This year's World Championship in athletics – indoor and outdoor – will look different than the audience is used to, at least in the long jump and triple jump events as well as the throwing disciplines.
Instead of the eight best athletes after the three initial final rounds getting to make three more throws or jumps, the finals will be decided through a successive elimination.
One who may be affected by the new rules is Maja Åskag.
For me, who is not a given top six or top eight placement, it might actually benefit me, I think. It shouldn't affect the absolute best, they will still be at the top. It will be exciting to see if and how it affects, she says.
"It's liberating"
The new rules mean that twelve finalists get to make three throws or jumps, before the two who are worst off are eliminated. Then, ten finalists get to make a fourth throw or jump before the two worst are eliminated. This continues until six finalists compete in a sixth and final round.
Besides Åskag's events, long jump and triple jump, the new rules also include shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw.
It's something new. It feels like they wanted to change quite a lot just to increase the spectators' interest, says Åskag, who despite the change believes in continuing as usual:
I just think you should go all in and not hold back. Then it's like those who are top ten get a chance they haven't had before, it's liberating and a small relief maybe, she says.
"They get to test"
During the indoor World Championship in China at the end of March, the long jump and triple jump athletes as well as the shot putters will be the first to test the new format.
The big test will come during the World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, 13–21 September, with all affected events. Only then will, for example, discus thrower Vanessa Kamga face the new rules.
I think the indoor season is first, so they get to test a little, and then I'll hear from my national team colleagues. I'll test and see, it's hard to say right now how it will be, she says.
