Impossible Games

The Corona pandemic stopped the Wanda Diamond League at Bislett in its traditional form, but not meet director Steinar Hoen. The Bislett Alliance decided early on to launch an alternative meeting called Impossible Games, and Impossible Games will also be the launch of the Wanda Diamond League Exhibition Event, which is the alternative to the normal series in this very special year. From day one everything has been organized to be within and according to the Norwegian Corona Regulations.

- We had two options. We could resign or we could look at the possibilities. The idea was born just a few weeks after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Together with rest of the staff Hoen flipped around and build a unique creative concept that could be staged on the same day as the traditional meeting was scheduled. - The athletes wanted to compete; the fans were hungry for live sport, but distancing rules made it impossible to have any spectators in the stadium. Based on this we decided from day one to build the Impossible Games purely as a TV-product. The focus has been on head-to-heads, team matches and record-breaking possibilities in all events.

Steinar Hoen and Henrik Ingebrigtsen. Photo: Eirik Førde.

- From the beginning the athletes supported the concept. They are the reason making this possible, Hoen says.

World Athletics President and Chair of the Diamond League Board, Sebastian Coe commented early on:- This is really positive for athletes and fans and promises to be another great night of athletics from the Bislett stadium. Congratulations to the Oslo Bislett Games for dreaming this up and following it through.

- I am so thankful for the support and trust our sponsors have shown us in this difficult time, Hoen says.- Also a big thanks to NRK, Wanda Diamond League, IMG, Omega, the Norwegian Federation, the municipality of Oslo, the Oslo disease control and the Norwegian health authorities who have all contributed to make this impossible concept possible.- Last but not least; a big thank to all our volunteers. You have again stepped up and met the challenges in this difficult circumstance. Without all of you there will not have been a meeting this year.

- Ulrikke Brandstorp was supposed to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest, which was canceled due to the pandemic. Now she has been given the honor to open the meeting by singing the Norwegian national anthem, and she will also end the show with her new single. I am so grateful for this, Hoen says.

The last three years the Bislett Alliance has worked hard to reduce its CO2-emissions and we have become the spearhead in sustainability and sport. Because of the Covid 19 pandemic the IMPOSSIBLE GAMES will only have a handful of athletes flying into the country, and as usual we will use electric transportation for all athletes and support staff while they are in Oslo. Therefore, this have become the lowest ever carbon footprint for an international athletics meeting, and as close as you can get to a ZERO EMISSION EVENT.

Oslo Bislett Games on June 10th 2021Welcome to Wanda Diamond League

Norway, Kenya, FranceOslo, Nairobi, Pérignat-lès-Sarliève

Not since the Bislett Games were held in Bergen in 2004, due to the rebuilding of the Bislett Stadium, Bislett-events have been arranged or even thought of being arranged, outside the Norwegian capital.

Until 2020 – the year Covid-19 changed most of the habits in the society.

For while Mondo Duplantis and Pål Haugen Lillefosse are going to jump at Bislett, Renaud Lavillenie jumps at home in his own garden in French Pérignat-lès-Sarliève.

And while Team Ingebrigtsen is running the Maurie Plant Memorial Race at Bislett, Team Cheruiyot are running at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

- This will be the first virtual race at such a level in the history of athletics, meeting director Steinar Hoen said.

But this is 2020. The year of Impossible Games.

Photo: Anne Mette Undlien, World Athletics and Kelly Ayodi.

THREE VENUES- ONE MEETING

NORWAYFRANCE

KENYA

IIMMPPOOSSSSIIBBLLEE GGAAMMEESS,, BBiisslleetttt SSttaaddiiuumm 1111 JJuunnee 22002200A Wanda Diamond League exhibition event

Time M / W Track Field

19:35 Men Pole Vault

20:02

20:05 Men 1000m

20:08 Men Discus

20:15 Women 200m Hurdles

20:25 Women 600m

20:35 Women 300m Hurdles

20:43 Men 300m Hurdles

20:50 Men Maurie Plant Memorial Race 2000m

20:58 Men 25000m

21:25 Men 100m

21:30 Women 10000m

21:35 Men Shot Put

22:15 Women 3000m

22:27

National Anthem

Closing Show

Salum Kashafali. Photo: Anders Hoven

Pole Vault Men 300m Hurdles WomenArmand Duplantis SWE Amalie Iuel NORPål Haugen Lillefosse NOR Sara Slot Petersen DENRenaud Lavillenie FRA Lea Sprunger SUI

