Beijing are hosting the 15th Athletic World Championships which will be the largest sporting event that their national stadium, “Birds Nest” has seen since the Summer Olympics back in 2008. The event will gage an audience of 6 billion worldwide and has proved the largest universal sporting activity with over 207 nations competing in this years event, there will be a total of 1,931 athletes striving to earn their spot on the podium.
At the top of the agenda unfortunately will be the widespread doping activity surrounding the sport. 50 of the athletes who are taking part have previous convictions of doping. None of which include the 28 athletes who have recently been found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs between the years of 2005 and 2007. These recently convicted athletes have not been striped of their winning status’ yet, and for the clean competitors the frustration is noticeable.
Out of the 29 disciplines there will be 7 track events. The mens 100m sprint draw in the worlds eyes as we see the record holder Bolt defending his title from the American Justin Gatlin, who has previously served 2 doping bans, and also an upcoming Brit, Chijindu Ujah is also one to watch as he has recently broken the 10 second barrier. Long distance running will feature Britain’s 2 time olympic champ Mo Farah which will hopefully put GB onto a flying start with the 10,000 meter race. The famous athlete has recently had his name dragged through the mud a little with his coach being surrounded with doping allegations which he has denied claims of. But Farah is determined and focussed on defending his world title.
Great Britain have two leading women returning this championships proving their worth before their performances in Rio. Jessica Ennis Hill and Katrina Johnson-Thompson will begin their 7 discipline event with the 100m hurdles on the first day. Hill has not been seen competing since her memorable triumph at the London Olympics in 2012 and has since had a baby. We are looking forward to seeing how she fairs alongside Katorina, who is returned after an injury. The two Heptathletes are up against Canadian Brianne Theisen Eaton.
Out of all the countries competing GB team will have a total of 63, Germany, 66 and Russia, 77 but sending the most competitors will be the americans who are sending 130 to Beijing to take their chance at gold for each discipline. Its certainly set to be an exciting look into what we are to expect in Brazil in 2016.