Andre De Grasse succeeded Usain Bolt as the men's 200 metres Olympic champion on a day Sydney McLaughlin broke new ground at Tokyo 2020.
Five years on from being tipped as the Jamaican legend's heir apparent after claiming silver over the same distance at Rio 2016, De Grasse went one better to clinch a first Olympic gold of his career.
Elsewhere there was a Kenya one-two in the men's 800m final, while Wojciech Nowicki celebrated success in the hammer.
Here's a round-up of the action from the athletics on Wednesday.
DE GRASSE MAKES GOOD ON RIO PROMISE
After pushing Bolt all the way in the 200m at Rio 2016, big things were expected of De Grasse but several injury woes in the intervening years stifled his progress a little.
But he has peaked at just the right time and has ultimately lived up to the billing. World champion Noah Lyles was electric out of the blocks, yet it was De Grasse who was lightning quick driving out of the bend.
With a time of 19.62 seconds, De Grasse ultimately held off the charge of Kenny Bednarek, who took silver for the United States ahead of countryman Lyles.
At the finish line there was a nice message from De Grasse, who told Lyles: "You push me man, you motivate me."
MCLAUGHLIN FOLLOWS WARHOLM LED
Just a day on from Karsten Warholm sensationally smashing the men's 400m hurdles world record, McLaughlin followed suit in the women's race.
Defending champion Dalilah Muhammad, who also ran under the previous WR time, was leading but was overtaken by McLaughlin on the finish straight – the American clocking a hugely impressive 51.46s.
"I saw Dalilah ahead of me with one to go. I just thought 'run your race'. The race doesn't really start until hurdle seven," she said.
In the women's 3000m steeplechase, Uganda's Peruth Chemutai claimed gold in a time of 9:01.45.
Courtney Frerichs had opened up a sizeable lead but Chemutai was closing by the final lap and passed her American rival on the back straight, safely negotiated the final obstacle and coasted over the line unchallenged with Frerichs taking second.
KORIR TAKES 800M GLORY, NOWICKI'S LIFETIME BEST DELIVERS GOLD
It was a Kenya one-two in the men's 800m, with Emmanuel Korir coming home in a time of 1:45.06 ahead of countryman Ferguson Rotich.
Peter Bol had taken on the pace but Korir made his move around the final bend. Bol ended up outside of the medal places with Poland's Patryk Dobek third.
In the men's hammer, Nowicki threw a whopping 82.52m to win the men's hammer. He followed up with three more throws over 81m.
The Pole had won bronze at the past four global championships and was third place at Rio 2016.
His compatriot Pawel Fajdek – a four-time world champion – finished third in his first Olympic final with an 81.53, with Norwegian Eivind Henriksen throwing a national record 81.58m to earn silver.
ELSEWHERE…
Grant Holloway, the overwhelming favourite in the men's 110m hurdles, qualified fastest for the final in 13.13, while Sifan Hassan – aiming to complete a 1500, 5000 and 10,000m treble at Tokyo 2020 – qualified for the final of the former event, having already won 5000m gold.
Dutchwoman Anouk Vetter leads the women's heptathlon through four events, although world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson had to withdraw after injuring her calf when running the 200m, and in the men's decathlon Canada's Damian Warner is in the gold-medal position after five.
World Athletics announces groundbreaking World Athletics Ultimate Championship
World Athletics has unveiled the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a bold new addition to the athletics calendar designed to determine the ultimate champions of the sport. The inaugural event will take place over three thrilling evenings from September 11-13, 2026, at the Budapest National Athletics Centre in Hungary.
This revolutionary event will feature 28 events across 16 disciplines, including marquee clashes in the 100m, pole vault, and the introduction of a mixed 4x100m relay. Athletes will vie for a share of the US$10 million prize pot, with $150,000 awarded to the champions in each event.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will be held every two years, bridging the gap in years without a World Championships. Its fast-paced, television-friendly format promises to deliver an electrifying experience for fans both in-stadium and around the world. Each session will last under three hours, ensuring non-stop action and showcasing the world’s best athletes competing head-to-head while representing their national teams in their respective kits.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the event as a "game-changer" for the sport. “This new global event will be a game-changer for our sport and for our athletes. We want to bring our fans athletics like they have never seen it before – with the best of the best athletes in our sport competing head-to-head in a passion-fuelled, high-octane festival of sport,” said Coe.
The competition will span 28 events, combining traditional track and field disciplines with innovative additions. Track events include the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 100m/110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, and mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays. Field events will feature pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple jump (women), hammer throw (men), and javelin throw.
World Athletics has partnered with Tata Communications and HBS as host broadcasters, leveraging their expertise to deliver an innovative and immersive viewing experience. The agreement builds on a five-year deal covering World Athletics Series events. Infront has been appointed to lead international media rights sales, focusing on free-to-air platforms to maximize global reach and ensure that fans everywhere can experience the excitement.
“Tata Communications is thrilled to partner with World Athletics for the Ultimate Championship, a groundbreaking addition to the global track and field calendar,” said Dhaval Ponda, Tata Communications Vice President and Global Media Head. HBS CEO Dan Miodownik highlighted the event’s potential for innovation, stating, “It is a real opportunity to help shape the way coverage of athletics evolves over the coming years.”
