Track and field athletes are gathering in Budapest for the launch of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a three-day event featuring glowing javelins, augmented reality graphics, and a record $10 million prize fund. Designed to showcase top competitors in a fast-paced format, the tournament awards $150,000 to race winners and $10,000 to eighth-place finishers. A sprinter winning three events could earn up to $337,500 over just 48 hours.
The championship introduces several innovations to make the sport more engaging, such as glowing javelins and hammers that are easier to spot on a dark field, alongside graphics showing live win percentages. Global ambassador Usain Bolt recalled chatting with fellow legend Asafa Powell about how they missed out on such large cash prizes, while expressing support for current athletes. The event kicked off with a red-carpet presentation featuring stars like Mondo Duplantis and Keely Hodgkinson, while sprinter Noah Lyles served as a DJ.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and chief executive Jon Ridgeon view the competition as a test bed for new ideas that could eventually be introduced to the World Championships and Olympic Games. The organization is also preparing for major financial changes. When its current rights contract with sports marketing agency Dentsu ends in 2029, World Athletics plans to sell its own commercial and broadcast rights starting in 2030 to increase revenue and support long-term growth.