More than 600 athletes from 46 countries were listed as a part of the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships. The last time we saw the world’s best global athletics showdown was at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, the excitement seems to have fizzled out for this year’s edition. Teenage sprint sensation Quincy Wilson, pentathlon record holder Anna Hall, Masai Russell, and middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson have all opted out. Even more shocking is that the men’s 60m event will not feature any Jamaican sprinter. With a growing list of top track & field names withdrawing, what could be the reason?
Track & Field informant blames the logistics
On Wednesday, Track & Field Informant Owen took to X to shed light on the concerning conditions surrounding this year’s World Indoor Championships. In a candid post, he detailed why many athletes are skipping the event. He wrote, “It’s in China—many hours of traveling for a lot of the athletes,” Owen pointed out. Long-haul flights and adjusting to different time zones can significantly impact an athlete’s performance. For many, the journey to Nanjing simply isn’t worth the strain.
“We’ve just had the European Indoor Championships—many athletes won’t want to compete in back-to-back championships,” he added. The European Athletics Indoor Championships took place in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, from March 6 to 9, 2025. Some of the fastest athletes on the circuit, including Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Femke Bol, the Kambundji sisters, and Georgia Bell, competed there. Understandably, many European athletes are now choosing rest over another intense competition.
“This edition is taking place later than usual, from March 21st to 23rd, so many athletes will be back training in preparation for the outdoor season.” Traditionally, the World Indoor Championships are held in early March. But this year’s late timing clashes with crucial training periods for major outdoor events. The 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon (July 31- August 3) and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan (September 13-21) are key priorities for many athletes.
“The Grand Slam Track League starts in early April, so those athletes committed to the league will be prioritizing that.” Grand Slam Track has already announced a roster of 48 elite racers, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Alexis Holmes, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, and Kenny Bednarek. With such a packed schedule, many top-tier athletes are choosing to focus on lucrative league events instead of the World Indoors.
“It’s a long season—many have completely skipped the indoor season and likely won’t open up their seasons until May/June.” The outdoor season is significantly longer and more demanding. Sprint events get longer, and the combined events add more challenges—three additional disciplines for men and two for women. The outdoor season features preliminaries, unlike the indoor season, where qualifiers are selected based on regular-season and conference championship performances.
I think most of us knew that the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing wouldn’t be very well attended this year, but this is why many athletes won’t be participating
1. It’s in China – many hours of travelling for a lot of the athletes.
2. We’ve just had the European Indoor…
— Owen (@_OwenM_) March 12, 2025
At the start of the 2025 season, Kishane Thompson stormed down the track at the Central Hurdles, Relays & Field Events Meet in Jamaica. He clocked a jaw-dropping 6.48 seconds for the 60m dash, into a brutal -2.1 m/s headwind. After a week at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Astana, he continued his winning ways with a time of 6.56 seconds in the men’s 60m. However, it looks like fans may have to wait longer to see Thompson, as he will be missing the Indoor Championships.
Kishane Thompson missing the World Athletics Indoor Championships is not ideal
With Thompson out of contention, Jamaica’s hopes of finally securing a male champion in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships have taken a hit. On Monday, the World Athletics Hub posted on X, stating, “Kishane Thompson & Tia Clayton are no longer on the Road to Nanjing portal. They will not be attending the World Indoor Championships.” According to the official list on the World Athletics portal, the Jamaican men’s 60m team consists only of Rohan Watson and Nishion Ebanks.
Thompson’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the World Indoor Championships as he was one of the top contenders for the title. His absence shifts the balance in the men’s 60m, opening the door for other sprinters to seize the spotlight. As Jamaica’s track and field community processes this unexpected turn, attention now turns to Watson and Ebanks, who will carry the nation’s hopes on the global stage. Fans will eagerly watch how the championship unfolds without one of its fastest-rising stars.
With so many big names missing, the prestige of the World Indoor Championships is undoubtedly taking a hit. The absence of star athletes means fewer record-breaking performances and less global attention. Only time will tell if adjustments will be made to keep this competition relevant for the world’s best athletes. For now, fans will have to embrace an underwhelming field in Nanjing and hope for a more competitive turnout in the future.
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