World Athletics to introduce 200m-1,500m repechage rounds at 2024 Olympics

DPARepechage rounds will be introduced in track events between 200 and 1,500 metres at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the ruling body World Athletics said on Monday.A statement said that the repechage rounds will replace qualification via fastest times for the semi-finals for athletes who don’t advance via their placing.The new format will be used in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 100m/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the Paris Games which now have four rounds: first round, repechage, semi-finals, final.It is not used in the 100m which already has four rounds because of a preliminary round before the first round. It is also not used in the 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m because athletes won’t have enough recovery time between rounds."We believe this is an innovation which will make progression in these events more straightforward for athletes and will build anticipation for fans and broadcasters,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said."The repechage rounds will give more exposure to our sport during the peak Olympic period and will be carefully scheduled to ensure that every event on our Olympic programme retains its share of the spotlight.” The statement said that the final regulations and timetable will be announced "well in advance” of the Paris Olympics.Budapest entry standardsThe Council also approved entry standards for the 10,000m, marathon, combined events and race walk at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, which will be held 19-27 August next year.The entry standards are projected to provide 50% of the quota in each event and were determined by statistical analysis of recent years´ performance levels. The remaining quota in each event will qualify either through world rankings, finishing position at designated competitions or by wild card.10,000mIt is possible to qualify for the 10,000m through a 10km performance, and for world ranking purposes, the 10km road event is considered equal to the 10,000m.MarathonThe top five finishers at the Platinum Label marathons held during the qualification period and the winners of the Gold Label marathons held in 2023 are all considered qualified in the marathon.