Last updated on July 29th, 2021 at 07:00 PM
World long jump record-holder Mike Powell and 1996 Olympic 110m hurdles champion Allen Johnson are among the celebrities, experts and families who will be sharing their reactions live with the world as they follow the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Inside Track Tokyo 2020 is a second screen experience starting 30 July on the World Athletics website.
With a choice of six live feeds to follow, fans can join Powell, Johnson and many other figures from the sport who would normally attend the Olympic Games but are not able to this year, as they share their experiences, expertise and emotions in real-time.
The live feeds will be available during each morning and evening session and include a varying mix of:
- ‘Extended family’ – family and friends reaction
- ‘Been there, done that’ – athlete expert opinion
- ‘Super fan’ – three fan feeds in English, French and Spanish
- ‘Stepping back in time’ – Heritage stream including historical artefacts
CLICK HERE TO LOG IN OR SIGN UP
“I’m extremely excited for athletics to start and even more excited to be a part of World Athletics’ second screen experience,” said Johnson. “I can’t wait to see all the hurdles events, of course.
“The Olympics are special because it’s a time the world comes together to show diversity through the celebration of sport.
“I’m excited to see all the athletes in action, too many to name. One athlete I especially can’t wait to see, who has a bright future, is Gabbi Cunningham in the women’s hurdles – she has brought her PB down from 12.99 to 12.53 this year.”
Among those starring in Inside Track Tokyo 2020 are:
Mike Powell
World record-holder for the men’s long jump who achieved his incredible 8.95m leap in Tokyo 30 years ago.
In what is arguably one of athletics’ best ever performances, Mike defeated arch-rival and defending Olympic champion Carl Lewis at the end of an epic head-to-head contest.
Earlier this year, Mike reflected on his ground-breaking achievement for World Athletics.
Allen Johnson
The 1996 Olympic 110m hurdles champion is one of the all-time hurdling greats.
Allen won Olympic gold at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and at the US Olympic Trials that year he missed Colin Jackson’s world record by just 0.01 with 12.92, a time he repeated in Brussels two months later.
His outdoor world title wins were claimed in 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2003 and he has since gone on to become a coach guiding the next generation.
Karen Ramming
A sports and social media pro in all things track and field, NBA and college sports.
An ‘Oregon Duck’ through-and-through, Karen will be joined by her boyfriend Nate, dog Prim and other athletics-mad friends (and potentially more pets).
Benn Harradine
Former discus thrower from Australia, currently living in Sweden. In 2010, Benn won the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
During his active years the three-time Olympian was famous for his flamboyant and fun competition outfits.
His 68.20m personal best is also an Australian and Oceania record.
Jean Galfione
The former pole vaulter won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 and is a two-time world indoor champion.
In 1999, he became the first Frenchman to clear six metres. Since retiring, Jean has discovered a passion for sailing, but is still an avid follower of athletics.
Chris Lambert
A Harvardian and Olympian, Chris claimed the European U23 200m title in 2003, when he also won gold in the 4x100m. Just one year later he lined up at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but pulled up injured during the 200m heats.
As a consequence, Lambert surrendered his place on the relay team, which went on to win the gold medal.
Andy Nageotte
Younger brother to US pole vaulter Katie Nageotte.
Andy is a die-hard athletics fan – not just the pole vault – and will be watching his sister together with the rest of their family.
World Athletics Heritage
World Athletics Heritage and the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) will bring historical perspective to Inside Track.
Award-winning sports writer and author Simon Turnbull, and Chris Turner, curator of the MOWA and director of World Athletics Heritage, will help to put the performances into context compared to the achievements of past champions and record-breakers.
Backstraight Boys & Girl
Twins Jody and Bayo Furlong normally travel to most major athletics events around the world – and know athletics inside out.
They also host a podcast – Backstraight Boys (& Girl) Athletics Chat – together with Claire Thomas, a sports journalist and huge athletics fan in her own right.
The Fastest Losers
Superfans-turned-Twitch streamers. The Fastest Losers began streaming on Twitch in 2021, reviewing major events within athletics, hosted by Chris Brown (of the My Defining Moments podcast and Trackastic) and Alex Walker (host of the Alex on Athletics YouTube channel).
Silvi Rueda
A sports journalism student from Spain with a passion for athletics, she’ll be watching the Olympics with her family and friends.
Some of them are bigger athletics fans than others – and it will be Silvi’s mission to turn them into athletics superfans by the time the Games finish.
Maxime Garcin, Etienne Celle and Youssef Basli
Despite having full-time jobs, Maxime, Etienne and Youssef often travel all over France for different athletics events (sometimes as athletes, sometimes as commentators, but always as fans).
They also co-created the famous GA-LACTIQU’ATHLE Facebook discussion group about French and international athletics.
Most importantly, some of their friends will be lining up as part of the French team in Tokyo – Allez les Bleus!
Pat Birgan
Australian athletics aficionado Pat has done it all in the sport, from writing reports and race-calling to managing athletes and designing websites.
The former centre manager at the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre in Italy, he has assisted some of Australia’s best athletes as they prepared for international competition.
Sign up for free now to make sure you don’t miss a minute of a fan experience which will be entertaining, interactive, inspiring and fun!
