9x Olympic Gold Medalist Raises Concerns Over Potential Consequences of World Athletics’ Long Jump Rule Change

The sporting realm is gradually taken over by the Olympic craze these days. Owing to that, any development related to the sporting world is getting widespread attention and discussion. One such development, a few months ahead of the Olympics, has taken the track and field to storm. The World Athletics, the apex body of athletics in the world, has recently announced some plans to bring about changes in the rules of the long jump events.

While anything concrete is yet to be decided, the proposal has already created a stir among the concerned athletes. Among those is 9x Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. There are few ones better than Lweis to voice their opinion about the long jump, an event where Carl Still has his name etched. Therefore, his recent social media post drew attention instantly.

Carl Lewis predicts ‘worse’ days ahead

After the World athletics’ proposal came forward, 1984 Olympian Tim Hutchings expressing his opinion, penned, “Simply the person who jumps the furthest will win.” – now there’s a novelty…! Many traditionalists (& I suspect most of the Long Jump fraternity?) won’t like this. But it’s a user-friendly advancement that should attract/retain more fans. Some events need to adapt, or whither.” Carl could not have let it go.

In reply, Carl Lewis penned, “The issue has nothing to do with fouling. They are no longer trying to jump far. We jumped differently. That’s why we jumped farther. So the board change will hurt the distances in the long run.”

In a grim reminder for the days to come, Carl went on writing, “A lack of discipline and consistency on the runway that exists will only get worse.” Interestingly, it is not the first time Carl has voiced his displeasure about the proposal.

Only a day ago Carl took a strong dig at the World Athletics after the matter came to the fore. The 8x world champion came down heavily and dismissed the rule change as the “April Fools Joke”. On X, he wrote, “You’re supposed to wait until April 1st for April Fools jokes.” Notably, WAC 2023 champion Serbia’s Ivana Spanovic also became vocal against the notion recently. But What lies at the center of all the debate? 

Efforts to introduce ‘drama’ are inviting debates

The World Athletics chief executive, Jon Ridgeon, announced that the governing body would be trailing a new “take-off zone” that would replace the usual fixed wooden board with the pit. Consequently, the proposal would eliminate the possibility of fouls, offering spectators more thrill to watch Long Jumpers perform. According to Ridgeon, “it adds to the jeopardy of the competition, the drama of the competition.” However, it is not the final call.

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Under the proposal by World Athletics, the new concept will be tested initially this year and will only be rolled out after testing. In case it turns out to be in favor of sport and athletes, it will be officially part of elite competitions ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Will the hit-and-trial method with the Long Jump turn out to be beneficial for athletes even after criticism by Olympians?

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