Athletics World Cup: Q&A

Athletics World Cup: Q&A

London will host the first athletics World Cup in July where eight countries, including Great Britain and the United States, will face each other to compete for prize money.

Here, Press Association Sport answers the questions about the new event.

When will it be held?

The London Stadium will host the Athletics World Cup in July
The London Stadium will host the Athletics World Cup in July (Yui Mok/PA)

It is unclear whether it will be an annual event based in London, be held in other countries on rotation or a one-off.

Who will compete?

Britain and the United States will take part, along with South Africa, Poland, France, China, Germany and Jamaica. Each team will have around 45 members.

The USA’s Christian Coleman, who – subject to ratification – broke the 60m world indoor record last month, and South Africa’s 400m world and Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk, should he recover from a knee injury, may headline the overseas field.

What is the format?

One male and one female athlete from each nation will compete in all field and track events up to 1500m.

There will be straight finals – no heats – in a points-scoring system and the event will be held in the evenings.

What is at stake?

The countries will face-off for £1.42million ($2million) prize money over two sessions at the London Stadium.

Ticket sales are expected to fund the majority of the money and it would be split between teams with £320,000 going to the winners and £71,000 for eighth place. The cash will then be divided up between the athletes.

Why now?

Lord Coe will hope the event provides a boost to the sport
Lord Coe will hope the event provides a boost to the sport (Martin Rickett/PA)

The World Cup gives the sport another shot in the arm off the back of London’s successful hosting of last year’s World Championships.

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