How did the first Ultimate Championship go?

The inaugural Ultimate Championship took place in Budapest, marking a new direction for athletics. A record $10m (£7.4m) prize pot was distributed among the sport's biggest stars over three fast-paced evenings. The event was a bold, innovative undertaking, aiming to become a testing ground to shape the sport's future. Athletes, including Usain Bolt and Britain's Imani-Lara Lansiquot, praised the new energy and vibe the championship brought.

World Athletics and President Lord Coe worked for three years to create this event, addressing issues like maintaining interest throughout the year and compensating athletes with record prize money. The championship featured a black-painted infield, a pink sandpit for horizontal jumps, and a new trophy. Athlete-centric elements, such as a red carpet event and athlete interviews, added to the excitement.

However, the event was criticized for excluding certain events, like distance track events, based on viewer behavior metrics. Despite this, the event was seen as a good first step towards changing track and field for the better, with BBC commentator Steve Cram stating that it was good for the sport's profile.