A greedy rhythm

Of course, after an unusually large sporting event like the World Athletics Championships, you always draw some kind of conclusion. For example in terms of the organization and the audience response (very good to excellent) and also the atmosphere in the stadium (infectiously inspiring). The sporting performances are of course also subject to an analysis. It has been shown that the level has increased significantly in almost all disciplines. With performances that were enough for a medal a few years ago, this time they were just able to make it to the finals.

Many a nation's eyes were opened in Budapest, because the failures of the last few years have now been mercilessly exposed. The host of the next Olympic Games, France, only secured their only medal in the last competition, the relay over the stadium lap. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, Germany came away empty-handed. A fourth place by javelin thrower Julian Weber and three fifth places were more than just meager results. So-called small nations such as India, Botswana and Pakistan have so far pushed past the traditional teams in athletics. Canada, for example, has won seven gold medals in the last 17 years, this time four.

Successful Italians Italy could be happy with four medals and also had the best entertainer in Gianmarco Tamberi (gold in the high jump). Overall, Budapest was a success, without any attempt at national perspective, which of course arouses desire again, as the statement of Lord Sebastian Coe, the President of “Worldathletics”, the international umbrella organization, suggests. “I could also imagine holding a World Cup every year,” he said, which surprises me. Until now, the Brit, who was a world-class athlete and then head of the organizing committee for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was considered a clever and cool tactician who had succeeded in consolidating his association after the problem-filled years and the questionable dealings of his predecessor Lamine Diack.

Gianmarco Tamberi won gold. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Does the oats sting him now? He also hasn't expressed opposition to the idea of holding title fights under his organization's umbrella in Saudi Arabia. It almost seems as if he may have become cocky after a spicy Hungarian goulash soup. There are still enough examples in the current situation that have potential for improvement. The schedule, for example, is basically an unreasonable expectation for the viewers. The competitions last too long. Too often, exciting decisions overlap. While runners compete for medals, shot putters compete at one end of the stadium. This is why triple jumpers and high jumpers go unnoticed while fierce battles for position take place on the track. A few rockets when introducing the athletes are not enough to accept this as a serious change, or even an improvement. Little has changed in this area for years.

Too many world championships It is clear that in athletics, which is a huge mixture of many different sports, it is difficult to find a consensus that satisfies everyone. With a changed and shortened event format, the problems would only be partially solved. On the contrary. A flood of titles would devalue each one. There are enough examples of this. Winter sports associations in particular (ice hockey, figure skating, biathlon) ensure with their annual world championships that those active hardly have any time to breathe. Coaches and scientists are already pointing out that the flood of competitions means there is hardly any time for regeneration.

Before Budapest, there were a shocking number of cancellations across countries due to injury. During the decathlon in Budapest, nine athletes said goodbye, including Niklas Kaul, the youngest world champion of all time (Doha 2019). He is only 25 years old and is already extremely prone to injuries. And he is by no means the only one who is almost forced to exploit his body. One could now add that cyclists are ultimately challenged on their tours and individual races every year. But it's never about possible records, about numbers and data that are constantly compared with those of the past.

This makes athletics unique, but also particularly difficult for the protagonists because the best performances of their predecessors are constantly hovering over their heads. Now the circus can take a break, which will only be short for everyone, because the next highlight is on the program in a year with the Olympic Games in Paris. After that, that much is already certain, Tokyo will be the next venue for the World Athletics Championships. And it can already be seen that 2025 will not be comparable to Budapest.

The Japanese are skeptical about this World Cup. They are still groaning from the corruption scandals surrounding the Olympic Games and from the financial burdens caused by the lack of ticket sales (Corona). Apparently the applicants for a World Athletics Championships are already lining up afterwards. It's like a drum roll that gets stronger and stronger and always seems to increase in volume. At some point our interest will not increase, but rather decrease. We are already oversaturated and barely able to consume everything that interests us. A break would be good and fortunately the months until winter are rather quiet before the membranes will glow again.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist, author and Eurosport commentator devotes his column “Sigi's Peaks” to the entire diversity of sport. Sometimes with a smile and a wink, sometimes seriously or deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone. Most recently, he focused on the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last week with three articles in a row. This one is the last one.

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A greedy rhythm

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