No doubt possible: World Athletics knows how to keep the news. After having shaken the coconut tree of the Olympic movement by announcing its decision to distribute bonuses to the gold medalists of the Paris 2024 Games, then announcing last week its reform plan for the 2024-2027 cycle, the international body of the Athletics unveiled its latest invention on Monday June 3. It has a name inspired by a game show: World Athletics Ultimate Championship. The ultimate championship. Not less. Behind a somewhat flashy exterior, the project presents itself as an end point to the summer season, organized every two years in even years. The competition will last three days, with the participation of the 8 to 16 best athletes in each discipline, essentially those best placed in the world rankings. In total, nearly 400 athletes came from around 70 countries. They will wear the jersey of their country. At stake is a jackpot of $10 million, including $150.000 for each of the winners, a record sum for non-marathon athletics. The first edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship is already on the calendar: it will take place from September 11 to 13, 2026 in Budapest.
