Q&A Lowdown on the Athletics World Cup

Qwhat is the event?

AThis is the inaugural Athletics World Cup, a team event which features eight of the world’s leading athletics nations – Great Britain, the United States, Jamaica, South Africa, France, Germany, China and Poland. It takes place at London’s Olympic Stadium tonight and tomorrow night from 6.45pm.

Qwhat is the format?

AThe competition consists of straight finals in track events up to 1500m, all field events and 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Each country will be represented by one athlete per event and individual points will be combined to determine the winning nation overall. There is a prize pot of $2million (£1.52 million).

Q Why has the event been created?

AOrganised by UK Athletics, it is an attempt to bring the sport to a modern audience by placing it into a short time-frame with no heats. It evolved out of a proposed Ryder Cup-style competition between Britain and the US called “The Meet”, which had been due to take place this summer but was dropped in favour of the World Cup.

Qwhat do the athletes think?

AMost of those just below the top tier internationally are excited at the chance to compete at a major event. However, many of the biggest names are absent, including British champions Dina Asher-smith, Laura Muir and Reece Prescod. Ojie Edoburun, Britain’s 100m representative, finished fifth at the national championships. The US team is missing dozens of Olympic and world medallists.

Qwill

it be sold out?

ANo. But rumours of poor ticket sales had been scotched by UK Athletics, which says that 55,000 tickets have been sold across the two days. That would compare very favourably to other athletics meets worldwide.