If we are going to succeed in having Track and Field as the number one sport again, we have to change a few things.
First, we have to make it more TV and Internet friendly.
I agree on making the meets 2 hours long, at least for TV, but the meet can be 3 or 4 hours long for live spectators. But that doesn’t mean having the no false start rule, or just a 2 heat semi-final for the relays either.
Second, we have to be entertaining, including more personalities. Mr. Bolt has that figured out, but what the others?
We need personalities. We need to connect the audience with emotions to the athlete. Yes, it’s annoying to have a McDonald’s Moment (i.e. a featured athlete profile with some hardship story, like polio or being an orphan) before the start of a race on TV, but the non track fans need this to identify with personalities.
Third, we need more head to head matchups. No ducking. In the old days, we would still compete injured.
Some New Innovative Ideas
How about a pursuit 5000m? 17 runners start the 12.5 lap race, at the end of each lap, the last guy gets DQ’ed. At the bell lap you are down to 5 runners, and only 3 medals and 3 prize money. 4th and 5th goes home empty handed.
We’ve seen the Shot Put and Pole Vault having separate venues, including the 2004 Olympics (just don’t remind Adam Nelson!)
We have long jumping over cars. We had London 2012 Olympics long jump hopeful British athlete J.J. Jegede successfully jumping over the roof of three MINI Coopers in central London last September. Click here for the video on YouTube.
We have the reverse 400 meters running clockwise around the track.
Hammer Throw
Now this one looks cool.
Hammer throwers are used to throwing outside the main stadium for safety reasons.
But throwing over a river?
Check out Martin Bingisser’s blog post. As long as you don’t FOUL and fall into the river, they should be fine!
Jimson Lee
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Jimson,
In all seriousness, adding a 40yd track event would attract a lot fans, at least in America. Open it up to athletes from other sports that we already know (i.e. a DeSean Jackson vs. Demps vs. Bolt race). It is something Americans can already identify with, and already put meaning and value in. While pointless to the overwhelming majority of the existing track community, commercially it would pull in a lot of fans.
@TarHeelSprinter, yes I agree with the 40 yard being an “event”.. in fact, many local meets hold the 40 yard dash as a way to get extra $$$ plus it’s great for bragging rights! At least we’ll get consistent timing!
Jimson,
They already run the 40 in Italy? If that’s the case, the USATF is asleep at the wheel – as if we needed more evidence. The USATF (rather than continuing to let this sport go down the shitter in our country), or at the very least some major meet organizers, need to get on this. Set it up a few times, and with modern social media, word will likely get out very quickly. Some recognizable names from other sports will inevitably take the bait. Call ESPN, get it on SportsCenter – huge audience.
@ TarHeelSprinter
Or also along the same lines there could be a forty yard minus RT split for the hundred meter races. That way they wouldn’t have to ad an entire new event to the sport and football fans could still find something to identify it(It could also shut up annoying football players like Chris Johnson who insist they can beat Bolt).
this can be easily done with modern starting blocks :)
I think instead of having one world championship meet track should have a multi-meet circuit where athletes accumulate points like Formula 1 or Nascar. That alone would give the sport a huge boost, because as of now, after a major championship the season is basically over and athletes can’t capitalize on that bump in recognition. This would draw people in as the drama of the season unfolded from week to week.
@bman, this is the purpose of the Golden League and Diamond League series. Good athletes will make their paycheck competing in Europe. Sadly, there is too much ducking at big meets, and athletes don’t compete injured anymore.
In my city, there are pole vault competitions inside a shopping mall.