• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Paralympics

Well done Brussels: Some thoughts on Para athletes in the long jump

Stuart Weirby Stuart Weir
October 6, 2023
0
Well done Brussels: Some thoughts on Para athletes in the long jump

Fleur Jong, photo by IPC.

0 0
0
SHARES
53
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Stuart Weir has covered Para-athletes for RunBlogRun for years now. This is his thoughts on the Van Damme Memorial and the combined LJ competition. 

Well done Brussels

RelatedPosts

Two Amazing Paralympic athletes

Why the Paralympics Matter

In the past, there has been some debate about whether para-athletes should be allowed to compete against non-disabled athletes in mainstream events. It all started with the now disgraced Oscar Pistorius running in the 400 and 4 by 400m relay in the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics.  From memory, I believe he was only allowed to run the first leg of the relay (in lanes) to avoid a possible injury through contact with his blades to another runner.

Paralympic world record holder Alan Davies regularly participates in the GB “able-bodied” national championships in the shot or discus.

Markus Rehm, LJ, photo by IP

When the German athlete Markus Rehm, an amputee jumping with blades, was achieving distances that would win non-disabled long jump competitions, he made a passionate plea to be allowed to compete in World Athletics-sanctioned competitions. 

In 2014, 2015, and 2016, he competed in the German non-disabled Championships and, on each occasion, did well enough to qualify for the European/Worlds/Olympics but was not selected.  The argument was that his blade gave him an unfair advantage as it was more springy and longer than his natural leg. Rehm accepted this but argued that his disability meant that he could not run as fast or as balanced as an “able-bodied” athlete, meaning that the potential advantage of one was canceled out by the other. He also told me that he felt it unfair that the IAAF (World Athletics) put the onus on him to prove that he had no advantage rather than on them to prove that he did.

Markus Rehm, photo by IPC

Rehm wanted to compete in Diamond Leagues – even if excluded from DL points and prize money, just for the experience of competing against people jumping the same distance as himself, which he did not get in para-athletics events.  In Brussels 2023, the meet organizers did just that, including Fleur Jong (Netherlands) in the women’s long jump field. Fleur is a double amputee, jumping off blades. She achieved 6.74 and second place.

Fleur Jong, photo by IPC

She said of the experience: “In June, I already jumped a para WR, but Brussels was a special competition for me. We almost never had the chance to compete as paralympic athletes in the same field as the athletes who compete in the Diamond Leagues, so I worked hard to be at my best here. It is a great example for young athletes and the whole world. We are definitely capable of competing with them. It gave me an incredible boost to have four world-class athletes around me. That was a big challenge for me. In the call room, I introduced myself to the whole field because I was not sure they would know who I was. 6.74 was a huge jump for me. But I could not be any happier with my season”.

I loved the way she had confidence in her ability but was nervous about the social aspects, that no one would know her. 

Fleur Jong, photo by IPC

In the third round, Fleur jumped 6.74 – to equal Ivana Vuleta’s winning distance. That the competition was decided on second-best jumps and that Fleur finished a clear second must have been very satisfying for her. It also raises the question of why other para-athletes are not included in Diamond League events when they are good enough. 

Author

  • Stuart Weir

    Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

    View all posts
Previous Post

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 4, Day 5… Friday is recovery day

Next Post

Coffee with Larry, Some Thoughts on Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

Stuart Weir

Stuart Weir

Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

Similar Post

Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 16, 2025
Diamond League Stockholm
Uncategorized

Diamond League Stockholm

June 16, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 15, Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon, 2:14.28 (1964),  by Walt Murphy News and Results Services
Athletic History

This Day In Track & Field, June 15, Jack Lovelock wins Mile of Century in front of 35,000 fans at Princeton (1935), Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon (1963), written by Walt Murphy

June 16, 2025
2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 6, 2025, week 12, day 5, Friday is easy in final sharpening, slow down prior to Summer Mileage!
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 15, 2025, week 13, day 7, Second week of sharpening, Second week, transition from track to cross country.

June 16, 2025
The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell, Working on the Little Imperfections, (from the Archives, January 6, 2008)
Athletics history

This Day in Track & Field, June 14, Morgan Taylor sets WR at 400m hurdles (1924), Asafa Powell breaks WR (1997), HJ showdown at adidas Track Classic (2014)! by Walt Murphy

June 15, 2025
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

Morning after Thoughts on Bislett

June 15, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 16, 2025
Diamond League Stockholm

Diamond League Stockholm

June 16, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 15, Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon, 2:14.28 (1964),  by Walt Murphy News and Results Services

This Day In Track & Field, June 15, Jack Lovelock wins Mile of Century in front of 35,000 fans at Princeton (1935), Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon (1963), written by Walt Murphy

June 16, 2025
2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 6, 2025, week 12, day 5, Friday is easy in final sharpening, slow down prior to Summer Mileage!

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 15, 2025, week 13, day 7, Second week of sharpening, Second week, transition from track to cross country.

June 16, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Morning after Thoughts on Bislett
Diamond League

Oslo Bislett Games Bislett Stadion, Oslo (NOR), 11-12 June 2025

June 16, 2025
Diamond League Stockholm
Uncategorized

Diamond League Stockholm

June 16, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 15, Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon, 2:14.28 (1964),  by Walt Murphy News and Results Services
Athletic History

This Day In Track & Field, June 15, Jack Lovelock wins Mile of Century in front of 35,000 fans at Princeton (1935), Buddy Edelen sets WR in Marathon (1963), written by Walt Murphy

June 16, 2025
2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 6, 2025, week 12, day 5, Friday is easy in final sharpening, slow down prior to Summer Mileage!
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 15, 2025, week 13, day 7, Second week of sharpening, Second week, transition from track to cross country.

June 16, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post
Coffee with Larry, Some Thoughts on Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

Coffee with Larry, Some Thoughts on Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved