Sebastian Coe Spotlights World Cross Country Championships Importance
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stresses the vital role of the World Cross Country Championships as a developmental platform for endurance athletes. Defending champions Chebet and Kiplimo, alongside promising talents, share their excitement for the upcoming event.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe Emphasizes Significance of World Cross Country Championships
Ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade on March 30th, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe underlined the importance of the event, noting how it often serves as a springboard for success on other surfaces.
Speaking at the pre-event press conference in Belgrade’s Town Hall, Coe expressed his delight at being joined by the “great athletes” and thanked them for helping to spread the crucial message about cross country running. Coe highlighted how cross country is an integral part of the development pathway for many endurance athletes.
The World Athletics President expressed his pleasure at hosting the second World Athletics Series event of the year, following the recent World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Coe also looked forward to the second World Championships of 2024, which will also take place in Belgrade – a city he said World Athletics has become very familiar with in recent years.
“Speaking at the pre-event press conference in Belgrade’s Town Hall, Coe expressed his delight at being joined by the ‘great athletes’ and thanked them for helping to spread the crucial message about cross country running.”
Aleksandar Šapic, the Mayor of Belgrade, spoke of his pride in welcoming the world to the city, which has previously hosted the 2013 European Cross, the 2017 European Indoors, and the 2022 World Indoor Championships. Serbian Athletics Federation President Veselin Jevrosimović also noted Serbia’s unique distinction of hosting two World Championships within the past two years.
Defending champions Beatrice Chebet and Jacob Kiplimo shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming event, with Chebet reflecting on how her 2023 season was set up by her victory in Bathurst. Kiplimo, who won the U20 title in Kampala in 2017 and the senior silver in 2019 before claiming gold in Bathurst last year, expressed his excitement to race again.
Three-time European cross-country champion Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, making her first World Cross appearance since 2010, and Serbia’s European indoor 3000m bronze medallist Elzan Bibic, who will be competing on home soil, also shared their anticipation for the competition.
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