Hungary's biggest sports event, the World Athletics Championships, is between 19-27 August. While waiting on the races to kick off, the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) opened an exhibition in Budapest's Etele Plaza. The unique collection of athletics memorabilia gives you an insight into the 40 years of the world athletics championships. Did you know, for example, that the first championships were hosted in Helsinki in 1983? At the exhibition, you can learn about similar milestones, international and Hungarian legends, and world records.
You can view physical exhibits and objects on 600 square metres: walk under a high jump bar set to a World Championship record height or lift an actual discus. Catch a glimpse of the javelin Jan Zelezny threw the current world record with. See Usain Bolt's vest from the 200 m final at the 2011 World Championships and the shoes Mondo Duplantis wore when he vaulted the world pole vault record of 6.18 m in 2020. You can experience the distance of Jonathan Edwards' triple jump world record of 18.29 m or lift a 7.26 kg shot which Ryan Crouser can throw more than 23 metres.
You can also have a 3D online experience, learn about the most outstanding champions and record breakers, and then take a virtual tour of past World Championships. It is an interactive journey, which is captivating even if you are not a huge fan of or expert at athletics.
You can visit the exhibition free of charge on the 3rd floor at the Etele Plaza. It is open every day between 10 am and 8 pm until 27 August. Check out the 3D virtual teaser here.
And if you would like to save your seat at the World Athletics Championships, you can get tickets here.
The article was written in partnership with the World Athletics Championships 2023.
