The meeting between Armand Duplantis and Karsten Warholm involved the entire athletics world.
But now there is harsh criticism of the competition.
“Absolutely unbelievable,” writes the Norwegian columnist Ernst A. Larsveen.
For a long time Armand Duplantis had said that he could defeat the Norwegian superstar in the 400 meter hurdles Karsten Warholm over 100 meters. And on Wednesday, in Zurich where there is Diamond League competition on Thursday, the meeting between the two heavyweights was decided.
Great criticism
The eyes of the athletics world were all on the hot duel that Armand Duplantis ultimately emerged victorious from. But maybe Red Bull was the big winner. The energy drink company sponsors both Duplantis and Warholm, and that was perhaps what made it possible for the competition to take place. But now, after the great spectacle, there is serious criticism of how things were done.
In Sweden, the heated duel was broadcast on Aftonbladet, but in Norway on NRK, Norway’s public service radio and television. That Red Bull got so much exposure in connection with the competition.
“Duplantis beats Warholm in the much talked about 100 meter duel. But it was the sponsor of Warholm and Duplantis, Red Bull, who was the big winner of the evening: 45 minutes on NRK!!!! Absolutely unbelievable,” writes the Norwegian columnist Ernst A. Lersveen according to Nettavisen.
“What did it cost?”
But he was not alone in the criticism. Even before the competition, many were careful to point out that the meeting between the stars, in the wrong branch, was just a stunt, and something they did to earn money and exposure. And the fact that the sponsors got so much TV time and exposure made even more people upset on Wednesday.
“What would Red Bull have had to pay for all this advertising time on NRK in normal context?”, writes reporter Vegard Flemmen Vaagbö.
The Norwegian newspaper Nettavisen also asked Warholm how much power the competition against Duplantis really took, and if it affects his future competitors.
– It probably takes a while, but it doesn’t matter. It was this race that I came to Zurich for, but I think it shouldn’t have a big impact on the form, but I put everything on the track today, he says.
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