Changing the format of the long-jump – and a few other events

That is our third article on the Lengthy Leap controversy. Mike Rowbottom, Deji Ogeyingbo and now, Stuart Weir have opened the dialog on how we must always change the game, if we must always change the game, and who we must always take heed to as we take into account altering the game. 

Altering the format of the lengthy – and some different occasions

World Athletics has introduced a plan to alter the format of the lengthy bounce in order that there can be no fouls with each bounce counting and being measured from take-off to touchdown. CEO of World Athletics, Jon Ridgeon, stated that they wanted to make each bounce depend and “add to the jeopardy and the drama of the competitors.” Ridgeon advised the Something However Footy podcast {that a} third of all jumps on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest didn’t depend, including: “That doesn’t work; that could be a waste of time.”

The proposal was virtually universally criticized. Carl Lewis, winner of 4 consecutive Olympic golds within the lengthy bounce, wrote on X: “You’re supposed to attend till April 1st for April Fools’ jokes.” Lewis’s extra critical response was that working at full velocity and taking off from a small board was a extremely expert operation and that the brand new proposal would dilute the talent concerned within the lengthy bounce.

Jazmin Sawyers posted a video on social media, saying: “I don’t suppose there’s something improper with the lengthy bounce, and having the board is a part of the drama. I admire that they’re attempting to do one thing, however that is how I view it. I don’t suppose this explicit innovation is a good suggestion. I don’t suppose that is what the lengthy bounce wants.”

Within the build-up to the World Indoor Athletics Championships, there have been press factors with a number of British athletes who have been invited to touch upon the proposal and different potential adjustments to our sport.  Some attention-grabbing views have been expressed.

Josh Kerr

“I most likely can’t converse particularly on the lengthy bounce facet of issues as a result of I clearly don’t have a leg to face on there, however I get what they’re attempting to They’re attempting to maintain engagement and guarantee positive that the very best jumpers within the worldjust measured throughout the board so that folks can get enthusiastic about how theyeople can bounce. And so, from the standpoint of a 1500-meter runner, I can perceive the place World Athletics is coming from. We need to maintain engagement and guarantee individuals are excited concerning the sport. And perhaps individuals don’t clearly love the thought, however I like that they’re desirous about these issues.

“I like among the adjustments that the oldsters at World Athletics have made when it comes to qualifying, so not having the quickest losers or no matter these spots are supposed to be known as now and never having these has actually helped clarify issues to a few of my members of the family and I believe truly it’s labored very well on the World Championships. And, perhaps having this further spherical on the Olympics could be a bit complicated, particularly the title of it, the repechage, or no matter it’s known as.  We’re attempting new issues, and so they maintain it thrilling, and I believe you’ll be able to strive issues, and if it doesn’t work, you’ll be able to pull them away like I benefit from the facet of a sport that likes to develop what they’ve and attempt to maintain individuals engaged. So, perhaps they don’t hit it each time, however I believe it’s a superb concept that they’re attempting to experiment with issues to make sure that the followers are engaged”.

Molly Caudery

“It’s an attention-grabbing one. I used to be speaking to Jaz [Sawyers] about it a bit bit, and I don’t suppose I agree with it. If they’re to do it, it’s virtually a very totally different occasion. It adjustments the game as a result of a part of it’s getting your run upright on the lengthy bounce runway. They usually’re speaking concerning the floor, and there are such a lot of cons and solely only a few execs. So if I may have my alternative, I wouldn’t change something.

“I additionally suppose the pole vault proper now could be excellent. I believe it’s such a technical sport, and that’s an enormous a part of it. In the event that they stated, ‘Oh, don’t fear concerning the bar, and it’s nearly how excessive you go I believe it might take away a number of the joy of watching the competitors as a result of what individuals take pleasure in is athletes battling it out with spectators questioning, ‘are they gonna make it on their third try?’  It’s an actual technical facet when you perceive and revel in pole vaulting.  I do suppose it may undoubtedly take away from the game”.

Morgan Lake

“I believe they tried to alter the excessive bounce a bit, perhaps three or 4 years in the past. We get a minute to leap, after which with fewer individuals, there’s two minutes, and then you definitely get 3 minutes to leap.  I believe they tried to alter that to 30 seconds only for TV time and to make it a faster occasion.  It pulled the occasion as a result of it ended up with individuals making extra makes an attempt on the bar.  So, beforehand, they’d get it with their first try. They’re getting on their third try, as they’re being rushed. In order that they tried to innovate that approach however simply removed it.

“I’ve been desirous about it: what change would make a distinction? Clearly, lengthy jumpers now have a take-off zone, which is basically a take-off zone.  We will take off from wherever, and properly, they might change it and provides us a small field to leap from, so it’s important to take off this removed from the bar. At current, Barshim jumps miles away from the bar. Others bounce from tremendous shut. There’s nothing that might make it higher. Clearly, issues can change it, and I assume the primary factor for the lengthy bounce is to make it extra thrilling so individuals can get these longer jumps into the sand. However within the excessive bounce, I don’t actually suppose something’s actually going to alter that.

“I believe the one factor for me is watching excessive bounce competitions.  Let’s say I’m watching a males’s competitors; the one damaging is the size of time. With observe occasions, they’re fast and over and carried out with.  So perhaps having larger intervals, as a substitute of 1.82, 1.85, simply going 1.80, 1.85, 1.90 to get to these greater heights faster. Some issues will be carried out to alter it. However, I wouldn’t say it’s on the forefront of my thoughts, pondering  ‘oh, that is boring. We’d like a solution to make it extra thrilling. I’m biased, however I’ll discover subject occasions thrilling anyway”.

Are you listening, World Athletics?