2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Competition
This was the second time the Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship was held. The first time was the 2011 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship in St. Catharines, Canada, in 2011. The Championship was hosted by the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD) and the National Paralympic Committee of China.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Competition
Australia's Don Perriman was designated the Chief Classifier. Other classifiers were Canada's Anne Lachance, Germany's Sabine Drisch and Lithuania's Vaidas Stravinskas. Japan's Taichi Nishimura and the Netherlands' Nathalie Van Meurs were the Game Commissioners. Referee supervisors were Australia's Matthew Wells and Spain's Tonia Gomez. Referees were Helen Rosenberg from Australia, Robert Ruisinger from Germany, Jun Zhang from China, Hrvoje Pencinger from Croatia, Linas Radykas from Lithuania, Shu Fei Hsieh from Chinese Taipei and Celine Villard from France.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Venue
The competition was held at the China Disability Sports Training Centre in Beijing. This is a purpose-built centre for disability sports. Opened on 28 June 2007, it was the first facility in China entirely devoted to disability sports training, and is the largest of its kind in the world. The Chinese Paralympic team used it as its training and preparation centre for the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. The entire complex is wheelchair accessible, with large elevators and wide halls.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams
Six nations competed: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain and Japan. Australia had won silver and Great Britain bronze in St. Catharines. This was the first time that the host country was competing.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, Australia
Head Coach: David Gould Assistant Coach: Tom KyleTechnical Assistant: Michael OxleyDevelopment Coach: Ben HodgensTeam Manager: Trudy VineyPhysiotherapist: Natasha MelacrinisProgram Manager: Leigh Gooding


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, Canada
Head coach: Ross NortonAssistant coach: Simon CashManager: Andrea MuirPhysio: Teresa Budwal


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, Germany
Head coach: Nora SchratzTeam manager: Yvone Daniel-SchratzDoctor: Petra Michel-LeuteueserPhysiotherapist: Franziska VogelTechnics: Thomas Grumpert


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, Great Britain
Team manager: Lauren SmithHead coach: Thompson MilesAssistant coach: Matthew FodenPhysiotherapist: Alison NagataMechanic: Jonathan MorriPerformance Director: Paul DaviesPerformance Analyst: Ian Britton


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, China
Head coach: Yuan Sheng XuAssistant coach: Yan HanManager:Qi ChenPhysio: Yi Chuan Zhang


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Teams, Japan
Tean Leader: Osamu KotakiHead coach: Kyoko TsukamotoAssistant coach: Akiko NagahamaTeam Staff: Eriko YokosePhysiotherapist: Kayoko Hashimoto


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round
The event took the form of a Round-robin tournament, with each team playing all the other teams once. The top four teams then went into semi-finals, while the bottom two played each other for ranking. The winners of the semi-finals faced each other in the final, while the losers played for bronze.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 1
There were three matches each day. The first was between the Australian team, known as the Devils, and Japan. The Japanese team found themselves outclassed, with Australia outscoring them in the first quarter by 26–6. Australia's Amber Merritt was particularly dangerous, finishing the day with 22 points from 16 field goal attempts. Australia continued in the same vein in the second quarter, outscoring Japan 14–7. The second half proved more even, but only because Australian coach David Gould benched his top players; the final siren saw Australia winning 50–26.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 1
The second game, between Great Britain and Canada, saw the former confirm its status as a contender for the gold medal, winning the first three quarters by 14–7, 15–4 and 15–4. The scoreline did not tell the whole story, however, for Canada's defensive pressure exacted a relatively low return for Great Britain's efforts, with only 24 field goals being scored from 60 attempts. Canada fared even more poorly though, with only 14 from 49 attempts. Britain's Jordanna Bartlett racked up 12 points, followed by Laurie Williams and Amy Conroy with 10 each. Canada's highest scorer was Arinn Young, with 11 points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 1
The final game of the day, held after the Opening Ceremony, saw host nation China facing Germany. The German team, spearheaded by Annabel Breuer and Laura Fürst, got off to a two-point lead at the first break, but the Chinese team outscored them in the two subsequent quarters by 18-4and 17–10. Tian Jiao Lei led China's scoring with 18 points, followed by Xue Jing Chen with 13. Laura Fürst contributed 14 points to Germany's scoreline, followed by Linda Dahle with 10. Despite a late rally by Germany, the Chinese team went away victors, 59–45.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 2
The first game of the second day saw Australia and Great Britain, two of the previous day's winners face each other. Dominating the play were two tall players, both veterans of the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London: Australia's Amber Merritt, who racked up 28 points from 10 field goals and eight free throws, and Great Britain's Amy Conroy with 21 points from 10 fields goals and one of her five free throw attempts. After trailing for the first half, Australia outscored Great Britain in the third quarter 20–9 to lead by three points at three-quarter time. In the final quarter though, Great Britain stormed back to win by nine points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 2
The second game was between two of the first day's losing sides, Germany and Japan. A gallant Japanese side that never gave up provided Germany a contest, but Germany led at every break, and came away 50–28 winners. Barbara Groß racked up 22 points, followed by Linda Dahle with 11, while Japan's Mayo Hagino scored 18.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 2
In the third game, Canada raced to a 22–14 lead against China at quarter time. The Canadian team was spearheaded by three team players from Quebec: Maude Jacques and  Élodie Tessier, who went on to score 15 points;  and Rosalie Lalonde, who was not far behind with 13. Arinn Young followed with 10 points. But China fought back in the second term, and the Canadians had no answer to Tian Jiao Lei, who scored 35 points. Maude was eventually fouled off, and China won 57–75.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 3
The third day opened with the match between Canada and Japan. Canada proved too good, leading at every break and coasting to a 65–36 win, its first of the tournament. Arinn Young, Rosalie Lalonde and Erica Gavel were the top scorers for Canada with 18, 14 and 10 points respectively. Young's bag included a three-pointer and an impressive three from three attempts from the free throw line. Japan's top scorers were Maya Hagino with 15, followed by Yui Kitama with 11.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 3
A far more equal contest was the second game of the day between Germany and Australia. Australia led by three points at quarter time, but Germany fought back in the second, outscoring Australia 14–10 to lead by a point at the long break. A see-sawing contest saw each side score ten points in the third quarter, leaving the margin unchanged at 30–31 at three-quarter time. But when the Australian Devils  came back on the court after the break they scored eleven unanswered points. Germany was unable to catch up, and Australia notched up another win, the final score being 40–49. Australia's top scorer was one pointer Sarah Vinci with 13. Georgia Munro-Cook scored 12, and Georgia Inglis and Amber Merritt scored 10 points each. Germany's Barbara Groß scored 18 points and took 13 rebounds, while Linda Dahle scored 14 points and took 9 rebounds.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 3
The third match of the day was between the two unbeaten teams, China and Great Britain. Britain's defensive pressure was intense, and its scoring was accurate. Great Britain led at each break, piling on 16 points to China's 10 in the first quarter, 14 to 10 in the second, and 28 to 11 in the third, running away to a 70–45 victory. Britain's Jordanna Bartlett scored 26 points and took 11 rebounds; Amy Conroy scored 18 points, including four from four attempts from the free throw line, and Laurie Williams notched up 16 points. China's top player was Jiameng Dai, who scored 24 points and took 13 rebounds. This left Great Britain as the only undefeated team in the competition.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 4
The fourth day of competition opened with the match between Germany and Canada. Both sides needed a win keep their semifinal hopes alive. Germany moved to a four-point 14–10 lead at quarter time, but this was erased by five unanswered points to Canada immediately after the break. Germany fought back to lead by five points 26–10 at half time, only to be outscored by six in the third quarter to be a point down at three-quarter time. Canada was able to outscore a tiring Germany again in the final quarter to post a four-point win, their second of the completion. Leading the scoring for Canada was Arinn Young with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Germany's Linda Dahle had 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Barbara Groß scored 10 points and had 13 rebounds.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 4
The second match of the day pitted undefeated Great Britain against Japan, a side yet to post a win. Japan gave Great Britain little trouble, and Great Britain took the opportunity to give young players some court time – one of the objectives of the tournament. Every player spent at least 14 minutes on the court, and all had at least one shot at goal, resulting in all but two getting on the scoreboard.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 4
Amy Conroy with 16 points, Jordanna Bartlett with 14 and Leah Evans with 12 points led the scoring, but 15-year-old Katie Morrow scored 8 points and took 7 rebounds, and Japan was left scoreless in the third quarter. Its leading scorer was Maya Hagino with 12 point. The final siren saw Great Britain win 67–22.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 4
Australia and host nation China had both also lost to Great Britain. The third match of the day saw them face off against each other. Australia took an early 14–5 lead, but China pegged this back to 18–11 at quarter time. Halfway through the second term the scores were level, but Australia took a four-point lead into the half time break. Relentless pressure from China saw the lead evaporate, and Australia slipped to four points down at three-quarter time, and then to seven points down. What followed was a remarkable fightback, with Australia levelling the scores with less than three minutes to go. The final seconds of play saw Australia up by two points, 60–58, with Australia's Georgia Monro-Cook holding the ball and patiently awaiting the final siren.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 5
The last day of round-robin competition opened with the match between Germany and Great Britain. Great Britain established an early ascendency, leading by 16–7 at quarter time, and 30–11 at half time. After this, both sides took the opportunity to give their newer players more court time. The final siren saw Great Britain post a 50–22 win, completing a clean sweep of the round-robin phase. Amy Conroy led the scoring again, with 23 points, and she also took six rebounds. Germany's lead scorer was Barbara Groß with 10 points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 5
The next match, between Canada and Australia, was a very different affair. A convincing win by Canada would send Australia into a semi-final against undefeated Great Britain. Australia started out strongly, posting an 18–10 lead at the first break, but Canada fought back in the second quarter, scoring 26 points to Australia's 13 for a five-point lead at half time. Problems with the scoreboard temporarily halted play. In the champions' quarter, the tide turned again, with Australia outscoring Canada 22–9 to establish an eight-point lead at three-quarter time, a lead that only inexorably increased in the final quarter.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 5
Canada had no answer to the Australian defensive press, nor to speed of Amber Merrit, who eventually scored 34 points. She was backed up by George Monro-Cook and Sarah Vinci with 14 each. In the last minutes Canada conceded defeat and replaced its lineup, and Australia followed suit, winning the game in the end 73–57 – Australia's highest score of the tournament. Canada's Arinn Young scored 20 points and took 14 rebounds.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Preliminary round, Day 5
The final round-robin match between China and Japan was a one-sided affair. China never looked threatened, and ran away to a 74–28 win. Tian Jiao Lei and Gui Di Lv scored 22 points each, closely followed by Jiameng Dai with 18. Japan's star player was Maya Hagino with 20 points, including a three-pointer, and nine rebounds.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Fifth place game
The finals round began with the game for fifth place between Germany and Japan. With little at stake, Germany gave everyone a run; none of the German players spent more than 30 minutes on the court. A disappointed Germany won 46–38. Once again, Barbara Groß was lead scorer, with 18 points, and ten rebounds. Hagino was again Japan's top scorer with 17 points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Semi-finals
Semi-finals were held that afternoon. The first was between Great Britain and Canada, who had faced each other in the opening game. Canada got off to a quick start, but Great Britain was able to secure an 11–8 lead at quarter time. This was quickly erased after the break with a three pointer by Arinn Young. Great Britain then scored ten unanswered points, and wound up with a 34–21 lead at half time. Canada brought on Alarissa Haak, adding another tall player in addition to Arinn Young.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Semi-finals
They managed top peg back Great Britain's lead, but only to 47–36 at three-quarter time. Great Britain came home strongly in the final quarter, winning 67–51. Arinn Young was again Canada's top scorer with 25 points (and 13 rebounds), followed by Maude Jacques with 18 points. Great Britain's Laurie Williams and Jordanna Bartlett racked up 19 points each, followed by Amy Conroy with 17.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Semi-finals
The second semi-final between the Australian Devils and the host nation was the first to attract a sizeable crowd. The crowd was pleased when China bolted to an early lead of six points at half time, but Australia fought back to a one-point deficit at half time. Relentless defensive pressure coupled with fast movement allowed Australia to secure a five-point lead at three-quarter time, and the Devils went on to win by eight points, 46–38.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Semi-finals
Notably, both sides played almost the entire game with their starting lineups: Sarah Vinci, Ella Sabljak, Georgia Inglis, Georgia Monro-Cook and Amber Merritt for Australia; and Xue Jing Chen, Man Liu, Tian Jiao Lei, Jia Meng Dai and Si Ting Huang for China. Jess Cronje briefly replaced Georgia Munro-Cook, and  Gui Di Lv replaced Tian Jiao Lei for the last 15 minutes. Top scorers Amber Merritt for Australia, and Jia Meng Dai for China, both of whom scored 23 points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Bronze medal match
The bronze medal match pitted the host nation against Canada. China took an early lead but was unable to capitalise on it against a gallant Canadian team, and the first quarter ended with China holding only a narrow four-point lead. Efforts by China to increase their lead and by Canada to narrow it came to naught in the second quarter, which ended with both sides scoring 14 points. A three-pointer at the start of the third quarter from Arinn Young saw the margin narrowed to just one point, but China held on, and eventually increased its lead to six points. Canada was unable to close the gap, and the final siren saw China win by eight points. Arinn Young scored 24 points, including two three-pointers, followed by Maude Jacques with 13. China's lead scorer was Tian Jiao Lei with 24 points, while Jia Meng Dai had 19.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, Finals, Gold medal match
The gold medal match between Australia and Great Britain was a hard-fought affair. Relentless defensive pressure by both sides led to shot clock violations and missed shots at goal, resulting in a score of just 6–6 at quarter time. Australia kept Britain scoreless for much of the second quarter, and moved to a narrow 11–15 lead at half time. The lead was erased in the third quarter, which ended with Britain holding a one-point lead. The final quarter began with Britain scoring ten unanswered points, a deficit that Australia was unable to overcome, and Britain won 44–35. Once again, Britain's lead scorers were Amy Conroy with 19 and Jordanna Bartlett with 13. Australia's Amber Merritt racked up 21 points.


