Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship has been in development for three years, led by the World Athletics Innovation and Research and Development Unit headed by Jakob Larsen. The team focused on science, research, and data analysis to guide the competition format and discipline selection.
Event selection is based on factors beyond popularity, including global fan surveys, stadium entertainment feedback, and minute-by-minute TV viewer behavior. Research examined how TV audiences respond to specific disciplines, tracking excitement through biometric indicators like sweat response and pulse rate.
The unit conducted international viewer tests using hand-mounted devices, where panellists watched events such as the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the Paris Olympics from home. Their second-by-second reactions were correlated with key moments in competition, such as fouls or successful performances, to gauge emotional impact.
These insights have guided the development of new disciplines, such as the mixed 4x100m relay, and shaped decisions about the Ultimate Championship lineup, aiming to balance interaction between track and field events. Proposals based on this data and research go to the World Athletics Council for approval.