New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones was arraigned on weapons charges in East Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty, posted $30,000 cash bail, and is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 18 for a probable cause hearing.

Prosecutors said authorities at Boston's Logan Airport found a glock box with two guns and ammunition inside a bag with Jones' name on it.

Jones, 25, was charged with two counts of the following offenses: possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of the airport, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Two of the counts against Jones carry mandatory minimum prison sentences of 2½ years if he is indicted and later convicted. Two other counts carry mandatory minimum sentences of 18 months if he is indicted and later convicted.

"He had no intention of bringing any guns into Logan Airport that day. He had no intention of bringing any guns on to an airport that day," Jones' attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, said outside the courtroom. "I expect the evidence is going to show that he had no knowledge of what was going on."

Scapicchio also took aim at coverage of Jones' arrest.

"It's the social media, and the media, who have turned him into a thug, who have labeled him a thug, with no evidence whatsoever," she said. "Because he's a young Black man, all of a sudden, he's a thug. That's what happened here. It's disrespectful to Mr. Jones and every other Black man in America. This is the institutional racism we deal with every day in the court system. ...

"That label that was attached to him through social media almost got him fired, and it was completely unfounded."

The Aug. 18 court date for Jones comes one day before the Patriots are scheduled to visit the Green Bay Packers in the preseason. The Patriots are scheduled to practice in Wisconsin with the Packers leading up to the game on Aug. 16 and 17.

"All Mr. Jones wants to do is play football. He doesn't want to be a distraction at all," Scapicchio said. "He wants to support his family and play football. ...

"We're grateful to the Patriots organization and to the leaders of the Patriots that they didn't believe and feed into what was happening on social media where people were saying he was trying to get the guns past security. Nothing could be further from the proof. I suggest we wait to hear all of the evidence before people jump to a conclusion."

A 2022 fourth-round draft choice out of Arizona State, Jones had his rookie season end in late December because of a team suspension for an unspecified violation of club rules. His agent, Jamal Tooson, described it as a miscommunication regarding Jones' rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick had said in March that the suspension was in the past, and Jones was lining up with the top unit at times in spring practices.

The 2022 team suspension marked a disappointing end to Jones' rookie season, one in which he had said he was hoping to put off-field issues from college in the past.

In all, Jones played in 13 games (two starts) and totaled 30 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He played 54% of the team's defensive snaps.

Jones began his college career at USC, was arrested for breaking into a restaurant in 2018 and a plea agreement reduced the initial felony charges to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of commercial burglary. After Jones was dismissed from USC due to academic issues, he transferred to Moorpark, a junior college. He ultimately landed at Arizona State, where in 2020, he was also suspended for fighting during practice.

Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh endorsed Jones after the team picked him in the fourth round, saying: "We've spent a lot of time with Jack to try and get comfortable and understand the different situations ... and have a process in place to add him to our program."

The Patriots' lone comment on Jones' arrest came late Friday when a spokesperson said: "We have been notified that Jack Jones was arrested at Logan Airport earlier today. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not be commenting further at this time."

The Patriots' offseason program officially ended Friday.

Victor Wembanyama has arrived in the U.S. for the NBA draft.

The plane from France carrying Wembanyama -- who almost certainly will be taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 1 pick in Thursday's draft -- arrived at Newark International Airport outside New York City on Monday.

And even before becoming an NBA star, he got his first official taste of NBA stardom.

Some fans knew what flight he was on and when the plane was landing, and many were waiting. Wembanyama cheerfully signed autographs, scrawling his name onto basketballs and Spurs jerseys -- some even with his name already on the back -- before making his way into a waiting vehicle.

"I don't know how they knew what flight I was on, but it's fun," Wembanyama said in a video distributed on the NBA's social media channels as he walked through the New Jersey airport, ducking his head to avoid some of the signage bolted to the terminal's ceiling. "It's different, seeing that you can have such impact on people."

It's the start of a hectic few days for the 19-year-old French phenom who long has been considered a generational prospect the likes of which hasn't been seen since LeBron James entered the league in 2003. Wembanyama is expected to appear at a pre-draft media availability Wednesday, then has the actual draft Thursday and likely will be in San Antonio sometime Friday.

The rest of his summer won't exactly be slow, either.

