The two-time Olympics champion has hit out at organizers of the new high-earning track events over not considering field athletes in the new meets.
Two-time Olympics discus champion Valarie Allman has called on organizers of the emerging track events to consider field events.
This year has seen new athletics events launched with Athlos NYC, that took place in September, Michael Johnson-fronted Grand Slam Track and World Athletics’ Ultimate Championships.
The Athlos, a women’s-only event, had $60,000 for each of its winners in the inaugural meet, $100,000 for winners of Grand Slam Track from 2025 while Ultimate Championships will be paying $150,000 to its champions from 2026.
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However, none of this has a full focus on field events and that is what is making Allman disappointed.
"Any focus – especially on women's sports – I think is great. You have to start somewhere to get people interested and tell the stories," Allman told Reuters.
"But I think the beauty of track and field is that 'circus' feeling, that you get to see a little bit of everything, and as soon as you start to fragment it, it definitely changes the perception for people."
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Allman feels field event athletes add an extra spice to the competitions and should be given consideration instead of only offering opportunities to track stars.
"Field eventers, they’re out there for an hour on the competition field, there’s always something going on, there’s interesting dynamics and they’re also people that I think want to compete the most," she added.
"My hope is that these new meets – while exciting – (will) recognize that track and field is a total package."
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Justin Gatlin on why prize-focused meets like Athlos & Grand Slam Track risk warping athletes’ mindsets long-term
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Athlos was a highly successful event that had races in 100m, 100m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m while Grand Slam Track will have those events as well as 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles 3,000m and 5,000m.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championships meanwhile has field events such as; Pole vault, javelin, high jump, long jump, triple jump (women) and hammer (men) throw besides 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 100m/110m hurdles, mixed 4x100m, 400m hurdles and mixed 4x400m but Allman’s discus is among those not included as well as shot put, 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m.
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