It’s been just 23 hours since Team USA snagged its first medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships. It took the Stars and Stripes brigade two days to secure that coveted track and field hardware, with Sophia Beckmon soaring to silver in the long jump. But here’s the kicker: she did it in front of an almost empty venue. Unfortunately, she’s not the exception to this quiet affair. Despite the pomp in Peru and some truly memorable performances in just 72 hours, one crisis has remained the same—a lack of interest from the audiences.

Just a day before, an 18-year-old sprinter took the spotlight in the men’s 100m, snagging the gold in jaw-dropping fashion. The phenom, Bayanda Walaza, finished his race in an unbelievable 10.19 seconds! That kind of timing could set up a future brimming with possibilities, but once again, Walaza’s blazing speed was met with the awkward silence of empty seats. But hey, the young South African wasn’t done yet. He came back strong in the men’s 4x100m relay.

This time, in the 4x100m race, Bayanda helped his squad grab the silver, nearly matching his countryman Akani Simbine’s effort at the Paris Olympics. But here’s where it gets tricky. While Simbine received a thunderous ovation from a packed Stade de France, Bayanda Walaza got far less—despite competing on a global stage. This discrepancy didn’t sit well with everyone. One track and field raconteur couldn’t hold back his frustration and took to X to vent.

On August 29, Owen M wrote, “I’m guessing they built the seats at the World U20 Champs in Lima for the ghosts who wanted to attend because there’s certainly no living people there.” As the global track and field contest moves into its fourth day, everyone’s wondering—will there be a change in the turnout? No one knows for sure, but one thing’s clear: the young athletes are leaving it all on the track, empty seats or not.

Bayanda Walaza is set to return for the 200m final, looking to make it a sprint double after his 100m victory. But standing in his way is one Aussie speedster, Gout Gout, who edged out the South African in the semifinal. A thrilling final is on the horizon, though the organizers are doubtful it’ll change the attendance stats. Sadly, this isn’t a new problem.

Remember the US Olympic track and field trials? There was hardly any promotion on TV, and it was so bad that Noah Lyles had to post on X: “I haven’t seen one commercial for the T&F Olympic trials. Is that just me?” Spoiler: It wasn’t just him. Hayward Field didn’t see the expected crowds, either. Now, the same issue is rearing its head in Peru. So what’s going on?

Noah might have hit the nail on the head. His 100m final at the Paris Olympics drew over seventy thousand track and field fans, yet he didn’t shy away from calling out the glaring problem of low attendance in other competitions. On Nightcap, he said, “The hard part is that we as a sport are not ready for the popularity that is going to come.” Maybe it’s the lack of support from the top brass in promoting the track and field sport, or maybe it’s the reluctance to spend the big bucks to make it exciting. And in Peru, there’s a distinct lack of support from the local crowd, too.

Owen M didn’t pull any punches when he shared on X: “Peru has never struck me as a country that’s extremely passionate about athletics.” And while he might have hit the nail on the head, plenty of fans were eagerly waiting to watch the next big names in athletics. But now, those same fans are left disappointed.

Track and field fans are having problematic vibes from the global event 

Historically, Peru’s heart beats for soccer. The country’s passion for the beautiful game is undeniable, and they’ve proven their mettle on the global stage. One fan didn’t miss a beat, reminding everyone in the comment section: “Central and South America is all about football. Only in Colombia and maybe Brazil will you find any Track and Field support.” And yet, when it comes to hosting international sports events, Peru holds a solid spot on the global map.

This year, Peru has played host to an impressive lineup of international events, including the Junior World Championships in weightlifting, artistic swimming, judo, U-17 volleyball, and shooting. And let’s not forget the Pan American Games they hosted back in 2019. The performances? Absolutely top-notch. The attendance? Well, that’s a different story.

The pattern isn’t new. Last year, a similar situation unfolded in Costa Rica during the NACAC Championships, where the stands were barely populated by anyone other than coaches, families, and athletes. As one track and field fan pointed out, “When we were in Costa Rica for NACAC last year it was the same thing…only coaches, families, and athletes were in the stands…barely any locals.” Talk about an eerie vibe. Fast forward to the ongoing World Athletics U20 Championships, and not much has changed. Another fan chimed in with, “It gives a low-key local meet vibe, with the local grandparent at the mic. The weather isn’t helping the atmosphere and results. Worst part, however, is the ads every 5 minutes on Eurovision.”

Owen M found the whole track and field scene a little too familiar, comparing it to “the Covid pandemic when no spectators were allowed.” It’s hard to believe that the stands aren’t packed with fans eager to see the future stars of athletics. The event is brimming with talent and potential, yet it’s all unfolding in front of a sparse crowd.

One supporter summed it up perfectly, “I am curious to know what activity or sport can fill that stadium.” Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Got any thoughts on this sentiment? Drop them in the comments below!