UK Athletics reversed the decision and combined events are back on the schedule. Thank you for pushing this across the finish line.
December 21, 2023
Final supporters
What has happened?
We are expressing our concern and discontent over the complete removal of Combined Events from the 2024 UK Athletics Championships. This exclusion denies athletes in this category the opportunity to compete for a UK medal. Furthermore, combined events athletes have been consistently subjected to mistreatment by UK Athletics (UKA).
In 2023:
- Lack of prior notification about the removal of combined events from the main UK Championships 2023.
- Absence of an explanation for this decision, hindering our ability to respond effectively.
- A last-minute substitute event with inadequate advertising, promotion, and preparation time.
- Spectators forced to leave the indoor event prematurely, affecting performances.
- Unfair blame on athletes for poor outcomes, disregarding the adverse circumstances.
This uncertainty disrupts our training preparation and ability to perform, especially considering the limited opportunities we have to compete each year.
What do we want?
We call for:
- Acknowledgment from UKA that the treatment of combined events athletes has been disrespectful.
- Commitment to include combined events in the UK Championships in 2024 or host an appropriate alternative event with equal planning and promotion.
- Clear and transparent qualification standards for combined events.
Why should you care and support us?
- Unique mistreatment: Combined events are the only discipline treated in this manner.
- Rich history and talent: With athletes like KJT, Jessica Ennis, Daley Thompson, and others, combined events boast a history of excellence, especially on the women’s side. These athletes are some of the biggest household names in the UK for athletics and are huge adverts for the sport!
- Consistent success: Over recent decades, combined events have secured medals more consistently than any other individual discipline; four of the last eight heptathlon world championships have been won by British athletes.
- Contribution to the GB team: Many current GB team members began as combined eventers before specializing (e.g., Jazmin Sawyers, Morgan Lake).
- Limited opportunities: Multi-event athletes have few chances to compete, making each opportunity crucial for development.
- Development pathway: Recognizing the importance of a clear development pathway for combined events to ensure sustained excellence.
By signing this petition, you support the inclusion of combined events in the UK Athletics Championships and advocate for fair treatment and recognition of the discipline's importance in the athletic community.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
November 19, 2023
November 18, 2023
We are approaching five hundred signatures. Keep the momentum moving so we can demand real answers from UK Athletics.
November 18, 2023
Constant emails to UKA are being met with silence. We remain focused on getting a formal response regardless.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2023
November 15, 2023
Hitting 100 signatures creates immediate pressure on UK Athletics. Keep moving this forward.
153 Comments
Brittish Athletics are killing combined events with this decision. I can’t stand another year of Gabby Logan asking why there aren’t more multi eventers coming through. You know why, make a change.
Please give Athletes competition to strive for, I am a Club Captain of Junior athletics 3 to 14 year olds if these events start to be removed what do our all rounders work towards? Another sport rather than Athletics would be my guess.
I whole heartedly agree with this petition. The heptathlon in particular has provided GB&NI with a consistent stream of medals over the last few decades at various, Olympics, world's, euros, commonwealth, indoor and out, its probably been the most consistent event for us over the last 20 years or so.
Being a Masters multi eventer I'm right behind you! This year we had no Masters Pentathlon or Decathlon. You train hard and put in the work, with no National comp. at the end of it! What will Be Next! Good Luck. MWJ.
Leaving out combined events from major champs not only is discouraging for up and coming multi eventers but it is damaging to the senior athletes who deserve the same opportunities as individual event athletes at competing for national medals.
Why is this happening ?
It's disappointing to see the lack of representation on an international level in multi-sports, especially in Decathlon. Without inclusion at a national level, these sports will fizzle out in the UK. These events need to have equal status to inspire young athletes. It might also encourage field event representation which is also disappointing on an international level. Which such a rich heritage in UK multi-eventing, it requires the necessary and essential support of British athletics to continue and nurture talent within the country. These individuals are really the ultimate all-round athletes and should be given the necessary coverage and status. British athletics should be more than just supporting a handful of track athletes, especially middle-distance, widen the scope and interest of both competitors and the general public. Athletics is actually track and field.
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UK Athletics reversed the decision and combined events are back on the schedule. Thank you for pushing this across the finish line.
December 21, 2023
Final supporters
What has happened?
