Sky Sports has announced that it will show live coverage of the 2018 Athletics World Cup in July with Great Britain & Northern Ireland, USA and Jamaica among eight nations that will compete in the inaugural event.
London’s iconic Olympic Stadium is the venue for the unique competition which will pit some of the sport’s leading lights against each other as well the right to pick up valuable points for their country.
All track events up to and including the 1500m will take place alongside all field events and two evenings of straight-final action will conclude with one nation being crowned champions.
At stake is the $2million prize fund and the prestigious Athletics World Cup ‘Platinum Trophy’ which will be awarded for the first time to the winners on Sunday night.
Both evenings will conclude with the hugely-anticipated relay events with the men’s 4x100m and women’s 4x400m bringing the opening day to a close and Sunday’s finale set to conclude with the men’s 100m and 4x400m as well as the women’s 4x100m.
Joining the host nation GB & NI will be USA and Jamaica, while two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya has already been confirmed as part of a strong South Africa team.
Poland, China, Germany and France make up the field for what promises to be an intriguing, innovative and thrilling two days of competition.
Sky Sports will provide comprehensive evening coverage over the Athletics World Cup weekend and will broadcast live across Mix, Main Event and Action channels, as well as featuring the event across Sky programming in the build-up over the next month.
Commenting on Sky Sports’ return to live athletics coverage, Steve Smith, Sky Sports director of content and production, said:
“Sky Sports and the Athletics World Cup are ideal partners. The mixed event has a unique and innovative format, and at Sky Sports, we are always looking at new ways to tell stories, and to deliver top class sport to our customers.
“We’re also a huge supporter of women’s sport, so it is great to see an event where women are captaining each of the teams. We can’t wait to get started.”
Niels de Vos, chief executive of UK Athletics, added:
“Sky are a renowned global innovator in our sport, and we are delighted to be working with them for what is set to be a fantastic showcase of athletics.
“Having the Athletics World Cup broadcast live on Sky on Saturday and Sunday evenings will ensure each day finishes on a high of brilliant athletics action, all while ensuring the event reaches a sport-engaged audience in mass figures.”
Sky Sports will show live coverage of both sessions of the inaugural Athletics World Cup on July 14-15, beginning at 7pm on Saturday on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, while it will also be available to all Sky customers on Sky Sports Mix, channel 121.
Sunday’s climax will be available on the same channels, with Mix and Action covering the event from 7pm and Main Event viewers joining from 8pm.
Orla Chennaoui will present Sky Sports coverage and will be joined by a host of names along the way with guests Goldie Sayers, James Ellington, Jonnie Peacock and Jeanette Kwakye.
Tim Hutchings and Katharine Merry will lead the commentary team with expert opinion from Toni Minichiello.
Viewers can get involved over the weekend by following @AthleticsOnSky on Twitter which will take them through the day with behind the scenes coverage for up in the stands and trackside.