Pole vault legend Duplantis named ‘Star Athlete' for World Athletics Ultimate Championship
World Athletics announced last year it would hold the global championship as a grand conclusion to the 2026 season. It will then take place every two years.
In a statement, World Athletics said Duplantis had been named 'Star Athlete' for the event.
The governing body added that the pole vaulter would be among the 'key collaborators pursuing their cultural passions outside of athletics in music, fashion, art, and on-screen, who will promote the new global season-ending championship.'
The event will take place in Budapest with a record $10 million in prize money on offer. Gold medallists will each receive $150,000 as part of what the sport's world governing body has described as the richest prize pot ever in the sport.
Duplantis won his second world title in 2023 in Budapest.
He also broke his own pole vault world record there for a 13th time on Tuesday, soaring 6.29 metres at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
RELATED: Armand Duplantis sets 13th pole vault WR — All instances of Mondo breaking the world record
The Swede said he was hoping to set a new world record during the Ultimate Championship.
'We're always looking for new ways to make sure that the spotlight shines on athletics and the Ultimate will light up Budapest,' the 25-year-old added.
'I have great memories of winning world gold two years ago and remember the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium that night. It would be a dream to break the world record in front of a packed crowd next year.
'This event is set to showcase our sport like never before and I can't wait to be a part of it.'
The championship is scheduled to take place over three evenings next year from September 11 to September 13.
Each session will last for less than three hours, in a bid to capture the attention of global television viewers.
The programme will feature 26 individual events – 16 track and 10 field – and two relays, including the new mixed 4x100m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Very dangerous to be interrupted': Olympic skier Eileen Gu points to fan involvement after frightening skiing crash
Eileen Gu, the Olympic freestyle skiing star, was hurt in a serious accident on Friday, August 15, 2025, while training at Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand. She described the incident as a 'very terrible accident' caused by human error, and said she was flown to Christchurch for scans. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Witnesses saw her being carried away on a stretcher immediately after the crash. She emphasized the danger of being distracted during training and urged fans not to film her. Eileen Gu suffers serious training accident in New Zealand, hints fan could be responsible Eileen Gu revealed on Weibo that the crash happened during a training run in Cardrona and that she was still waiting for medical confirmation. She wrote: 'Unfortunately, a very terrible accident occurred yesterday due to human error.' 'Hopefully I'll be back on the snow soon, but I'm still waiting for confirmation from the expert team.' Eileen Gu, aged 21, asked her fans to avoid filming her during training. She explained: 'I have to concentrate fully during training, especially when I am preparing to start, as it's very dangerous to be interrupted. I also have to focus on picturing and imagining the moves while on the cable car. In order to save time, I don't have lunch breaks and try to use the bathroom as little as possible. So please don't record or take photos while I'm training.' Also Read: Olympic skier Eileen Gu's career highlights, injuries, and comeback plans September 3, 2003, saw Eileen Feng Gu born in San Francisco, California. She learned to ski at Lake Tahoe and competed for the United States until 2019. She started representing China, her mother's home nation, at age 15 and rapidly became well-known. Eileen Gu made history at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as the first freestyle skier to claim two golds and a silver in a single Games. She has also claimed 15 World Cup titles, more freestyle skiing history She first appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 2025 and kept balancing modeling and her athletic career. Earlier this year, Eileen Gu had brief training before pulling out of the Winter X Games at Aspen after another injury
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympic champion Imane Khelif unveils dramatic new makeover after Paris 2024 gender storm and s*x testing rules
Olympic champion Imane Khelif unveils dramatic new makeover after Paris 2024 gender storm and s*x testing rules (Image via Getty) Imane Khelif, Algerian Olympic boxing champion, showed a new, more feminine look this week. She shared a picture on Instagram with television host and podcaster Nassima Djaffar Bey. Khelif has not boxed since winning gold at Paris 2024 and has said she is going through a 'difficult phase.' Meanwhile, the new world boxing body, World Boxing, introduced strict sex-testing rules in spring 2025. Because of those rules, Khelif opted out of a planned tournament in the Netherlands this June. Imane Khelif stuns fans with new feminine look and emotional Instagram message Imane Khelif appeared this Tuesday in a selfie with Nassima Djaffar Bey, looking happy with make-up and long flowing hair. Djaffar Bey wrote, 'Always a pleasure.' On the one-year anniversary of her Olympic win, August 9, 2024, Imane Khelif posted a heartfelt message on Instagram. She wrote: 'It was an unforgettable moment a moment where my tears mixed with the awe of pride… Today, on the anniversary of that triumph, I'm going through a difficult phase filled with challenges, silence, and waiting… But despite everything, the spirit that fought for gold still beats within me. I still believe that every fall is a prelude to a stronger rise… I am Imane Khelif a champion yesterday, resilient today, and determined to return tomorrow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ibague: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo Thank you to everyone who still believes in me… And to myself, thank you for never giving up.' Also Read: 'Does Anyone Really Care About Her?': Andy Roddick Delivers Sharp Message As Iga Swiatek Gets Disrespected Following Cincinnati Open Victory Imane Khelif faces World Boxing's mandatory sex testing rules after Paris 2024 gold In May 2025, World Boxing, the new governing body recognized by the IOC, made a rule. It said all boxers 18 and older must take genetic sex tests (PCR tests) to compete in women's events. These tests check for the Y chromosome. The policy took effect right away. World Boxing said Imane Khelif could not enter the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands in June because she had not taken the test yet. World Boxing said the test and rules are to keep things safe and fair in a sport where punches are strong. But they also said they would help athletes who need more checks and even let them appeal. World Boxing later apologized to the Algerian federation for naming Imane Khelif in their announcement. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Seville storms past Lyles for Lausanne 100m win
Jamaica's Oblique Seville trumped Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the 100m at Wednesday's Diamond League meet in Lausanne, just three weeks away from the world championships in Tokyo. HT Image Once again, Lyles stuttered out of the blocks, a slow start handing Seville the advantage from the start, something the Jamaican then never looked in danger of ceding. Seville clocked an impressive 9.87 seconds in torrential rain at the Stade de la Pontaise, Lyles battling back in a strong finish to snatch second in 10.02sec. It was a repeat of last month's London Diamond League when Seville also got the better of the American. Kenya's Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi also suffered a setback as American Josh Hoey claimed victory in the 800m. Hoey, the reigning world indoor champion, held his own down the home straight for victory in 1:42.82. "I wanted to get out hard, let the leaders take the rain, and then make my move with 100 to go," said Hoey. "It felt like being a kid again, playing in the rain. I've never raced in anything like this before. It reminded me of cross-country growing up, where it comes down to being the toughest and the most patient." Wanyonyi looked out of it with 200m to run, but battled back for second in 1:43.29 ahead of Spain's Mohamed Attaoui and Briton Max Burgin, with Canadian world champion Marco Arop in fifth. But there was no such drama for Britain's Olympic women's 800m gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson, who continued her comeback with a meet record over the two-lap discipline in 1:55.69 ahead of Switzerland's Audrey Werro. "When the pace goes like that, you just forget about everyone else," said Hodgkinson, who returned to the track last week in Silesia after 12 months out with hamstring problems since winning at the Paris Games. "And it paid off with a solid performance. I couldn't have asked for a better start this season." Cordell Tinch continued his fine season form by clocking an impressive 12.98sec in the men's 110m hurdles. "I felt great through the warm-up, this is my kind of weather! This result feels great," said Tinch. lp-vg/mw
