In athletics, "WL" stands for "World Lead" or "World Leading." It refers to the best performance or result achieved globally in a particular event during the current season or year. An athlete with a "WL" next to their name holds the top mark worldwide in that event at that point in the season. This designation highlights the leading athlete's competitive status before major championships or meets.
Details about WL in Athletics
- "World Lead" means the fastest time, longest distance, or best score achieved worldwide in a specific event for the ongoing season.
- Multiple athletes can share a "WL" if they have posted identical top performances.
- WL performances must meet rules such as official timing, sanctioned competitions, and must not have wind or altitude advantage.
- WL helps identify top contenders and builds anticipation for major events like the Olympics or World Championships.
This term is commonly used in track and field events including running races, jumps, and throws to signify the current season's global best performance.