Wembanyama already has been announced as one of the expected participants in the inaugural NBA Con in Las Vegas, slated for July 7-9, which coincides with the start of summer league there, and he has said he wants to play for France in the Basketball World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan starting in late August and running through Sept. 10.

Chris Paul said he was "surprised" by the reported trade that sent the future Hall of Fame point guard from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards, telling The New York Times in an interview published Monday that he found out about the news in a text from his son.

Paul also implied that Isiah Thomas, the former Detroit Pistons legend who is good friends with new Suns owner Mat Ishbia, was involved in the decision-making process.

"It's just -- it's tough," Paul told The New York Times. "Seriously, it is part of the business, and what you realize is that no one owes you anything. No matter how you are with them or what you do, you realize that in this business, nobody owes you anything, as it should be.

"But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that, you know, Mat and Isiah, I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction."

During his introductory news conference in February, Ishbia said the team had no plans to hire Thomas but didn't rule out a role for him in the future.

News of the trade that would send Bradley Beal to the Suns in exchange for Paul and Landry Shamet broke Sunday. The Wizards are fielding offers to possibly redirect Paul to another team, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. There's also the possibility Washington and Paul could agree to a contract buyout, allowing him to become a free agent, sources said.

"I don't know," Paul said of what he would like to happen next. "I really haven't had enough time to process it yet. Like seriously, because these things that happen affect more than just me."

Paul joined the Suns before the 2020-21 season and helped lead the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years. He averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 59 starts for Phoenix last season.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Mike Dunleavy Jr. is getting thrown into the fire as he takes on a new role as general manager.

The Golden State Warriors are amid a pivotal offseason that has already seen the departure of executive Bob Myers and Draymond Green declining his player option.

The NBA draft is four days away. Free agency follows closely after that.

But atop Dunleavy's to-do list this summer is bringing back Green, who declined his $27.6 million player option Monday morning and will enter unrestricted free agency, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"We really want Draymond back," Dunleavy said at his introductory news conference Monday. "What he means in terms of this organization and this team, winning at the highest level, we feel like we have to have him.

It was expected Green would opt out; now he can talk with the Warriors as well as explore sign-and-trades and free agency.

"We will continue to talk to Golden State and explore all options," Paul told ESPN.

After the Warriors were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs, Green told Andscape's Marc Spears that Myers' decision -- whether he returned as president and general manager or left -- would carry some weight on his contract decision. Though, it wouldn't be the only deciding factor.

Green acknowledged the unique relationship Myers held with players, as well as head coach Steve Kerr, and how very few league executives carry that trait. It's something Dunleavy will now try to take over.

"Did I interview other people? No, not really. We didn't go outside," Warriors owner and CEO Joe Lacob said on the hiring of Dunleavy. "We believe in continuity. We believe we have a really well-oiled machine, a well-running organization. Mike gets along fabulously with all the parties inside."

When it comes to roster construction or reconstruction, Dunleavy said he doesn't believe there are many decisions to make, but rather "things to consider."

Second to finding a new deal for Green is adding some "connectivity."

"The rest of the roster going on down the line is a group that probably needs to be better about playing together and connecting, so that's something we'll look to solve for this offseason," Dunleavy said. "By the way, that's not only externally, that's internally through working together and doing all that stuff."

He continued: "You look at the championship team with the Nuggets. Those guys were dialed in together. [In] 2022, that's how we were. We can get back to that feel, that standpoint, I think, given our talent, that's going to give us a chance to compete for a title."

Much of the disconnection throughout the Warriors last season stemmed from the training camp altercation between Green and Jordan Poole, which Kerr called at the time the franchise's biggest crisis during his tenure, and later said left a cloud over the season.

Green admitted that the altercation impacted his ability to be the vocal, and sometimes abrasive, leader who has energized Golden State in the past. He said he felt this prevented the team from being able to perform at its full capabilities.

But as the Warriors fight to find a new contract for Green, there is a strong belief that all parties would be able to move forward and have both Green and Poole on the team next season.

"We plan on having [Poole] four more years at least," Dunleavy said.

If the Warriors do look externally to address their needs, their first crack at bringing in new personnel will be at Thursday's draft.

