2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships

Lurdes Gloria Manuel Wins World Indoor 400m, Poland Nabs Silver From Heat 1

Czechia's Lurdes Gloria Manuel won the 2026 World Indoor Championships 400m in a new two-section final format.

Mar 21, 2026 by Harry Prevor

Lurdes Gloria Manuel Wins World Indoor 400m, Poland Nabs Silver From Heat 1

The track and field world was abuzz with opinions about the new World Indoors 400m two-section format. After the men's race finished with all three medalists coming from the second heat, it seemed unlikely that the home crowd favorite Natalia Bukowiecka of Poland could medal from the first section.

Bukowiecka proved doubters wrong by winning the heat, beating Dutch sensation Lieke Klaver, in a national record 50.83 seconds that would hold on to win the silver medal. Czechia's Lurdes Gloria Manuel won the second heat in 50.76, setting a PB of her own to earn gold as Klaver was relieved to get bronze.

There were no Team USA athletes in either of the new format two-section timed finals -- unless you count Wadeline Venlogh (formerly Jonathas), who won an Olympic medal for the U.S. before transferring her sporting allegiance to Haiti.

Final 1: Sherar (CAN), Hervas (ESP), Bukowiecka (POL), Klaver (NED)

Klaver took pole position but she couldn't hold off Bukowiecka, who passes the Dutch superstar on the final straight to set a national record 50.83 seconds for the home crowd. Would it be enough to medal or hold on to the win?

1. Natalia BUKOWIECKA (POL), 50.83 =NR
2. Lieke KLAVER (NED), 51.02
3. Blanca HERVAS (ESP), 51.43 PB
4. Zoe SHERAR (CAN), 51.74

Final 2: Venlogh (HAI), Oketch (KEN), Manuel (CZE), Jaeger (NOR)

Manuel took the break ahead of Jaeger, who was trying hard for it! Manuel's 50.76 was enough to make her the world champion. The crowd cheered loudly soon after the finish when they realized that Bukowiecka would take silver and Klaver hung on for bronze.

1. Lurdes Gloria MANUEL (CZE), 50.76 PB
2. Wadeline VENLOGH (HAI), 51.07 NR
3. Mercy Adongo OKETCH (KEN), 51.25 NR
4. Henriette JÆGER (NOR), 51.50

World Indoor Track And Field Championships Schedule 2026 (CT)

Friday, March 20 - World Indoor Championship Schedule (All Times CT)

Morning Session

4:05 AM: Men's 60 Meters- Heptathlon
4:20 AM: Men's 60 Meters Round 1
4:53 AM: Men's Long Jump- Heptathlon
5:08 AM: Women's 400 Meters Round 1
5:39 AM: Women's High Jump Final
5:56 AM: Men's 400 Meters Round 1
6:38 AM: Women's 800 Meters Round 1
6:47 AM: Men's Shot Put- Heptathlon
7:21 AM: Men's 800 Meters Round 1

Evening Session

12:10 PM: Women's Shot Put Final
12:16 PM: Men's High Jump- Heptathlon
12:22 PM: Women's 1500 Meters Round 1
12:54 PM: Men's 1500 Meters Round 1
1:35 PM: Men's Triple Jump Final
1:42 PM: Women's 400 Meters Semi-Final
2:16 PM: Men's 60 Meters Semi-Final
2:44 PM: Men's 400 Meters Semi-Final
3:22 PM: Men's 60 Meters Final

Saturday, March 21 - World Indoor Championship Schedule

Morning Session

4:05 AM: Men's 60 Meter Hurdles- Heptathlon
4:20 AM: Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Round 1
5:05 AM: Women's 60 Meters
5:10 AM: Men's Pole Vault- Heptathlon
6:00 AM: Mixed 4x400 Meter Relay Final
6:15 AM: Men's High Jump Final
6:22 AM: Women's 800 Meters Semi-Final
7:08 AM: Men's 800 Meters Semi-Final

Evening Session:

12:25 PM: Men's Pole Vault Final
12:34 PM: Men's 400 Meters
12:52 PM: Men's 1000 Meters- Heptathlon
1:04 PM: Women's 3000 Meters Final
1:22 PM: Men's 3000 Meters Final
1:38 PM: Women's Triple Jump Final
1:48 PM: Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Semi-Final
2:14 PM: Women's 60 Meters Semi-Final
2:40 PM: Women's 400 Meters Final
3:02 PM: Men's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
3:20 PM: Women's 60 Meters Final

Sunday, March 22 - World Indoor Championship Schedule

Morning Session

4:05 AM: Women's 60 Meter Hurdles- Pentathlon
4:20 AM: Women's Long Jump Final
4:43 AM: Women's High Jump- Pentathlon
4:48 AM: Men's 4x400 Meter Relay Round 1
5:23 AM: Men's Shot Put Final
6:05 AM: Women's 4x400 Meter Relay Round 1
6:55 AM: Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Round 1

Evening Session

11:40 AM: Women's Long Jump- Pentathlon
11:45 AM: Women's Pole Vault Final
12:38 PM: Men's 1500 Meters Final
12:51 PM: Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Semi-Final
1:12 PM: Men's Long Jump Final
1:22 PM: Women's 1500 Meters Final
1:38 PM: Men's 800 Meters Final
1:53 PM: Women's 800 Meters Final
2:03 PM: Women's 800 Meters- Pentathlon
2:13 PM: Women's 60 Meter Hurdles Final
2:26 PM: Men's 4x400 Meter Relay Final
2:47 PM: Women's 4x400 Meter Relay Final

How To Watch The World Indoor Track And Field Championships?

The 2026 World Indoor Track and Field Championships will air live this weekend on Peacock. Additional coverage may be available on NBC and CNBC.

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