2015 Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, MVP and All Stars
MVP and All Stars for the competition were announced at a banquet on the evening after the final:


2015 Women's Volleyball Thai-Denmark Super League
2015 Women's Volleyball Thai–Denmark Super League (Thai: วอลเลย์บอลหญิงไทยเดนมาร์คซูเปอร์ลีก 2015) was the third edition of the tournament. It was held at the MCC Hall of The Mall Ngamwongwan in Nonthaburi, Thailand from 26 – 30 March 2015.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship
The 2015 Women's World Draughts Championship at the international draughts was held May 11–24, 2015 in Wuhan, China International Draughts Federation FMJD. Sixteen female players in total will be competing in the tournament. The tournament started on May 11, 2015, and will end on May 24, 2015. It will be played as a round-robin, with 15 rounds in total, each of which be micro-match from two games. The winning prize for the tournament is 20,000 euros.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship
Natalia Sadowska (Poland) won the right to become a candidate in the match for the title Women's World Draughts Champions with Zoja Golubeva (Latvia).


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship, Participants
The sixteen participants are nominated according to a schema and rules accepted by the FMJD General Assembly:


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship, Rules and regulations
The games will be played in the official FMJD time rate of the Fischer system with 1 hour and 20 minutes for the game plus 1 minute per move. Conforming to the FMJD regulations players are not allowed to agree on a draw before they both made 40 moves. If they do so nevertheless, the referee is obliged to decide on a 0-point each players.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship, Rules and regulations
The final classification will be based on the total points obtained. If two or more players will have same total points to define the places:


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship, Rules and regulations
3. the best results obtained in order of the classification.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship match
The 2015 Women's World Draughts Championship match  at the international draughts was held April 1–8, 2015 in Zerendi, Kazakhstan International Draughts Federation FMJD between the actual World Champion Zoja Golubeva (Latvia) and the challenger Tamara Tansykkuzhina (Russia). Zoya Golubeva won with a score of 8 : 4 and became the world champion for the fifteenth time.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship match, Rules and regulations
The match consists of seven micro-matches. Each micro-match is played till the first victory. First game — standard game 1 hour 20 min + 1 min per move, if draw at 1st game — rapid game 20 min + 5 sec per move. If draw at rapid game — blitz game 5 min + 3 sec per move.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship match, Rules and regulations
If draw at blitz game — Lehmann-Georgiev tie break 5 min + 2 sec per move on all games.


2015 Women's World Draughts Championship match, Rules and regulations
The total prize fund was 15.000 euros. From this fund the winner gets 8.000 euros, and the loser 7.000.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships
The 2015 Women's World Floorball Championships is the tenth World Championships in women's floorball. The tournament took place in Tampere in Finland in December 2015. Sixteen teams participated.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships
Sweden won the tournament defeating Finland, 5-4, in the final game following a penalty shootout.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships, Qualification
All teams, apart from the host country (Finland), will have to qualify for the Final Round via the qualifications, and there will be a total of 5 qualification groups - one in the Americas, one in Asia-Oceania and three in Europe. For Sweden, this will be the first time that they have ever had to participate in any qualification event in any age group. France and New Zealand will be participating in the women's event for the first-ever time, while Great Britain are making a return after a 14-year absence.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying
The qualifying for the 2015 Women's World Floorball Championships was played in January and February 2015. A total of 23 teams competed for fifteen spots. The final tournament will be organized by Finland in December 2015.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Overview
Numbers in brackets show the ranking before the qualification started, which is based on results from the last two World Championships.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Overview
Sweden (1) Poland (7) Germany (8) Netherlands (14) Estonia (18)


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Overview
Switzerland (3) Latvia (6) Denmark (9) Hungary (13) Spain (19) France (—)*


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Overview
Czech Republic (4) Norway (5) Russia (10) Slovakia (11) Italy (23) Great Britain (27)


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Overview
* Teams listed without a ranking are participating in their first Women´s World Floorball Championships and will receive a ranking after the final round event is played.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Europe, European Qualification 1
Dates: 4 – 8 February 2015Venue: Hala UAM Morasko, Poznań, Poland


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Europe, European Qualification 2
Dates: 3 – 7 February 2015Venue: Vidzeme´s Olympic Centre, Valmiera, Latvia


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Europe, European Qualification 3
Dates: 4 – 8 February 2015Venue: Arena Klokocina, Nitra, Slovakia


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Europe, Ranking of fourth-placed teams
Since the number of teams between the qualification groups differ, the group sizes will be equalised by removing the results from the matches against the lowest placed teams in the larger-sized group before comparing the average results. The calculation of the fourth-placed teams will follow this order: 1. Average number of points 2. Average goal difference 3. Average scored goals 4. Lottery drawing.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Asia–Oceania
Dates: 23 – 25 January 2015Venue: Cardinia Life Arena,  Pakenham, Australia


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Americas
The calculation of the best team will follow this order: 1. Average number of points 2. Average goal difference 3. Average scored goals 4. Extra time + penalty shots.