There is a question of if the Warriors would want to bring in another young player while they still try to figure out the development plans of Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, in addition to 2022 draft picks Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins.

But that's something Dunleavy said the team would take stock of after the draft. After that, the Warriors will look to free agency to retool the roster.

In addition to Green, Donte DiVincenzo has a $4.7 million player option he must either pick up or decline by June 28. JaMychal Green and Andre Iguodala are both unrestricted free agents, though Iguodala said last season would be his last.

Anthony Lamb and two-way players Ty Jerome and Lester Quinones are restricted free agents.

"I think a lot can be made of all the challenges that are coming our way, whether it be an aging roster, the new CBA with some of the limitations there, anything else you can bring up," Dunleavy said. "We're aware of all those things, but we also feel like we're in a great place because we've got a competitive owner willing to spend, a group that's tied in, has good synergy, good processes, good, sound decision-making. We feel confident we can navigate it."

The Los Angeles Angels placed third baseman Anthony Rendon on the injured list with a left wrist contusion Monday, four days after suffering the injury after being hit by a pitch.

The Angels, who host the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers for a two-game series beginning Tuesday, are playing some of their best baseball lately, winning 11 of their past 14 games. But Rendon now joins rookie shortstop Zach Neto (oblique strain) and utility infielder Gio Urshela (fractured pelvis) among regulars who have gone down in the past week.

Rendon was plunked by Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi in the first inning on Thursday but remained in the game -- despite not being able to swing the bat -- because Urshela exited shortly thereafter and the Angels would have been short-handed. Initial X-rays on Rendon's wrist came back negative, but continued swelling kept him out of the lineup for the ensuing three days in Kansas City.

Rendon, 33, has played in 143 of a potential 398 games since the start of 2021, slashing only .238/.338/.364 during that stretch. Rendon was a .290/.372/.490 hitter in his previous eight years in the big leagues.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed catcher Alejandro Kirk on the 10-day injured list Monday with a laceration on his left hand and recalled catcher Tyler Heineman from Triple-A Buffalo.

In addition, the Blue Jays optioned right-hander Bowden Francis to Buffalo and recalled right-hander Trent Thornton.

Kirk, 24, was hit on his hand by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. In 59 games, Kirk is batting .253 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. Over four seasons in Toronto, including an All-Star season a year ago, Kirk is a .272 hitter with 26 home runs and 111 RBIs.

Heineman, who was celebrating his 32nd birthday, entered as a defensive replacement and didn't have an at-bat in Monday's 11-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. He was 3-for-10 in six games for the Blue Jays earlier this season and is 4-for-19 in 10 games in 2023 with both the Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a career .214 hitter with one home run and 12 RBIs in 92 games for four different teams.

Francis, 27, has a 3.68 ERA in three relief appearances for the Blue Jays this season. Thornton, 29, made his first major league appearance this season -- pitching two innings and allowing two hits while striking out two -- after 32 appearances with the Blue Jays and a 4.11 ERA last season.

Reuters contributed to this report.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates tried to take their time with Henry Davis.

His bat wouldn't let them.

The top overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft made his major league debut on Monday night against the Chicago Cubs, starting in right field and doubling down the left-field line in his first at-bat. He finished 1-for-3 in the 8-0 loss.

He received a warm ovation when he was introduced leading off the third inning, the roar from a crowd that included his parents and his high school baseball coach.

The Pirates insist they remain committed to making Davis an everyday catcher. For now, however, the 23-year-old will spend most of his time -- at least during games -- getting a crash course in how to play right field at PNC Park, where the 21-foot-high Roberto Clemente Wall and its sometimes-funky caroms can make learning the position on the fly difficult.

"If I can help the Pirates win in right, I'm excited about it," Davis said.

Davis' debut caps a rapid rise through the system, particularly this season. He began the year at Double-A Altoona and was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 4 with the team intent on having him splitting catching duties with fellow prospect Endy Rodriguez.

Instead, the Pirates stashed Davis in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup regularly, and he responded by hitting .286 with three doubles, a home run and three RBIs in 10 games.

Davis was "suspicious" about his future when he was held out of the Indianapolis lineup on Sunday. Manager Miguel Perez sat him down and asked him to grab a water out of the small refrigerator in Perez's office, where a note that read, "you're going to the Show," awaited.

