OREGON22: First ever Team Trophies to be dished at World Championships

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 announced that, for the first time, the top three nations in the all-around points table will be honored with team trophies.

Individual athletes will score points for their country for a top-8 finish, with 8 points going to the gold medalists down to one point for each 8th place finisher. 

After the 49th and final event is completed, the nation with the most points will be crowned "World Team Champions Oregon22", with the teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd also receiving trophies.

Sasha Spencer, the Athlete & Team Experience Director for WCH Oregon22, explained the logic behind the innovation.

“National team success drives passion and support across the globe, and no place is more passionate about its national teams than the United States. We believe the introduction of a team dynamic will attract new fans and offer a compelling new narrative to the World Championships that will unfold over the 10 days of competition.

Fans will cheer on every performer just a little bit louder knowing every single place is important to the team total, contributing to an electric environment and athlete experience.”

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe added: “For many years, our Member Federations around the world have followed our World Championships placings tables intently and used them as an internal tool to assess the depth and success of their national teams.

But this is the first time that we will recognize the top three teams on the placings table with trophies, acknowledging their overall excellence, not just on the medal table, but across the top eight finishers in every event.

I am sure this innovation will generate a lot of interest and competition between the leading teams and among their fans to see who will be crowned as the best track and field team in the world after ten days of thrilling action.”

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Athletes have also voiced their excitement for and support of the team trophy concept.

“I think what they’re bringing to the World Championships in Eugene is a pretty cool idea that a lot of countries will appreciate,” said Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the two-time Olympic 400m champion and multi-time World Championships medalist from the Bahamas.

"I think it’s going to keep a lot of the athletes’ energy high to not only see themselves on the podium, but to also see their country bring home a trophy at the end of the Championships.”

“I am excited to hear that there will be team trophies for the countries in Eugene in 2022,” said Noah Lyles, Olympic bronze medalist and 2019 200m World Champion from the United States.

“It will be great to compete for the USA not just as an individual and on a relay, but part of Team USA across all events. And this will help us engage even more with the fans.”