2015 Women's World Floorball Championships qualifying, Americas
Dates: 6 – 7 February 2015Venue: Cornell Community Center, Markham, Canada


2015 Women's World Junior Squash Championships
The 2015 Women's  World Junior Squash Championships is the women's edition of the 2015 World Junior Squash Championships, which serves as the individual world Junior championship for squash players. The event took place in Eindhoven in the Netherlands from 26 to 30 July 2015. Nouran Gohar won her first World Junior Open title, defeating Habiba Mohamed in the final.


2015 Women's World Junior Team Squash Championships
The 2015 Women's World Junior Team Squash Championships was held in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The event took place from 31 July to 4 August 2015.


2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship
The 2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship is the women's edition of the 2015 World Championships, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players.


2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship
It was originally scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from December 11 to 18, 2015; with less than two weeks' notice, the event was deemed to have been cancelled after the event promoters allegedly cited "security fears" as justification for doing so. In response, Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin claimed the event's cancellation was down to the promoters' failure to attract sponsorship and accused them of attempting to blackmail the Malaysian government with a demand for event funding (including RM3.5 million ($850,000) for private security arrangements) as a result.


2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship
Upon settling an agreement with the new event promoters, the PSA confirmed the tournament was rescheduled to take place at the National Squash Centre between 25 and 30 April 2016 inclusive. It is the second time in three editions the tournament has been held after its designated year.


2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship
Nour El Sherbini won her first World Championship title, beating Laura Massaro in the final.


2015 Women's World Open Squash Championship, Prize money and ranking points
For 2015, the prize purse was $185,000. The prize money and points breakdown is as follows:


2015 Wong Tai Sin District Council election
The 2015 Wong Tai Sin District Council election was held on 22 November 2015 to elect all 25 members to the District Council.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident
On 7 March 2015, a steam-hauled charter train passed a signal at danger and subsequently came to a stand across a high-speed mainline junction near Wootton Bassett Junction, Wiltshire, England. Another train, which had right of way, had passed through the junction 44 seconds earlier and no collision occurred nor was any damage done.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident
As a result of this signal passed at danger (SPAD), Network Rail banned the train's operator, West Coast Railway Company (WCRC), from operating trains anywhere on the British railway network. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) opened an investigation into the incident, which it called a "dangerous occurrence". The incident was rated the most serious SPAD in the United Kingdom since December 2010. Following improvements made by WCRC, the ban was lifted. A subsequent incident led to a further ban, which was later lifted.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident
In December 2015, the Office of Rail and Road initiated a prosecution against the driver of the train and WCRC for offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The case was heard in June 2016. Both WCRC and the driver of the train pleaded guilty. WCRC was fined £200,000 plus costs. The driver received a sentence of four months' imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident
In May 2016, the RAIB published a report on the incident, which largely blamed the incident on the train crew tampering with a safety system that would otherwise have safely brought the train to a halt.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
At 17:25 GMT on 7 March 2015, a charter train approached Wootton Bassett Junction, where the Great Western Main Line and South Wales Main Line diverge at Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. In the approach to signal SN43, an Automatic Warning System (AWS) magnet was present in the trackbed, warning of a temporary speed restriction ahead. The line speed was 125 miles per hour (201 km/h).


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The temporary restriction of 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) then in force did not apply to the train as steam locomotives are restricted to a maximum of 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) on Network Rail (NR) tracks in any event. An emergency brake application occurred on the train after it had passed over the magnet because the driver failed to press the AWS cancelling button within 2.7 seconds.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The driver should have allowed the train to come to a stand and contacted the signalman, but he did not. Instead the AWS isolating cock was operated, releasing the brake after the train's speed had been reduced from 59 miles per hour (95 km/h) to about 51 miles per hour (82 km/h). This had the effect of isolating both the AWS and the Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS), rendering them unable to apply the brakes. Although the driver was permitted to operate the isolating cock under certain fault conditions, he did not follow rulebook protocol or inform the signaller that he had done so.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The next signal, SN45, was displaying a red (danger) aspect. By the time the driver saw this, there was insufficient distance available to stop the train, which eventually came to a stand on the junction some 700 yards (640 m) past the signal. The service train that was being protected by the red signal had already passed through the junction and no collision occurred. As the points had already moved for the passage of the charter train, no damage was done to the trackwork at Wooton Bassett Jn.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The line speed approaching the junction was 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) for the service train. Before he was relieved from driving duties, the driver of the charter train claimed that signal SN43 had displayed a green (proceed) aspect. NR investigations showed that a single yellow (caution) aspect was displayed.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
Following the incident, the driver was relieved at Swindon. There a new driver was supplied by West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) who drove the train to Southall, where the train was terminated.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The incident was rated the most serious SPAD since December 2010, rating 25 out of 28 on Network Rail's scale. Any SPAD rated at 20 or more leads to a mandatory investigation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The scale is logarithmic, with each increment rated twice as serious as the previous; thus the incident was rated as nominally over thirty times more serious than this threshold.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident
The December 2010 SPAD was rated at 26, and was at Uphill Junction, Somerset, on the Bristol to Exeter line when a passenger train overran a signal by 180 yards (160 m). The month before that incident, a passenger train overran a signal at Tamworth, Staffordshire, in an incident rated at 25.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The RAIB investigation into the accident reported that the outward working, reporting number 1Z21, the 07:22 from Southend East to Bristol Temple Meads, had been fitted with a numbered plastic tie on the handle of the Automatic Warning System (AWS) isolating cock. The train was driven to Bristol without incident, although some misting of the driver's window was reported. The driver of that train was not the driver later involved in the SPAD at Wootton Bassett.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
During an empty coaching stock movement to St Philip's Marsh depot, the emergency brake applied because the driver did not cancel an AWS warning in the allotted time. The AWS isolating cock was opened, breaking the seal. On leaving St Philip's Marsh, a similar incident occurred, and the AWS isolating cock was opened again. There was a change of traincrew on arrival at Bristol Temple Meads, where the return working was designated 1Z67. According to the rulebook, the driver of the train should have reported the missing seal on the AWS isolating cock. The train should not have been allowed to depart until the cock had been sealed. The driver did not do this, and set off with an unsealed cock.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
Due to misting and exhaust obstructing the driver's view through the window, the driver drove leaning out of the cab for much of the time. This made hearing the AWS sounder and observing the AWS reminder light harder. Approaching signal SN43, there was a temporary speed restriction of 85 miles per hour (137 km/h), which was warned of by a temporary AWS magnet in advance of the restriction, and indicated by a sign at the start of the temporary speed restriction. The train approached signal SN43 at 59 miles per hour (95 km/h) and passed over the temporary AWS magnet.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The driver failed to react to the warning given within the time allowed and the brakes were applied. Because the AWS isolating cock was out of reach of the driver, he instructed the fireman to open it for him. The train's speed had reduced by about 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) when the brakes were released. The rules require that the train is brought to a stand and the signaller contacted in the event of an AWS brake application. Additionally the driver must inform the signaller whenever the AWS is isolated;


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
"Driver: If it becomes necessary to isolate the AWS, you must:


