The past year in athletics once again exposed the sport’s long-running internal conflict: breathtaking performances set against an unshakable cloud of doping suspicion. Fans around the world were treated to astonishing feats, unforgettable finishes, and record-breaking moments, yet many were left wondering whether to celebrate or question what they had witnessed.
Historic Performances Light Up Tokyo
Tokyo’s championships provided a reminder of why athletics captivates global audiences. Swedish pole vault superstar Mondo Duplantis once again owned the spotlight, soaring to his 14th world record in front of more than 57,000 spectators. His consistency at the highest level earned him the Male Athlete of the Year award.
On the women’s side, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone confirmed her extraordinary versatility. After dominating the 400m hurdles, she shifted seamlessly to the flat 400m, shattering a 42-year-old championship record. The performance secured her the Female Athlete of the Year title and cemented her status as one of the sport’s generational talents.
The United States dominated the sprint events, led by the charismatic Noah Lyles and the composed yet lethal Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who claimed a remarkable triple crown. Their performances reaffirmed U.S. sprinting depth on the global stage.
Razor-Thin Margins and Distance Drama
Long-distance races delivered some of the championships’ most gripping moments. The combined winning margin across the men’s 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 10,000m, and marathon totaled an astonishing 0.18 seconds, underlining just how fine the margins were.
Technological advances, including carbon-plated “super shoes” and energy-return tracks, continue to complicate comparisons with past generations. While these innovations enhance performance, they also raise questions about fairness and historical context.
The field events, often viewed as a more stable benchmark, provided nightly drama. American shot putter Ryan Crouser claimed a third world title despite not competing for a year due to an elbow injury—an achievement that left audiences in awe.
Legends Strengthen Their Legacy
Kenyan middle-distance icon Faith Kipyegon went one step further, winning a fourth world title in the 1,500m. With three Olympic gold medals and a world record to her name, she further solidified her place among the greatest athletes of all time.
Kenya finished second in the overall medal table with seven gold medals, trailing only the United States’ dominant haul of 16. Yet while Kenya’s athletic excellence is undeniable, its reputation remains deeply entangled with doping controversies.
Doping Statistics Cast a Long Shadow
Since the creation of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2017, a total of 427 athletes have been sanctioned for doping offenses. Alarmingly, 149 of those athletes were Kenyan, accounting for more than one-third of all cases.
Russia follows with 75 sanctioned athletes despite limited competition opportunities during the period. Ethiopia and India are joint third with 20 sanctions each. Additionally, 154 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned in non-international cases, reinforcing concerns about systemic issues.
One of the most high-profile cases involved marathon runner Ruth Chepngetich, who received a three-year ban in October. Her astonishing marathon world record, set a year earlier, still stands, fueling debate about how records should be treated when later violations emerge.
The Changing of the Guard in Marathon Running
Meanwhile, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge quietly slipped from the spotlight. Widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner in history, Kipchoge continued to compete with dignity but no longer contended for podium finishes.
Even his legacy was not immune to controversy. At least four pacemakers involved in his historic 2019 sub-two-hour marathon challenge later received doping bans, casting a retrospective shadow over one of the sport’s most celebrated moments.
The United States Faces Its Own Reckoning
The United States, despite its medal dominance, is far from immune to doping scrutiny. Former world 100m champion Fred Kerley and silver medalist Marvin Bracy both received bans. Kerley was provisionally suspended for whereabouts failures, while Bracy accepted a 45-month sanction.
Kerley’s subsequent decision to join the controversial Enhanced Games—where performance-enhancing drugs are permitted—sparked further debate about the sport’s direction.
Rising star Erriyon Knighton, who won a world bronze medal at just 18 years old, was handed a four-year ban, highlighting the risks faced by young athletes in a high-pressure environment.
Coaches Under the Microscope
Calls for reform grew louder when Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas publicly demanded lifetime bans for coaches previously suspended for doping offenses. She argued that athletes working under such coaches were “complicit” in undermining clean sport.
Her comments brought renewed attention to coach Dennis Mitchell, a former world and Olympic medalist who trained multiple medal winners in Tokyo. Mitchell served a doping ban in 1998 and later admitted to using Human Growth Hormone when detection methods were less advanced.
A Sport at a Crossroads
The World Athletics Championships once again demonstrated why track and field remains one of the most compelling global sports. The performances were extraordinary, the competition fierce, and the stories unforgettable.
Yet the persistence of doping cases continues to undermine confidence. Until transparency, accountability, and consistent enforcement fully restore trust, athletics will remain caught between wonder and doubt.
The challenge for the sport’s leaders is clear: preserve the magic of athletic excellence while ensuring that applause is never accompanied by suspicion.