1000m Men 300m Hurdles MenFilip Ingebrigtsen NOR Karsten Warholm NORHåkon Mushom* NORAndreas Roth* NORThomas Roth* NOR

25000m MenSondre Nordstad Moen NOR

Discus Men Sigurd Ruud Skjeseth* NORDaniel Ståhl SWE Sindre Buraas* NOROla Stunes Isene NORSimon Pettersson SWESven Martin Skagestad NOR 100m Men

Salum Kashafali NORMathias Hove Johansen NOR

200m Hurdles Women Christian Marthinussen NORIsabelle Pedersen NORLine Kloster NORNooralotta Neziri FIN 10000m WomenAnnimari Korte FIN Therese Johaug NOR

600m Women Shot Put MenHedda Hynne NOR Marcus Thomsen NORSelina Büchel SUI Wictor Petersson SWE

Sven Martin Skagestad NOR

300m Hurdles WomenAmalie Iuel NOR 3000m WomenSara Slot Petersen DEN Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal NORLea Sprunger SUI

Maurie Plant Memorial Race 2000mVVSS

Jakob Ingegrigtsen NOR Timothy Cheruiyot KENHenrik Ingegrigtsen NOR Elijah Manangoi KENFilip Ingegrigtsen NOR Vincent Keter KENNarve Gilje Nordås NOR Timothy Sein KENPer Svela NOR Edwin Melly KEN

TTEEAAMM CCHHEERRUUIIYYOOTTTTEEAAMM IINNGGEEBBRRIIGGTTSSEENN

SSttaarrttlliisstt IImmppoossssiibbllee GGaammeess 1111 JJuunnee 22002200

What is on and how

Pole vault: World Record-holder and 2019 World silver medalist Mondo Duplantis (6.18) of Sweden against Norwegian 2019 European U20 champion Pål Haugen Lillefosse (5.70) – at Bislett, while the legendary Renaud Lavillenie (6.16) from France, with 20 international medals and an Olympic title from 2012, jumps back home in his own garden. Sondre Guttormsen had to withdrew due to an injury.

1000 meter: The 2016 European 1500-meter champion Filip Ingebrigtsen attacks the Norwegian record; 2:16.78 by Vebjørn Rodal. Filip has run the event once; 2:16.95 in Lausanne 2016.

Discus throw: 2019 World Champion Daniel Ståhl (71.86) against two 2019 World Championships finalist; his Swedish compatriot Simon Pettersson (66.93) and Nor-wegian Ola Stunes Isene (67.78). Supplied by 2014 World Junior bronze medalist Sven Martin Skagestad (65.20) of Norway.

200mh: Norwegian record holder at 100mh, Isabelle Pedersen, and her Norwegian compatriot Line Kloster – the fastest Norwegian girl on 300mh - in a Norway v Finland match against former European Junior champion and 2019 European Indoor finalist Nooralotti Neziri and Finnish record holder at 100mh Annimari Korte. They will run with a spare lane between them.

600m: Hedda Hynne of Norway (1:59.87/1:28.81) against Selina Büchel of Switzerland (1:57.95/1:25.45) who stepped in when Lovisa Lindh had to pull out with an injury. They will run in separate lanes all the way.

300mh in general: Two straight lines and one curve = seven hurdles. To the first hurdle = 50m. 6 x 35m between the seven hurdles = 210m. After the last hurdle to the finish = 40m.

300mh women: Norwegian 400mh record holder Amalie Iuel against 2016 Olympic silver medalist and European Champion at 400mh Sara Slot Pedersen of Denmark and 2018 European 400mh Champion Lea Sprunger from Switzerland. They will run with a spare lane between them.

300mh men: World and European Champion at 400mh, Karsten Warholm of Norway, attacks the 300mh World best of 34.59 held by Chris Rawlinson of UK – as usual in his favorite lane at Bislett; lane 7.

25000 meters: Sondre Nordstad Moen will attack the European record held by Stephane Franke of Germany; 1:13.57.6. Only helped by the wavelight he will also try to improve his own national record for one hour; 19745 meters and his Norwegian best on 20000 meters; 1:00.43.31.