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The train then passed signal SN43, which was displaying a single yellow (caution) aspect. The driver acknowledged the AWS warning, but did not reduce speed.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
In the twelve seconds between brake application and brake release, the train passed over the fixed AWS magnet for signal SN43, which was displaying a single yellow (caution) aspect. This warning was cancelled in time. The train then passed over the TPWS+ overspeed sensor for signal SN45, which was displaying a red (danger) aspect. As the train was travelling more slowly than the trigger speed, no brake action was demanded from the train.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The train then passed over the second TPWS overspeed sensor for signal SN45, this time at 53 miles per hour (85 km/h), which was in excess of the 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) trigger speed. Consequently, a TPWS intervention occurred, but as the AWS isolating cock was open the brakes did not apply. When the driver saw that signal SN45 was at danger, he applied the brakes on the train. Due to there being insufficient distance to stop, the train overran the signal by 600 yards (550 m) and came to a stand across Wootton Basset Junction.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
Then the driver reported to the signaller by radio, claiming that the signals had not sequenced properly (i.e. that SN43 had been green). During the time that he was on the radio, the fireman closed the AWS isolating cock. The signaller initially treated the event as a Technical SPAR (i.e., Signal Passed at Red due to an Irregular Signal Sequence) because there was no SPAD alarm provided for signal SN45 and the driver had claimed that the preceding signal was displaying a green aspect.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
Because this is not a safety-critical event he authorised the driver to take the train forward to Swindon. However, by the time the train arrived at Swindon, it was understood that signal SN45 had been passed at danger without authority and the driver was relieved of his duties. The driver was not tested for the presence of drugs or alcohol in his system, as is required by Railway Group Standards. The investigation found that there was no evidence of alcohol in his system. Prescription drugs that he was taking were assessed as not having an effect on his ability to drive the train. Fatigue was found not to be a factor.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The investigation found that crewing of the train was insufficient. There was no traction inspector on board. WCRC had discontinued the use of traction inspectors by 2012. A traction inspector's duties include assisting the driver with the sighting of signals. Two members of the train support crew were also on the footplate of Tangmere, but they had no responsibility in respect of the operation of the train. No problems were found with the ability to sight signals SN43 and SN45.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The locomotive and carriages from the train were tested separately following the incident; no fault was found with either, although some of the sensors were not being recorded by the On Train Data Recorder (OTDR). The RAIB were able to reconstruct the sequence of events from the data that was recorded by the OTDR.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The investigation found that the fixed AWS magnet for signal SN43 was incorrectly positioned. It was located 304 yards (278 m) from the signal, instead of the standard 200 yards (180 m). The actual location of signal SN43 was 13 yards (12 m) closer to the junction than shown on signalling diagrams, which was at 83 miles 54 chains (134.66 km) from London. These errors meant that the placing of the AWS magnet for the temporary speed restriction was also incorrect.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
Instead of being 244 yards (223 m) from the fixed AWS magnet, the temporary AWS magnet for the speed restriction was only 190 yards (170 m) from it. The installation of signal SN43 was in 1978, and the errors had remained undetected since then. An emergency speed restriction had been introduced in January 2015 due to the condition of the track, and had subsequently been converted to a temporary speed restriction. These errors were found not to have been contributory factors in the incident.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Incident, RAIB investigation findings
The safety culture at WCRC was found by the investigation to be weak. This was evidenced by a number of factors, including the lack of traction inspectors, failure to test for drugs and alcohol, failure to download data from OTDRs to analyse individual driver performance, failure to maintain OTDR equipment correctly, failure to report missing seals on safety equipment where they were required to be fitted, failure to keep proper records, and failure to improve following the incident at Bell Busk (detailed below).


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Trains, Charter train
The charter train, reporting number 1Z67, was a steam-hauled passenger train, the 16:35 Cathedrals Express charter from Bristol Temple Meads to Southend East, Essex. The train was hauled by Battle of Britain-class locomotive 34067 Tangmere (TOPS number 98 767). Tangmere was hauling thirteen carriages, which were a mixture of Mk 1s and Mk 2s. The train was operated by WCRC. There were 477 passengers and 39 staff on board the train.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Trains, Service train
The service train was the 15:28 Swansea to London Paddington, reporting number 1L76. It was operated by a First Great Western InterCity 125 "High Speed Train", and was carrying about 240 passengers.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Investigations
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an investigation into the incident, which it called a "dangerous occurrence". One aspect of the investigation was whether the seals on the TPWS equipment were already broken before the train departed from Bristol, or were not in place at the time. In March 2016, the RAIB published an update on their investigation. The final report was released in May 2016. Five safety recommendations were made and one learning point was identified.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Investigations
The Rail Safety and Standards Board opened an investigation into the incident. The ORR opened two investigations; one into WCRC's Safety Management System, with the second a criminal investigation. The ORR subsequently charged WCRC and the driver of the train with various offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. WCRC also opened an internal investigation into the incident.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Ban, Network Rail
Effective midnight on 3 April, NR banned WCRC from operating trains anywhere on the British railway network, stating in the suspension notice that "the operations of WCR are a threat to the safe operation of the railway". Seven areas of deficiencies were identified. WCRC was required to address five of them and show significant progress towards addressing the other two by 15 May. If this could be achieved, the ban would be lifted. During the period that WCRC was banned from the rail network, it was still required to pay Track Access Charges to Network Rail. This was the first time that a train operating company had been banned in the United Kingdom.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Ban, Network Rail
Following improvements made by WCRC, the ban was lifted on 8 May. A review of progress made was scheduled to be made after 3 months.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Ban, Office of Rail and Road
On 17 April, the ORR took steps to revoke WCRC's Safety Certificate. A process of representation was started, with parties having until 15 May to comment. The ORR's opinion was that WCRC's Safety Management System "is not able to ensure that services are being operated, designed or maintained safely". On 21 May 2015, the ORR issued WCRC an improvement notice under the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Previous incident
On 12 July 2014, a charter train operated by WCRC, reporting number 1Z57, caused a lineside fire at Bell Busk, North Yorkshire, The train was headed by Hall-class locomotive 5972 Olton Hall, which was hauling a charter train from Carnforth, Lancashire to York. The fire was caused by a defect in the locomotive's ash pan which allowed a piece of burning coal to fall from the locomotive and land alongside the track. Following the incident, WCRC was served with a Suspension Notice, which had the effect that WCRC was banned from operating steam locomotives on that route. It raised the issue with the Access Disputes Committee (ADC), calling Network Rail's actions "partial and malicious". The Suspension Notice was later partly lifted, allowing operation on routes where there was deemed not to be an enhanced fire risk.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Previous incident
An investigation found that the crew of the train had not been advised that there was a raised fire risk at the time. WCRC was found not to have co-operated fully with the investigation. The ADC found that WCRC's Safety Management System was deficient due to confusion over whether or not the crew of the train had been informed of the increased fire risk. WCRC failed to inform Network Rail of its plans to try to prevent future incidents of a similar nature. The ADC found that this was in breach of WCRC's Safety Management System.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Previous incident
WCRC chairman David Smith instructed his staff that no further correspondence would be gone into over the matter. The ADC found that this instruction was prejudicial to the safe operation of WCRC's Safety Management System. The instruction was later rescinded. WCRC was also found to be in breach of its Track Access Contract.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
At the time of the ban, WCRC operated about 90% of all steam charter operations on Britain's railways. DB Schenker was the only other operator licensed to run steam trains on Network Rail tracks. DB Schenker has a policy of only operating air braked trains, whereas many trains operated by WCRC use vacuum brakes, which meant that DB Schenker was unable to operate those charters in place of WCRC.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
Steam Railway editor Howard Johnston said that the aftermath of the SPAD represented "possibly the greatest challenge to our movement". ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan called for better regulation of crew driving charter trains. Following the ban, eighteen charters were cancelled and eleven were postponed in the period 4 April – 5 May. DB Schenker and GB Railfreight operated three charters each. Companies affected included Belmond, Compass, NENTA Traintours, PMR Railtours, Railway Touring Company, SRPS Railtours, Statesman Rail, Steam Dreams and Vintage Trains.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
On 6 May, it was reported that The Jacobite season was likely to start late due to the suspension. The trains, which run on the West Highland Line in Scotland, were due to start running on 11 May for the start of the 2015 season. Following the lifting of the ban on 8 May, it was announced that The Jacobite trains would run as scheduled from 11 May.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
In May 2015, Abellio ScotRail announced that as a result of the ban, it was reconsidering its decision to give WCRC preferred bidder status for a contract to run steam trains on the Waverley Line, which was scheduled to reopen between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in September 2015.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
In June 2015, it was reported that the ORR was planning to call a "Safety Summit" involving operators of charter trains on NR tracks. It was reported that one proposal to be put forward by the ORR was that all charter trains be limited to a maximum of eleven carriages. This, if enacted, would mean a loss of revenue of up to £5,000 per train for operators. Part of the reasoning behind the proposal was that steam locomotives have a lower rate of acceleration than modern traction. As they are limited to 75 miles per hour (121 km/h), they have to be worked harder in order to maintain time. A reduction in train weight would make acceleration rates a little faster and reduce the need to work locomotives so hard.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
Despite many requests from Rail, WCRC chairman David Smith refused to comment on the incident. In an interview with Steam Railway,  he stated that the company was working to satisfy the seven demands made by Network Rail, and was only cancelling trains about a week in advance, in the hope that WCRC would be able to run trains again in the future.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
Responding to a comment by Smith that "We are co-operating with the ORR in its enquiries, but from what we can see, all it is doing is keeping a watchful eye on what is going on", Rail editor Nigel Harris expressed astonishment at the "jaw-dropping" comments as criminal charges could lead to imprisonment following a guilty verdict. The reputational damage to WCRC was described as "possibly commercially fatal". Rail contributor Pip Dunn said that WCRC refused to talk to journalists when negative stories concerning the company were being reported, yet was happy to when publicising a charter it was running.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
On 28 May, WCRC issued a press release apologising for the distress, disappointment and inconvenience caused by the incident and events arising from it. It also thanked the ORR and others for assistance and support given. It stated that it was giving full assistance to the RAIB in respect of its investigation into the SPAD.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout
In April 2015, Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate was considering whether or not to prosecute WCRC. The ORR also has powers to prosecute; they subsequently decided to prosecute both WCRC and the driver of the train. Although the suspension had been lifted by NR, the ORR could still have revoked WCRC's Safety Certificate at the end of the 28-day consultation period. The lifting of the suspension by NR was subject to a review after three months.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Fallout, Great Britain VIII
Great Britain VIII was a nine-day railtour, one of an annual series, from London to Cornwall, then to Scotland, and back to London. Various steam locomotives were scheduled to haul the train on each day of the tour, which was to have been entirely steam-hauled. Participants paid between £1,995 and £2,895 per person for the nine-day tour, which ran from 28 April to 6 May 2015. Despite fears that the tour would be cancelled, it was run although with changes to the locomotives hauling it. DB Schenker agreed to operate the first two days of the tour. The tour suffered a number of issues including steam locomotives being replaced by diesels, and a lack of train heating; these resulted in a significant number of passengers leaving the tour early.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Subsequent incident and further ban
On 2 October 2015, Black 5 steam locomotive 45231 Sherwood Forester was working a WCRC special through Doncaster when it was noticed that its TPWS had been isolated by the fireman. As a result, in November 2015 a further prohibition notice was issued to WCRC by the ORR, suspending further steam services operated by them. It was reported that locomotives would need to have their TPWS modified to prevent the crew from being able to isolate it, before this suspension could be lifted.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Subsequent incident and further ban
On 17 February 2016, the ORR served a Prohibition Notice on WCRC, citing a further seven incidents which had occurred since the SPAD at Wootton Bassett. The prohibition was to become effective from 18 February 2016 meaning that WCRC would "no longer be able to operate trains on the mainline network until such a time as [WCRC] can satisfy [the ORR] that its governance and operations meet industry practice and are fit for the scale of its operations". In addition the ORR found that the conditions for the revocation of WCRC's safety certificate had been met, which could have implications for WCRC's European train operator's licence. This second prohibition was lifted on 23 March 2016.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Prosecution
On 9 December 2015, the ORR announced that WCRC and the driver of the train were to be prosecuted for offences contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. An initial hearing was scheduled to be heard at Swindon Magistrates Court on 11 January 2016, but postponed until 20 January. When the case opened, neither the driver Melvyn Cox nor WCRC entered pleas. The case was committed to Swindon Crown Court, where it was scheduled to be heard on 19 February; unconditional bail was granted to Cox. The case was subsequently postponed until 18 March, and then further postponed to an undisclosed date in May 2016. In late May, it was announced that the trial would begin on 27 June 2016.


