All eyes are on the track and field as the World Athletics Championships 2023 get underway in Budapest, Hungary, where elite contenders are set to etch their names into sports history. From seasoned veterans like Team GB & Northern Ireland’s Laura Muir to developing stars like Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke, this year’s championships, which take place from August 19-27, are shaping up to be a global exhibition of extraordinary talent.
Veteran Leaders: The Guiding Force of Team GB & Northern Ireland
Laura Muir, an Olympic silver medalist, will captain Team GB and Northern Ireland in this year’s World Athletics Championships. The 30-year-old Scot, who won silver in the 1500m at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze at the World Championships last year, is no stranger to high-stakes competition. Muir hopes to use her wealth of expertise to guide both young and seasoned competitors on her team as she celebrates a decade since her World Championships debut in Moscow. “In my captain’s speech, I looked to get across those experiences and learnings from the journey in the sport throughout my career,” Muir said. “Hopefully, those will be useful to both the younger and newer athletes on the team, as well as those with more championship experience.”
The Next Generation: Rising Stars to Watch
Beyond the seasoned veterans, this year’s World Athletics Championships will showcase a wealth of young, emerging talent. Here are a few names to keep an eye on:
- Rhasidat Adeleke (Ireland), 20: Adeleke, with her astonishing time of 49.20 seconds in the women’s 400m this year, is positioned as a strong contender for a medal.
- Jeswin Aldrin (India), 21: The world leader in the men’s long jump in 2023 at 8.42m, Aldrin stands to make his nation proud.
- Julien Alfred (St Lucia), 22: She has the chance to win the first World Athletics Championships medal for Saint Lucia, having secured swift times in both the 100m and 200m events.
- Max Burgin (Great Britain), 21: After injury forced him to withdraw from last year’s World Championships, this 800m specialist is returning with high hopes.
- Tamari Davis (USA), 20: A professional track runner since 16, Davis is set to shine in the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay in Budapest.
Chasing Records and Making History
Several athletes are arriving in Budapest with more than victory on their minds—they are chasing history itself. Norwegian athlete Jakob Ingebrigtsen aims for a golden double in the 1500m and 5000m, a feat that narrowly eluded him in 2022.With her remarkable performance this year, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon hopes to become the first woman to win gold in both the 1500m and 5000m at the same World Championships. Ryan Crouser (USA) is attempting to defend his world-leading shot put of 23.56 metres, while pole vault champion Armand Duplantis (Sweden) is determined to maintain his crown. Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) and Noah Lyles (USA), respectively, are leading America’s sprint attack, with both aiming for gold and world records.
These star athletes, among others, are not just competing for themselves—they’re aiming to inspire the world and write a new chapter in the storied history of athletics. The 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest is set to be a thrilling showdown, a true celebration of speed, strength, and human spirit.