100 meters: Last year’s World Champion and World record holder in para-athletics; Salum Kashafali (10.44), will compete against Mathias Hove Johansen (10.46) and Christian Marthinussen (10.66), who won the 60 meters at the 2019 World indoor masters championships.

10000 meters: As Sondre; the only help cross country-skier Therese Johaug will get is the wavelight, as she’s targeting 31:50.00. Her pb is 32:20.86.

3000 meters: Again, with the only support from the wavelight, Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal with a pb of 8:37.58., attacks Grete Waitz legendary Norwegian record at 3000 meters: 8:31.75 from 1979.

Shot put: Norwegian record holder and 2017 European U20-champion holder Marcus Thomsen (21.01i) against 2016 World U20 silver medalist Wictor Petersson of Sweden (20.70) and Sven Martin Skagestad (18.18).

Photo: Eirik Førde

One man – on lane – one record

Without any competitors other than himself, Karsten Warholm will try to better the world best at 300 meters hurdles set by Chris Rawlinson (GBR) in 2002 with 34.48.

The World and European Champion at 400 meter hurdles will as usual start in his favorite lane at Bislett; the seventh one.The boy from Ulsteinvik has already ran faster over the distance in an indoor race in Tampere. But you really can’t compare this 34.26 indoor with outdoor races, since the indoor time was a one lap race on an oversized indoor track, while he will do two straights and a bend outdoor.- Time will show. I am running alone, so it will not be easy. But I’m really looking forward to it, Warholm said earlier.

With just a wave of light to help

Three runners. Three events. Two at the same time. And only the wavelight to help. That is the story of the Impossible Games for Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal, Sondre Nordstad Moen and Therese Johaug.

The target for Karoline is the legendary Norwegian record on 3000 meters, held by her role model Grete Waitz who ran 8:31.75 back in 1979. Karoline’s personal bets is 8:37.58, and between them on the Norwegian all-time list is only another legend; Ingrid Kristiansen who ran 8:34.10 back in 1986.

While Karoline is running solo for “only” seven and a half laps some are doing much more. Olympic and World cross country ski champion Therese Johaug is out for 25 laps, and the wavelight-speed at her 10000 meter will be set to an end time of 31:50.00 in her debut race at Bislett.Last year she became Norwegian champion at the distance running 32:20.86 – in a race where she opened like a rocket. - I’m not going to make that mistake again. I am going to follow the light, she said.

But Therese will not run completely alone, because at the same time she attacks 31:50 Sondre Nordstad Moen will attack the 25000-meter European record held by Stephane Franke of Germany; 1:13.57.6. On the run he will also try to improve his own national record for one hour; 19745 meters and his Norwegian best on 20000 meters; 1:00.43.31.

Team Ingebrigtsen vs Team Cheruiyot – Maurie Plant Memorial Race

The Bislett Alliance wants to pay tribute to the legendary Maurie Plant, who passed away in January this year, with The Maurie Plant Memorial Race over 2000 meters.

- In 2020, Due to Covid-19 it is not possible to have international participation from around the world like we are used to. But with some creativity we have managed to create a unique match between Team Ingebrigtsen and Team Cheruiyot through international cooperation, involving both Athletics Kenya, Omega and our host broadcaster NRK, meet director Steinar Hoen says.

- This will be the first virtual race at such level in the history of athletics.

- Team Ingebrigtsen runs at Bislett while Team Cheruiyot will run in Nairobi. The race will be shown on international TV as a split screen competition. - Athletics Kenya is fully supportive of this creative idea from the Oslo Diamond League. Serious racing within a safe environment whilst also entertainment for avid athletics fans the world over is to be welcomed. Our planning has begun, and we thank Oslo for involving us, says AK President Lt.Gen.(Rtd) Jackson Tuwei.

- Both teams will start with five runners and will have to finish with three. The winner of the match will be the team with the best overall time for three runners. But of course, the individual times will count as well. Steve Cram is to commentate the Impossible Games in English. Cram is the European record holder at the distance with 4:51.39. That record could be in danger when the Ingebrigtsen brothers put on full power 11 June.

