Pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis has called on athletics to embrace innovation ahead of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set to be held in Budapest from 11 to 13 September. Speaking during an online media session on Wednesday, the 26-year-old Swedish star and several fellow elite athletes also voiced strong anticipation for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

Why Duplantis Sees the Ultimate Championship as a Turning Point

'I think it was about time to try something and innovate a bit within athletics,' Duplantis said. He framed the new competition as a necessary addition to the athletics calendar, giving top competitors a meaningful target in years that fall between the Olympic Games and the traditional World Championships. 'You want to have some sort of climax, and you want to build something towards the year,' he added.

Duplantis also stressed the broader commercial imperative behind the sport's evolution. 'We want eyeballs, and we want people to watch,' he said. 'At the end of the day, it is entertainment, and we have to be the most entertaining that we possibly can be.' While prize money has a role, he argued that growing the audience is the sport's true long-term priority.

How Other Athletes View the New Format

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden said the Ultimate Championship will give athletes a 'new feel', contrasting its compact structure with the multi-round format of the traditional World Championships, where competitors must manage their energy across a longer schedule. Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall echoed the sentiment, noting that the two events test different qualities. 'They're both different experiences. They're both different mind challenges,' she said.

Botswanan sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who claimed 200m gold at the 2024 Olympics, said he carries positive memories of competing at Diamond League meetings in China and is keen to return for the 2027 Worlds.

Duplantis Sets Sights on a World Record in Budapest

Beyond the broader conversation about athletics' future, Duplantis has a personal target in Budapest. The Swede said he loves the National Athletics Centre and believes the venue has 'world record capacity'. 'That's my goal, and that's what I want to achieve for sure,' he said — a statement that will sharpen attention on every attempt he makes at the inaugural Ultimate Championship.

Beijing 2027 Generates Excitement Across the Field

The 2027 World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest in Beijing drew enthusiastic responses from the athletes. Jefferson-Wooden said it will be her first visit to China and that she is eager to experience a fresh championship atmosphere. Davis-Woodhall highlighted the appeal of a multi-day Worlds, including the opportunity to watch other events and spend time with teammates.

Duplantis, who has competed across several Chinese cities, described Beijing as a 'bucket-list place' and the Bird's Nest as a stadium carrying 'a lot of power' and an energy an athlete could 'only dream of'. 'I'm really excited for it because I know that the Chinese fans can really show up and show out,' he said. 'So I think it's going to be great.'

With the Ultimate Championship just days away and Beijing on the horizon, the sport's biggest names appear aligned on a shared ambition: push performance boundaries while pulling in a wider global audience.