Monaco: H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Qatari world and Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim have signed an official agreement confirming the inclusion of the Monaco Athletics Festival as a new stop on the What Gravity Challenge World Tour. The event is scheduled to take place on 5 August 2026, marking an important milestone in the tour’s global expansion.The event will be staged in the heart of the Principality of Monaco, delivering elite-level athletics competition in an iconic urban setting and further strengthening Monaco’s position as a world-class destination for major sporting events.The What Gravity Challenge World Tour represents the evolution of a vision launched by Mutaz Barshim to take the high jump beyond traditional stadiums and into prominent global destinations.The series has been designed as a cumulative league format, enabling athletes to collect points across multiple international stops, leading to an overall ranking and the crowning of the What Gravity Challenge World Tour Champion.With Monaco’s inclusion, the 2026 calendar will feature four international stops:Banská Bystrica, Slovakia – 24 February 2026What Gravity Challenge, Doha, Qatar – 5 May 2026Monaco Athletics Festival, Monaco – 5 August 2026Hochsprung Heilbronn, Germany – 29–30 August 2026This expanded schedule reflects the tour’s growing international presence and its ambition to bring together the world’s leading high jump stars across diverse cultural and sporting environments.On this occasion, Mutaz Barshim, Founder of the What Gravity Challenge World Tour, said:“Adding Monaco marks a proud moment for this project. Monaco is a symbol of excellence, history, and global sporting prestige. This partnership reflects a shared belief in the power of sport to inspire, connect cultures, and create a sustainable legacy for high jump.”For his part, Rudolf Berlin, Vice President of the Monegasque Athletics Federation, stated:“We are delighted to collaborate with Mutaz, a great champion with a clear and ambitious vision for the future of his sport. Integrating the Monaco Athletics Festival into the What Gravity Challenge World Tour aligns perfectly with our federation’s ambitions to build new bridges between the public and elite athletics. We hope this event will become a permanent fixture on Monaco’s sporting calendar and, given that high jump is one of the most thrilling disciplines in athletics, a major celebration of our sport.”The What Gravity Challenge builds on the success of its inaugural edition in Doha, which was first held in 2024 at Katara Amphitheatre. The event attracted the world’s top high jump stars and achieved significant international media exposure through World Athletics platforms, alongside strong support from global partners and institutions.With Monaco officially joining the 2026 calendar, the What Gravity Challenge World Tour enters a new phase of international growth, reaffirming its status as a leading global platform for elite high jump competition. Additional partnerships, expanded media cooperation, and future destinations will be announced in due course. 

DOHA - Three-time former world high jump champion Mutaz Barshim announced his withdrawal on the eve of the world championships in Tokyo because of a foot injury.The 34-year-old Qatari, who won world titles in 2017, 2019 and 2022, also claimed Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021. He won bronze at last year's Paris Olympics. "I've been battling with a very serious injury since April," Barshim wrote on social media. "I was planning to make Tokyo my last world championships but unfortunately my foot hasn't healed in time. I've given it my all, but we can't force nature and must stay patient to recover."He expressed disappointment over missing the event, stating: "I had hoped to compete and bring joy to the fans in Qatar and around the world. But I believe the best is yet to come, God willing."Barshim, the second highest jumper of all-time with a personal best of 2.43 metres, has competed just once this season. That saw him finish second as he cleared a best of 2.13m at the Western Asian Clubs Challenge on home turf in Doha. "Don't feel sorry for me not jumping," Barshim added. "Feel sorry for high jumping not having me."The Qatar Athletics Federation expressed regret over Barshim’s withdrawal, noting that medical staff advised against his participation to avoid aggravating the injury. "Barshim was present with Team Qatar in Japan and made every effort to overcome the pain and compete in the championship, but the medical decision prioritised his safety so that he can return stronger in the upcoming events. We wish him a speedy recovery," the federation said.Barshim’s absence leaves a notable gap in Qatar’s medal hopes, but the federation remains optimistic ahead of the event in Tokyo that runs from September 13 to 21.Qatar Athletics Federation last announced had a 12-athlete squad for the championships, featuring Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Ismail Dawood, Omar Dawood, Bassem Hemeida, Saif Mohammed, Ashraf Hussein, Ammar Ismail, Ibrahim Zakaria, Khaled Hussein, Abdulaziz Youssef and Ahmed Haroun.Samba, who claimed bronze in the 400m hurdles at Doha 2019, will be a key contender again alongside Hemeida, while the 4x400m relay team of Hussein, Hemeida, Dawood, and Ismail is also targeting the podium.Saif Mohammed, 23, will make his World Championships debut in the pole vault, while Omar Dawood competes in the 110m hurdles. Ammar Ismail, Khaled Hussein, Youssef Abdulaziz, and Ahmed Haroun will run in the 400m, with Ibrahim Zakaria contesting the 800m