Bhubaneswar: History will be made on Sunday when Odisha hosts India’s first-ever World Athletics global meet here at the iconic Kalinga Stadium.
The one-day World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event, organised in collaboration with the sport’s global body World Athletics and Athletics Federation of India (AFI), will bring together 200 athletes from 19 countries.
Odisha’s world-class infrastructure and its growing reputation of being India’s premier sporting hub will be in focus as athletes from Britain, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Iraq, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Algeria, Turkmenistan, and other nationa, including hosts India, vie for glory on Super Sunday.
ପ୍ରଥମ ଥର ପାଇଁ ଭାରତରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ହେବାକୁ ଯାଉଛି ଓ୍ବାର୍ଲ୍ଡ ଆଥଲେଟିକ୍ସ କଣ୍ଟିନେଣ୍ଟାଲ ଟୁର୍ ବ୍ରୋଞ୍ଜ ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଷ୍ଟାଡିୟମରେ। ଖେଳାଳିମାନଙ୍କର ଅଭ୍ୟାସ ଶେଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ।
କଳିଙ୍ଗ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ, ଆଉ ଆପଣ? pic.twitter.com/9RtuolEsol
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) August 9, 2025
Up for grabs will be Tokyo World Championships berths, as this is one of the last few events for qualification to the prestigious meet to be held from September 13 to 21.
A 90-strong Indian contingent is taking part in the Continental Tour Bronze event, and many of them will be looking to secure vital points for World Championships qualification.
One of the top attractions of the meet will be Odisha sprinter Animesh Kujur, who has become a popular name thanks to his Usain Bolt-like celebrations and the penchant for breaking records. Last month, Kujur rewrote the national record in a meet in Greece, clocking 10.18 seconds to become the first Indian to go below 10.20. Kujur also holds the national 200m record.
Track favourite Animesh Kujur is excited to participate in the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze. He also urged the audience to come to Kalinga Stadium and cheer. pic.twitter.com/oqiVzN2kJC
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) August 7, 2025
Kujur and other Indian athletes, as well as overseas participants, have been training hard at the Kalinga Stadium facility during the last few days.
Gearing up for the big day! pic.twitter.com/VfMWZkvyHk
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) August 8, 2025
Final touches
As the Kalinga Stadium gets its final touches for this global event, officials of AFI and the Sports & Youth Services department of Odisha held a joint coordination meeting on Saturday, to finetune preparations and address possible operational gaps. The focus was on ensuring every detail is in place for a smooth, impactful and memorable event.
“Hosting the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze in Odisha for the first time is a moment of immense pride. We are fully prepared to organise it successfully and deliver a world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike,” Odisha’s Sports minister Suryabanshi Suraj said.
Ahead of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event at the Kalinga Stadium on 10th August, Hon’ble Sports Minister Sri @suryabanshibjp and Olympian Anuradha Biswal interacted with the Physical Education Teachers of Govt College of Physical Education, Tamando and the… pic.twitter.com/6LKWqqoWHp
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) August 8, 2025
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who has already qualified for the World Championships, won’t be at Bhubaneswar, but has sent his best wishes to the participating athletes and called on all sportslovers to be present at Kalinga Stadium.
Just 2️⃣ days to Go. Olympic champion @Neeraj_chopra1 sends his best wishes to all athletes competing at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze in Bhubaneswar.
He calls on all sports lovers to be at Kalinga Stadium on 10th August and be a part of this event. pic.twitter.com/qJ37igZkZn
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) August 8, 2025
Odisha’s first major athletics meet was in 2017 when the Asian Athletics Championships, featuring participants from 45 nations, was held at Kalinga Stadium. Thereafter, it has successfully staged prestigious competitions like the Federation Cup, Indian Grand Prix, National Inter-State Championships, and Junior nationals.
