Tens of thousands visited Glasgow for World Indoor Athletics Championships

After three days of competition, the curtain came down on the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow last night.

Around 650 athletes from more than 130 countries fought hard to claim the 26 world indoor championship titles with the USA topping the table with 20 medals and two new world records set.

It's estimated around 22,000 people came to watch across the six sessions.

Edinburgh's Josh Kerr won gold in the men’s 3000m - the first Scot to win world indoor gold in 31 years.

There was also a 800m silver for hometown girl Jemma Reekie, with Laura Muir taking a 5th place spot in the 5000m.

The baton now passes to Nanjing, China who will host the 20th World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2025.

'Thank you Glasgow'

World Athletics president, Sebastian Coe, said: “Thank you Glasgow and Scotland for delivering a fantastic 19th edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships.

"Athletics has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the city over many years and this has been another magnificent showcase for our sport.

“Glasgow’s commitment to innovation and legacy from major sporting event is second to none."

'Exhilarating and action-packed'

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said, “What an exhilarating and action-packed three days we’ve had here in Glasgow. Once again, a major sporting body has put their trust in us to host a world-class event and we are proud to have more than delivered.

“Events like the World Athletics Indoor Championships are important for our international profile and to our economy, but we never lose sight of their role in helping us to achieve our vision of harnessing the power of sport and physical activity to enhance wellbeing and change lives for the better."

'Truly memorable'

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Kaukab Stewart said: “The World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 has provided a truly memorable three days of sporting action.

“The Scottish Government is proud to have worked with partners to deliver another world class event. Like the 2023 UCI Cycling Championships last summer, it has showcased all Glasgow and Scotland has to offer to a global audience.

“Hosting major events like this also provides an opportunity to inspire the next generation to get involved in sport and perhaps become the future Scottish stars of track and field.”

'Fantastic role models'

CEO of Scottish Athletics Colin Hutchison said: "I think we're really fortunate at the moment with the athletes we've got, who're at the very top of the world within their events.

"They are also fantastic role models, all very different personalities but all speak so positively about their experience within the sport in Scotland.

"We've not got so many truly world class athletes that there's almost a great expectation on them now, whether it's a world championship indoor or outdoor, or an Olympics or Paralympics, that our athletes are going to get medals.

"Undoubtedly it's the best era since that group in the late '80s and early '90s when you look at the success we've had in recent years from the Olympic Games through to the world championships. It's quite incredible."

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