Colombia's Restrepo aims to etch his name in history by taking on the role of World Athletics' leader
In the bustling city of Tokyo, on the sidelines of the world athletics championships, Sara Perez Restrepo, a bronze medallist from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, made a significant announcement. She expressed her intention to run for the presidency of the World Athletics Federation, joining two other candidates, young Jamaican Bryan Levell and Paris Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo from Botswana.
Restrepo, the first vice-president of track and field's global body, expressed her motivation to run for presidency and the need to start working towards it. She also mentioned her interest in the new event, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, as a potential solution to entice new followers to athletics.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled for next year in Budapest, is expected to be a thrilling three-day event featuring "the best in the world." This international competition is designed as an alternative to the global championships held in odd years, aiming to provide a platform for athletes when there is no world championship.
One of the key features of the Ultimate Championship is the reduced wear and tear on athletes compared to the world championships. Athletes will not have to go through as many rounds, ensuring their well-being and maintaining their competitive edge. Additionally, the prize money for the Ultimate Championship is expected to be bigger than that of the world championships, making it an attractive proposition for athletes.
However, the financial problems of the Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track circuit, which reportedly owes millions of dollars in prize money to athletes, add extra pressure to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Restrepo, aware of the challenges, believes the Ultimate Championship will attract new fans to athletics, helping to offset any financial issues.
The Ultimate Championship will not have a limit on the number of representatives per country, providing an opportunity for countries to field their strongest teams. This, along with the reduced rounds and increased prize money, makes the Ultimate Championship an exciting prospect for athletes and fans alike.
Seb Coe, the current head of the Olympics' number one sport, can serve out his third and final term as president due to Kirsty Coventry winning the International Olympic Committee presidency. Coe, like Restrepo, sees the Ultimate Championship as a means to attract new followers to athletics, further cementing its place in the sporting calendar.
As the race for the World Athletics presidency heats up, Restrepo faces strong competition from Levell and Tebogo. However, her experience, passion, and vision for the sport make her a formidable contender. The world of athletics eagerly awaits the outcome of this exciting election.
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