A group of British runners completed the 455 kilometer challenge from London to Paris to claim the trail running be a Olympic sports.
The initiative, called Trail to Pariswas sponsored by Merrellwhich partnered with four running clubs to run the challenge.
Four athletesone from each club, left the English capital on Thursday, April 11, and took turns completing the distance to the French capital in relays, where they arrived on Sunday, the 14th.
“We are running from London to Paris before the Games to raise awareness that trail running continues to be recognized as an Olympic sport,” he said. Jim Harrisonmember of the running club Just keep going.
“We believe that new Olympic sports should reflect current trends and popularity and believe that the time has come to embrace trail running in future Olympic Games,” he added.
As part of the campaign, Merrell sent a open letter to representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and the Organizing Committee of Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games to demand that trail running be included in its Olympic program.
“Trail running represents a dynamic and challenging discipline that embodies the essence of human athleticism, endurance and connection with nature. We believe its inclusion in the Olympic program will not only enhance the diversity of the Games but will also inspire a new generation of athletes and will reflect a growing global trend in sports,” the text said.
In recent years, trail running has become popular all over the worldwith millions of people participating in races, events and entertainment shows.
Although the process of adding a new sport to the Olympic program is complex and requires careful review by the IOC and its partners, it is not impossible.
Four new sports will be added at Paris 2024 including breakdancing, surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing. In addition, it will be 100 years since cross country was part of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.
“We believe the time has come to welcome trail running as an important addition to the Games, reflecting the changing landscape of global sports and the diverse interests of athletes and spectators around the world,” the letter concluded.
Source: La Verdad
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