2015 Wootton Bassett rail incident, Prosecution
At the trial, both WCRC and Cox pleaded guilty. WCRC were fined £200,000 plus costs of £64,000. The fine imposed was half of the maximum that could have been imposed. This was decided by Judge Peter Blair QC after he took mitigating circumstances into account. Cox was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months. He was also ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work. Cox's counsel stated in court that "he would never drive trains again".


2015 Worcester City Council election
The 2015 Worcester City Council election took place on 7 May 2015 to elect members of Worcester City Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections.


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships
The 2015 World Aesthetic Gymnastics Championships, the 16th edition, was held in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, from May 25 to September 7, 2015 at the Ítróttarhøllin á Hálsi.


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Emmi Nikkilä, Adeliina Sulkanen, Janica Berg, Sini Niittylahti, Viivi Koski, Liisa Lepola, Elena Ticklen, Venla Niemenmaa, Ella Ratilainen


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Tatiana Filonets, Kristina Yurchenko, Elena Romanchenko, Olga Romanchenko, Anastasiya Chernyaeva, Yana Sochugova, Arina Ten, Alina Vorontsova, Polina Gruzdeva


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Ralitsa Gercheva, Mina Asenova, Kristalina Atanasova, Kristina Mihova, Greta Hristova, Aleksandra Stefanova, Veronika Simova, Simona Yakimova


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Elizaveta Matikova, Aleksandra Danilina, Anastasia Khakhulina, Valeriya Uryupina, Polina Baranova, Polina Shunina, Daria Melnikova, Arina Shishenina, Irina Titenko


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Camilla Berg, Ronja Hakala, Ida Harju, Miisa Kauppila, Venla Lampo, Viivi-Sofia Minkkinen, Jasmine Niemelä, Siiri Puuska,


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Medal winners
Vanesa Peyankova, Mihaela Savova, Elina Kurteva, Elmira Kamusheva, Hristiana Nikolaeva, Raia Litsova, Stefani Stefanova, Monika Sokerova


2015 World Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Championships, Results, Senior
The top 12 teams (2 per country) and the host country in Preliminaries qualify to the Finals.


2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships
The 2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from 7 to 8 March 2015.


2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships, Participating nations
48 speed skaters (24 men, 24 women) from 18 nations participated. The number of speed skaters per nation that competed is shown in parentheses.


2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships – Men
The Men event of the 2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships was held on 7–8 March 2015.


2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships – Women
The Women event of the 2015 World Allround Speed Skating Championships was held on 7–8 March 2015.


2015 World Aquatics Championships
The 16th FINA World Championships (Russian: Чемпионат мира по водным видам спорта 2015), also Aquatics 2015, were held in Kazan, Russia from 24 July to 9 August 2015. Russia hosted this event for the first time. The number of participating national teams (190), athletes (2,400) and the number of medals (75) were the most ever amongst these championships. This was the first time the World Aquatics Championships partially overlaps with the FINA World Masters Championships that have a number of athletes (near 5,500), countries (110) and medals (635) which are the most ever also.


2015 World Aquatics Championships
Competitions were held in six sports (swimming, open water swimming, diving and high diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo) in three main competition venues. The new FINA High Diving discipline has been presented on the XX FINA Technical Congress and has been officially included to the FINA World Aquatics Championships program starting from the 15th FINA World Championships 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. In this 16th FINA World Championships first time the mixed-pair (female-male) duets in the synchronized swimming were included and first time the mixed command competitions in each sports were carried. This Championship is one of the qualifying events for the 2016 Summer Olympics.


2015 World Aquatics Championships
At these Championships 31 countries were awarded with a medal. The most gold medals won was by China, the United States and Russia. Also, China, the United States and Australia had the most of any medals in total. This was the first time since the 2001 World Aquatics Championships that the United States did not finish in first place in the medal standings, finishing second in the medal table behind China. It was the second time that China topped the medal standings. Also, 12 world records were set at these Championships.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host selection
The host selection for the 2015 World Aquatics Championships took place on 15 July 2011 at the biennial General Congress of FINA in Shanghai, the host city of the Championships that year. Kazan defeated rival bids from Guadalajara (Mexico), Hong Kong, Guangzhou (China), and Montreal (Canada). The last two cities withdrew their bids shortly before the vote.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Date change
The dates of these Championships were moved back one week to lengthen the gap between it and the aquatics competitions at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host city
Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of near 1.2 million (2015), it is the sixth largest city of Russia. Kazan is one of the key political, economic, sport, cultural, religious, financial, scientific, educational, and transportation centers of Russia. Kazan is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in the European part of Russia, just one hour from Moscow by air. The current mayor of Kazan is Ilsur Metshin.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host city
In 2005 Kazan celebrated its 1,000th anniversary, in 2013 Kazan hosted similar by scope the worldwide sport event, the 2013 Summer Universiade. As a city of unique monuments of the past (including of independent medieval Kazan Khanate), Kazan is on the list of the UNESCO world heritage cities.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host city
There are a lot of famous professional sport clubs like football club Rubin Kazan, ice hockey club Ak Bars Kazan, basketball club UNICS, volleyball clubs Zenit and Dynamo-Kazan.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host city
The organizing committee and executive direction of sport projects, many commercial sponsors and non-commercial partners and so-called "Ambassadors of Championships" were involved for carrying the event. Initially, half of the 6,500 members from national teams were accommodated in Athletes Villages like at the Olympics. A fleet of near 500 buses and cars, more than 400 volunteers, near 100 broadcasters and 1,200 mass-media journalists supported the event. Totally, near 1,800 officials and 100,000 guests visited the city. More than 500,000 tickets were sold on the Championship's competitions and shows. Rides by urban transport are free for participants, volunteers and spectators with a ticket for a sports competition. The cost for the Championships was near 3.5 billion rubles.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Host city
During the Championships, an open-air cultural FINA park with a capacity of 20,000 and many thematic and national pavilions were opened for all participants and guests near the main venues. The 33rd International Sport movies and TV Festival FICTS Challenge 2015 (first time outside Milano) and Tatarstan's main sabantuy were dated for the Championships.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Symbols
The logo of 2015 World Aquatics Championships is the coloured and stylised map of Kazan with pictograms of the events held in the championships. Corresponding to emblem of Tatarstan, the snow leopards Itil (male) and Alsou (female) in swimming costumes were selected as mascots of championships. Slogan of the championships is Water of Life.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Symbols
The medals of championships contains its name, city and date in the rim and volume host country and city and logos of the championships and FINA in internal dark blue background with live water effect. The medals are made from zinc with proper coating by gold, silver and bronze.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Symbols
In honour of the event Bank of Russia issued the 3 rubles silver commemorative coin with coloured logo of championships and Russian Post produced 320,000 stamps and the commemorative booklet with envelope and stamp of first day mail cancellation.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues
The Championship competitions hold in facilities built for the 2013 Summer Universiade, also hosted by Kazan.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues
Three of four main venues are placed near each other. All the venues is conveniently accessed by major avenues and roads, as well as by public transport, making it easy for participants and spectators to travel to and from the Championships. All existing venues are designed and constructed in accordance with the FINA competitions requirements.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Kazan Arena
The usual capacity of the venue is 45,000 seats, but 15,000 temporary seats were installed during the World Championships 2015.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Kazan Arena
This was the first time since the 1908 Summer Olympics that 100m swimming pools were placed in a football stadium. On the football pitch of the stadium two temporary 50 meters long pools are constructed. Main pool for swimming and synchronised swimming competitions, and a temporary training pool connected with the competition pool with additional athletes relax and massage area.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Kazan Arena
The total capacity of the competition arena (including temporary stands) reaches up to 15,000 people. Both temporary pools and a roof in the Main Swimming Arena were constructed to meet FINA World Championships. General Requirements in cooperation with FINA partner – Myrtha Pools.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Aquatics palace and arena for water polo
The capacity of the venue is 4,200 seats. The temporary open arena for water polo with capacity 3,500 is set near the Aquatics palace.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Aquatics palace and arena for water polo
This special indoor swimming pool is situated on the picturesque bank of the Kazanka River. Diving and synchronized swimming play-offs are held there.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Aquatics palace and arena for water polo
The temporary open arena for water polo with 3,500 was built close near Aquatics Palace, using its service and support systems.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Kazanka river bank near the Kazan Kremlin
It is a temporary construction for the competition. The location at Kazanka River near Kazan Kremlin and Palace Square is the same as for the 1st FINA High Diving World Cup.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Venues, Kazanka river bank near the Kazan Kremlin
Open water swimming and high diving hold. Route of open water swimming lies across Kazanka River having near 1,5 km wide at this place.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Schedule
The opening ceremony took place on July 24, 2015 and the closing ceremony on August 9, 2015. Both were held in some modified ice hockey TatNeft Arena. The opening and closing ceremonies involved the president of FINA, the heads of Kazan and Tatarstan, and (at opening) the president of Russia who declared the start of Championships, and (at closing) the prime minister of Russia and the prime minister of Hungary who took the FINA flag from a name of host country of the next world aquatics championships.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Schedule
Dozens of singers, dancers, acrobats, other artists, swimmers, aerialists and also all the spectators with a distributed coloured flashlights took part in the ceremonies. The pools, water paths, many fountains, pads for artists, dancing robots-manipulators, large multi-level dynamically changed the main, floating and pendant structures, poles of fire, vapour, virtual waterfall (at opening), large 4-faced articulatory gestured 3D mask (at closing) and other special effects were involved the Olympics-scope ceremonies. The opening ceremony first time was repeated eight times in next days as show.


2015 World Aquatics Championships, Participating nations
A total of near 2,400 athletes from 190 nations and territories  are participating in the event. The 15 countries with more than 35 participating athletes are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Kazakhstan, Germany, Great Britain, Greece,  Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine and the United States. First time Kosovo Swimming Federation participates in this FINA World Championships.


2015 World Archery Championships
The 2015 World Archery Championships was the 48th edition of the World Archery Championships. The event was held in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark from 26 July to 2 August 2015 and was organised by World Archery (formerly known as FITA). Qualification and elimination rounds took place at the Sundby Idrætspark, with the medal matches on 1–2 August outside the Danish Parliament building Christiansborg Palace. The competition was preceded by the World Archery Congress on 24–25 July.


2015 World Archery Championships
The programme featured was the same as previous World Archery Championships, with individual, team and mixed team events in the compound and recurve disciplines. A record number of athletes has entered: 623 archers across the four disciplines. As well as participation, the Championships also broke public engagement and awareness records.


2015 World Archery Championships
The competition was also the first opportunity for recurve athletes to secure qualification for their NOCs at the 2016 Summer Olympics. An Olympic Secondary Tournament was held to rank finishers for the purposes of Olympic qualification.


2015 World Archery Championships, Participating nations
At the close of registrations, a record 96 nations had registered 623 athletes. Nations in bold sent the maximum number of participants, with a full team in each event. In the event, several nations and archers did not use registered places. The final number of participants was 590 from 90 countries.


2015 World Archery Championships – Compound Mixed Team
The mixed team compound competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 1 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Compound Mixed Team
42 countries entered at least one archer each into the men's and women's competitions, thus becoming eligible for the mixed team competition. The combined totals of the highest placed archers for each gender from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Compound Mixed Team, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Individual Compound
The men's individual compound competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 27 July to 1 August 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Individual Compound, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Individual Recurve
The men's individual recurve competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 27 July to 2 August 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The reigning champion and world number one archer Lee Seung-yun was not selected for the South Korean team, so did not compete.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Individual Recurve
The top 8 competitors, excluding those whose countries earned team qualifying spots in the team event, earned an individual qualifying spot for their country for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Only 1 spot per country could be earned this way. An Olympic Secondary Tournament was held to rank competitors reaching the same round.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Individual Recurve, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Compound
The men's team compound competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 1 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Compound
33 countries entered the full quota of 3 archers into the qualification round, thus becoming eligible for the team competition. The combined totals of the 3 archers from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Compound
Iran won the competition, marking their first gold medal at the World Archery Championships.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Compound, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Recurve
The men's team recurve competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 2 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Recurve
A record 62 countries entered the full quota of 3 archers into the qualification round, thus becoming eligible for the team competition. The combined totals of the 3 archers from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Recurve
Countries reaching the quarterfinals earned a team qualification spot (and corresponding 3 individual qualifying spots) for the 2016 Summer Olympics.


2015 World Archery Championships – Men's Team Recurve, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Recurve Mixed Team
The mixed team recurve competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 2 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Recurve Mixed Team
A record 67 countries entered at least one archer each into the men's and women's competitions, thus becoming eligible for the mixed team competition. The combined totals of the highest placed archers for each gender from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Recurve Mixed Team, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Compound
The women's individual compound competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 27 July to 1 August 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Compound, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Recurve
The women's individual recurve competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 27 July to 2 August 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The defending champion from the 2013 championship was  Maja Jager of Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Recurve
The top 8 competitors, excluding those whose countries earned team qualifying spots in the team event, earned an individual qualifying spot for their country for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Only 1 spot per country could be earned this way. An Olympic Secondary Tournament was held to rank competitors reaching the same round.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Recurve, Results, Ranking round
Advanced to 1/16 elimination round   Advanced to 1/48 elimination round   Did not advance to elimination rounds


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Recurve, Results, Elimination rounds, Section 8
Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a win from a one-arrow shoot-off Source:


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Individual Recurve, Results, Finals
Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a win from a one-arrow shoot-off Source:


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Compound
The women's team compound competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 1 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Compound
27 countries entered the full quota of 3 archers into the qualification round, thus becoming eligible for the team competition. The combined totals of the 3 archers from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Compound, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Recurve
The women's team recurve competition at the 2015 World Archery Championships took place from 26 July - 2 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Recurve
A record 45 countries entered the full quota of 3 archers into the qualification round, thus becoming eligible for the team competition. The combined totals of the 3 archers from each country in the qualification round were added together, and the 16 teams with the highest combined scores competed in the elimination rounds.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Recurve
Countries reaching the quarterfinals earned a team qualification spot (and corresponding 3 individual qualifying spots) for the 2016 Summer Olympics.


2015 World Archery Championships – Women's Team Recurve, Qualification round
Pre -tournament world rankings ('WR') are taken from the 18 July 2015 World Archery Rankings.


