What are the Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games?
The Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games bring the top stars of athletics together in a unique competition via TV screens. There will be eight events at seven arenas in various countries. Three athletes will line up in each of the events. They will compete in separate locations, but simultaneously. The TV images from the various venues will be edited in Zurich so that each run, each jump, and each throw can be broadcast worldwide in near real time.
What do the Games inspire?
No obstacle too high: The Inspiration Games are about creating inspiring links. Weltklasse Zürich stages them to connect athletes – a twelve-time world champion in California with Switzerland’s athlete of the year at Letzigrund Stadium, and with a young talent, who might never stop getting better because of great role models, for instance.
Where are the Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games held?
In seven arenas around the globe. The venues include Zurich (main venue; Letzigrund Stadium), Aubière (FRA), Bradenton/Florida (USA), Karlstad (SWE), Lisbon (POR), Papendal/Arnhem (NED), and Walnut/California (USA).
Who competes in the Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games?
Top stars (16 in the women’s events and 12 in the men’s events) from 12 nations, combining 27 Olympic, 56 world championship, and 33 European championship medals.
How many events does the programme include?
There will be four women’s and four men’s events, including three field events and five races. Women: 150m, 300m h, 3x100m, pole vault. Men: 100 yards, 200m, pole vault, triple jump. The men’s 100 yards (91.44m) are the only event to be held in one and the same stadium. Omar McLeod, Andre De Grasse und Jimmy Vicaut are all members of the same training team.
How do timekeeping and live television coverage of the event work?
The television production of the competitions is a pioneering feat by Weltklasse Zürich, sports timekeeper Swiss Timing, and SRG SSR, the official broadcaster. A sneak peek at the «small timekeeping revolution», as Alain Zobrist, Swiss Timing CEO, puts it, and at what SRF TV director Stefan Koch calls “an entirely new TV format” is available here: <link https: youtu.be lvdkyjuyjbe external-link-new-window internal link in current>
When and where can viewers watch the Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games?
The international programme of events will start at 8pm and end at 9.30pm CET. Competitions will be covered live and available on:
- <link https: youtu.be fte3-a7bzts external-link-new-window internal link in current>Wanda Diamond League YouTube Channel
- <link https: www.facebook.com diamondleague live external-link-new-window internal link in current>Wanda Diamond League Facebook stream
- SRF zwei, RTS Deux, RSI LA 2 (official broadcaster SRG SSR)
- <link https: zurich.diamondleague.com news zurich detail hier-siehst-du-die-weltklasse-zuerich-inspiration-games-live external-link-new-window internal link in current>Additional broadcasters/countries
How will things be organised in the field events?
In the triple jump and the pole vault, athletes will jump individually so that opponents can watch each other’s attempts on live or result screens. Athletes will be filmed even between attempts in order to enable interactions between protagonists and arenas.
How do the races work?
With the exception of the women’s 3x100m, three athletes will be lining up for each race. They will compete in separate arenas (with the exception of the men’s 100 yards). The starting gun will go off for all athletes at the same time. A split screen providing synchronised images will allow viewers to watch a direct competition in near real time.
How does the team competition work?
Athletes will be hunting an overall prize money of 20 000 US dollars per event. And they will be scoring points for their teams – Europe, North America, World. The winner in each event will score three points (10 000 US dollars), two points (6 000 US dollars) will go to the runner-up, and the competitor in third place will be awarded one point (4 000 US dollars). The team competition will be a guiding thread and create an additional sense of community.
Will performances be comparable?
Promoters are aware that performances by athletes competing in varying conditions may not be 100% comparable. However, all individual performances produce individual and official results (indoor results, in the case of Aubière) that will be ratified as such by World Athletics. The requirements for potential records or world leading performances, including wind measuring and doping controls, will be met in all arenas.
How many spectators will there be at Letzigrund Stadium?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no stadium visitors at most of the venues. At Letzigrund Stadium, 300 spectators will attend the competition. They will help to create a competition atmosphere for the Swiss athletes and for France’s Christophe Lemaitre, who will be lining up in Zurich, as well. In addition, there will be cardboard cut-outs, fans were able to order free of charge.
Where can viewers watch the national programme of events?
The Weltklasse Zürich Inspiration Games national programme of events will include a three-event challenge for young Swiss athletics talents and Swiss stars from other sports. Highlights of the competition will be available in the UBS Athletics Fan Hub on Tuesday night, as of 9.15pm: <link https: www.ubs-athletics.fans external-link-new-window internal link in current>
