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New Long Jump "Take Off Zone" Trialed at Duesseldorf Meet, Mihambo Wins

Posted : 10 February 2025

A new long jump 'take off zone' was trialed at the indoor athletics meet in Duesseldorf on Sunday, marking a potential shift in the sport's traditional approach. The change replaces the familiar board line behind which jumps must be made, with a 40-centimeter "take off zone" from which the distance will be measured using cameras. This adjustment aims to minimize invalid jumps, enhancing accuracy and fairness in the competition.

 

Malaika Mihambo, Germany's 2020 Olympic gold medallist, claimed victory in the event with a 6.87-meter jump, continuing her perfect start to the year with three wins in as many appearances. Reflecting on the new system, Mihambo found it "interesting" and "exciting," though she noted there were areas that could be refined. Despite the changes, her performance in the 'take off zone' was significantly better than her traditional 6.39-meter jump, which included four invalid attempts.

 

Mihambo, who had previously achieved a 7.07-meter jump under standard conditions in Karlsruhe, admitted she was "simply very tired" for the Duesseldorf meet. The results at this trial event have sparked curiosity about whether World Athletics will adopt this new system at major global competitions, such as the Olympics.

 

 President Sebastian Coe has voiced support for the reform, emphasizing that the sport must evolve to keep spectators engaged, particularly since a third of jumps were invalid at the 2023 World Championships.

 

While the proposed change has received support, it has also faced criticism. Legendary American long jumper Carl Lewis, who won gold in four consecutive Olympics, dismissed the reform as an "April fools joke" and argued that it would eliminate the most difficult aspect of the event.

 

 Despite differing opinions, the trial in Duesseldorf marks a significant step in the ongoing discussion about the future of long jump competitions.

 

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