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Alfonz Juck
Guest
Editor’s note: The importance of the World Under 20 Championships was a talking point for Seb Coe at the WAU20 presser on 4 August, 2026.
EUGENE (USA): World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has spoken about how the importance of the World U20 Championships goes simply beyond “medals and records.”
He said: “It’s much more than just simply a medals table or the distribution of medals and records. It is an important pathway and program for the development of young athletes. I’ve often said that your passport is your performance but, actually, the journey that you’re on is also about personality and the ability to convey some really positive messages about yourselves, and about our sport while you’re doing that. I’m grateful that you, as athletes, are here – that you’ve chosen this sport – and this is a great platform to shine. I’d also like to pay tribute to the coaches. We never minimize the role that you play.”
Eugene, Oregon, USA – Aug 04: Image of Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President, Jody Smith, TrackTown USA Chief Operating Officer, Max Siegel, USA Track & Field CEO at the press conference at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26, on August 4, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Christel Saneh for World Athletics)