– Sad! Then it is no longer athletics in my eyes. This is what sledgehammer Eivind Henriksen says to news. He is one of Norway’s best athletes in the technical exercises and won a silver medal in hammer at the Olympics three years ago. Because in the new athletics concept, the focus will only be on running exercises. It is retired sprinter Michael Johnsen, with four Olympic gold medals to his credit, who is behind the initiative. – Call all the rivals, we are in the process of changing this game, says Johnsen in the launch video. STARTING A NEW LEAGUE: Michael Johnsen has several times spoken out critically about how athletics is organised. Now he has taken the initiative for a new series called Grand Slam Track. Photo: FADI AL-ASSAAD / Reuters Hammer thrower Henriksen thinks it’s a shame that the money to be injected into athletics does not reach more people. – People talk about appreciating athletes, but there are only a few athletes, and preferably those who already train the most, he says. This is the Grand Slam Track: The new athletics league will hold a total of four annual events. Los Angeles will be the home arena for the league. A further convention will be organized in the USA and two conventions in other countries. The first event will be held in April 2025. The organizer will focus on duels between athletes rather than optimal times, therefore light hares will not be used, for example. 48 athletes will be on contract and will participate in all the events. In addition, 48 athletes will be challengers and will be paid each time they line up. All athletes must compete in at least two exercises per event. There will be six combined cups where the overall ranking of both exercises will determine who wins the cup. There will be $12.6 million in annual prize money in addition to the contract salary. The new league will come as an addition to the Diamond League. Karsten Warholm has expressed to VG that he is skeptical about the league. He explains this by saying that he has to add more competition days and thus change his race schedule. news’s athletics expert Vebjørn Rodal is unsure whether the concept is suitable for European athletes. – It looks as if they are trying to find a way to raise American athletics and interest in American athletes. So I’m a little unsure whether the Europeans need it to the same extent, says Rodal. A lot of money The winner of each vote receives over one million kroner in prize money. During the four rounds of the season, NOK 134 million in prize money will be distributed in the new cup. There must also be several performers on paid contracts. Two stars have already signed. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the first athlete to sign for the Grand Slam Track. She has both Olympic and WC gold in the 400 meter hurdles, and has the world record of 50.68. – Michael’s vision is targeted, and he is exactly the leader that the sport needs to reach out, says McLaughlin to the website. As a second man, the British 1500 meter runner Josh Kerr has signed. He is best known for taking the WC gold in the distance ahead of Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Narve Gilje Nordås last year. – Grand Slam Track is the future of the sport, says Kerr himself about the signing. WON GOLD: During the WC in Budapest in 2023, Josh Kerr ran past Jakob Ingebrigtsen on the run and took the victory over the Norwegians. Photo: Ashley Landis / AP news has spoken to several Norwegian athletes to get their reactions to the omission of the technical exercises. – When I saw that it was only going to be practice runs, I thought: “well, as always”. That was javelin thrower Marie-Therese Obst’s first reaction. She recently won bronze in the EC and has decided not to spend any more energy on the fact that her discipline has been left out. – But it’s a bit of a shame, she says. EURO CELEBRATION: Marie-Therese Obst surprised big with bronze in the javelin during the European Championships in Rome. She thinks it’s a shame that the technical exercises are omitted. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Not even in the USA is everyone cheering for the innovation. “Disrespectful”, says long jumper Marquis Dendy about the fact that not all disciplines are invited. – I love athletics. When you create such leagues, it tells that sprinting is the only thing that matters, he says to Citius Mag. Wants duels Michael Johnsen wants to revolutionize athletics. He will be able to do that by focusing on the duels between the athletes instead of them chasing good times. – I think that’s stupid. Athletics for me is about chasing the best possible result, says long jumper Ingar Bratseth-Kiplesund. Because in the new concept, the focus will be on sprints and middle distances in race training and hurdles. All athletes must participate in at least two practice sessions during each event. Cups in Grand Slam Track: All athletes must participate in two exercises per event. They can choose between the following cups: 100 meters/ 200 meters 100 hurdles or 110 hurdles/ 100 men) 200 meters/ 400 meters 400 hurdles/ 400 meters 800 meters/ 1500 meters 3000 meters/ 5000 meters Pole vaulter Sondre Guttormsen likes people in the athletics community to think new, but I don’t think this was a particularly good proposal either. – I don’t know how interesting it is to watch a hurdler run in such a poor 100-metre time, he says as an example. See the highlights from the match 03:38 Tame English national team further in the European Championship 01:39 Austria shocked with victory over the Netherlands and as group winner 03:31 See the highlights here 03:47 Show more Published 28.06.2024, at 12.28
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