New Track & Field Events for the Olympics? Twitter Coaches Weigh In

Now that the 2024 Paris Olympics have concluded, I went in search of something new. What NEW events should we add to the schedule to further excite fans and provide athletes with more opportunities to shine? Recently, I posed this question on Twitter, and the response was incredible. Coaches and track enthusiasts across the platform offered their ideas, ranging from traditional favorites to innovative concepts.

Here's a breakdown of the most popular suggestions:

1. Shuttle Hurdle Relay

There's no surprise the overwhelming favorite among responders was the shuttle hurdle relay. Not only is it a thrilling event that many believe deserves a spot on the Olympic stage, but it's also my absolute personal favorite event! Several coaches were enthusiastic about its inclusion:

• Coach Jones80 (@JustKJ_OK) passionately endorsed the event, suggesting, "Without QUESTION a shuttle hurdle. Maybe a Swedish Relay (1-2-3-4), or SMR (2-2-4-8), DMR (12-4-8-mile)." He highlighted the excitement of watching elite hurdlers compete in this dynamic format, naming several top athletes like Grant Holloway and Devon Allen who could elevate the event.
• Tami Skriver (@TamiSkriver) also mentioned the mixed shuttle hurdle relay, envisioning it alongside the DMR as thrilling additions.
• X/Factor Performance Training (@XFactorPTG) was adamant about the event’s potential, emphasizing its excitement and uniqueness in the relay spectrum. They even suggested a "short track" format added to the Winter Olympics!

The shuttle hurdle relay offers something fresh and different for both fans and athletes. It's a relay race with a twist—requiring both speed and technical hurdling skills. Imagine the excitement of watching teams of hurdlers dart back and forth down the track, hurdling in both directions. Proud of meets like the Drake Relays and Penn Relays who add this to their schedule, and we learned in the Gill Podcast State Meet BONUS series that West Virginia and Iowa have it as part of their high school state meets!

2. Women's Decathlon

Another popular idea was the introduction of a women's decathlon, allowing female athletes to compete in the same ten-event format that men currently do.

• Ken Ciolek (@CoachCiolek) strongly advocated for this, stating that "adding the vault makes it a true combined event." He explained that when DIII switched to the indoor pentathlon to the heptathlon for men the inclusion of pole vault changed the game for the better. He also noted that the heptathlon allows strong hurdlers to dominate without mastering other events like the shot put or javelin, which the decathlon would require.
• Sean Steele (@RSeanSteele) emphasized the need to end the discrimination against women in T&F by allowing them to compete in the decathlon. It's the only track and field event they are currently excluded from.
• Dean Giopulos (@dean1831) also mentioned raising the height of the 100m hurdles for women, as well as advocating for the women's decathlon. He believes it’s time for women to prove they can handle all ten events, just like the men.

3. Mixed Relays

Mixed relays, where men and women compete together, were another popular suggestion. These events blend the best of both worlds and add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to traditional relays.

• Coach Brown (@CallMeSteve___O) humorously suggested a mixed 4x1, quipping that it might give the U.S. men a better chance at medaling.
• Niko Karavolos (@CoachKaravolos) expanded on the idea with a suggestion for a 4x8 or 4x16 mixed relay, noting that this format is a great way to blend the men's and women's events, bringing more excitement to the distance events.

Mixed relays not only add diversity but also challenge teams to balance their roster with the best male and female athletes for each leg of the race. The introduction of mixed events in the 4x400m relay has already proven to be a fan favorite, and expanding this concept further could enhance the Olympic experience.

4. 4x800 Relay

The 4x800 relay, often a crowd favorite in track and field meets, was another top recommendation. Coaches pointed out that it offers a balance of speed and endurance, while being relatively straightforward to organize.

• Jesse Squire (@tracksuperfan) argued that the 4x800 relay would be both entertaining and practical, with the added political benefit that a wide range of nations could compete for gold. He also noted that it's a straight final, which makes it easy to integrate into the schedule.
• Coach Kyle Marc Jones (@TrackCoachJones) included the 4x800 in his top five events to add, emphasizing that it showcases more lesser-known talent while being highly competitive and fun to watch.

5. Other Unique Relays

Several respondents were keen on adding other unique relays, such as the Swedish Relay, Distance Medley Relay (DMR), or Sprint Medley Relay (SMR).

• Coach Sara (@saraaaa_k23) shared that she finds both the SMR and DMR super entertaining, offering more relays and more opportunities for athletes to compete.
• Akil Stokes (@MUSpeedInc) echoed similar sentiments, advocating for more relay events in general, particularly the 4x800, DMR, or SMR, as they offer excitement for the audience and more chances for athletes to compete.

6. Throws Pentathlon

In a sport often dominated by running events, the idea of adding more throwing events gained some traction as well.

• Rachel Andres (@MrsRachelAndres) proposed a Throws Pentathlon, bringing together all the throwing events to showcase the ultimate all-around thrower. She highlighted that it's a unique and brutal test, and it shouldn’t be just for Masters athletes. Rachel noted that, like the decathlon, the infrastructure for these events is already in place, so why not find out who is the ultimate thrower?

7. Raising the Women's Hurdle Heights

While not necessarily a new event, there were multiple calls for the 100m hurdles for women to have a higher barrier.

• Ken Ciolek (@CoachCiolek) expressed that it’s time to increase the height of the hurdles for women. Similarly, Dean Giopulos (@dean1831) pointed out that raising the height of the 100m hurdles would force athletes to truly hurdle, adding an extra level of challenge to the event.

The ideas put forward by the track and field community demonstrate the passion and creativity that drives the sport forward. From relays to combined events, these suggestions offer a glimpse into what could make future Olympic Games even more exciting. Here's hoping that some of these events make their way to the global stage!

Feel free to join the conversation and share your thoughts—what event would you add to the Olympics?

This article is inspired by and based on contributions from Twitter users: @CallMeSteve___O, @CoachCiolek, @eirquinn, @JustKJ_OK, @CoachKaravolos, @TamiSkriver, @TrackCoachJones, @MrsRachelAndres, @saraaaa_k23, @MUSpeedInc, @tracksuperfan, @STEMhasSoul, @XFactorPTG, @DerekLeMay, @GrantOverstake, @aaronmlewis1230, @dean1831, @RSeanSteele, and @WomensDecathlon.