- Maurie loved middle distance running and he loved Bislett. But he also loved nontraditional arrangements of events. In his earlier years, serving the athletic family, he was the mastermind behind countless matches between countries around the world. Our idea is to honor him with such an event which is completely in line with everything he loved, Hoen says.

Maurie Plant, Usain Bolt and Steinar Hoen. Photo: Bislett Alliance.

One person knowing Maurie Plant better than most, after working together in athletics for a lifetime, is fellow Australian Nic Bideau from Melbourne Track Club:

In a statement he says: “This is fantastic news. We are proud to see Maurie’s contribution at Bislett recognized. If there was one thing Maurie loved more than the Bislett Games, it was the sport of athletics itself and the great competition it provides.

I have no doubt he would be extremely proud that during this pandemic that has proved so challenging to sport everywhere, for his name to be associated with an event Bislett would humble him. Maurie was a huge fan of the most interesting athletes for many years, the Ingebrigtsen family, and have loved watching them take on some of the best from Kenya.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen: pb 1500m: 3:30.16. ECH: 1/1500+5000 2018. Henrik Ingebrigtsen: pb 1500m: 3:31.46. ECH: 1/1500m 2012. 2/1500m 2014. 2/5000m 2018. 3/5000m 2016. Filip Ingebrigtsen: pb: 1500m: 3:30.01. WCH: 3/1500m 2017. ECH: 1/1500m 2016. Per Svela: pb 1500m: 3:47.38. Narve Gilje Nordås: pb 1500m: 3:49.64. Norwegian 2000m best: 5:01.48 by Marius Bakken (2003).

Timothy Cheruiyot: pb 1500m: 3:28.41. WCH: 1/1500m 2019, 2/1500m 2017. Elijah Manangoi: pb 1500m: 3:28.80. WCH: 1/5100m 2017, 2/1500m 2019. Vincent Keter: pb 1500m: 3:36.27. Timothy Sein: pb 800m: 1:45.48. Edwin Melly: pb 800m: 1:43.81. pb 1500m: 3:36.71.

FUTUREOF CHINESE ATHLETICS

INSPIRING THE

FUTUREOF CHINESE ATHLETICS

INSPIRING THE

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Wanda is proud to be the new title partner

of the Wanda Diamond League series and is

committed to the further development of

athletics in China. Wanda is in the process

of developing its strategy for the 2020-30

period of the agreement, which includes

bringing one new Wanda Diamond League

meet to China every year.

Wanda is proud to be a company which

inspires the next generation of Chinese

sporting stars and fans. Through its

partnerships with FIFA and FIBA, Wanda

has in recent years, enabled thousands of

children from China and all over the world

to live their dreams through unique

experiences such as the FIFA Flag Bearer

programme and the FIBA Little Champions

programme.

FIBA LITTLE CHAMPIONS VIDEO

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ABOUT WANDA GROUP

Established in 1988, Wanda Group has

become a large multinational conglomerate

focusing on modern services. Wanda is the

world’s leading real estate company, a

leading film company, a leading sports

company as well as a leading children’s

entertainment company. Wanda Plaza,

Wanda Cinema, Wanda Hotel, Wanda

Culture Tourism City and Wanda Kids place

have become well-known brands in China.

As a leading sports company in the world,

Wanda Sports Group is the exclusive

commercial partner of a dozen international

sports federations, including FIFA, FIBA,

BWF and UCI. With 25 offices in 13 countries,

Wanda Sports’ portfolio features more than

20 different sports across the globe,

including football, winter sports, cycling,

basketball, marathon and triathlon.

ABOUT WANDA SPORTS GROUP

WANDA SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

Wanda is proud to be the new title partner

of the Wanda Diamond League series and is

committed to the further development of

athletics in China. Wanda is in the process

of developing its strategy for the 2020-30

period of the agreement, which includes

bringing one new Wanda Diamond League

meet to China every year.

Wanda is proud to be a company which

inspires the next generation of Chinese

sporting stars and fans. Through its

partnerships with FIFA and FIBA, Wanda

has in recent years, enabled thousands of

children from China and all over the world

to live their dreams through unique

experiences such as the FIFA Flag Bearer

programme and the FIBA Little Champions

programme.

FIBA LITTLE CHAMPIONS VIDEO

FIFA FLAG BEARERS VIDEO