The Hidden World of Professional Track and Field: Beyond the Olympic Spotlight

Track and field is one of the most watched and celebrated events during the Olympics, but once the Games are over, the attention fades. As the professional track and field season nears its end, a curious reality comes to light: many people don’t even realize the sport exists outside of the Olympics. In this article, we’ll explore why track and field deserves recognition beyond the Games and why the sport faces a serious visibility problem.

The Olympics: A Spotlight on Track and Field

When the Olympics come around, track and field is a fan favorite. We witnessed that enthusiasm during the recent Games in Paris, which featured some incredible performances. For instance, Noah Lyles won the 100-meter dash by a mere 0.005 seconds, and Julien Alfred made history by bringing home two Olympic medals for St. Lucia. Germany came close to winning the women’s 4x100 relay, only for Sha’Carri Richardson to stop them in their tracks. Quincy Hall’s unforgettable performance in the 400 meters will be remembered as one of the gutsiest displays of athleticism, not just in track but across the entire Olympic stage.

However, once the Olympic flame goes out, interest in track and field vanishes, at least for the next four years. This reality poses a major challenge for the athletes who compete professionally year-round.

A Star Like Noah Lyles: Unnoticed Until the Olympics 

If you’ve seen interviews with Noah Lyles, the world’s fastest man and Olympic gold medalist, you’ve likely heard him express frustration about the sport’s lack of attention. Whether on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon or “Nightcap” with Shannon Sharpe, Lyles reiterates the same point: “Track and field athletes are not paid attention to.”

This can be understood in two ways: people aren’t watching the sport, and therefore, these athletes aren’t getting paid what they deserve. Even someone like Lyles, the fastest man in the world, struggles to maintain public interest outside of Olympic years.

But this issue goes beyond Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, or any individual athlete. The broader problem is that track and field is seen as just an “Olympic sport,” when in reality, it’s so much more than that.

The Reality of Professional Track and Field 

Many athletes who competed in Paris had been racing all year long. The Olympics were just one event on a packed calendar, yet only that one race received any mainstream attention. In almost every case, those earlier races were contested by professional athletes. The track and field community must confront a harsh reality: this sport isn’t only about the Olympics. It’s a professional endeavor, but the wider sports community seems to pay no attention outside the Games.

Track and field finds itself in a strange middle ground. It’s not like soccer or basketball, where fans can watch professional leagues year-round, and it’s not like lesser-known Olympic sports (e.g., skeet shooting or trampoline) that few watch even during the Games. Instead, track and field thrives on the Olympic stage but struggles to maintain visibility outside of it.

Grouping Olympic Sports: Where Does Track and Field Fit?

Olympic sports can be divided into three categories. The first group consists of sports that exist professionally and have large followings beyond the Olympics, such as soccer and basketball. For these athletes, the Olympic medal is a nice addition to their careers, but it doesn’t define them. Their professional success comes first.

The second group is the opposite: sports that receive almost no attention, even during the Games. Sports like canoe slalom or weightlifting are rarely watched, and their athletes are often less focused on professional careers in these disciplines.

Track and field falls into the third category, along with swimming and gymnastics. These are popular Olympic sports that people love to watch during the Games but don’t follow much outside of them. Yet, athletes in these sports dedicate their entire lives to their craft. For example, Quincy Hall, though just 16, has been running track since childhood, winning national titles long before he reached the Olympics.

Professional Track Athletes: The Struggles Beyond the Podium

Take Sha’Carri Richardson, who was the favorite to win the 100-meter dash in Paris. While she didn’t win, she went on to compete against Julien Alfred in Switzerland just weeks later. Hardly anyone noticed. This lack of visibility isn’t because the competition was any less fierce. The problem lies in how the sport is marketed and consumed. 

The comparison to the NBA offers a clear lesson. The NBA wasn’t always as popular as it is today. In the 1970s, NBA Finals games were aired on tape delay. But under David Stern’s leadership, the NBA globalized and packaged itself as a product that fans could engage with year-round. The league succeeded by promoting not just its stars but the game itself.

Track and field lacks a similar infrastructure. Many athletes, like hurdler CJ Allen and 110-meter hurdler Freddie Crittenden, work full-time jobs while competing at the professional level. These athletes have reached the Olympics, yet the financial rewards are minimal unless they win major championships. The sport can be lucrative for a few stars like Lyles and Richardson, but for most, the professional track circuit is a grind with little reward.

The Future of Track and Field: Time for a Change

Track and field is at a crossroads. There is undeniable proof that people enjoy watching the sport during the Olympics. The challenge now is how to maintain that interest during the years in between. If the sport continues on its current trajectory, it risks becoming irrelevant except for a few weeks every four years.

Pro track and field deserves more visibility, more investment, and better infrastructure. The athletes are world-class, the performances are thrilling, and the competition is fierce. Now, it’s time for the sport’s leadership to step up and give the athletes—and the fans—the year-round excitement they deserve.

The next three years leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are critical. The sport has an opportunity to build on the momentum from Paris and ensure that the world doesn’t have to wait four years to care about track and field. Let’s hope the powers that be are paying attention.

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