We are expressing our concern and discontent over the complete removal of Combined Events from the 2024 UK Athletics Championships. This exclusion denies athletes in this category the opportunity to compete for a UK medal. Furthermore, combined events athletes have been consistently subjected to mistreatment by UK Athletics (UKA).
In 2023:
- Lack of prior notification about the removal of combined events from the main UK Championships 2023.
- Absence of an explanation for this decision, hindering our ability to respond effectively.
- A last-minute substitute event with inadequate advertising, promotion, and preparation time.
- Spectators forced to leave the indoor event prematurely, affecting performances.
- Unfair blame on athletes for poor outcomes, disregarding the adverse circumstances.
This uncertainty disrupts our training preparation and ability to perform, especially considering the limited opportunities we have to compete each year.
What do we want?
We call for:
- Acknowledgment from UKA that the treatment of combined events athletes has been disrespectful.
- Commitment to include combined events in the UK Championships in 2024 or host an appropriate alternative event with equal planning and promotion.
- Clear and transparent qualification standards for combined events.
Why should you care and support us?
- Unique mistreatment: Combined events are the only discipline treated in this manner.
- Rich history and talent: With athletes like KJT, Jessica Ennis, Daley Thompson, and others, combined events boast a history of excellence, especially on the women’s side. These athletes are some of the biggest household names in the UK for athletics and are huge adverts for the sport!
- Consistent success: Over recent decades, combined events have secured medals more consistently than any other individual discipline; four of the last eight heptathlon world championships have been won by British athletes.
- Contribution to the GB team: Many current GB team members began as combined eventers before specializing (e.g., Jazmin Sawyers, Morgan Lake).
- Limited opportunities: Multi-event athletes have few chances to compete, making each opportunity crucial for development.
- Development pathway: Recognizing the importance of a clear development pathway for combined events to ensure sustained excellence.
By signing this petition, you support the inclusion of combined events in the UK Athletics Championships and advocate for fair treatment and recognition of the discipline's importance in the athletic community.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
November 19, 2023
November 18, 2023
We are approaching five hundred signatures. Keep the momentum moving so we can demand real answers from UK Athletics.
November 18, 2023
Constant emails to UKA are being met with silence. We remain focused on getting a formal response regardless.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2023
November 15, 2023
Hitting 100 signatures creates immediate pressure on UK Athletics. Keep moving this forward.
153 Comments
The success of competitions such as Gotzis, Multistars etc should be used as a template to not only enhance UK combined events but to generate revenue unlike loss making London diamond league meets
Brittish Athletics are killing combined events with this decision. I can’t stand another year of Gabby Logan asking why there aren’t more multi eventers coming through. You know why, make a change.
Please give Athletes competition to strive for, I am a Club Captain of Junior athletics 3 to 14 year olds if these events start to be removed what do our all rounders work towards? Another sport rather than Athletics would be my guess.
I whole heartedly agree with this petition. The heptathlon in particular has provided GB&NI with a consistent stream of medals over the last few decades at various, Olympics, world's, euros, commonwealth, indoor and out, its probably been the most consistent event for us over the last 20 years or so.
Being a Masters multi eventer I'm right behind you! This year we had no Masters Pentathlon or Decathlon. You train hard and put in the work, with no National comp. at the end of it! What will Be Next! Good Luck. MWJ.
Leaving out combined events from major champs not only is discouraging for up and coming multi eventers but it is damaging to the senior athletes who deserve the same opportunities as individual event athletes at competing for national medals.
Why is this happening ?
It's disappointing to see the lack of representation on an international level in multi-sports, especially in Decathlon. Without inclusion at a national level, these sports will fizzle out in the UK. These events need to have equal status to inspire young athletes. It might also encourage field event representation which is also disappointing on an international level. Which such a rich heritage in UK multi-eventing, it requires the necessary and essential support of British athletics to continue and nurture talent within the country. These individuals are really the ultimate all-round athletes and should be given the necessary coverage and status. British athletics should be more than just supporting a handful of track athletes, especially middle-distance, widen the scope and interest of both competitors and the general public. Athletics is actually track and field.
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The success of competitions such as Gotzis, Multistars etc should be used as a template to not only enhance UK combined events but to generate revenue unlike loss making London diamond league meets