2015 World Archery Youth Championships
The 2015 World Archery Youth Championships was the 14th edition of World Youth Archery Championships. The event was held in Yankton, South Dakota, USA between 8-14 June 2013, and was organised by World Archery. Junior events were held for those under 20, and Cadet for those under 17.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships was the forty-sixth edition of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. The competition was held from 23 October – 1 November 2015 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and is the first time that Scotland hosted the event. The competition served as a qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Japan won the men's team all-around competition for the first time since 1978, and the United States won the women's team all-around title for the third straight time. In the individual all-around competitions, Kōhei Uchimura and Simone Biles won their sixth and third successive title, respectively. Qualifying in thirteenth place, team Romania failed to automatically qualify to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1966.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
On December 4, 2015, British Gymnastics announced that the event had been named "Sporting Event of the Year" by The Sunday Mail.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Competition schedule
All times are BST (UTC+1) from 23 to 24 October 2015 and GMT (UTC±0) from 25 October to 1 November 2015.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Venue
The competition was held in The SSE Hydro, which opened in 2013. This arena hosted the Gymnastics events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Olympic qualification
As is traditional for any World Championships prior to the Olympic year, the Championships served as the first of two qualification rounds for artistic gymnasts to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the qualification round of Worlds, the top 8 teams in both MAG and WAG competitions received an automatic qualification berth to the Games. Teams placed 9–16th at the World Championships were invited to the 2016 Olympic Test Event in Rio and the top 4 teams from that event made up the 12 teams at the Olympics.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Medal table
The United States led the medal table for second consecutive time, followed by Japan and Russia, while host Great Britain finished 5th with 5 medals.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Men's results, Horizontal bar
Manrique Larduet was qualified for the Olympics, as an individual, by medaling on this event.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Women's results, Vault
Medaling on the event allowed North Korea's Hong Un-jong to qualify to the Olympics as an individual.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Women's results, Uneven bars
This was the first four-way tie in history for gold at a World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, but this is unlikely to happen again since the World Championships instituted a tie-breaking procedure similar to the Olympics to prevent a situation like this from happening again.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Women's results, Balance beam
Simone Biles of the USA defended her beam title from 2014, becoming the first back-to-back world champion on beam. With her ninth career world championships gold medal, she tied the record held by Larisa Latynina, Gina Gogean, and Svetlana Khorkina. Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands and Pauline Schäfer of Germany won the first medals for their countries on the balance beam. Schäfer also qualified as an individual to the Olympics by medaling (she had not directly qualified as Germany failed to make the team final, but made the Test Event).


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Women's results, Floor
Due to an elbow injury prior to the final, Erika Fasana withdrew from the final, being replaced by Shang Chunsong. Additionally, Swiss gymnast Giulia Steingruber sustained a knee injury during the vault final the day before, rendering her unable to participate in the floor final. She was replaced by Lieke Wevers of the Netherlands. Simone Biles won a record 10th career world championships gold medal.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Men's qualification
The men's qualification rounds at the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships took place on October 25–26, 2015 in the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The top 8 teams advanced to team finals and guaranteed Olympic team berths; teams 9–16 qualified to the Olympic test event in early 2016 to compete for the final 4 team spots.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's qualification
The women's qualification rounds at the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships took place on 23–24 October 2015 in The SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The top 8 teams advanced to team finals and guaranteed Olympic team berths; teams 9–16 qualified to the Olympic test event in early 2016 to compete for the final 4 team spots.


2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – Women's qualification, Team qualification
The top eight teams in qualification advance to the team finals in Glasgow and earn direct qualification status as a team to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Teams placed 9th-16th advance to the Test Event held at the Olympic site in April 2016, from which the top four teams also earn qualification status for the Games.


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships
The 2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships was held in Mangalia, Romania, from 13 to 15 June 2015.


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Khorasani REZA RAZIPOLIR (IRI)2. Molnos NORBERT (ROU)3. Nicolaev NURGUSTAAN (RUS)4. Robert ILIE (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Theodoros IOSIFIDIS (GRE)2. Gennadios KARYPIDIS (GRE)3. Kristian KOVACS (ROU)4. GHEORGHE FLORIN (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Sebastien RAICEA (ROU)2. Karimisarabi MEHRAB (IRI)3. Male MARIUS (NOR)4. Theodoros KIRIAKIDIS (GRE)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Stefania PRICEPUTU (ROU) 2. Cristina PINTILIE (ROU) 3. Denisa FODOR (ROU) 4. Maria NIKOLAIDOU (GRE)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Larisa NITU (ROU)2. Magnussen CESILIE (NOR)3. Christina APMPAZI (GRE)4. Esmerelda CATARGIU (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Ali MOAHAMMADZADEHNAGHARCHI (IRI) 2. Anton ZAKHAROV (RUS)3. Sergiu CONSTANTIN (ROU) 4. Madalin BULGAR (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Donskoi DMITRII (RUS)2. Liviu COSTACHE (ROU)3. Rahmani Baghbanani SAMAN (IRI)4. Sorin GOGU (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Ahoopa ABOLFAZL (IRI)2. Marius MARIN (ROU) 3. Ionut CARAS (ROU)4. Pavlos KYRIAKIDIS (GRE)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Amir HOSSEIN MIRBABASHANI (IRI)2. Razvan BITERE (ROU)3. Vasile SEVASTIANU (MDA)4. Constantin DANILA (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Georgiana BURDUF (ROU) 2. Ana Maria BUNDUC (ROU) 3. Mihaela BARBULESCU (ROU) 4. Eleni PAPAMICHAIL (GRE)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Madalina CAIA (ROU)2. Andrea PAUC (ROU)3. Rita GUNN (NOR)4. Thea MAGUSSEN (NOR)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
1. Adelin DUDUIALA (ROU)2. Elena SCARLATESCU (ROU)3. Elena TOCU (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
70 kg1. Naderi MOHAMMAD (IRI)2. Masharipov RUSTAM (RUS)3. Gabirel BADEA (ROU)3. Apostolos TASKOUDIS (GRE)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
80 kg1. Stepanov STANISLAV (RUS)2. Kyrillos BINENMPAOUM (GRE)3. Denis SIVTCEV (RUS)3. Mehdizadehchari MILAD (IRI)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
90 kg1. Mohammad SEYYED (IRI)2. Bugulov MIURGUN (RUS)3. Dorin PIRVAN (ROU)3. Andrei FRANZ (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
+90 kg1. Sadeghzadehnoukolaei JABER (IRI)2. Egor OLAR (MDA)3. Aris THEODOROUDIS (GRE)3. Marian TODOROV (BUL)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
60 kg1. Madalina LINGURARU ROU2. Mihaela OBREGIA ROU3. Yuliya KHAMELIS KAZ4. Juel-Bugge RIKKE (NOR)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
70 kg1. Beatrice OANCEA (ROU)2. Roxana ANDREI (ROU)3. Laura GAVRILUC (ROU)


2015 World Beach Wrestling Championships, Medal summary
+70 kg1. Diana FRANT (ROU)2. Ana Maria STOIAN (ROU)3. Aiktepnh Eiphnh PITSIAVA (GRE)4. Dahle Netskar CHATHRINE (NOR)


2015 World Championships in Athletics
The 2015 IAAF World Championships (Chinese: 第十五届世界田径锦标赛), the fifteenth edition of the IAAF World Championships, were held from 22 to 30 August at the National Stadium in Beijing, China. Forty-three nations won medals, 144 of which were awarded. Kenya topped the medal table for the first time, with 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals. The United States won 18 medals, six gold, six silver and six bronze, which was the highest tally. Host nation China, finished 11th on the medals table, while Russia finished ninth.


2015 World Championships in Athletics
205 IAAF member countries and territories participated, two more than in 2013, with new IAAF member, Kosovo, making its debut. South Sudan was also set to participate for the first time, but its sole athlete did not show up in Beijing.


2015 World Championships in Athletics
Eritrea won their first world title at these championships, with Ghirmay Ghebreslassie winning the men's marathon.


2015 World Championships in Athletics
The event was the largest sporting event to take place at the Beijing National Stadium ("Bird's Nest") since the 2008 Summer Olympics.


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Bidding process
When the seeking deadline passed on 15 March 2010, three candidate cities (Beijing, London and Chorzów) had confirmed their candidatures. London then withdrew citing that they didn't want to seem to be biased towards the bids for the Olympic Stadium by committing themselves to an athletics event, as the host for this event was to be announced before their 2011 stadium bid deadline. London then stated that they would bid for 2017 and had the blessing of the IAAF to do so. The IAAF announced Beijing as the winning candidate at the IAAF Council Meeting in Monaco on 20 November 2010. The Council of IAAF approved the dates of 22 August until 30 August 2015.


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Venue
The event was primarily held at the Beijing National Stadium, which served as the athletics venue during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Weather concerns prompted a reduction in capacity for the World Championships in Athletics; only the lower and middle tiers of the stadium were open, capping the venue at around 54,000 spectators rather than its capacity of 80,000. Tickets for the championships were available in three price categories, ranging from 50 RMB to 500 RMB.


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Participating nations
Two hundred and seven countries (or, more accurately, IAAF members) with a total of 1,933 athletes were entered. Of those 1,771 athletes from 205 countries actually competed (thus excluding reserve athletes and non-starters). The biggest delegation was the one from the US with 130 athletes. Two countries, Ghana and South Sudan, were set to participate, but none of their athletes showed up. The number of athletes per nation is shown in parentheses.


