This weekend marks the start of the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships. Also known as the World Track and Field Championships, this event showcases some of the best athletes in the world.
Held every 2 years at different venues around the world; this year’s event will take place in Budapest, Hungary at the newly built National Athletics Center. Over 2000 athletes from over 200 countries will be competing in the 49 events over 9 days (August 19-27).
With a number of world records being broken this year, we’re sure to see a number of exciting events in Budapest. Here are a few of the athletes to check out:
Ryan Crouser
Standing 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 320 pounds (145kg) Ryan Crouser from the United States is a 2 time Olympic gold medallist and reigning world champion. Earlier this year he broke his own world shot put record with a mark of 23.56m - this was 19cm more than the previous record. Having 10 of the top 15 throws of all time (including the three biggest in history), it will be exciting to see what Crouser can do in Budapest.
Faith Kipyegon
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion in the 1500m Faith Kipyegon has achieved three world records this year alone. In addition to breaking the 1500m & 5000m and world records, she shattered the women’s mile world record by almost 5 seconds in July. Tune in to watch the 29 year old Kenyan defending her 1,500m and going for her first ever 5,000m in Budapest.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is hoping to make World Athletics Championships history in the 100m and the 4x100m relay at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest. A knee injury has kept her out of some events this year, but she is still a top contender for the 100m. And the 4x100m gold is something that eluded the Jamaican team at the last World Athletics Championships.
Jakob Ingebrigsten
Ingebrigtsen is the reigning Olympic champion and holds the indoor world record for the 1500m with a time of 3min 30.60sec. Earlier this year, the 22 year old Norwegian broke the 2-mile world record by almost 5 seconds. You can catch Ingebrigsten in the 1500m event in Budapest.
Joshua Cheptegei
Ugandan long distance runner, Joshua Cheptegei is the 5000m & 10,000m world record holder. With two Olympic medals at the Toyko 2020 games (gold in the 5000m & silver in the 10,000m) he’s a favorite for the 10,000-meter title as well as a top contender for the 5,000 meters.
Strava Metro & the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023
This year, Strava Metro will be part of ActiveWorldChamps, the active mobility project developed by World Athletics during the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023. This study will track commutes from the organizing team to evaluate the benefits of active travel at a large sporting event by measuring the impacts that active inter-modal transportation has on local motor vehicle traffic, the amount of Greenhouse Gas emissions that are avoided and the economic impacts that active mobility can bring. Click here for more info.
You can also join the fun of active travel from anywhere and see your own Carbon Savings by tagging a Strava activity as a commute.
Cheers,
Scout (she/her)
STRAVA | Community Hub Team
