 | |
| Host city |  Brixen, Italy |
|---|---|
| Events | 40 |
| Dates | 8–12 July |
| Main venue | Brixen-Bressanone Sport Arena |
The 2009 World Youth Championships in Athletics is the sixth edition of the IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics. They were held at Brixen-Bressanone Sport Arena in Bressanone, Italy from 8–12 July 2009. Athletes had to be aged 16 or 17 on 31 December 2009 (born in 1992 or 1993) to compete.[1]
15-year-old Jodie Williams took the 100 m sprint title in a youth world leading time of 11.39. This was also a personal best for Williams, who had not lost a 100 m final since 2007.[2] Also winning the girls' 200 m, Williams became the first youth athlete ever to do so. A similar feat was achieved by Kirani James of Grenada, who won the boys' 200 and 400 metres.[3]
With the 100 m hurdles, 17-year-old Isabelle Pedersen became Norway's first World Youth champion. Her time of 13.20 in the semi-finals was a national record and third all-time Youth best.[4] 16-year-old Italian Alessia Trost also became the host nation's first World Youth champion.[5]
Johan Rogestedt of Sweden became the first European ever to win the 800 metres, usually dominated by East African runners.[6] In high jump, Russian-born Dmitriy Kroyter became Israel's first world youth champion.
- ^ IAAF, May 5, 2009: More than 170 nations to compete in Sϋdtirol – 2009 World Youth Champs. Accessed 2009-07-11. Archived 2009-09-08.
- ^ "15-year-old Jodie Williams takes sprint titles". IAAF. 2009-07-09. Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ Williams and James achieve unprecedented doubles as Kenya steals the show in middle distance
- ^ "World Youth gold is more than a dream come true for Pedersen". IAAF. 2009-07-09. Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ "Golden jump for Italy's Alessia Trost". IAAF. 2009-07-10. Archived from the original on 2009-09-16. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ A Swede steals Kenya's thunder at the World Youth Championships