IAAF Athletics World Championships 2015: Beijing Dates, Event Schedule, Nations

The finest athletes in the world will descend on Beijing this weekend for nine days of enthralling action, as the 2015 Athletics World Championships get underway.

Seven years on from hosting the Olympic Games, the Beijing National Stadium will provide the backdrop for the nine-day event, which is one of the most prestigious on the athletics calendar. It’ll also offer a fascinating insight into the competitors to look out for at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in a year’s time.

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Here’s a look at the schedule for the competition, the competing nations and a couple of specific events to catch at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

Pos	Nation
1.	Russia
2.	United States
3.	Jamaica
4.	Kenya
5.	Germany
6.	Ethiopia
7.	Great Britain
8.	Czech Republic
9.	Ukraine
10.	France

Local Time	Time (BST)	Sex	Event
Morning Session
7:35 p.m.	12:35 a.m.	M	Marathon
9 p.m.	2 a.m.	W	100 Metres Hurdles
9:30 p.m.	2:30 a.m.	M	Hammer Throw
10:10 p.m.	3:10 a.m.	W	Shot Put
10:20 p.m.	3:20 a.m.	W	High Jump
10:25 p.m.	3:25 a.m.	M	3000 Metres Steeplechase
10:55 p.m.	3:55 a.m.	M	Hammer Throw
11:15 p.m.	4:15 a.m.	W	1500 Metres
11:50 p.m.	4:50 a.m.	M	800 Metres
12:40 p.m.	5:40 a.m.	M	100 Metres
Afternoon Session
6:30 p.m.	11:30	W	Shot Put
6:35 p.m	11:35	M	400 Metres Hurdles
6:40 p.m.	11:40	M	Pole Vault
7:10 p.m.	12:10	W	Triple Jump
7:20 p.m.	12:20	M	100 Metres
8:05 p.m.	13:05	W	Shot Put
8:15 p.m.	13:15	W	200 Metres
8:50 p.m	13:50	M	10,000 Metres

Men’s 100-Metre 

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The race to be named as the fastest man on the planet is always the blue-riband event at any world championships, and this year’s race should be engrossing.

Usain Bolt will be in attendance, hoping to regain the title he won in Moscow a couple of years ago, but in Justin Gatlin, the Jamaican icon has a very capable rival. The American has not been beaten over the 100-metre distance in almost two years and is putting in some scintillating times.

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There are some hoping Gatlin doesn’t triumph, though, as he’s served doping bans on two separate occasions in his career. Admittedly, as noted by SportingIntelligence, he’s not the only one at this competition:

But to beat Bolt in Sunday’s sprint final, who has not lost on the track at a major championship in eight years, per Martha Kelner of the Mail on Sunday, would be significant. After all, the Jamaican has been the face of athletics for so long, running sensational times and endearing himself to millions with his languid attitude.

It’s a venue that was the scene of what is arguably Bolt’s greatest triumph, as he won the 2008 Olympic 100-metre final at a canter:

The 28-year-old is looking forward to getting back to Beijing:

The history of both men, not to mention the recent accusations made by the Sunday Times and broadcaster ARD that the IAAF failed to appropriately act on suspicious blood tests (h/t Ben Bloom of the Daily Telegraph), add an intriguing dimension to what is already a hotly anticipated race. 

But you suspect there’ll be few cheering against the popular Jamaican after the starting gun is fired. 

Women’s Heptathlon

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In the women’s events, there are few that capture the attention quite like the heptathlon. After all, is there any greater honour than being crowned as the best all-round athlete in the world?

In Beijing this week, we should be treated to a wonderful competition, which contains a strong British contingent. Indeed, Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill will fancy her chances of getting on the top step of the podium, but rivalling her will be young compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Ennis-Hill revealed on social media she’s hoping to take some inspiration from England’s cricketers, who recently regained the Ashes from Australia:

She certainly has the major championships pedigree after winning in London three years ago, but there’s plenty to like about Johnson-Thompson. The Liverpudlian has been making serene progress in the buildup to this tournament, and it’d be no surprise if she was to oust Ennis-Hill this time round.

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

They’ll both do very well to beat Brianne Theisen-Eaton, who is the big favourite for glory in this one. As noted by athletics journalist Costas Goulas, she’s been in wonderful form ahead of the Beijing showpiece:

"

That was on top of a fourth in the LJ at 6.64 (1.9) where five of her six efforts were over 6.50m, with four of them legal.

— Costas Goulas (@lsabre) July 27, 2015"

The Canadian has gone from strength to strength since winning the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year and is primed to make a step up to win the world title. 

Ennis-Hill vs. Johnson-Thompson will certainly make for an intriguing subplot for British fans, but at this juncture, it looks likely they’ll be vying for the minor podium places. If Theisen-Eaton can handle the mantle of being the favourite in a tournament like this, given her recent displays, we could be set for something very special indeed.

Top nations based on the 2013 championship medals table, per BBC Sport. For full list of competing nations, check out the IAAF website.

For a full tournament schedule, check out the IAAF website.