U20 Athletics World Championships begin: 5 starlets to watch

Eugene's traditional Hayward Field sees the brightest stars of youth athletics go up against each other. This is of course due to the World Athletics U20 Championships, which begin today on the 5th of August 2026.

We've gathered the top 5 stars of the championships below, so you can follow the events better. Click the link in the paragraph above to go to our page with all the info on the event, such as the schedule and where to watch.



None of the athletes listed here have reached the top in their discipline when it comes to the adult level, but they have massive potential to become global stars of the future.

Gary Card, Jamaika - 100 m & 200 m

The men's sprinting events in Oregon will see two super-talents face each other, as Jamaica's Gary Card and Tate Taylor from the United States duel twice in the 100m and 200m. Aged just 19, Card has shown some monumental speed this season, stopping the clock at 9,93 at a race in Kingston.

Only Taylor, Christian Miller, Maurice Gleaton and Letsile Tebogo have gone faster at the U20 level. Card's biggest trump card (pun fully intended) is his lightning-fast start, which no one in Oregon can compete with.

Card already made his U20 World Championship debut in Lima two years ago, when he finished 6th in the 100 meters. The Jamaican is attempting to bring back a sprinting gold from these championships after a 16 year hiatus, as his compatriot Dexter Lee took gold in 2010.

Tate Taylor, United States- 100 m & 200 m

Taylor, 18, might just manage to steal a medal in both events, but his biggest strength is without a doubt the 200 meters. The American youngster has clocked a 19,72 this season, and he's managed to keep his form going, with his record coming at the start of July. Only the injured Gout Gout and Erriyon Knighton have gone quicker in the U20's.

The home crowd's darling has competed a lot this season, so he should be able to cope with the six or seven starts he's facing in Eugene. It will be interesting to see how Taylor handles the pressure of being the favourite, as he doesn't boast much experience in competing for major titles.

Shahnavaz Khan, India - Long Jump

Shahnavaz Khan might be one of the highest quality athletes in the Eugene World Championships, but he's not made enough waves yet to merit worldwide acclaim. The Indian starlet has so far competed solely in Asia this season, but with a record of 830 he's without a doubt the biggest favourite to take gold.

His record from Bhubaneshwar was no fluke, as he's managed to clear 8 meters twice at other events this season. The men's long jump will without a doubt be India's most followed event at these championships, as Khan's fellow Indian R.C. Jithin Arjunan has also jumped 812 and will be in the battle for the medals.

Shanoya Douglas, Jamaica - 100 m & 200 m

As you could expect, Jamaica is sending a large team to Eugene, with the biggest hopes of success being in the sprints. The women's 100m favourite is Shanoya Douglas, who's already gone under 11 seconds this year. A silver medal winner from two years ago, Douglas has improved rapidly, and her only goal in Eugene is to be a double champion.

The Jamaican destined for stardom has kept herself busy this year, as her season has seen her enter 34 races in five different disciplines. Even the 400 meters hasn't been off the table, and with her best time being 52,40 she might even stand a chance of success in longer distances as well.

Phoebe Gill, Great Britain - 800 m

Great Britain has always been a powerhouse of middle distance running, and in Eugene one of the strongest favourites for a gold medal is Phoebe Gill in the 800 meters. The Brit has already gone under 2 minutes this season, and she's faced heavy competition at home before these championships.

Aged 19, Gill's record is a 1:57,86, but a normal race for her is perhaps a few seconds slower. Slovenia's Ziva Remic and Ethiopia's Habtam Gebeyehu are her toughest competition, as both are under a half a second away from the leading Gill in this season's rankings.