Track and field might be one of the oldest sports in the world, but its present-day reality is anything but golden. Once revered as the pinnacle of athleticism, the sport now struggles to keep up with modern entertainment and fan expectations. Paralympic medalist Hunter Woodhall has had enough and isn’t afraid to say it. Comparing track and field to the glitzy, $17.1 billion empire of Formula 1, he exposes just how far the sport has fallen behind.

The athlete drew striking parallels between the two sports, pointing out how F1, with its breathtaking races, global fanbase, and billion-dollar valuations, has turned into a modern spectacle while track and field remains stuck in the past. From poorly organized meets to the bare-minimum financial incentives for athletes, the comparison paints a grim picture of a sport fighting to stay relevant. After attending the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Woodhall’s frustration only grew. Seeing the electrifying energy, packed stands, and seamless event structure of F1, he couldn’t help but wonder: Why can’t track and field do the same?

A billion-dollar reality check

“Track and field is down in the dumps,” Woodhall said during a candid interview. Hunter Woodhall didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts. “We’ve been talking about this for years, bro. The sport is like down in the dump. We know how big this sport could be, but no one seems to care,” he said. His frustration reflects a growing sentiment among athletes who are tired of the sport’s lack of financial backing and respect.

Take F1, for example. Owned by Liberty Media, it boasts a valuation of $17.1 billion, making it the crown jewel of the sports world according to Forbes. The sport’s global appeal and strategic investments have turned it into a cultural phenomenon, with record-breaking television deals and an average of 1.21 million viewers per race in 2022. Compare that to track and field, where athletes like Woodhall often struggle to receive basic payouts. “F1 winners take home $160 million. We’re lucky if we get $160,” he quipped.

The stark differences don’t end there. F1 thrives on well-planned events, big sponsorships, and innovative storytelling, like Netflix’s Drive to Survive. Meanwhile, track and field meets are plagued by poor organization and lackluster marketing. “It’s like they don’t even want people to watch,” Woodhall said.

Fixing the Track: Hunter Woodhall’s lessons from F1

Woodhall believes the solution isn’t rocket science. “F1 and track are so similar if you think about it,” he explained. Both are individual sports with a team aspect, both require immense physical and mental preparation, and both are built around spectacle. Yet F1 has figured out how to package its events into an unforgettable experience, while track and field has fallen flat.

Consider F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, which Woodhall attended. From the neon-lit cityscape to the electrifying atmosphere, every detail was designed to wow spectators. “Their energy, their structure—it’s insane,” he said. Track meets, on the other hand, often feel like afterthoughts. “If I explain to you a track meet and an F1 event without specifics, they’d sound like the same thing. But in execution, they’re miles apart,” Woodhall remarked. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund even considered purchasing F1 for $20 billion, highlighting its massive global appeal. For track and field, such numbers are a distant dream. Woodhall noted that athletes can barely scrape together enough to sustain themselves, let alone attract new talent or audiences.

Woodhall’s critique isn’t just a wake-up call—it’s a blueprint for change. He and other athletes believe in the sport’s potential but are adamant that things need to evolve. Whether it’s borrowing F1’s focus on storytelling, investing in better event management, or creating sustainable financial systems for athletes, the time for action is now.

“Track and field deserves to be bigger,” Woodhall said. “If our legacy is putting the sport in a better place, that’s worth more than any paycheck.” With athletes like Woodhall leading the charge, maybe, just maybe, track and field can reclaim its glory.