A frantic 24 hours followed, ending with Davis walking through the tunnel at PNC Park on Monday afternoon as a big leaguer.

Asked if he was surprised how short his stint was at Triple-A, Davis shrugged.

"I think at any point, I would've been confident in my ability to help the team have a good at-bat or just play well and contribute to a win," he said. "I don't know if it's more of a point where I can point out one moment. I've always been confident in my ability."

Pittsburgh is hoping some of that confidence translates into help for a team enduring a roller coaster of a season. The Pirates started 20-8, stumbled through a dismal May, rebounded to briefly move into first place in the underwhelming National League Central this month before going winless on a six-game trip to Chicago and Milwaukee that dropped them to fourth.

Davis is among the first building blocks general manager Ben Cherington put in place when he took over in November 2019. Davis' arrival in Pittsburgh is part of the leading edge of what the club hopes will be a massive talent influx at the major league level over the next few years.

"It's exciting because I think it shows that the process that Ben put in place and the way he's talked about it is starting to come to fruition a little bit with our group," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "And, anytime we can add guys internally that we feel are going to be part of what we're building, it's exciting."

Davis grew up in Westchester County, an hour north of New York City. Three standout years at Louisville led the Pirates to take him first overall in 2021, and he needed just 421 at-bats in the minors -- including 24 home runs -- to prove to the organization he was ready to shoulder the massive expectations that come with being taken "one-one."

Even if it's not in the role they initially envisioned. Davis' development as a catcher remains very much a work in progress. While Shelton said Davis will catch in games at the major league level at some point, for now, Davis will be tutored behind the scenes by veterans Jason Delay and Austin Hedges. Davis' education will include copious amounts of video work, plenty of bullpen sessions and sitting in on catcher meetings when he can.

"We have two catchers here that have invested not only in him, but our whole catching group, starting going back to spring training, and Hedges and Delay in terms of how they get better," Shelton said. "And I expect that that will continue. In fact, I know that will continue."

There appears to be no rush to throw Davis behind the plate in a game situation. There is a major rush, however, to let him stand in the batter's box and swing away. The Pirates entered Monday 21st in the majors in runs and 24th in homers. Davis could provide a boost in both departments for a team that finds itself in the division race -- such as it is -- with July approaching.

They say they believe the catching will come at some point. The way he handles himself with the bat in his hands, however, made waiting for the defense to catch up less of a priority.

"Watching him play, how he carries himself, you can definitely tell he's a different caliber of [a] baseball player than most," Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller said. "I think just the way he carries himself and his game speaks for itself, obviously. I don't think there's too much question of how good he is."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto put on the Viking helmet and cape. He felt right at home.

Votto homered and hit a go-ahead, two-run single in his return to the Reds' lineup after a 10-month absence that followed surgery, helping Cincinnati extend its longest winning streak in a decade to nine with a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

"Long time coming," Votto said. "Ever since I've watched them put it on each other, I was thinking about how badly I want that on me because it's tied to a winning moment, and that's exactly -- exactly -- what this team's about. This is a different energy than I've experienced in years, maybe in my entire career, the way these guys think about themselves and how hard they play. I wanted to be a part of this. We are all a part of this."

Cincinnati took over the NL Central lead for the first time since early April, moving a half-game ahead of Milwaukee. The Reds are on their longest winning streak since taking 10 in a row from July 19-29, 2012.

"The energy of our team has been building," Reds manager David Bell said. "It doesn't surprise me. It impresses me."

Returning 10 months to the day after surgery on his left biceps and rotator cuff, Votto was greeted with a standing ovation when he walked to the plate in the second inning. He took off his helmet and waved to the crowd, then tapped it against his heart before lining out to center.

"The crowd reaction was surprising," Votto said. "Not to underestimate them, but you don't expect that. I feel the same way toward them. For them to reciprocate means a great deal to me. It was a memorable experience."

He drove a first-pitch, belt-high fastball from Austin Gomber about a dozen rows into the right-field seats for a 3-1 lead in the fifth. After circling the bases on his 343rd home run, Votto emerged from the Reds dugout for a curtain call, wearing the celebratory Viking helmet and cape that have followed Cincinnati long balls this season.

