EXPLAINED: What is Repechage in athletics at the Paris Olympics 2024?

The Repechage is a new format that has been introduced in athletics at the Paris Olympics 2024. It provides a second chance to the athletes who do not qualify directly from the initial heats for the semi-finals.

Repechage is a French verb that means "to save" or "to rescue." In sports, this means giving another chance. This system was already used in sports like wrestling, rowing, and judo, but now it has also been introduced in athletics, at the Paris Olympics 2024.

This means the events that are going to include this type of extra round will have four rounds instead of three, including the final round. In this scenario, the semi-finals will include the athletes who top the initial heat as well as the athletes who top the repechage heat.

Now the question arises - what is the need to implement a repechage round and how beneficial it can be in an athletic event? The main focus of implementing this type of extra round is to increase fairness in the game and to ensure that the best athletes get multiple chances to prove themselves.

With this system, every athlete can participate in at least two races at the Olympics, which will eventually lead to increased participation and more recognition of a particular event. In addition, it adds an extra layer of excitement and drama to the competition.

Which athletics events have the Repechage round at the 2024 Olympics?

Considering the nature of events and the possibility of being beneficial for the athletes, the Repechage round has been introduced in only six individual track events across men's and women's categories. The new kayak cross event also has a repechage round.

Below is the complete list of events that have been included with extra rounds for men's and women's athletics categories:

Men's category

1.110 m hurdles.

2. 200m

3. 400m

4. 800m

5. 1500m

Women's category

1. 100m hurdles

2. 200m

3. 400m

4. 800m

5.1500m

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