'New era or a step backward?'- Alaysha Johnson calls out World Athletics’ controversial decision

2023 Pan American Games 100m hurdles bronze medallist Alaysha Johnson has criticized World Athletics’ new format, igniting athlete debates.

American hurdler Alaysha Johnson has voiced her frustration over what she calls a “facade of improvement” in the newly announced World Athletics Ultimate Championships.

While the event promises glitz, glamour and a staggering $10 million prize pool, it has left some athletes, including Johnson, questioning the decision-making process behind its revolutionary changes.

World Athletics unveiled the Ultimate Championships as a fast-paced, three-night spectacle debuting in 2026 in Budapest.

The event, which features 28 high-octane competitions, aims to revamp track and field into an entertainment-driven “festival of sport.”

Yet, Johnson, a 100m hurdle champion, took to social media to express her disappointment, particularly over the exclusion of the shuttle hurdle relay—a fan-favorite relay event.

“Track and field athletes: We want a shuttle hurdle relay againnnnn. Track and field: MIXED 4X1 IT IS!! 😭😭😭 @WNBA, please, do y’all have any space?! Cheerleading?! Softball?! ANYBODY,” Johnson wrote on X, sparking a wave of conversations among athletes and fans alike.

Her sentiment reflects a deeper frustration felt by many in the sport.

For Johnson and others, the addition of a mixed 4x100m relay—a format that pairs male and female athletes—feels like a tone-deaf attempt to cater to audiences while ignoring the voices of those on the track.

Despite the rising popularity of mixed relays, with successes at recent Olympics and the upcoming Diamond League, Johnson’s tweet highlights a broader disconnect.

World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon defended the decision, stating, “The mixed 4x100m relay is just one example of how we want to do this event differently. We think it will be a great success because the mixed 4x400m has been great fun.”

Ridgeon emphasized that the philosophy behind the event is rooted in absolute entertainment, but this approach has left traditionalists disheartened.

Adding to the sting, the Ultimate Championships will also drop several classic events, including the men’s triple jump, women’s hammer throw, 10,000m races, shot put, and steeplechase.

The decision, according to Ridgeon, stems from the need to condense the program into a dynamic three-hour format for each of the three nights.

“If you are going to create a new product, you have to decide on the philosophy of that product, and all the advice we got is it needs to be fast-moving and time-limited, so there sadly isn’t time to do a heptathlon or decathlon,” Ridgeon explained.

For athletes like Johnson, the exclusion of beloved events feels like a betrayal of the sport’s heritage.

The shuttle hurdle relay, in particular, has been a source of exhilaration for both competitors and spectators.

Critics argue that removing it—and other key events—dilutes the essence of track and field in favor of a more commercially viable but less inclusive spectacle.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe tried to paint the changes in a positive light, describing the format as a “festival of sport” and emphasizing its potential to attract new audiences.

Still,the move has left a bittersweet taste for many.

While the $150,000 prize for each gold medalist is enticing, the absence of staple events and the prioritization of entertainment over tradition have cast a shadow over the Championships’ grand ambitions.

Johnson’s emotional plea resonates with athletes who feel their input has been sidelined in pursuit of spectacle.

Her frustration is not just about the shuttle hurdle relay—it is a rallying cry against what some perceive as a dismissal of the sport’s roots.