The International Athletics Federation World Athletics (WA) decided last year to create a new major competition, as a hybrid between championship and gala, where the very best participate, with large prize money.
The first edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship will be held in Budapest on September 11-13 next year - in the same arena where Duplantis set a new world record with 6.29 on Tuesday evening. It was also there that he took the World Championship gold in 2023.
"We are always trying to find new ways to ensure that the spotlight shines on athletics and the Ultimate will light up Budapest. I look forward to being part of the competition," says Duplantis in a press release.
Duplantis is the first to be appointed as an Ultimate Star, as one of the key figures in the competition that has more than 100 million kronor in prize money.
