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On the other side of the track, a dedicated 'Q Room' is set up for sprinters and hurdlers. A place where athletes can view ongoing races, relax, and even interact with their coaches.
Budapest is buzzing with anticipation as the World Athletics Championships are set to unfold from 19th to 27th August.
The event, always a showstopper in the athletics calendar, promises to be even more engaging this year, thanks to the introduction of new rules and event presentation changes that aim to elevate the experiences of both athletes and fans.
Lane Draws Reimagined
The lane draws for track events have undergone a significant shift, especially for the sprints.
Previously, for the 100m, the top four ranked sprinters were drawn in lanes 3,4,5 and 6. The next two ranked will be drawn in lane seven and eight, with the last ranked drawing from lane 1 and 2.
The new format will see a similar draw for the top ranked athletes taking lanes 3,4,5 and 6. The next ranked will draw either lane 2 or 7, with the last ranked drawing lane 1 and 8.
For the 200m, the top three ranked athletes will take up lanes 5,6 and 7. The next ranked will take up lanes 3,4 and 8. Then the last ranked will take up lanes 1 and 2.
For the 400m, the top ranked athletes will take up lanes 4,5,6 and 7. The next ranked will take up lanes 4 and 7 with the last ranked taking lanes 1 and 2.
Historically, for the 100m, the top four ranked sprinters were comfortably seated in lanes 3 to 6. But the new arrangement tweaks this, pushing the subsequent rank to lanes 2 or 7.
A similar reshuffling is noticeable in the 200m and 400m races, creating a renewed sense of anticipation among fans and offering athletes a fresh competitive landscape.
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Qualification Revamp for Middle-distance Races
Middle-distance races have long been a subject of debate, especially when athletes qualify by time.
The primary concern has been the apparent disadvantage athletes in the first heats face compared to those in subsequent heats. In response to this, the Championships will now base qualifications for the 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, and 5000m on positions rather than time.
However, the number of athletes qualifying for the finals in these races will remain the same.
Particularly exciting is the participation of Uganda's own stars, Joshua Cheptegei in the men's 5000m and Prisca Chesang in the women's category.
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Athlete Replacement: Ensuring Every Lane is Filled
In a move to optimize competition and keep viewers on the edge of their seats, any lane or starting position left vacant due to an athlete's withdrawal will now be filled by the subsequent best-ranked athlete.
This novel change spans across all disciplines, from finals to semifinals, ensuring that every race is as competitive as possible.
The Intriguing 'Q Room' Experience
The introduction of the 'Q Room' marks an innovative approach to athlete relaxation and viewer engagement.
Specifically designed for sprinters, hurdlers, and 800m participants, this room provides a space for non-automatic qualifiers to ascertain if they've advanced.
With comfortable seating, TV screens for race viewing, essential relaxation tools, and even a setup for fans to watch athletes' reactions, the 'Q Room' promises to be a focal point of behind-the-scenes action.
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Running Under Protest: Transparency in Starting
Athletes have previously been allowed to run under protest if a start referee had doubts over the validity of a false start charge, but not if the false start was indicated by a World Athletics certified start information system.
When the reaction time is close to the allowed limit (0.100), any movement may hardly be visible. Now in cases such as these, if the start referee feels the start in question requires further study, the referee may allow the athlete to run under protest.
For any run under protest, a final decision is taken by the referee and in turn subject to an appeal to the jury.
Athletes will not be able to run under protest if the false start has been detected by a fully operational start information system or in cases where the false start is clearly visible.
The start referee will announce relevant decisions to the stadium spectators and the television audience.
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Empowering Throwers: Use Your Implements
Throwers at the Championships will welcome the change that allows them to use their own implements, even if the same models are provided by the organizers. This ensures that athletes are comfortable with their equipment, potentially leading to even more impressive throws.
As Budapest gears up for the Championships, these changes, inspired by feedback from athletes and coaches, signify a new chapter in the world of athletics.
With enhanced competition structures and a keen focus on athlete and viewer experience, the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 is poised to be an unforgettable event.
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