The first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship is set to kick off in Budapest tomorrow, featuring top track and field athletes competing for significant cash prizes over a three-day event. This unique championship, organized by World Athletics, aims to gather the sport’s elite athletes for a televised international meet during a year without an outdoor world championships. The next world championships are scheduled for September 2027 in Tokyo, setting the stage for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
To attract top talent to Budapest, World Athletics has allocated an impressive $10 million US in prize money, with $150,000 up for grabs for the winner of each individual event. This significant increase in prize money compared to recent competitions like the Diamond League Final has drawn attention to the Ultimate Championship.
The championship will feature 26 individual events, including 13 men’s and 13 women’s events, along with mixed relays. Some events from the Olympics and world championships were excluded to fit the Ultimate Championship into a concise three-day format for TV audiences. Athletes who hold current titles or have performed well throughout the season have been invited, with exemptions granted to select stars and athletes from the host country, Hungary.
Despite some notable events being excluded, Canada has secured eight entries, with athletes like Ethan Katzberg, Marco Arop, and Andre De Grasse among the key competitors. International stars to watch include Julien Alfred, Gabby Thomas, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden on the women’s side, and Oblique Seville, Letsile Tebogo, and Mondo Duplantis among the men.
The event will be broadcast live on CBC Gem and the CBC TV network over the three days, starting on Friday from 1-4 p.m. ET. Viewers can follow the action and access startlists and results on the official schedule. The Ultimate Championship promises to showcase thrilling competitions and top-tier athletes in the world of track and field.
