The World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025: A Global Spectacle Kicks Off in Nanjing

Javan Okwayo EkhalieMarch 21, 2025

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Today, March 21, 2025, marks the opening of the 20th World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, a three-day extravaganza running through March 23 at Nanjing’s Cube gymnasium in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park. As the first major global athletics event following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this biennial competition brings together over 570 athletes from 127 countries, all vying for 26 gold medals in a thrilling showcase of indoor track and field excellence. With Olympic champions, world record holders, and emerging talents converging on this stage, the championships promise to deliver high-octane performances while carrying significant financial and cultural weight.

The Importance of the Championships

The World Athletics Indoor Championships hold a unique place in the sport’s calendar, offering athletes a chance to shine in a condensed, high-intensity format distinct from the outdoor season. Held biennially, the event serves as a critical proving ground for established stars and a launchpad for rising talents ahead of the outdoor World Athletics Championships later this year in Tokyo (September 13-21). For fans, it’s an early glimpse of the form and fitness of athletes who dominated Paris 2024, as well as an opportunity to witness potential world records on Nanjing’s state-of-the-art indoor track.

This year’s event carries added significance as it marks Nanjing’s long-awaited hosting debut. Originally slated to host in 2020, 2021, and 2023, the city faced repeated postponements due to China’s stringent COVID-19 regulations. Now, with the global athletics community gathered at the Nanjing Sports Training Centre, the championships symbolize resilience and a return to normalcy for international sport. Beyond the competition, the event underscores World Athletics’ commitment to growing the sport in Asia, a region with immense potential for talent development and fan engagement.

Timetable

Athletes to Watch

The Nanjing lineup is stacked with star power, featuring six Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists and a host of defending champions. Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, the pole vaulting sensation, headlines the field. Fresh off a world record-breaking 6.27m vault in February, Duplantis is chasing his third consecutive indoor world title and could push the bar even higher—perhaps past 6.28m—against rivals like Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis and American Sam Kendricks. Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the women’s high jump Olympic champion and recent European indoor titleholder, is another must-watch athlete, bringing both skill and emotional resonance as she competes for her war-torn homeland.

On the track, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen aims for a rare 1500m-3000m double, a feat that would cement his status as a middle-distance legend. He’ll face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma and Kenya’s Daniel Simiu in the 3000m. The women’s 60m sprint promises fireworks, with Italy’s Zaynab Dosso (world-leading 7.01) battling Poland’s Ewa Swoboda and Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji. Other Olympic champions in action include USA’s Grant Holloway (60m hurdles), Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou (long jump), and New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr (high jump), all looking to add indoor gold to their resumes.

Kenyans Taking Part

Kenya, a powerhouse in distance running, has a strong contingent in Nanjing despite its traditional focus on outdoor events. Daniel Simiu, a rising star in the 3000m, leads the Kenyan charge. After narrowly missing the podium in Paris, Simiu is poised for a breakthrough against Ingebrigtsen and Girma. Mary Ekiru, competing in the women’s 3000m, brings experience and grit, aiming to challenge Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay and other top contenders. While Kenya’s team is smaller than at outdoor championships—limited to two athletes per event per nation under indoor rules—their presence ensures the country’s legacy of excellence remains in the spotlight. Historically, Kenyan athletes like Daniel Komen (1997 3000m champion) have left their mark indoors, and this generation looks to build on that tradition.

Financial and Economic Aspects

The World Athletics Indoor Championships are not just a sporting spectacle—they’re a significant economic engine. Gold medalists will pocket $40,000, with $20,000 and $10,000 awarded for silver and bronze, respectively, totaling a prize pool that incentivizes peak performance. Beyond athlete earnings, the event’s economic impact extends to Nanjing and the broader athletics ecosystem. Hosting costs, including venue preparation and infrastructure, are offset by revenue streams such as ticket sales, sponsorships, and tourism. With over 500 athletes and their entourages, plus international spectators, Nanjing anticipates a boost to its hospitality and retail sectors.

Television and media rights form a cornerstone of the event’s financial framework. In the United States, NBC and Peacock hold broadcasting rights, while World Athletics streams the championships live in various territories via its website and partners globally. Sub-Saharan Africa’s rights holders are Multichoice’s SuperSport The international media rights, managed by Infront Sports & Media through 2029, underscore the event’s commercial value. Industry estimates suggest TV and streaming rights for a championship of this scale could generate millions, with additional income from digital advertising and subscription platforms like Peacock. While exact figures for Nanjing 2025 are not public, the 2024 Glasgow edition reportedly contributed over $15 million to the local economy, hinting at the potential windfall for China.

Sponsorships from global brands and World Athletics’ partners, such as Asics and TDK, further bolster revenue. The event also ties into the World Indoor Tour, where winners earn wildcards to Nanjing, amplifying its prestige and economic ripple effects across the season.

Beyond the Numbers: Cultural and Sporting Legacy

The championships offer more than financial gains—they’re a platform for storytelling and innovation. Athletes like Mahuchikh carry the weight of national pride, while Duplantis’ record-chasing feats inspire the next generation. Nanjing’s hosting could spark greater interest in athletics across China, a nation better known for gymnastics and table tennis. The absence of the 200m and relay events—dropped in past years for fairness and scheduling—keeps the focus on individual brilliance, making every final a potential headline-maker.

As the action unfolds over the next three days, the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025 will blend athletic excellence with economic vitality, leaving a lasting imprint on Nanjing and the global sports landscape. Whether it’s a world record, a Kenyan upset, or a multimillion-dollar broadcast deal, this event is poised to deliver on all fronts. Fans worldwide can tune in—via Peacock in the US or World Athletics’ free streams in select regions—to witness history in the making.