Great Britain, USA and Jamaica are among the eight nations set to compete in a new international competition – the Athletics World Cup London 2018 – this summer in London.
Launched by British Athletics the competition will see eight of the top athletics nations – Great Britain, USA, Jamaica, Poland, China, Germany, France and South Africa – compete in the new two-day track and field event.
Taking place at the London Stadium, the ‘Athletics World Cup’ will run from Saturday 14th to Sunday 15th July under floodlights.
“This is world-class competition where nation will face nation and fans will see an amazing feast of athletics over two days featuring many of the biggest global superstars in the world of sport,” said Richard Bowker CBE, Chair of UK Athletics. “This will be an incredible event which we are thrilled to be able to launch on the back of a highly-successful World Championships last summer.”
One man and one woman from each nation will be selected in each field and track event up to and including the 1500m, with the nations competing for a $2million prize pot.
To mark 100 years since women were given the right to vote, and as part of the Mayor of London’s #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign, the first edition of the event will see all nations select a female athlete as team captain.
“This is one of the exciting innovative events we are seeing in our sport and our thanks go to British Athletics and the Mayor of London for creating it and hosting it,” said IAAF President, Sebastian Coe. “We have 8 lanes, 8 top nations, 8 teams and a host of world-class athletes lining up in each event to win the trophy and prize pot.
“This will be a fast-paced and exhilarating experience for athletes and fans.”
South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, 200m & 400m, Olympic and World Champion said: “It’s great to see such an exciting head to head event confirmed to be taking place in London this summer – the concept is one that will excite everyone in athletics and is sure to attract new fans to the sport.
“The South African team will be there in force and we hope to see fans from all over the world join us in London for what will be an amazing competition.”
It is understood that the previously announced athletics competition ‘The Meet’ has now been cancelled, but the concept of Great Britain competing solely against the USA could be reconsidered in 2019.