"I played a long time and here I'm wearing a helmet and a cape," Votto said. "It's a team thing and it's keeping me young. It was a daunting rehab and you have your doubts. I don't want to be the odd person out. Every day there is someone doing something cool to help the team. If you're not doing something, you don't fit in. I just want to fit in."

Votto, 39, had not homered since last Aug. 6 against Milwaukee's Jake McGee, and had not played since Aug. 16.

"He just got himself ready," Bell said. "He has been doing everything to be a part of our team. It meant a lot to our team. He felt a part of this the whole time but now it feels like it is supposed to. He is going to make us better."

Votto's two-run single to center off Jake Bird put the Reds ahead 5-4 in the sixth. The 2010 NL MVP went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs.

"He's a guy who should be applauded for what he's done in this city," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "He's spent his entire career here, which is special in this day and age. That ovation was cool. Joey's been a great player for a decade-plus. It was great to see the fans of Cincinnati recognize that."

Votto had surgery on Aug. 19, ending a season in which he hit .205 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs. At the time of the operation, the Reds said they expected the six-time All-Star back by opening day.

"I feel much more like myself," Votto said before the game. "I'm back to full health. Ten months is a long rehab. If I'm going to rejoin a winning ballclub, my responsibility is to be up to speed with them."

He made his spring training debut on March 12 and hit .182 with one double and one RBI in eight games, then was put on the 10-day injured list and sent to Triple-A Louisville for a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. Votto hit .184 with one homer and five RBIs through April 14, then was put on the 60-day IL in May 4.

He rejoined Louisville on June 3 and hit .182 with two homers and six RBIs in 12 additional games through Sunday with the Bats. Cincinnati activated him from the IL on Monday and placed right-hander Hunter Greene on the 15-day IL with right hip pain, a move retroactive to Sunday.

Bell said Votto will play often, but it will be a day-to-day decision based on matchups.

In the final season of a $251.5 million, 12-year contract, Votto is among 20 players with 8,000 or more plate appearances to hit .297 or better with an on-base percentage of at least .400 (.412) and a slugging percentage of at least .500 (.513).

The Reds have made the playoffs just once since 2013, when the postseason was expanded to 16 teams for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

"I've been witness to the culture in this clubhouse," Votto said. "Things are changing for the better."

Greene, a 23-year-old right-hander, is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts with 100 strikeouts in 73⅓ innings

Right-hander Kevin Herget was designated for assignment to clear a spot for Votto on the 40-man roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MIAMI -- Luis Arraez went 5-for-5 again to raise his batting average to .400 and Jorge Soler homered as the streaking Miami Marlins routed the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0 on Monday night.

Jon Berti had three hits and Jesus Sanchez doubled twice for the Marlins, who won their fifth straight game and finished with 19 hits -- their most since getting 21 on June 1 last year in the opener of a doubleheader at Colorado. Miami improved to a season-best 11 games over .500 at 42-31.

"This is fun because we're winning and everybody gets hits," Arraez said. "I'm excited for this team. When we get to the clubhouse, we are a family."

It was the second time in his past three games that Arraez went 5-for-5, following an 0-for-15 slide that dropped his average to .378. According to Elias Sports Bureau, he became the fourth major leaguer since 1900 to have three five-hit games in a calendar month, joining three Hall of Famers: George Sisler (August 1921), Ty Cobb (July 1922) and Dave Winfield (June 1984).

Arraez has 11 days to try to become the first player since 1900 with four five-hit games in a month, which would match the most in a season in that span, joining Cobb (1922), Stan Musial (1948), Tony Gwynn (1993) and Ichiro Suzuki (2004).

"Anytime you're mentioned with Ty Cobb, that's pretty special," Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. "The way he's doing it, up the middle, when we need it. A blowout game or non-blowout game. It's special."

Arraez's three five-hit games are already the most in a single season in Marlins history. He has 102 hits in 67 games played, the second-fastest Marlins player to 100. Dee Strange-Gordon reached the century mark in 65 games in 2015.

Arraez's fifth single, a line drive to left field with the bases loaded, scored two and highlighted a five-run seventh. The crowd of 12,226 gave Arraez a standing ovation before the at-bat and chanted "Louie! Louie! Louie!" and "MVP! MVP! MVP!" once he reached first base.

