Athletes send Olympics into chaos as they fail to show up for 'brutal' new race

Athletes have been failing to show up to a brutal new race at the Paris Olympics, sending the games into absolute chaos.

The issue stems from a new system - introduced at this year's Olympics - which has left athletes 'confused'.

Previously, athletes qualified for the semi-finals and finals of events by finishing either in the top two, or being one of the fastest out of the remaining athletes racing.

However, a new change to the system has introduced something called repechage, which the Olympics explains is "derived from the French word 'repecher', which means to fish out or rescue."

The new system has left athletes confused. (Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

They explain: "Repechage broadly refers to a second chance for contestants, who narrowly failed to meet the qualifying cut-offs, to continue in a competition."

Essentially, repechage means that those athletes who don't qualify based on where they finished in the heat will have a second chance by participating in a second, 'repechage heat' instead.

But while it might seem like a good idea on paper, athletes aren't happy, with many believing the repechage to be pointless and detrimental to their success.

In fact, some are actually purposefully trying not to win events because they know they'll have another shot later on.

Team USA sprinter Freddie Crittenden explained that he intentionally decreased his efforts in the first race because he was injured and he wanted more time to recuperate.

Team USA's Freddie Crittenden took advantage of the new rule. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

“It was an intentional choice. Everyone gets through to the repechage… so I decided to just not make an emotional choice, make a smart choice, give my body time to recover a little bit," he said.

Meanwhile, some haven't even been turning up to the repechage. For example, in a race on Monday, eight athletes didn't arrive at the start line.

Athletes have been complaining of the system since the games began, with Lithuanian runner Gabija Galvydyte explaining she didn't have enough time to recover for the repechage.

“There wasn’t enough time to recover. I raced at 8.30pm, went to sleep at 2am and then I had to wake up early for the repechage in the morning," she told The Telegraph.

“I’m a bit confused that everyone makes the repechage so if you see that you’re not going to finish in the top three you can just jog and you’ll still make it. It doesn’t make sense.

Some athletes have spoken out about the issue. (Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

“I tried to compete for third place so I went all out in my heat and finished fourth. I tried to go all the way, gave it my all, got a personal best and it cost all my emotion.”

Speaking about introducing repechage at the Paris Olympics, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in 2022: “This is an innovation which will make progression in these events more straightforward for athletes and will build anticipation for fans and broadcasters.

“The repechage rounds will give more exposure to our sport during the peak Olympic period and will be carefully scheduled to ensure that every event on our Olympic programme retains its share of the spotlight.”

LADbible has reached out to the World Athletics for further comment.