Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 18/07/2024

Earlier this week saw the conclusion of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships. Edinburgh welcomed over 3,000 fans across the week. Start and finish venues were at Princes Street, Heriot-Watt University, and St. John Street.

Over 250 world class athletes from 45 countries competed in the championships.

Locals and orienteering fans alike came to cheer on the competitors. This marked another successful world sporting event for Scotland.

The inaugural "World Orienteering Championships Tour" participation race also proved a huge success. 1,200 people signed up to take part in multiple events over the course of five days.

In this article:

Team GB success

The GB team saw success across the week.

Megan Carter Davies competed in the Sprint Knockout final. She finished fifth narrowly missing out on the medals.

Grace Molloy secured sixth place in the individual sprint on Friday afternoon.

Free activities during the championships

The activity across the week has also seen Scotland embrace the family feel the event has brought to the city.

There were free activities on offer throughout the week. This included orienteering mazes, fun "come and try" races, and live broadcasts of the championships on screens in major locations across the city.

Athlete competing in an orienteering event

World Orienteering Championships 2024, Edinburgh (credit: Kristina Lindgren / IOF)

We are absolutely delighted at the success of the World Orienteering Championships 2024.

I can’t thank everyone enough for making the last few days an unforgettable experience.

To see so many people come out to watch orienteering in this fantastic city has been overwhelming.

Whether that has been just to watch the athletes, compete in our amazing World Orienteering Championship Tour races or to enjoy the atmosphere, everyone has played their part.

Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director at the Word Orienteering Championships 2024

Commercial partners of the championships

The event has been hugely successful in attracting commercial partners across the city and beyond. Many of these provided the base for the event to be a success.

Commercial partners provided

  • 1,500 sandwiches

    Provided by Scotmid Co-op.

  • 2,200 snack bars

    Provided by Nairn's.

  • 4,000 water bottles

    Provided by Actiph Water.

  • 1,500 sausage rolls

    Provided by PieSports.com.

  • 8 kilt sets for ceremonies

    Provided by Gordon Nicholson Kiltmakers.

  • Essential print

    Provided by SOS.

  • Event support

    Provided by Cullen Property.

Edinburgh has provided the perfect stage for the Sprint World Orienteering Championships 2024.

Our capital city has certainly never seen anything like this before as athletes raced through our medieval tenements, narrow and intricate alleys, and sweeping landscapes in search of World Championships glory.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events

Find out more about the championships

Championship results

woc2024.org

See all the results on the World Orienteering Championships 2024 website.

Highlights of the championships

eurovisionsport.com

Watch content on the European Broadcasting Union's free streaming platform.

Orienteering video content

youtube.com

Browse more International Orienteering video content.

It has been a delight to welcome, and to watch, the world’s best orienteers compete in elite sprint races across our city.

Hosting the Sprint World Orienteering Championships has not only showcased Edinburgh to the world, but also the wonderful, exciting, outdoor sport of orienteering – the mental and physical skills it involves, and the health and wellbeing benefits it offers participants of all ages and abilities.

I hope Edinburgh residents, visitors and spectators alike will have been inspired to give orienteering a go.

My warmest congratulations and gratitude go to all the competitors, medallists, and everyone involved in making WOC24 such a terrific success.

Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our amazingly hard-working staff and all our volunteers who have worked tremendously hard and without whom the event would not have been successful.

Also, to all our stakeholders and commercial partners who have played an integral role in bringing this event to life.

In particular, EventScotland, Edinburgh City Council, British Orienteering Federation, Scottish Orienteering Association, and the Scottish Orienteering six-day event Company Ltd. for their unwavering support.

The hope is that we have now created a legacy for the sport’s future and helped put orienteering on the map in Scotland.

Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director at the Word Orienteering Championships 2024

Scotland is one of the best places in the world to experience events and the successful delivery of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships reinforces our reputation for delivering innovative and world-class events.

Thank you to the organisers, partners, volunteers and most importantly the athletes for making this a truly memorable event.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events

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