Jazmin Sawyers Critiques Michael Johnson's Athletics Plan

Long jumper Jazmin Sawyers, who is commentating for the BBC during the Olympic Games in Paris, has expressed her disagreement with Michael Johnson's plans to "revolutionise athletics." Johnson's proposal notably excludes field events, a decision Sawyers deems a significant oversight. She argues that the sport of athletics encompasses both track and field, and excluding field events undermines the sport's integrity and appeal. "If you care about the sport, it makes sense to bring the whole sport with you," she stated. Sawyers is eager to engage Johnson in a discussion about his vision, suggesting that a debate on the BBC's Olympic coverage could be beneficial. She believes that including field events would attract more star athletes, as sprinters often hesitate to commit to competitions. "You’ll get bigger stars if you include field," she noted, emphasizing the importance of field events in maintaining the sport's allure. Highlighting the crowd's engagement during significant field performances, Sawyers argues that these events are crucial to the overall excitement of athletics. She believes that the diversity of events in athletics caters to a wide audience, making it one of the most inclusive sports at the Olympics. "You can find an event for almost every body in athletics," she remarked, warning that removing field events would diminish this inclusivity. Despite her injury preventing her from competing, Sawyers remains optimistic about the future of athletics and hopes to influence Johnson's perspective on the importance of field events in his proposed league.