Future Olympic Champs: Five U20 stars lighting up World Athletics Championships in Eugene
For athletics legends such as Usain Bolt, Faith Kipyegon, Armand Duplantis and Noah Lyles, the World Athletics U20 Championships provided an early stage to showcase their potential before becoming global stars.
As the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships continue at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from August 5 to 9, another generation of young athletes is beginning to write its own story.
With more than 1,800 athletes from 147 countries competing across five days, the championships have already produced several standout performances and offered a glimpse of the stars who could dominate senior athletics in the years ahead.
Here are five U20 athletes who have caught the eye in Eugene:
