World Athletics President Sebastian Coe Emphasizes Importance of Cross Country Championships

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships are set to kick off in Belgrade this weekend, and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe is emphasizing the importance of the event as a stepping stone for endurance athletes. Coe, speaking at a pre-event press conference, highlighted how cross-country running can serve as a platform for success on various surfaces.

Coe expressed his excitement for the championships, noting that Belgrade has proven to be a reliable host for world-class athletics events in recent years. With nearly 500 athletes from 50 teams set to compete, Coe is looking forward to witnessing the talent on display and the potential Olympic hopefuls using the event as a springboard towards the Paris Games later this year.

Mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Sapic, echoed Coe’s sentiments, expressing his pride in welcoming athletes from around the world to his city. Belgrade has a history of hosting major athletics competitions, and Sapic is confident that the city will once again provide a fantastic stage for the championships.

Defending champions Beatrice Chebet and Jacob Kiplimo are both eager to defend their titles and bring home more medals for Kenya and Uganda, respectively. With strong teams from both countries, the competition is expected to be fierce.

Norwegian athlete Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal is excited to be competing in her first World Cross since 2010, while Serbian athlete Elzan Bibic is looking forward to representing his country on home soil in front of a supportive crowd.

As the world gears up for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, all eyes will be on the athletes as they compete for glory and strive to make their mark on the global stage.