Things are a bit different at the World Athletics Championships these days, with the medal ceremonies taking place later than in previous years.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships are well underway, starting on September 13 and running until Sunday September 21.
They are being held in Tokyo, Japan at the National Stadium, which was built for the 2020 Olympics – eventually held in 2021 thanks to Covid.
We have already seen some really high profile events take place in Tokyo, with some stunning performances.
Jamaica’s Oblique Seville won the men’s 100m final in 9.77s, with Kishane Thompson making it gold and silver for the sprinting powerhouse.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden took gold in the women’s 100m final in 10.61s, becoming the fourth fastest woman in history.
Those champions were handed medals very quickly after their triumphs, but they had to wait for a ceremony and to stand atop a podium.
When and where are the medal ceremonies at the World Athletics Championships?
The medal winners come back the following day to be presented with their official medals.
World Athletics state that the ceremonies ‘are generally held before the evening session on the day following each competition, with the exception of Day 9, when the ceremonies will take place after the Closing Ceremony.’
They add: ‘The medal ceremonies at WCH Tokyo 25 will be held at the Medal Plaza, an open-air plaza situated just outside the southern area of Japan National Stadium. Designed with a warm, wood-themed aesthetic that complements the architecture of the stadium, the Medal Plaza will offer a welcoming and distinctive atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.’
Medal Ceremony Schedule
According to WorldAthletics.org
Day 2 – Sunday September 14 | 17:25–18:00
Women’s 35km Race Walk
Men’s 35km Race Walk
Women’s Marathon
Women’s 10,000m
Men’s Shot Put
Day 3 – Monday September 15 | 18:10–19:00
Mixed 4×400m Relay
Men’s Marathon
Men’s 10,000m
Women’s Discus Throw
Women’s Long Jump
Men’s 100m
Women’s 100m
Day 4 – Tuesday September 16 | 18:40–19:10
Women’s Hammer Throw
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase
Women’s 100m Hurdles
Men’s Pole Vault
Day 5 – Wednesday September 17 | 18:10–18:40
Men’s Hammer Throw
Men’s High Jump
Women’s 1500m
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Day 6 – Thursday September 18 | 18:10–18:40
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Men’s Long Jump
Men’s 1500m
Women’s Pole Vault
Day 7 – Friday September 19 | 17:50–18:20
Men’s Javelin Throw
Women’s Triple Jump
Men’s 400m
Women’s 400m
Day 8 – Saturday September 20 | 17:45–18:35
Women’s 20km Race Walk
Men’s 20km Race Walk
Men’s Triple Jump
Women’s 400m Hurdles
Men’s 400m Hurdles
Women’s 200m
Men’s 200m
Day 9 – Sunday September 21 | 18:15–18:50
Women’s Shot Put
Women’s Heptathlon
Men’s 800m
Women’s 5000m
Women’s Javelin Throw
Day 9 – Sunday September 21 | 21:45–22:45
Women’s 800m
Men’s 5000m
Men’s 4×400m Relay
Women’s 4×400m Relay
Men’s Decathlon
Women’s High Jump
Men’s Discus Throw
Women’s 4×100m Relay
Men’s 4×100m Relay
Medallists are handed a medal almost immediately after their event, but they are given a personalised medal at the ceremony the following day.
The medals will be engraved with the name of the athlete, their country’s three-letter code and the event they competed in.
On the design of the medals, the organisers state: ‘The design extends beyond the original boundaries of the logo, with dynamic stripes sweeping across the front and Tokyo’s city code “TYO” stylised as an athletics track reaching outward, symbolising ambition, momentum, and growth.
‘The outer arc brings the design together, expressing connection and unity across the world through sport.’
