Michael wants to have more consistent points throughout the season where we see the best compete. It is about trying to evolve the sport. His plan is a little controversial because it is just track events and I would love to see that developed in the future because certain field events are incredible too, but what he is trying to create is a great idea for the sport.
We need to have more high-profile events. Athletics drums up all the excitement around the Olympics and then the next big event is not until the World Championships in September next year. It is good to have touch points throughout the season where the great athletes race and big rivalries happen so the sport is more present in the public eye.
Lots of things are starting to happen now to grow athletics – the documentary on Netflix, Michael’s series… The sport has realised it needs to do more to celebrate the amazing athletes who are doing incredible things on the track. It is about trying to evolve the sport in a positive way and get more eyes on it, new fans, and that is really good.
Looking at GB’s performances in Paris, we got the most medals in athletics since 1984 with 10. That is amazing. A lot of money and energy and time has been put into the relays and they all brought back medals.
It was brilliant to see Katarina Johnson-Thompson finally get an Olympic medal. She has been on such a journey, especially at Olympic level. She has spoken about the disappointments she has had at the Games and there was a worry that would become something she could not get past, but her performances were so good across all the events.
It was her fourth Olympics and she is still doing personal bests. She is so competitive and technically strong, going up against Nafi Thiam, and she was so close to gold.
