New Olympic repechage track format proves more harmful than helpful

The repechage rounds are the latest experiment in the athletics program at the Paris 2024 Olympics, offering a second chance for athletes to qualify for the semi-finals if they did not secure an automatic qualifying spot in the initial round. While this new system has been beneficial for athletes seeking to gain Olympic experience, it has arguably done more harm than good for 99 per cent of the competitors.

So far, only two athletes—American 110m hurdler Freddie Crittenden and Spanish 1,500m runner Agueda Marques—have advanced to the finals after qualifying for their event’s semi-final through the repechage round. Does this low success rate indicate the repechage’s ineffectiveness?

The previous format advanced the top athletes in each heat (Q) and the next-fastest times (q) from all heats combined (the exact number varying by event). The new format has completely eliminated the “little q” spots, instead requiring all athletes without a big Q to run an additional race, where they must once again compete for the top spots.

For some athletes, reaching an Olympic semi-final was their main goal, but this extra race leaves their legs more fatigued than those of their competitors, making it harder to progress through the later rounds. The little-q spot was valuable for athletes placed in a fast heat; while others in their heat might secure the Q spots, they could still advance based on time. Without the little q, athletes expected to make the semi-final, at the very least, face a much tougher challenge if placed in a stacked heat.

For example, at Tokyo 2020, Canadian 1,500m runner Lucia Stafford made it through to the semi-finals with a little q spot in the first round. This year, Stafford’s time in the first round would’ve gotten her an automatically-qualifying spot in any other heat, except for her own. “I would’ve made it in [to the semis] with a little q without the [repechage] rounds,” she says. Despite the frustration of being sent to run a whole extra 1,500m, Stafford tried to view the new system positively. “It’s nice that people get another chance to come out and represent their country.” (Stafford did not advance from the repechage to the semi-final.)

Her teammate, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, also appreciated the second chance. “I didn’t like the format at first, but I was one of the few guys to get a second chance. I’m thankful I got to race three times–not going to complain,” he says. (Philibert-Thiboutot advanced to the semi-final through the repechage round, but did not make the final.)

U.S. 800m runner Brandon Miller had mixed feelings about the new repechage format. “When I didn’t make it through the heats, I was given a second chance—I needed that. I can’t be mad at it,” Miller said. However, after advancing to the semi-final, he realized he had an additional race in his legs, compared to most of his competitors. “It’s tough to come here expecting to run three days and then have to run four. But those were the cards I was dealt, so I have to play them.”

Crittenden’s Olympic repechage experience in the men’s 110m hurdles was a little different. Nursing a strain, he purposely jogged his heat, knowing he would have another opportunity to advance against easier competition in the repechage round two days later. Many fans criticized Crittenden’s approach, arguing that the repechage rounds aren’t intended for this purpose (to give strong athletes an additional chance to advance). Others saw Crittenden’s strategy as smart, recognizing it as a calculated tactic. By playing the system to his advantage, he avoided aggravating his injury, faced easier competition and conserved energy for the next round.

World Athletics has not yet adopted the repechage system for its biennial World Athletics Championships, but its introduction at the Paris Olympics was intended to build anticipation for fans and broadcasters, sell more tickets and ultimately increase revenue. No decision has been made by World Athletics or the International Olympic Committee on whether the repechage system will be kept for the L.A. 2028 Games. However, with daily sold-out sessions at the Stade de France, it may be here to stay. Athletes might just have to figure out how to navigate them better.

Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and ASICS Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.