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Anti-doping
As part of the event, the IAAF conducted a wide-reaching anti-doping programme. This included information-led targeted tests in the months previous to the championships and testing of athletes in and outside of competition during the championships. In total, the IAAF undertook 1,405 instances of athlete doping controls in Beijing. This included 662 blood tests to inform the longitudinal athlete biological passport programme, 161 blood tests specifically directed at identifying usage of either human growth hormone and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (EPO), 54 out-of-competition urine tests and 528 urine tests conducted on-site (which also incorporates 239 for EPO analysis).


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Anti-doping
As was the case since the 2005 World Championships, athletes' doping samples were stored for future analysis, which could allow retrospective disqualifications via subsequent improvements to testing technology and methods. The number of tests was a new high for the event and the largest ever conducted by a sport-specific governing body at an event. The testing was undertaken in partnership with the Chinese National Anti- Doping Agency (CHINADA). An anti-doping education programme was also conducted, which included presentations on the risks of doping and a questionnaire designed by the World Anti- Doping Agency.


2015 World Championships in Athletics, Anti-doping
Initial analysis identified two failed tests, both Kenyan women: hurdler Koki Manunga and sprinter Joy Nakhumicha Sakari. Both were disqualified immediately from the competition.


2015 World Championships in Athletics qualification standards
The following marks are the qualification standards for the 2015 World Championships in Athletics. The standards have been changed again from the 2013 standards. Each country may send a maximum of four athletes who have attained the A qualification mark in each specific event. A maximum of three athletes can compete in that event, with the sole exception of the relays, in which four of a possible six athletes may compete.


2015 World Championships in Athletics qualification standards
The qualification period ends on August 10, 2015, the date final entries are due. The start date for the qualification period was October 1, 2014 for all events except for 10,000 metres, Marathon, Race Walks, Relays and Combined Events which began on January 1, 2014. The Janusz Kusociński Memorial meeting is scheduled for August 9.


2015 World Championships in Athletics qualification standards, Wild Card
Area Champions (i.e. athletes who have won an event at their continental level championships) are granted automatic entrance, irrespective of whether they have achieved the qualification marks. The reigning World Champion in each event is also granted a bye into the competition, and does not count as part of their country's quota of athletes in that event. Furthermore, host countries may enter one unqualified athlete if no one of the respective nationality has achieved the required mark.


2015 World Championships in Athletics qualification standards, Target
The IAAF has a target for the number of athletes participating in each event. If there are not sufficient qualified entries in each event, the IAAF will invite the next highest ranked athletes to fill out the field, except in races 5,000 metres and longer. If a country does not have a qualified athlete in any events, one representative will be allowed to compete in a preliminary round of the 100 metres. The 100 metres targeted field size is not including the preliminary round.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 10,000 metres
The men's 10,000 metres at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 22 August.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 10,000 metres, Summary
While Ethiopians Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and on the women's side Tirunesh Dibaba had all done it before, Mo Farah had the opportunity to be the first non-Ethiopian runner to defend a world 10,000 metres championship. The Kenyan triumvirate of Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, Paul Kipngetich Tanui and Bedan Karoki Muchiri took the race out, multiple 64 second laps breaking the race apart to the point that there were only two remaining stragglers, Farah and his American training partner Galen Rupp. Farah, Rupp and Tanui were all returning from top 5 finishes two years earlier.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 10,000 metres, Summary
As the pace dropped, Farah briefly showed his intent to win with 3200, 1500 and 1200 to go, but each time Farah poked into the lead the Kenyan team quickly scrambled to retake the lead. Then with 500 metres to go to the finish, Farah boldly launched his long assault for the finish. In championship races, long sprints to the finish usually lead to defeat as the more sprint inclined racers are able to run down the breakaway near the finish, but Farah held the lead as the three, then two Kenyan rivals jockeyed for position to catch him.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 10,000 metres, Summary
In the final turn as he was maneuvering through traffic, Kipsang got close enough to clip Farah's heels, with Farah stumbling and almost falling. Farah stayed on his feet with Kipsang close behind, then Tanui managed to pull even with Kipsang through the final turn. Coming into the final straight, World Cross Country champion Kipsang looked like he would be able to swing around Farah to victory, but a determined Farah instead accelerated pulling away to a clear win, celebrating as he crossed the finish line. Farah's final lap time was 54.15. For the second time in a row, Tanui found himself in bronze medal position.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres
The men's 100 metres at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 22 and 23 August.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Summary
Justin Gatlin had the world leading time in 2015. Gatlin ran 9.83 s in the heats and 9.77 s in the semi-final. Reigning champion Usain Bolt ran times of 9.96 s in both rounds. Jimmy Vicaut and Su Bingtian qualified for the final with tied fastest loser times of 9.986 s, so there were 9 competitors in the final.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Summary
In the final, Bolt finished one hundredth of a second ahead of Gatlin in a time of 9.79 s.	There was a tie for third place, with Andre De Grasse and Trayvon Bromell both finishing in 9.911 s, and two bronze medals were awarded.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Summary
At 39 years, 139 days old, Kim Collins became the oldest ever competitor for the men's 100 m.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Preliminary round
Qualification: Best 3 (Q) and next 3 fastest (q) qualify for the next round.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Preliminary round
Heat 1: -0.8 m/s, Heat 2: -0.3 m/s, Heat 3: -0.6 m/s


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Heats
Qualification: Best 3 (Q) and next 3 fastest (q) qualify for the next round.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Heats
Heat 1: −0.1 m/s, Heat 2: −1.4 m/s, Heat 3: −0.3 m/s, Heat 4: +0.5 m/s, Heat 5: +0.3 m/s, Heat 6: +2.1 m/s, Heat 7: −0.2 m/s


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Semifinals
Qualification: Best 2 (Q) and next 2 fastest (q) qualify for the final.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 100 metres, Results, Semifinals
Heat 1: −0.4 m/s, Heat 2: +0.9 m/s, Heat 3: −0.4 m/s


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles
The men's 110 metres hurdles at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 26, 27 and 28 August.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Summary
The returning champion was David Oliver, while world leader in 2015 Orlando Ortega is ineligible after switching his nationality to Spain (after defecting to the USA at the 2013 Championships). World record holder Aries Merritt was here, just days before a scheduled kidney transplant.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Summary
The heats will be remembered for the false start disqualification of Ronnie Ash. Similar to Jon Drummond's incident in 2003, Ash refused to accept the disqualification and took several minutes before being convinced to leave the track.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Summary
In the finals, Oliver was the first to the first hurdle, and he hit it badly. Dimitri Bascou was the next to show a microscopic lead which only lasted until he clobbered the third hurdle, giving world #2 Omar McLeod three steps in the lead until he flipped the fourth hurdle. Merritt and Sergey Shubenkov were the next leaders. Merritt seemed to be running too close to the hurdles and had to slow to compensate giving Shubenkov a slight edge. Hansle Parchment built up speed and even though he hit the tenth hurdle, had more speed to the finish. His late rush passed Merritt to earn silver and make for a challenge to Shubenkov for the gold. Shubenkov's 12.98 was a new Russian National Record.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Results, Heats
Qualification: First 4 in each heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) advanced to the Semifinals. Heats were held on 26 August.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Results, Heats
Wind:Heat 1: -1.3 m/s, Heat 2:  +0.2 m/s, Heat 3: -1.0 m/s, Heat 4: -0.7 m/s, Heat 5: -1.2 m/s


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Results, Semifinals
Qualification: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) advanced to the final.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 110 metres hurdles, Results, Semifinals
Wind:Heat 1: 0.0 m/s, Heat 2:  -0.2 m/s, Heat 3: -0.1 m/s


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 1500 metres
The men's 1500 metres at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 27, 28 and 30 August.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 1500 metres, Summary
The process of running rounds in the 1500 tends to select strategic experts because nobody would want to run hard three times in four days as this schedule would require. Since 2008 (excepting that bad race at the 2012 Olympics), the expert in this has been two-time defending champion Asbel Kiprop. But in case anybody wanted to run fast, Kiprop also left a message at the fastest race of the year in Monaco, where he blew away many of the members of this field by almost 2 seconds in his near miss of the world record.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 1500 metres, Summary
What makes Kiprop so dangerous is his ability to accelerate from the back of the field and in the final that is exactly where he went. Was he hiding or just waiting to pounce? With three other Kenyan teammates making it to the final, there was talk about a potential sweep. Timothy Cheruiyot and Elijah Motonei Manangoi took the race through an honest first two laps in 1:58.62. Only Aman Wote ran aggressively with them at the front, the other tacticians lining themselves up for the finish.


2015 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 1500 metres, Summary
Matthew Centrowitz, Jr. was the first to move forward as they came through for the bell. With 300 metres to go, Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi made his move, identical to the Olympics, Kiprop near the back of the pack beating only two Americans and boxed by Wote. Over the next 100 metres, Makhloufi opened a lead chase by Abdalaati Iguider. Kiprop slowed down to get out of the box, then ran around Wote out to lane 3. The tall Kenyan was now clearly moving faster than the rest of the field he was passing on the outside.