XC at the Olympics?

Posted in Dishing the Dirt by Matt Ward on Fri 28 Nov '08

© www.iaaf.org

Bekele - He's a wealthy young man

In a story that first emerged after the Beijing games, the subject of cross-country running at the Olympics has moved one step closer to reality after the IAAF approved the idea at a meeting in Monaco last Friday.

President Lamine Diack has written to the IOC President Jacques Rogge supporting the legendary gang of three’s initiative and the IAAF is awaiting the IOC’s response.

Cross-country has not been seen at the Games since Paris 1924, when 45 degree heat took it’s toll on everyone except the great Paavo Nurmi, and any return could not be ratified in time for the London 2012 games.

© www.beijing2008.com

Nurmi - an Olympic legend

However, the 2016 edition could see the likes of Kenenisa Bekele’s younger brother Tariku, plus the current glut of young East African talent, challenging for gold and would inevitably be a fantastic boost for the sport.

© www.iaaf.org

Not quite as good as his brother, yet...

Reactions so far
  1. Paul Hughes Nov 28, 08:56 AM

    Surely a good thing. Why stop there, mountain running at the winter games?

  2. MST Nov 28, 09:08 AM

    Yep, feasible Paul, runners could wear spikes/fell shoes in a snowy, floodlit, town arena – huge crowds, could be a winner!

Comments closed

Report an offensive post

Latest comments

  • Tony Mollica 08 Feb '12(The light at the end of the tunnel...)

    Great news! Thanks for the …

  • Jason Kehoe 03 Feb '12(ISF launches brand new website)

    Not bad, still a bit …

  • sbrt 01 Feb '12(Weekend racing...)

    Glad you liked the KT …

About MST

Mud, Sweat and Tears was dreamt up some time ago. I had returned to the sport of running (competitively) after around a 15 year layoff due to injury.

Read more…

Blogroll
Alex Vero
Great story. Great film making...
Athletics Weekly
The don dada of running magazines
Fell photos
These shots are top notch emotion
Fell Runner
The FRA's site, still strong...
Get Ultra Running
More long stuff...
I...Run...Far
The very best coverage for all things ultra-trail, and much more!
IAAF
The all-seeing eye
Jonathan Wyatt
The greatest hill runner of our time...
Letsrun.com
New and eeeven better!
NRG - new runners generation
Its off-road running Jim, but not as we know it!
Original Mountain Marathon
Does what its says on the tin
Run Snowdonia
Iain and Sarah Ridgway's excellent mountain running guide service!
Run to the Hills
Jim and Julie Kelly's Snowdonia mountain guide company
Runner's World
The mag for the masses
Running over Mountains and around the World
International blog from Moira O'Sullivan
Running Partners
Find your perfect mate
Sleepmonsters
Dont sleep on this one!
Spikes
If I was a mag, I'd be Spikes mag
Trail Running
Great trail running resource, take a peek
UK Athletics
Track and field, and other stuff
Ultra marathon running
All you need, right here!
Ultra Runner
For those that like it long and hard!
WFRA
Welsh Fell Runners Association
World Mountain Running Association
IAAF's global up hill, down dale, site
Friends & Family
  • After Market logo
  • Block Interactive logo
More Videos

Check out the MST collection:

YouTube