5 Key Talking Points As World Athletics Championships Begin in Oregon: From Ferdinand Omanyala to Athing Mu

• Visa delays have tainted the image of the otherwise promising World Athletics Championships, with a couple of athletes struggling to beat the deadline
• Kenya's sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala is expected to overcome his visa issues to be part of the start list in the 100 metres races
• This edition will be the last time the world will see Allyson Felix, with the American star set to retire after winning 18 Olympic medals

The world, especially athletics fanatics, will turn their attention to the Hayward Field at the University of Oregon as the World Athletics Championships takes centre stage.

More than 1,900 athletes will compete in the 49 track and field disciplines in the event that will run for 10 days. Sports Brief has compiled a list of the major talking points of the 18th edition of the top-tier athletics event.

England women's manager Sarina Wiegman believes her side are in a "good place" heading into Wednesday's Euro 2022 opener against Austria, but only excellence will do for a tournament of unprecedented expectations on the Lionesses.

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1. Visa challenges

Several athletes were at the risk of missing out on the championships after they experienced visa delays, while some will miss out entirely. The biggest casualty is Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala who also has the third-fastest time this season.

Omanyala's issue was resolved, but questions will linger about whether the massive delay will have an impact on his performance. He is set to arrive just 2 hours, 40 minutes before the first 100 metres heats.

USA Today has put the issues on poor communication between the organizing committees and the member federations.

2. Allyson Felix's last dance

After nearly two decades in track and field events and more than 30 medals, the American sprint star will be racing in her final event ever. Felix did not manage to qualify for any of her favourite specialities but will be in action in the 4 by 400 metres races.

England aim to launch women's Euro 2022 in style

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The 36-year-old will compete on the opening day in front of her home crowd in what is expected to be a huge crowd-puller.

3. Battle of the sprint superstars

Omanyala will join a star-studded field that has Olympic champion, Marcell Jacobs, reigning World Champion Christian Coleman, Olympic Silver medalist Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell, among others, in the 100 metres race.

In the women's side, a showdown is expected between two of Jamaica's finest talents in Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

4. The future generation

The Tokyo Olympics presented the earliest opportunities to see the future stars of the game. America's Athing Mu won the 800 metres races and will expect to follow it up with a world title.

World U20 800 metres champion Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi will also be looking to compete with the heavy-hitters. Other youngsters to look out for include Moad Zahafi, Abby Steiner and Beatrice Masilingi

Ada Hegerberg's return from a self-imposed exile from international duty with Norway has ensured Euro 2022 will not be without one of the continent's biggest stars.

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5. 1500 metres queen to thrive

Faith Kipyegon won the Tokyo Olympics and will want to add a World title in Oregon. Her main competitor Sifan Hassan has been grappling with sickness and injuries; this might just give the Kenyan sensation a perfect head start.

Eliud Kipchoge to race at the Berlin marathon

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Eliud Kipchoge had confirmed that he will be making a return to the Berlin Marathon this year.

The road race will take place on September 25th. Kipchoge will be making a return to the city, where he set the marathon record in 2018 after running a time of 2:01.39.