The 2026 Wanda Diamond League Final enters its decisive second day in Brussels on Saturday, September 5, as the world’s leading track and field athletes compete for the season’s coveted Diamond League titles. The two-day finale is being held at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme at the King Baudouin Stadium, with the final champions to be crowned across 32 disciplines. 

Final Day in Brussels

The Brussels finale brings the 2026 Diamond League season to a close after athletes competed across 14 qualifying meetings in four continents. The series began in Doha in May and travelled through Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States before reaching its final stop in Brussels. 

The second day of competition on September 5 is scheduled to begin at 6:08 pm local time (GMT+2) with the women’s javelin. The main broadcast window starts at 8 pm, with the women’s 400m among the opening events of the evening session. 

Diamond Trophies on the Line

Unlike a regular Diamond League meeting, the Brussels event determines the champions of the series. Athletes earned their places in the final through performances and points accumulated during the qualifying season, with selected wild cards also part of the final fields. 

The official Diamond League calendar lists 32 disciplines whose champions will be decided over the two days. The event carries particular importance in 2026 because there is no Olympic Games or World Athletics Championships, making the Diamond Trophy one of the season’s major global athletics prizes. 

Star Athletes in Action

The Brussels final has attracted a strong field featuring Olympic and world-class performers. Among the athletes drawing attention are pole vault star Mondo Duplantis, sprinters and hurdlers and leading middle-distance competitors.

Duplantis enters the final after another standout season in the pole vault. The Swedish athlete has been targeting a sixth consecutive Diamond League title, while the Brussels competition also features a number of athletes looking to establish themselves at the top of their respective disciplines. 

The women’s 800m is another major attraction, with British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, Swiss athlete Audrey Werro, Femke Bol and reigning world champion Lilian Odira among the names scheduled for the Brussels final. The women’s 800m final is set for Saturday evening. 

Russell Brings World Record Form

US hurdler Masai Russell also arrives in Brussels after making headlines at the Zurich Diamond League meeting. She recently set a world record of 12.09 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles, surpassing the previous mark held by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan. Russell is scheduled to compete in Brussels as the season reaches its conclusion. 

Her appearance adds another layer of interest to a final already featuring several athletes who have produced major performances during the 2026 campaign.

Prize Money and Global Stakes

The Diamond League Final offers a total prize-money pool of $2.24 million, according to the official series information. The 2026 champions will also receive automatic qualification for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships, adding further significance to the Brussels finale.

The event is also the 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, giving the Brussels meeting an additional anniversary significance. The venue is hosting the Diamond League Final over two days, similar to the format used in 2024. 

September 5 Marks Season Finale

With the Road to the Final now complete, September 5 represents the final opportunity for qualified athletes to claim a Diamond Trophy in 2026. The closing day will bring together title contenders from across sprinting, middle-distance and long-distance running, hurdles, jumps and throws.

The Brussels final is therefore more than the last meeting on the calendar. It is the point at which the season-long Diamond League campaign produces its champions, with the sport’s leading athletes competing for one of the most prominent titles of the 2026 outdoor athletics season. 

The International Day of Charity 2026 will be observed on September 5, drawing attention to philanthropy, volunteering and efforts to support people facing poverty, humanitarian crises and social disadvantage.

The United Nations observes the day globally to encourage charitable and philanthropic activities and to raise awareness about the role of individuals, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in addressing humanitarian and social challenges. September 5 is also observed as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls. 

International Day of Charity on September 5

The United Nations General Assembly designated September 5 as the International Day of Charity through Resolution A/RES/67/105. The date was selected to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, who died on September 5, 1997. 

The observance seeks to encourage people and organisations to contribute to charitable activities and promote greater awareness of humanitarian needs around the world.

Focus on Philanthropy and Volunteerism

Charity can take different forms, ranging from financial donations and volunteering to community-based initiatives and humanitarian assistance.

The UN says charitable efforts can help address urgent needs while also supporting areas such as healthcare, education, housing, child protection and assistance for vulnerable communities. 

The day therefore goes beyond monetary donations, highlighting collective action and community participation as ways of supporting people in need.

Link With Mother Teresa

The choice of September 5 has a particular significance because it marks the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, the Indian citizen and founder of the Missionaries of Charity.

Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work among people affected by poverty and distress. She died in Kolkata on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87. 

Her humanitarian work became internationally associated with caring for people who were poor, sick, orphaned and dying.

Charity and Humanitarian Action

The United Nations also links charitable activity with humanitarian response. During crises and disasters, charitable organisations and volunteers can complement public efforts by providing assistance to communities facing urgent needs.

The UN notes that humanitarian relief is often required when disasters or other emergencies exceed the capacity of national authorities to respond alone. 

This makes the International Day of Charity an occasion not only for individual giving but also for considering how communities and organisations can respond to wider humanitarian challenges.

Charity and Sustainable Development

Charitable and philanthropic activities are also connected with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The UN highlights civic engagement, collective action and community participation as important elements in addressing poverty and other development challenges. 

Efforts in areas such as education, healthcare, food security and support for vulnerable groups can contribute to broader development objectives when they are sustained and responsibly implemented.

