Advertisement

Scrap the Continental Cup!

By Ricardo Chambers

 

Over the weekend I watched the IAAF Continental Cup. I can't say I watched with any great interest, but it was track and field, so I took a look. But all I remember thinking was that this is just one event too many on the international athletics calendar.

Mind you, there is some money on offer, and I am sure especially the lower tier athletes who competed were happy to walk away with a decent pay day, from US$30 thousand for winning, to US$1000 for 8th place.

Yes, some of the world's best athletes were in attendance, but for me too many were not. There just seemed to be something lacking; the television coverage seemed less impressive than what we have become accustomed to from the IAAF, even the commentators, the very best of them from the Diamond League, at-least on the opening day, sounded like a drag. The crowd support in Morocco was also poor, to add to the list of unimpressive things about the meet.

The Continental Cup is a points scoring event among Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Americas, which the Jamaican athletes represent, was held for the second time, and is a revamped version of the IAAF Gold Cup, which back then had powerful nations like the United States and Russia competing as individual teams.

The Gold Cup had a long history, having started in 1977, but I think the IAAF realised it was losing its relevance and appeal, hence the changes.  They have tried to find the right blend, but I don't think they have.

Earlier this year the IAAF staged the World Relays for the first time. With the World Championships, plus the relays, which I think have a lot of potential, the IAAF needs to focus on making those events the best they can be and just do away with the Continental Cup, once and for all.

 


comments powered by Disqus
More Stories
Most Popular
Privy Council to hand down ruling in Vybz...
Privy Council criticised for ignoring some...
Privy Council quashes Vybz Kartel murder...