Thobias Montler Voices Frustration Over Long Jump Rule Changes Ahead of World Championships

Thobias Montler, Sweden's long jump star, has expressed his frustration regarding significant changes to long jump regulations just before the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Montler revealed he only learned about these alterations a day prior, stating, "Helt ärligt? Jag fick reda på det i går" (Honestly? I found out yesterday).

The new final structure introduces a format where all twelve competitors are given three attempts, with the bottom two being eliminated after each of the first five rounds. Montler pointed out that although the competition format has changed, the total number of jumps remains consistent, leaving him indifferent about the new rules.

Beyond the immediate changes to the competition, Montler is critical of the ongoing modifications in athletics, including inconsistent shoe regulations and the introduction of relatively obscure events like the 300-meter hurdles. He nostalgically called for a return to traditional values in the sport, advocating for judges to wear formal attire, asserting, "De ska sitta i sin kavaj och skjorta" (They should wear their jackets and shirts). As he prepares for the long jump qualification scheduled for Monday, Montler's concerns reflect broader anxieties among athletes about the future direction of athletics regulations.