The highlight of the Championships was world champion Wilson Kipketer, a naturalized Dane, originally from Kenya. He set the new world indoor record of 1:43.96 in 800m 1^st round. In the final held two days later, he demonstrated spectacular lap times of 24.22, 26.0, 26.27, and 26.18 for each 200m, setting the world record of 1:42.67, holding a wide lead over the rest of the runners. Kipketer received competition awards of $50,000 for the victory and another $50,000 for the world record. Competition awards were introduced for the first time in this Championships.

In the women's events, Stacy Dragila of the US marked the world indoor record of 4.40 metres in the newly introduced women’s pole vault, beating Emma George of Australia, major competition newcomer. The Russian team in 4x400m relay won at 3:26.84. In all, four world indoor records were marked in 3 events.

Among the many highlights of the Championships, Yekaterina Padkopayeav of Russia became the oldest-ever world champion in the women's 1500m at age 44, followed by 38-year-old Mary Slaney of the US, who made a comeback in the athletic competition. In high jump, Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria cleared heights of 1.85 to 2.02 metres in her first tries, winning for the fifth time since the 1985 Championships.

As for Japanese athletes, the Japanese team of Shunji Karube of Fujitsu, Dai Tamesue of Kaijitsu High School, Shigekazu Omori of Mizuno, and Masayoshi Kan of Fujitsu in 4x400m relay entered the final by placing 3rd in the 1^st round. However, the second runner came in contact with the Russian runner and fell, and the team unfortunately placed at the bottom of the 6 teams. However, Karube, who entered 400m, broke the Japanese national record set in the Gunma International Indoor Meet to 46.15 in the semi-final and established a new record again in the final with 45.76, placing third overall.
See also the IAAF web site for the 6th IAAF World Indoor Championships