“We’re Not Listened To”: Devastated Olympic Champion Heavily Criticizes World Athletics Over Multiple Issues

The journey towards the Paris Olympics commences with the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024. As spectators eagerly await the competition, athletes carry a significant burden. Yet, amidst this anticipation, the 25-year-old Olympic and world champion is tested. Following his victory in the world indoor title on Saturday, a prominent long jump athlete contemplates quitting the event due to proposed rule changes.

The proposed amendment by World Athletics introduces a significant rule change: implementing a take-off zone to measure jumps from an athlete’s take-off to landing position, eliminating foul jumps in a bid to enhance the event’s appeal to fans. However, the response from this Greek athlete indicates his dissatisfaction with these changes.

Olympic athlete drops truth bombs 

A recent video on X,  by Athletics Weekly featuring Miltiadis Tentoglou has ignited a fervent debate within the athletics community. In the interview, Tentoglou candidly expresses his dissatisfaction with the current state of long jump competitions and the proposed changes to the event. Reflecting on his recent performance, Tentoglou describes, “really bad competition” despite his victory.

He argues that altering the event to a take-off zone would strip away the skill and essence of the long jump, transforming it into a less challenging pursuit. Tentoglou emphasizes his belief that such changes would detract from the sport’s appeal and ultimately lead to his disinterest in continuing. “So if they want to remove this, the long jump would be the easiest event,” he added. “If that happens, I will not do the long jump anymore. I will be a triple jumper.”

Furthermore, Tentoglou voices the sentiment shared among his peers, asserting that the proposed modifications are unpopular within the long jump community. He criticizes the lack of consultation with athletes by governing bodies such as World Athletics. Also, he expresses frustration at feeling disregarded and undervalued.

In his call for greater athlete involvement and respect for their opinions, Tentoglou highlights the need for meaningful dialogue between athletes and officials. He advocates for a more inclusive approach to decision-making, where athletes’ perspectives are considered and valued. Besides this, his recent performance truly captured everyone’s heart.

Nail-biting Glasgow showdown 

In a thrilling showdown at Glasgow, Olympic athlete Miltiadis Tentoglou found himself in a nail-biting tie with 19-year-old Italian sensation Mattia Furlani. Both achieved an impressive leap of 8.22 meters. Ultimately, Tentoglou clinched gold on a tiebreak, thanks to his longer second-best jump.

Read More: Track and Field: Timeline of Big Changes Brought by World Athletics in the Sport

Meanwhile, Furlani seemed to secure victory with his final jump. However, disappointment struck as a foul was signaled due to stepping past the take-off board. Despite the setback, Furlani remained upbeat. He considered the experience a crucial milestone in his burgeoning career on the global stage. Furthermore, he eagerly anticipated opportunities for improvement and growth in his speed and power.

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