2017 World Championships in Athletics
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| 2017 World Championships in Athletics | |
|---|---|
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| Name | 2017 World Championships in Athletics |
| Host city | London |
| Nations | 205 |
| Athletes | 2061 |
| Events | 48 |
| Dates | 4–13 August 2017 |
| Stadium | London Stadium |
| Previous | 2015 Beijing |
| Next | 2019 Doha |
2017 World Championships in Athletics The 2017 edition of the global track and field championships was staged in London at the London Stadium from 4 to 13 August 2017, bringing together elite competitors from across the globe for a ten‑day programme. Organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations and hosted by UK Athletics alongside the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the event followed the previous championships in Beijing and preceded the championships in Doha, featuring marquee athletes, national teams, and world leaders in athletics.
Background and host selection
Bidding for the 2017 championships attracted interest from several cities including London, Edmonton, and Moncton. The IAAF Council selected London largely on the basis of the legacy of the 2012 Summer Olympics and facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The choice involved stakeholders such as the British government, Mayor of London, and national governing body UK Athletics, and was announced during an IAAF Congress session that also discussed future hosts like Doha and reforms led by Sebastian Coe.
Preparations and venues
Preparations focused on converting the London Stadium for athletics use, coordinating with venues such as the Olympic Stadium (London) infrastructure, transportation hubs like King's Cross railway station, and accommodation in boroughs including Stratford. Event operations were coordinated with agencies such as Transport for London and security partners including the Metropolitan Police Service. Warm‑up and auxiliary competitions took place at facilities tied to the University College London and athletics clubs like Newham and Essex Beagles, while ceremonies engaged cultural partners including the Royal Opera House and broadcasters such as the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Participating nations and athletes
The championships featured competitors from 205 national federations affiliated to the IAAF, with an official athlete count of about 2,061. Prominent teams included delegations from United States, Kenya, Jamaica, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ethiopia, Russia (competing under neutral status), and Germany. Star athletes on entry lists included names linked to records and medals such as Usain Bolt (Jamaica), Mo Farah (Great Britain), Elaine Thompson (Jamaica), Allyson Felix (United States), David Rudisha (Kenya), and Caster Semenya (South Africa), with many national federations like Athletics Kenya, USA Track & Field, and Athletics Federation of India fielding large squads.
Events and competition format
The programme comprised 48 athletics events divided between men's and women's disciplines: sprints, middle distance, long distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays, jumps, throws, combined events, and race walks. The competition format followed IAAF rules with qualification rounds, heats, semifinals, and finals, and included events governed by technical rules applied by officials from World Athletics, Competition Jury, and international technical delegates. Entry standards and wildcards were set in accordance with the IAAF Entry Standards and universality slots permitted participation from small federations such as Nauru and Tuvalu.
Schedule and highlights
The ten‑day schedule opened with morning and evening sessions featuring marquee track finals and field finals, culminating in the closing session on 13 August. Highlights included sprint finals drawing athletes from Jamaica, United States, and Trinidad and Tobago; distance events contested by runners from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda; and technical battles in the throws involving competitors from Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany. Broadcast partners like Eurosport and NBC Sports provided global coverage, while ceremonies showcased performances linked to London 2012 legacy artists and public figures such as the Mayor of London.
Medal summary and table
Medals were awarded across 48 events with leading national performances from the United States, Kenya, Jamaica, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and South Africa. The United States topped the medal table with a high total of gold, silver, and bronze medals; Kenya and Jamaica were prominent in distance and sprint events respectively. National federations tracked athlete medal counts for Olympic selection implications for multi‑national federations including Canadian Olympic Committee‑affiliated athletes and Australian Olympic Committee delegates.
Records and notable performances
The championships saw several championship records, national records, and personal bests established by athletes from nations such as Belgium, Qatar, and Ethiopia. Performances by athletes like Mack Horton (Australia), Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa), Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela), and Ruth Beitia (Spain) were notable for title defenses and breakthrough shows. The meet included world‑leading marks for the season and technical achievements adjudicated against equipment and doping control standards set by the IAAF Medical and Anti‑Doping Department.
Controversies and legacy
Controversies encompassed eligibility rulings involving athletes from South Africa and South Sudan as well as the ongoing review of Russian participation under the IAAF's neutral athlete designation, which involved the Russian Athletics Federation and the IAAF Ethics Commission. Debates over scheduling, stadium configuration, and legacy initiatives drew commentary from stakeholders including UK Sport and community groups in Newham. The championships left a mixed legacy emphasizing the revitalization of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and reinforcing London's role in hosting major events while influencing subsequent bidding and governance reforms led by figures like Sebastian Coe and institutions including World Athletics.