World Athletics President Eyes For Olympic Committee Role

September 18, 2024

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👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Now that the Diamond League is done and dusted, are you worried the track fervor will fizzle out? Well, not anytime soon! Last time, we patted the Kenyans on their backs for their thumping victories in Brussels, while Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith and Jakob Ingebrigsten — for their bold decisions. But today, we bring plotlines to clarify the larger picture.

At the grassroots, we have a major leadership transition in the pipeline— the election of the new International Olympic Committee president! And guess who just entered that race? Hint: it's a familiar face from World Athletics. We then stop to mourn the passing of the track legend Otis Davis, followed by wrapping our heads around the Diamond League payout issues. But what's that for the 18-year-old former NCAA star Christian Miller who just landed a deal with an over $1 billion brand? To unravel these stories,

Let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You have to free your mind to do things you wouldn’t think of doing. Never say no.”

— Carl Lewis

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from the Track & Field universe:

😲 World Athletics President Taking Up New Role?

🫡 Farewell to Track Legend Otis Davis 

💎 Diamond League Sparks Pay Outrage

🕶️ Christian Miller Joins Oakley Elite!

📰 BREAKING NEWS

World Athletics President Eyes For Olympic Committee Role

As Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president prepares to empty his chair after 12 years, 8 contenders line up to claim the turf. Interestingly, one of them is the current World Athletics President— Sebastian Coe. Having officially sent his letter of intent to Bach, Coe reckons himself as the right man for the job, "Olympic sport is fundamental to my DNA," But his selection won't be without roadblocks.

While the presidential age limit casts doubts, hardly anyone has a decorated resume as Coe's. Cancel out notable names like the IOC executive board member Kirsty Coventry or Prince Feisal al Hussein from Jordan too! Not just a double Olympic gold medalist in 1500 meters, Coe has been an elected lawmaker in Britain's parliament, the 2012 London Games' bidding and organizing committee head, the president of World Athletics since 2015, and an IOC member since 2020.

Interestingly, he has a flair for shaking things up too. Be it standing firm by his call to debar Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris tracks, dodging criticism regarding World Athletics' $50,000 prize money for track Olympic medalists, or splitting the Athlete of the Year award into three categories (track, field, and out of stadia) Coe plays with fire more often than not. And now, should he be handed the reigns, he claims, "A laser-like focus on sport must be the priority for the IOC. I believe I can help achieve this and more."

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Have You Ever Watch a Track & Field Event Live?

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Last Poll’s Result: Our last poll results reveal that 70.37% of you are champions of second chances! You voted “No way!” to immediate disqualification for a single false start. Because, let's face it, who doesn’t love seeing athletes bounce back and turn a blunder into brilliance?

 🫡 TRIBUTE TO

Two-Time Olympic Medalist Passes Away At 92

September 14— the track and field community came together to mourn the passing of a towering figure. Oregon's legendary Duck, Otis Davis was no more, and the news of his passing left the world behind in immense grief. 92 years old, he was a 2x Olympic champion from the 1960 Games in Rome, having medaled in 400 meters and the 4x400 meter relay. And for nearly six decades, his feat was unmatched by a fellow Duck. Thus, it's certain that the veteran leaves behind a rich legacy!

Forever commemorated, Davis is one of the 5 Oregon stars depicted on the Hayward Field tower. But to scale to this height, the Alabama native had to weather through life-size storms. Graduating from an all-black school in Tuscaloosa, he served in the Air Force for 4 years before stepping into a new realm. Although he faced initial disappointment, after the University of Alabama closed its doors on his face, as they did not admit black students until 1963, Davis did not stop. Soon welcomed by Oregon, the 26-year-old joined as a freshman who played impeccable basketball.

And imagine: from the court, his foray into track and field happened in Oregon when he noticed a track workout session from his dorm window. Instantly— there was a spark! Thereafter, as he stepped into the 400m territory, there was no stopping this force! From being 7th in the NCAA 400 meter finals in 1959, he climbed up the ranks to win his earliest AAU title in 1960 and bagged his Olympic gold in world record time the same year. And while he did that, he was the first man in history to record a sub-45 time. But now, it's time to say — Rest Easy legend.

