Exclusive
Over the years, in every sport, we have seen rule changes. For example, the offside rule, established by the newly formed Football Association (FA) in 1863, initially dictated that a player would be considered offside unless three opponents were ahead. However, this regulation underwent a modification in 1925, reducing the required number of opposing players in front from three to two. The fielding restrictions in limited overs cricket (ODI) was first introduced during the 1980-81 season in Australia. There has been a rule in One Day International (ODI) cricket since 1992 that was officially renamed as Powerplay by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2005. This is one of the most crucial changes in modern day cricket. Likewise, in all sport, rules are being tweaked for betterment of the sport and also keeping in mind commercialisation (TV viewership).
In a meeting recently, World Athletics discussed with top long jumpers an improvisation. It is believed to increase the viewership of the sport. India’s ace jumper, Murali Sreeshankar, along with other top jumpers like Jazmin Sawyers, Will Claye, Henry Frayne and others, were given an opportunity in the meeting to express their views on the decision. In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, Sreeshankar opened up.
Everybody is aware of the 20 cm wide takeoff line in long jump, and touching the line results in a foul jump. To eliminate the foul jump, World Athletics wants to remove the foul line and introduce a take-off zone. The players will take off from the zone and the distance will be calculated from tip of the foot. “The aim of this meeting was to improvise the game in such a way that it attracts more audience”, said Murali.
Making a flawless jump is the most important aspect of the sport. A jumper might be the fastest sprinter but the effort will be ruined if the take-off is foul. Making a perfect jump is the skill of the jumper that is an integral part of the sport. “I told them that having a foul in an event like long jump will have an uncertainty to the sport and that will add to the excitement of it”, said the jumper from Kerala.
Sreeshankar added: “In a sport like long jump you can do two things. Either you make it or you foul. So, if an athlete is having a jump in the last round and he or she needs a big one and we know that the athlete has the ability but we’re not sure whether he/she can get a valid jump.”
He explained with an example from the World Championships in Budapest, that the jump worthy of a medal was not valid. “Tajay Gayle of Jamaica had a jump of 8.90 but was fouled by 14 cm. We knew that he would make that jump but we were not sure whether he will make a valid jump. So that adds to the excitement level. So, if they want to make the sport more interesting, then taking away the most important skill of the game is not making any sense.”
Is this the right way of commercialising and popularising the game? “Of course, I don’t think this is the right way of doing it. In NBA, this year they introduced an in-season tournament to bring in more audience and commercialise the sport without actually affecting the novelty of the sport.”
When you are taking off for a jump, does this thought of not committing a foul do rounds in your head? “Yes! That’s the most important skill of being a long jumper. Long jump is all about skill and being precise. Not everyone who can run fast can become a long jumper. It’s all about rhythm.”
The take-off zone is being implemented by World Athletics in the lower-level age category and grassroots. In the coming days, they will introduce it in the lower-level competitions. Opinions of the elite jumpers are being recorded and if the collective consent is achieved and all other parameters are ticked, it might be implemented from 2026 at the international level.
To end with a quote from Sreeshankar: “The point of this take-off zone is to rule out the fouls in the jump. One-thirds of the jumps in the World Championships were fouls. Carl Lewis has won four Olympics in a row because he was so precise with his jumps.”
The Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist is one of India’s brightest athletes at the moment and will be participating in the Shanghai Diamond League, starting on April 27 in Suzhou. He will also take part in the Doha Diamond Leagu and also the inter-state tournaments as preparation for the Paris Olympics. Murali will be a star to watch out for from the Indian contingent in Paris 2024.
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