US world champion Sam Kendricks competes at home against competitors in Sweden and France.
Foto: imago images/Beautiful Sports
Fast, strong, secure, synchronous: The »Inspiration Games« with the Zurich control center could be a global competition model with future potential for athletics. This Thursday evening (8 p.m.) 28 top athletes will start on two continents, in four time zones and eight disciplines at seven venues – live and at the same time. The innovative format is a major challenge for the organizers at Zurich headquarters, Swiss television and the timekeepers of Swiss Timing.
Unlike on June 11th at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, this time 300 spectators are allowed to attend the traditional Zurich Letzigrund. »The difference to the Impossible Games in Oslo is that we do everything live! There are no time-shifted disciplines, «said Co-Meeting Director Andreas Hediger of the German Press Agency. »We have interaction with fans and spectators in every stadium – so we bring the emotions very close.«
Safety has priority! “We meet the local requirements for Covid-19 at every location,” explained meeting maker Hediger. »These are very different and range from the requirement for a face mask for everyone except the athletes to the keeping of registration lists and the fever measurement at the stadium entrance.«
Teams of three compete in four women’s and four men’s disciplines, while television and Swiss timing ensure synchronized images, dates and times. The starter shoots in Zurich, the other running competitions take place in Walnut and Bradenton in the US states of California and Florida as well as in Papendal / Arnheim in the Netherlands. Things are also going well in Karlstad (Sweden) and Lisbon – and pole vaulter Valentin Lavillenie takes to the skies on his brother Renaud’s garden in Aubière, France.
The experienced specialists at Swiss Timing are also breaking new ground. »I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say: this is a small revolution in modern timekeeping. This has never been done before, ”said Managing Director Alain Zobrist.
In his opinion, the “Inspiration Games” could be a model and an inspiration for new formats or events in sports. »Every crisis always offers an opportunity. And not just in athletics! I think that this opportunity to compete internationally at the highest level without having to travel is certainly also attractive for other sports, «said Zobrist, citing swimming or cycling as examples.
German aces and long jump world champion Malaika Mihambo are missing from the competition. »Unfortunately Malaika was simply not available, so the women’s long jump had died for us. And throwing disciplines simply didn’t fit into the concept, «explains Hediger.
In terms of sport, the multi-arena event is a 90-minute highlight: World champion Sam Kendricks (USA) takes off in Bradenton from the pole vault three-way battle. Brother Valentin steps in for ex-world record holder Renaud Lavillenie; World Cup third Piotr Lisek from Poland competes in Karlstad. According to the organizers, the 28 athletes collect a total of 27 Olympic, 62 World Cup and 36 European Championship medals. They all ignore possible disadvantages in wind or careers.
Among the starters is the most successful athlete in the history of the World Athletics Championships: Allyson Felix. The American starts in Walnut over 150 meters and in the relay over 3 x 100 meters. “Hopefully, this new format will be a bit of fun for fans to be able to look forward to in a really difficult time for everyone,” said the 34-year-old. dpa / nd
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