Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 will feature the Athletes Connect initiative focused on developing athletes both on and off the field. This program builds on the success of previous athlete zones at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima and the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
Athletes Connect will offer workshops and talks from legends such as shot put champion Valerie Adams, triple jump Olympic medalist Christian Taylor, decathlete Ashton Eaton, and former sprinter Ato Boldon. These sessions aim to provide young athletes with insights into managing their athletic careers and life beyond sport.
The program includes two main topics: ‘Your athlete journey’, covering education, sport balance, support networks, and post-sport life; and ‘Your image, your power’, focusing on media engagement and social media branding. Talks will be held on August 3 and 4 at the University of Oregon’s Student Welcome Centre Theatre, with sessions from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
Beyond the workshops, the athlete zone at Bean Hall will offer US town fair–style educational games and giveaways such as tote bags and booklets. Athletes will also have opportunities to create professional content, supported by guidance on posting and messaging to enhance their online presence.
Valerie Adams, Chair of the World Athletics Athletes' Commission and Council Member, emphasized that many athletes will be experiencing their first global competition and highlighted the importance of supporting athlete development beyond on-field performance.