Athletes unhappy with final three Long Jump format.

August 22nd The Athletics Association was formed to amplify and empower the voices of athletes all over the world and today we are stating our opposition to the “Final Three” format that will be used at the Wanda Diamond League in Stockholm on August 23rd 2020.

After speaking to and hearing from lots of jumpers and athletes around the world, we feel it imperative that we use our platform to share their opinions regarding the proposed “Final Three” format.

Whilst we hugely appreciate all the work and effort that has taken place by meeting directors and organisers this season, in the midst of a global pandemic, it would be remiss not to say something. We hope that in the future we can normalise athletes being present and involved with decisions before they are made.

It’s clear that the athletes we have spoken with do not see “Final Three” as a positive innovation. Instead it’s a format that disrespects the jumps, detracting from the spectacle.

Of the athletes that we spoke to, approximately 87% disliked the “Final Three” concept, including some athletes who will be competing in Stockholm.

Ruswahl Samaai - The Athletics Association Board member and double African Long Jump champion: “We’ve reached a point where both fans and athletes do not see “Final Three” as a positive innovation. Over the last couple of years World Athletics and the Diamond League had tried numerous new formats and innovations and non of them have been success. We as athletes encourage innovation and change but it has to be done in a way that will enhance the event in a positive light. The “Final Three” brings no excitement to our event. Stop this! There’s no need to change a format that has been working for decades.”

Tianna Bartoletta - The Athletics Association Board member and reigning Olympic Long Jump champion: “The field events are dramatic. Lead changes, fouls, personal bests, chokes, all happen within the six rounds of jumping. The problem is that they are attempting to make the event interesting by diminishing the effort of the majority of the field to create faux drama of a last round mini-final, and not presenting the event as it deserves to be, that means actually caring about the event enough to educate the presenters, creating graphics and sharing narratives that appeal to the spectators. Right now, World Athletics is seeking to entertain at the expense of athletes not in cooperation with athletes.”

British Olympic finalist, Jazmin Sawyers: “I recognise the efforts of World Athletics to innovate, but please listen to the athletes and fans - this is not the way to do it. It was trialled indoors and people didn’t like it - we’re trying to make the people like the sport more, not less. Instead of adding excitement, it takes away the possibility of someone coming from eighth place to win the competition - infinitely more exciting than having the top already decided by round six. Following a full competition from start to finish is how to build drama and excitement, not rendering the first five rounds meaningless. Please reconsider this change!”

Bermudian Olympic Long Jumper, Tyrone Smith: “In other professional sports leagues, rules and procedural change are forbidden without the participation and input of the athletes. In our sport, athletes commit their lives and every waking moment to achieving greatness only to have the bar by which that greatness is measured continually changed. In the jumps we’ve seen this format change packaged a few different ways over the years, only to result in a watered down or unsustainable last few rounds. How can we grow the profile of this sport and have the world recognize us as professional if we continue to treat the athletes as participants rather than the product? We don’t need to change the format of the Long Jump to make it more exciting we just need to find better ways of engaging with our fans. We the athletes have great ideas, we are intelligent, resilient, forward thinking individuals. If our minds are respected as much as our bodies, we can help bring our sport to the level it deserves to be at.”

The Athletics Association looks forward to meeting with both World Athletics and their World Athletics Athletes’ Commission, and also Diamond League stakeholders, so that we can propose our ideas for the 2021 series and beyond.

For more information or to register please visit www.athleticsassociation.org.