📽️ VIDEO VAULT

10-Year-Old Who Became the Fastest Kid In the World

All eyes on lane 4, people! How fast can a 10-year-old run, you reckon? Well, this little speedster will blow your mind out of proportion. A 400m world record is like a casual stroll in the park, he makes it look as easy as a breeze. And what time does the clock read? Dive into the video till the end to find out!

🗣️ DEBATE OF THE DAY

Diamond League Payouts Have Fans Fuming

This is hardly the first time track and field has been criticized for paying athletes like a drop in the bucket. But, the Diamond League truly seems to have rubbed people the wrong way with their sparse payments As fans discussed athlete payouts under a Reddit thread, Julien Alfred's $30,000 prize despite traveling to multiple versions of the 14-storied league before winning the finals in Brussels, seemed inadequate to them. Didn't she earn a total of $50,000 just in Paris — they questioned.

While some pointed to the Diamond League making less revenue and having to keep its ticket prices low, others added how they have been encouraging their kids to go in for alternate sports like baseball, disheartened by the prizes even for track gold medalists. Or else, to mint money, you'd have to be top-notch, perhaps like a Noah or a Sydney. Breaking records and landing deals with sponsors seems the only way to sail through! But the Diamond League per se, has been the cause of disappointment lately. Apparently, Grant Holloway dropped out of Brussels over suspected pay issues and wrote, "Shame that they doing athletes like that..." Carl Lewis on the other hand defined the league to be all about 'lowering athletes' control and pay.'

Looking at the figures, one finds that the lack is glaring. The Grand Slam Track will award $100,000 to its gold winner, while the Athlos NYC is set to chip in $60000 for the same. Whereas, in the Diamond League, the medal awardees in the finals get $30,000, $12,000, and $7000 for the first three spots. While for the regular Diamond League meets, they money further dips to $10,000, $6000, and $3500. Thus fans are firing this shortcoming with, "Not a lot of money for top athletes, eh?"

🎓 NCAA NEWS

18-Year-Old Star Strikes A Deal With Same Brand As Fred Kerley

Many would have thought Christian Miller's 2024 breakthrough would be making it to Paris. But in reality— it's a partnership no one saw coming! Weeks after Miller decided to forego his year of NCAA eligibility at the University of Georgia and turned pro, he has already joined hands with a mega partner— the California-based eyewear brand, Oakley.

While the brand labeled him as the 'future of fast,' it was their 'dedication to produce the best eyewear on the planet' that resonated with his wish to be the best athlete in the world. Do you remember Miller's 9.93-second sprint in April 2024, where he broke the American U-20 men's 100m record? Although he could not sail through the U.S Olympic Trials later, the brand which touched over $1.1 billion in sales as early as 2010, hailed Miller for breaking barriers and records.

Also, this collaboration places Miller in an elite company. You ask how? Back in 2023, It was Fred Kerley who teamed up with Oakley and donned their Team USA Encoder Strike Vented and Team USA Heliostat-styled shades. He was seen rocking the product at the London Diamond League and the World Athletics Championships. Well, it isn't just Kerley but also Kylian Mbappe and Patrick Mahomes who are also associated with the line and have their signature series of shades with the side. And its Miller who now joins the exclusive club!

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

  1. Tara Davis-Woodhall Claps Back at Haters After Achieving History With Husband Hunter - Full Story

  2. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Set to Receive Another Huge Tribute - Full Story

  3. Mondo Duplantis Teamed Up With Another Track Star to Triumph Over Norwegian Sprinter - Full Story

  4. Noah Lyles for Grand Slam Track League Might Require a Lot From Michael Johnson - Full Story

  5. Sha’Carri Richardson’s Poor Diamond League Performance Spurs Reflection on Past Career Fails - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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