The Ultimate Championship will return to the Budapest National Athletics Centre, which hosted the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Hungarian Secretary of State for Sports Adam Schmidt celebrated the announcement, noting Budapest’s growing reputation as a global sports hub. “It is a great honour that after the exhilarating World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the wonderful National Athletics Centre will once again open its doors for a major international sporting event,” Schmidt said.
World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon emphasized the event’s focus on engaging fans with constant, fast-paced action. “The Ultimate Championship is also a chance for us to really innovate how we deliver our sport, presenting it in new formats and across different platforms designed to keep the entire venue engaged,” Ridgeon said.
With its innovative format, star-studded athlete lineup, and a prize pool designed to attract the best in the world, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship is poised to redefine how athletics is presented and consumed globally. The event promises to set a new standard for excitement and fan engagement, ushering in a new era for the sport.
Michael Johnson optimistic about bright future for field events amid rise of track-centric meets
Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, the founder of the upcoming Grand Slam Track (GST) series, is confident that field events will not be sidelined despite the emergence of track-only competitions like GST and September's all-woman Athlos NY meet. Instead, Johnson envisions a future where field events flourish in their own right, buoyed by specialized leagues and platforms.
Grand Slam Track recently announced its inaugural season for 2025, with meets scheduled in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. As excitement builds for the all-track format, concerns have surfaced about the potential marginalization of field events like the shot put, discus, javelin, and triple jump. However, responding to a query from Sportsmax.TV, Johnson dismissed these fears, offering a compelling case for optimism.
“I think you will see quite the opposite,” Johnson said. “Ryan Crouser, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the shot put, is going to start his vision for a throws league that is specifically for the throws where the fans who actually appreciate those events and understand the great athleticism that is required for those events can actually be closer to the action. And so those events don’t fall secondary to what’s happening on the track, and I have offered my support to Ryan for that.”
Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and former 200m and 400m world record holder, pointed to Crouser’s initiative as an example of how specialized leagues can elevate field events.
“So I don’t think you will see those events continue to go away. I think it’s the exact opposite,” Johnson continued. “I think that there has been inspiration around how you now create leagues for those events as well, where you can make those events more prominent.”
Field events have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with Caribbean athletes making significant strides on the global stage. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott and Grenada’s Anderson Peters have won Olympic and World Championship medals in the javelin. Jamaica's Roje Stona set an Olympic record to win gold in the discus, with compatriot Rajindra Campbell claiming shot put bronze. Dominica’s Thea LaFond made history by winning her country’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the triple jump, ahead of Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, a two-time World Championship silver medalist.
Johnson believes specialized leagues and tailored events are key to ensuring that these athletes and their disciplines receive the recognition they deserve.
“Right now, they’re getting lost in a huge stadium where fans far away can’t actually see and appreciate the athleticism,” Johnson explained. “So I think that this [Grand Slam Track] paves the way for a brighter future for the field events.”
Grand Slam Track’s inaugural season promises to bring a fresh, dynamic format to track events, while Johnson’s endorsement of field-event-specific leagues highlights his broader vision for athletics as a sport. With initiatives like Crouser’s throws league on the horizon, Johnson’s optimism reflects a shift toward creating dedicated platforms for all disciplines to shine.
The 2025 GST series, set to kick off with a meet in Kingston from April 4-, marks an exciting evolution for the sport. As Johnson’s vision takes shape, the future appears brighter not just for track athletes but for the field-event stars whose talents deserve a stage of their own.
Jaydon Hibbert honoured and 'humbled' with inaugural JOA Olympic Spirit Award
Rising athletics star Jaydon Hibbert was humbled and deeply honoured to receive the first-ever Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Olympic Spirit Award during a glittering ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday night.
The award, introduced to celebrate athletes who exemplify the core values of Olympism—courage, perseverance, and sportsmanship—recognizes Hibbert’s remarkable resilience and determination at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite battling discomfort during competition, Hibbert delivered an exceptional performance in the men’s triple jump, narrowly missing the podium by 0.03 centimeters to finish fourth. At just 19 years old, he was the youngest competitor in the field, showcasing composure and tenacity beyond his years.
The JOA’s official citation praised Hibbert’s efforts, describing him as "dauntless and with inborn patriotism," commending his ability to “give it his all” despite physical challenges. It continued:
"The heart of a gladiator will always beat with the lifeblood of a champion, and Jaydon is of that mettle. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) applauds Jaydon Hibbert, a distinguished brother of our household and our first Olympic Spirit awardee."
Hibbert, who is also a nominee for the World Athletics Rising Star Award for the second consecutive year, expressed gratitude and humility in his acceptance speech.
"To be recognized in this way is truly humbling," he said. "The Olympic Games were a test of my spirit, and I’m proud to represent Jamaica on and off the field. This award serves as motivation for what’s to come."
Christopher Samuda, President of the JOA, highlighted the importance of the award during his remarks at the ceremony, underscoring its role in celebrating not just athletic excellence but the qualities of perseverance and character.
"The award not only recognizes athletic excellence but also celebrates the spirit of perseverance and sportsmanship that transcends the playing field," Samuda said. "Jaydon's inclusion underscores the JOA’s commitment to celebrating not only athletic success but also the core values of Olympism – character, courage, and unyielding grit, the true essence of the Olympic spirit."
The ceremony also honored Jamaica’s 2024 Paris Olympic medalists, but Hibbert’s recognition stood out as a poignant reminder of the Olympic spirit that defines true champions. As the applause echoed in the room, it was clear that Jaydon Hibbert’s journey has only just begun, and his story continues to inspire.
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