There are just two weeks to go before Donetsk, Ukraine stages the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships, from 10-14 July, but memories are still fresh of the outstanding last edition of these Championships, held two years ago in the French city of Lille.
World youth best performances were established by Kenyan 800m runner Leonard Kosencha, New Zealand shot putter Jacko Gill and Australian combined events exponent Jake Stein.
Kosencha produced a jaw-dropping performance in Lille to win in a stunning 1:44.08, Gill sent his 5kg implement out to 24.35m and had two other attempts go over 24 metres while an inspired Stein improved the Octathlon World youth best mark with youth implements by nine points to 6491 after setting personal bests in seven of the eight events.
Both the boys’ and girls’ 1000m Medley Relays also saw World youth best performances established, by the USA and Jamaica respectively, and there were also five other championship records established in Lille that competitors in Donetsk will have as their targets.
A look at the Lille medals table amply demonstrated the global appeal and reach of the Championships and the spread of athletics talent around the world.
No less than 18 countries won gold medals, while 35 different countries stood on the podium, with each of the IAAF Area Associations being represented.
Click here to read the full story on the IAAF website.