International Day of Charity 2026: Key Details

• Date: September 5, 2026

• Observance: International Day of Charity

• Established by: United Nations General Assembly

• Resolution: A/RES/67/105

• Purpose: Promote charity, philanthropy and volunteerism

• Date significance: Death anniversary of Mother Teresa

• Mother Teresa: Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 1979

• Related UN observance on September 5: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls

The Ministry of Education is set to organise a series of digital and on-ground initiatives on Teachers’ Day 2026 to highlight the contribution of teachers in shaping India’s development journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

The initiatives are being planned around the birth anniversary of former President and educationist Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, observed as Teachers’ Day in India on September 5. The programme will place emphasis on the role of educators in preparing students for the changing requirements of education, employment, technology and nation-building.

The initiatives are expected to include special webinars and other programmes aimed at bringing teachers, students and education stakeholders into discussions around the future of Indian education.

Teachers’ Role in Viksit Bharat 2047

The central theme of the initiatives is expected to be the role of teachers in India's long-term development vision.

As India works towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal, teachers remain central to building skills, encouraging innovation and preparing young people for future opportunities. The Education Ministry’s Teachers’ Day initiatives are intended to underline this role and recognise educators as an important part of the country's human-capital development.

The programmes will provide a platform to discuss how teaching and learning can evolve alongside technological and social changes.

Special Webinars and Digital Initiatives

Digital engagement is expected to form an important part of this year's Teachers’ Day observances.

Special webinars and online programmes are being planned to facilitate participation beyond physical venues. Such initiatives can allow teachers and students from different parts of the country to participate in discussions without being limited by location.

The programmes are also expected to focus on educational priorities and the contribution of teachers to developing a future-ready generation.

Teachers’ Day Celebrated on September 5

Teachers’ Day is observed in India every year on September 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on September 5, 1888.

Radhakrishnan was a philosopher, academic and former President of India. His contribution to education and public life has made his birth anniversary an important occasion for recognising the work of teachers.

The day is marked by programmes in schools, colleges and educational institutions across the country, alongside national-level initiatives organised by the government.

National Teachers Awards 2026 Also Scheduled

The Education Ministry’s Teachers’ Day programme will coincide with the National Teachers Awards 2026 ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to confer National Teachers Awards on 48 school teachers on September 5. The school teachers were selected through a three-stage process at the district, state and national levels.

The wider 2026 awards programme is set to recognise 82 teachers, including 48 school teachers, 21 higher-education teachers and 13 teachers associated with skill development.

The school-teacher awardees represent 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations.

Focus on Future-Ready Education

The Teachers’ Day initiatives come at a time when India's education system is undergoing changes linked to digital learning, emerging technologies, skills and new approaches to teaching.

The Ministry's emphasis on teachers and Viksit Bharat 2047 places educators within the broader effort to prepare students for the country's future economic and social requirements.

The exact schedule and formats of individual webinars and other initiatives may vary across programmes. Details of specific sessions, speakers and participation arrangements are expected to be announced through official Ministry channels.

Teachers’ Day 2026: Key Points

• Date: September 5, 2026
• Occasion: Teachers’ Day
• Commemorates: Birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
• Organising ministry: Ministry of Education
• Major focus: Teachers’ contribution to Viksit Bharat 2047
• Initiatives: Digital programmes, special webinars and on-ground activities
• National Teachers Awards: 82 teachers across school, higher education and skill-development categories
• School-teacher awards: 48
• National award ceremony: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

Why Teachers’ Day Is Celebrated

India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5 in memory of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on September 5, 1888. He was a distinguished philosopher, scholar, teacher and statesman and played an important role in India's educational and public life.According to the widely followed account, when his students and admirers wanted to celebrate his birthday, Radhakrishnan suggested that the day instead be observed as Teachers’ Day. Since then, September 5 has been associated with the appreciation of teachers across the country.

Who Was Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

Dr Radhakrishnan was known for his contribution to philosophy and education. He served as a professor at several institutions before entering public life and later became India's Vice President from 1952 to 1962 and President from 1962 to 1967.His birthday became an occasion to recognise the role of teachers and education in society. His academic contributions and emphasis on education continue to be remembered on Teachers’ Day.

Teachers’ Day Celebrations

Schools and colleges often organise special programmes on September 5. Students may prepare cultural performances, speeches, poems, quizzes and other activities dedicated to their teachers.In some schools, senior students take on teaching responsibilities for a day as part of Teachers’ Day celebrations. Students may also present greeting cards, flowers or other tokens of appreciation to their teachers.Educational institutions may also conduct award ceremonies to recognise teachers for their contribution to teaching and student development.

Importance of Teachers in Education

Teachers play a central role in helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills. Their responsibilities extend beyond classroom instruction and can include mentoring students, encouraging critical thinking and helping young people navigate academic and personal challenges.Teachers’ Day provides an opportunity for students and institutions to acknowledge these contributions. It also draws attention to the broader importance of education and the teaching profession.

Teachers’ Day 2026

In 2026, Teachers’ Day will fall on Saturday, September 5. The occasion will be observed across India through programmes and activities organised by schools, colleges and other educational institutions.The day is not a national public holiday. Educational institutions may follow their own schedules and decide how they wish to mark the occasion.

Teachers’ Day Wishes

Students commonly use Teachers’ Day to express gratitude to their educators through messages, cards, speeches and social media posts. The occasion provides a simple opportunity to thank teachers for their guidance, patience and support.