many things to look forward to in athletics this year.

 

There’ll be six global championships in 2024, with ever-expanding one-day meeting circuits spread throughout the year. Rivalries will be renewed, and record-breakers will continue to push boundaries in their respective disciplines.

 

Here are ten reasons to be excited by what’s coming over the next 12 months.

 

1. Paris 2024 Olympic Games

 

Athletics is the No.1 sport in what will be the biggest event on the planet this year. One hundred years after Paris last hosted the Games, the Olympics will return to the French capital, where 2000 athletes from about 200 countries will compete for medals in 48 disciplines from 1-11 August. Expect duels, drama, and record-breaking performances as athletes compete for the highest honor in the sporting world.

 

Stade de France, venue of the athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic GamesStade de France, venue of the athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (© Paris 2024)

 

2. World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24

 

The year’s first global track and field championships will start in two months as Glasgow hosts the World Indoor Championships on March 1-3. In Belgrade two years ago, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and triple jumper Yulimar Rojas set world records to claim gold; they’ll be looking to add to their medal – and record – tally in Glasgow, as will a host of other top track and field stars.

 

Glasgow's Emirates ArenaGlasgow’s Emirates Arena (© Getty Images)

 

3. World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24

 

For the first time since 2017, the World Relays will be held in the Bahamian capital as the global event returns to the venue of the first three editions. From 4-5 May, athletes will be vying to secure their place in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—expectations of a nation rest on their shoulders – and their baton exchanges.

 

World Relays in The BahamasWorld Relays in The Bahamas (© Getty Images)

 

4. World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24

 

Two years after the Serbian capital hosted the World Indoor Championships, Serbia will play host to the world’s best cross-country runners this year. Recent editions of the event, in both Aarhus and Bathurst, have put athletes to the test on grueling courses, so expect more of the same on 30 March.

 

Athletes in action at the World Cross Country ChampionshipsAthletes in action at the World Cross Country Championships (© Getty Images)

 

5. World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24

 

After the latest successful edition of the World U20 Championships in Cali two years ago, the global event will return to South America as Lima becomes the first city in Peru to host a World Athletics Series event. The championships will occur from 27-31 August, showcasing the world’s most promising up-and-coming stars.

 

Athletes compete in the women's 4x400m final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in CaliAthletes compete in the women’s 4x400m final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali (© Marta Gorczynska)

 

6. World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24

 

Is there room on the calendar for one more global event? Go on, then. For the first time in the history of these championships – including all previous iterations – Turkiye will play host to the World Race Walking Team Championships on 21 April. The first 22 teams here will automatically qualify for the marathon race walk mixed relay – the newest Olympic discipline – at the Paris Games.

 

Kenya's Emily Ngii at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22Kenya’s Emily Ngii at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22 (© Dan Vernon)

 

7. One-day meeting circuits

 

While championship action is excellent, the likes of the Wanda Diamond League and World Athletics Continental Tour are where athletes can be seen in action week in and week out throughout the peak of the outdoor track and field season. Before that, there’s also the World Indoor Tour, while other series such as the Cross Country Tour, Combined Events Tour, Race Walking Tour, and Label road races will provide competition opportunities throughout the year.

 

Gudaf Tsegay on her way to a world 5000m record in EugeneGudaf Tsegay on her way to a world 5000m record in Eugene (© Marta Gorczynska / Diamond League AG)

 

8. Record breakers

 

Athletes continued to push boundaries throughout the past 12 months on the track, field, and roads. Expect more of the same in 2024 as Faith Kipyegon, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Yulimar Rojas, and Ryan Crouser look to run, jump, and throw better than ever.

 

Mondo Duplantis celebrates his world pole vault record of 6.23m in EugeneMondo Duplantis celebrates his world pole vault record of 6.23m in Eugene (© Marta Gorczynska / Diamond League AG)

 

9. Big clashes

 

Rivalries between the sport’s biggest stars always provide a gripping narrative for any season. For 2024, expect some mouth-watering clashes to come from the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Femke Bol in the 400m hurdles, Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge in the marathon, Gudaf Tsegay and Sifan Hassan in the 10,000m or Daniel Stahl and Kristjan Ceh in the discus to name but a few.

 

Sydney McLaughlin wins the 400m hurdles at the Diamond League final in ZurichSydney McLaughlin wins the 400m hurdles at the Diamond League final in Zurich (© Jiro Mochizuki)

 

10. New stars

 

Every year, a new generation of talent emerges. Some will be athletes who started to make a bit of a breakthrough towards the end of last year, while others may be athletes who fans have barely heard of. Either way, keep your eyes peeled as the season unfolds to witness the future stars of the sport mixing it with the world’s best athletes.

 

Jaydon Hibbert in triple jump qualification at the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22Jaydon Hibbert in triple jump qualification at the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 (© Marta Gorczynska)

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