"My hair stood up. I had to step away and take a deep breath," Arraez said. "I thank the fans who have come to support us and hopefully they will continue to do so."

No big league player has batted .400 for a full season since Ted Williams hit .406 for the Boston Red Sox in 1941.

Bo Bichette had two hits for the Blue Jays, shut out for the first time this season. Bichette also reached 100 hits with his leadoff single in the ninth. He and Arraez are the only players in MLB with 100 hits this season.

Soler's two-run homer and Garrett Cooper's RBI single in the third put Miami ahead 3-0. Soler drove a breaking pitch from starter Jose Berrios to left-center for his 21st homer.

The Marlins padded their lead on Soler's sacrifice fly and Sanchez's RBI groundout in the fourth.

With a huge lead, Schumaker pinch-hit for Arraez with rookie Jacob Amaya in the eighth. Amaya singled and drove in Miami's final run.

Starting pitcher Bryan Hoeing threw four scoreless innings in a bullpen game for Miami. Hoeing allowed three hits and struck out a career-high five.

Huascar Brazoban (1-1) followed and got the next six outs. He gave up one single.

Berrios (7-5) was lifted after the fourth. The right-hander permitted five runs and eight hits in his shortest outing of the season. He walked one and struck out four.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

World Athletics president slips on his running shoes and welcomes the perfect stage for the world’s best athletes to shine at the biggest event of 2023 in two months’ time

“With the introduction of the super-fast Mondo track of the National Athletics Centre, the stage is set for exhilarating battles and historic performances at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest.” These are the words of World Athletics president Seb Coe after running the first lap on the new track together with local young athletes.

The build-up through the one-day meetings of the Wanda Diamond League and the Continental Tour have seen some thrills and spills already.

And you don’t need to wait long for finals. They have been set throughout the Championships from the first day, Saturday August 19. All athletes are looking for a loud crowd to keep them focused on medals and records. But a passionate home crowd is super important to Hungarian athletes and their performances.

On day one, the men’s shot put is the first final in the stadium – defending champion Ryan Crouser of the United States broke the world record recently and will duel with two-time world champion Joe Kovacs (who may be in a USA vest but has family ties much closer to here – his grandfather is from the village of St Peter’s Tree in Hungary).

For those who want a weekend of watching the strongest men in athletics, Sunday August 20 features the men’s hammer throw.

“I don’t need to tell the people of Hungary that there is a huge national tradition in this event. Five of Hungary’s 10 Olympic athletics gold medals are for the hammer. And Hungary’s very own Bence Halász, who won the European Athletics silver medal in Munich last year and bronze at the World Champs in Doha in 2019 will be wanting his home crowd to give him a little extra muscle,” said Coe.

The National Athletics Centre in Budapest, a brand new, purpose-built facility, is emerging as the Central European region’s athletics stronghold.

“As Budapest and the whole country prepares to welcome athletes from more than 200 countries; for Central European fans this is a unique opportunity to see the world’s best athletes compete in their own region.  My message to all of you is don’t miss out.  Book your tickets and your place in history now,” added Coe.

This historic occasion marks the first time in the 40-year history of the World Athletics Championships that a Central European country has been granted the opportunity to host the world’s third-largest sporting event.

“We are organising the biggest sporting event of the year, and the level of interest we have already witnessed is extraordinary. With tens of thousands of international fans and our very own passionate Hungarian supporters, we have already sold over 190,000 tickets. The World Championships will be broadcast to an estimated one billion viewers worldwide, bringing immeasurable value and pride to Hungary,” said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Minister of Defence and responsible for Sport and the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 organisation.

The Minister encouraged fellow sports enthusiasts to witness the remarkable performances of Hungarian athletes firsthand, cheering them on throughout the thrilling opening weekend and celebrating their potential podium finishes.

On Saturday (June 17), the track that witnessed Coe’s inaugural lap will be open for everyone to experience, ahead of the world’s top athletes competing in August. The National Athletics Centre’s family opening day on June 17 invites participants to enjoy the track and engage in races, free of charge.

Additionally, participants can seize the opportunity to purchase tickets for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, from August 19 to 27, at an exclusive 50% discount. Secure your tickets now at tickets.wabudapest23.com.