Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian track star, recently attempted the Copenhagen Half Marathon, finishing 34th with a time of 63 minutes, 13 seconds. Despite his impressive track record, Ingebrigtsen found the half-marathon distance challenging, admitting that he had to stop twice along the route.
Ingebrigtsen’s participation in the race was part of a growing trend in athletics to increase its glamour and appeal to a wider audience. World Athletics has introduced a $50,000 bonus for gold medalists at the Paris Olympics, and athletes like Mondo Duplantis and Karsten Warholm have participated in unconventional events like the “100m to settle it all.”
In India, however, track and field events have often been held in empty stadiums. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) missed an opportunity to capitalize on Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold medal by not organizing an invitational javelin competition.
As India considers bidding for the 2036 Olympics, it is crucial to prioritize fan-friendly competitions. A crowd-engaged meet can create a memorable experience and inspire future generations of athletes.
