HistoryData
sports2013

2013 World Championships in Athletics — 2013 edition of the World Championships in Athletics

January 1, 2013

The 14th IAAF World Championships drew 1,784 athletes from 203 countries, with Usain Bolt becoming the most decorated athlete in the event's history.

Quick Facts

Year
2013
Category
sports

Key Facts

Dates
10–18 August 2013
Athletes
1,784 from 203 countries
Evening session spectators
268,548
Bolt's career World Champs golds
8 gold, 2 silver medals total
US total medals (post-doping)
26 medals, 8 gold
Kenya total medals
12

By the Numbers

10
Dates
1,784
Athletes
268,548
Evening session spectators
8
Bolt's career World Champs golds

Location

Map of Moscow, RussiaMap of Moscow, RussiaMoscow, Russia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Moscow was selected to host the 14th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, continuing the biennial global competition. Prior to the event, four sprinters were banned on doping charges, foreshadowing broader integrity issues that would affect the final medal standings.

Event

From 10 to 18 August 2013, athletes from 203 nations competed at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Jamaica's Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce each claimed three gold medals across the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay. Russia initially topped the gold medal table for the first time since 2001 and as first-ever host nation to do so.

Consequence

Following doping disqualifications of Russian athletes, including sprinter Antonina Krivoshapka and redistribution of the Women's 4×400m relay medals, the United States was elevated to the top of the medal table with eight golds. Bolt's three titles brought his career total to eight World Championship golds, establishing him as the event's all-time most successful athlete.

Result

United States (8 gold, 26 total medals)
vs
Kenya (12 total medals)

at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Usain Bolt became the most successful athlete in World Championships history with 8 gold and 2 silver medals

Timeline Context

Timeline around 20132013201020112012201420152016Eurovision Song Contest 2013 — 58th Eurovision Song ContestJanuary 2013 — month of 20132013 Formula One World Championship (FIA) — 64th season of Formula One motor racing2013 Africa Cup of Nations — football championship of Africa2013–14 UEFA Europa League — 43rd season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFAJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 — 11th annual Junior Eurovision Song ContestFIBA EuroBasket 2013 — 2013 edition of the FIBA EuroBasketWorld Chess Championship 2013 — chess championship held in Chennai2013-world-championships-in-athletics-2013-edition-of-the-2013