The 2023 World Track and Field Championships are set to take place in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-27. As one of the most prestigious events in athletics, the World Championships will see the world’s best athletes compete for the title of world champion. Here’s everything you need to know about the event and what to expect in Budapest.
The Venue
The National Athletics Centre, a brand new stadium currently under construction on the banks of the Danube in the southern part of Budapest, will be the venue for the 2023 World Track and Field Championships. The stadium is expected to have a seating capacity of around 40,000 and state-of-the-art facilities. The stadium is situated near the Danube, which will provide a beautiful backdrop for the event.
Getting There
Budapest is served by an international airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, which is located about 16 kilometers southeast of the city center. The airport is well connected to the city by public transport, including buses, trains, and taxis. There are also direct flights from major cities around the world to Budapest, making it easily accessible for international travelers.
Accommodation
There are plenty of accommodation options in Budapest, ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels. For the 2023 World Track and Field Championships, the tour group of fans will stay in two centrally located 4-star hotels, Mercure City Center Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center. Both hotels provide easy access to transportation for commuting to and from the National Athletics Centre.
Sightseeing
Budapest is a beautiful city with plenty of sights to see. The city is divided by the Danube River, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other. Some of the must-see sights in Budapest include Buda Castle & Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Gellert Hill, the Central Market Hall, St. Matthias Church, Heroes’ Square, and the Millennium Monument. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy Hungarian cuisine and culture.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2023 World Track and Field Championships are not yet on sale, but they are expected to be more affordable than in Eugene this summer. Once ticket pricing is set, the tour group of fans will have prime tickets to all sessions of the World Championships.
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10 Athletes to Watch at the 2023 World Track and Field Championships
The 2023 World Track and Field Championships will see the world’s best athletes compete for the title of world champion. Here are 10 athletes to watch at the event.
1. Usain Bolt (Jamaica)
Although Usain Bolt retired from professional athletics in 2017, his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time lives on. Bolt won a total of 11 world championship gold medals during his career, and his performances in the 100m and 200m sprints are still the stuff of legend.
2. Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa)
Wayde van Niekerk is the current world record holder in the 400m sprint, a record he set at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Van Niekerk missed the 2019 World Championships due to injury, but he will be looking to make a comeback in Budapest.
3. Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain)
Dina Asher-Smith is one of the brightest stars in British athletics. She won three medals at the 2019 World Championships, including gold in the 200m sprint, and she will be hoping to add to her medal haul in Budapest.
4. Karsten Warholm (Norway)
KarstenKarsten Warholm is one of the most exciting athletes to watch in track and field right now. The Norwegian hurdler won gold at the 2019 World Championships in the 400m hurdles, setting a new world record in the process with a time of 46.92 seconds. He also won gold at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Warholm has a unique and unorthodox running style, and he’s known for his fearless and aggressive approach to races. He’s also known for his trademark headband, which he wears during competitions. With his impressive speed and technique, Warholm is a favorite to win gold at the 2023 World Championships.
5. Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)
Sifan Hassan is a Dutch long-distance runner who competes in events ranging from the 1500m to the marathon. She’s one of the most versatile runners in the world, and she’s set world records in multiple events.
At the 2019 World Championships, Hassan won gold in both the 1500m and the 10,000m, becoming the first athlete to win both events at a single World Championships since 1993. She also set a new European record in the 1500m with a time of 3:51.95.
Hassan is a fierce competitor with an impressive range and an ability to perform at the highest level in a variety of events. She’s definitely an athlete to watch at the 2023 World Championships.
6. Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda)
Joshua Cheptegei is a Ugandan long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000m and 10,000m. He’s set multiple world records in these events, and he won gold in the 10,000m at the 2019 World Championships.
Cheptegei also had a successful 2020 season, breaking the world record in the 5000m and the 10,000m within the span of just two months. He’s known for his incredible endurance and his ability to maintain a fast pace for long periods of time.
Cheptegei will be a favorite to win gold at the 2023 World Championships, and he’ll be looking to add to his impressive collection of world records and gold medals.
7. Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela)
Yulimar Rojas is a Venezuelan triple jumper who’s dominated the event in recent years. She won gold at both the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, and she set a new world record in the event at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
Rojas is known for her explosive power and her ability to jump farther than her competitors. She’s also known for her dramatic celebrations, which often involve cartwheels and backflips.
At the 2023 World Championships, Rojas will be looking to continue her dominance of the triple jump and add another gold medal to her impressive collection.
8. Mondo Duplantis (Sweden)
Mondo Duplantis is a Swedish pole vaulter who’s set multiple world records in the event. He won silver at the 2019 World Championships, and he’s considered one of the favorites to win gold at the 2023 World Championships.
Duplantis is known for his incredible height and his ability to clear the bar with ease. He’s also known for his competitive spirit and his ability to perform under pressure.
At just 22 years old, Duplantis has already established himself as one of the best pole vaulters in history. He’ll be looking to add to his impressive collection of world records and gold medals at the 2023 World Championships.
9. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bahamas)
Shaunae Miller-Uibo is another track and field superstar who will undoubtedly make her mark at the 2023 World Championships. The Bahamian sprinter won gold in the 400 meters at the 2019 World Championships and has a personal best time of 48.36 seconds, which makes her the fourth-fastest woman in history in the event. Miller-Uibo is also a strong contender in the 200 meters, an event she won at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 Diamond League Final.
10. Caster Semenya (South Africa)
South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion in the 800 meters. Semenya’s dominance in the event has been clouded by controversy over her naturally high levels of testosterone, which has led to her being subjected to gender testing and exclusion from certain competitions. Despite these challenges, Semenya has remained a fierce competitor and is sure to make headlines at the 2023 World Championships.
Legendary Moments in World Track and Field Championships History
As we look forward to the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on some of the most memorable moments in the history of the event. Here are just a few:
1. Flo-Jo’s world records (1987)
At the 1987 World Championships in Rome, American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner set world records in both the 100 and 200 meters. Her time of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters remains the world record to this day, and her performances at the event cemented her status as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
2. Michael Johnson’s double gold (1995)
At the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, American sprinter Michael Johnson won gold medals in both the 200 and 400 meters, becoming the first man to accomplish the feat at a major international competition. Johnson’s gold-medal-winning time in the 200 meters, 19.79 seconds, was also a new world record.
3. Carl Lewis’ long jump dominance (1983-1991)
American long jumper Carl Lewis was a fixture at the World Championships throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, winning four consecutive gold medals in the event from 1983 to 1991. Lewis’ dominance in the long jump at the World Championships helped solidify his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
4. Usain Bolt’s triple treble (2008-2015)
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt took the track and field world by storm in the late 2000s, winning gold medals in the 100, 200, and 4×100 meter relay at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). Bolt’s dominance at the World Championships was similarly impressive, as he won gold in all three events at the 2009, 2013, and 2015 editions of the event.
5. Sally Pearson’s comeback (2017)
Australian hurdler Sally Pearson suffered a series of injuries in the years leading up to the 2017 World Championships in London, casting doubt on her ability to compete at the highest level. However, Pearson defied the odds to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles, completing a remarkable comeback and proving that she was still one of the world’s best.
Conclusion
The 2023 World Track and Field Championships in Budapest promises to be an unforgettable event. With top athletes from around the world competing in a brand new stadium on the banks of the Danube, spectators are sure to witness some of the most exciting and impressive athletic performances in history. From sprinters to distance runners, jumpers to throwers, the Championships will showcase the incredible breadth of talent and skill in the world of track and field.
Whether you are a die-hard fan of the sport or simply enjoy watching world-class athletes compete, the 2023 World Championships is an event not to be missed. With a vibrant and culturally rich city like Budapest as the backdrop, the experience is sure to be unforgettable.
So book your tickets, pack your bags, and get ready for an exciting adventure. The world of track and field awaits!
