The Media Development Program is a long-term initiative of World Athletics that aims to expand media coverage of sport, encourage sports journalism and bring more young writers and editors into sport. Seven participants from five countries – Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa and the UK – took part in the latest media development program held during the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24.
Sports journalists will give up almost anything to go to the World Championships, and that's exactly what happened to me. Just three days before the World Athletics Media Development Program started, I was in Loughborough preparing to give a university lecture.
As I was about to leave, I received an email from British Athletics thanking me for my hard work at the British Athletics Indoor Championships and offering me a place on their media development program in Glasgow. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to compete in these championships.
Before I knew it, it was Monday morning and I was heading to the station. I knew it was going to be a busy week, but I had no idea how much I would learn.
Tuesday morning arrived and I had breakfast with some mates before heading to the Glasgow Arena. During the first few days, we learned not only from our mentor Riccardo Romani, but also from other experienced journalists and World Athletics officials.
Our classes include learning how to improve your writing, media management, journalistic ethics, and interviewing skills, as well as a commentary mastery with the one and only Rob Walker, who is a commentator at most major athletics competitions, including the Olympics. class was included.
These classes provided us with the essential skills to become top journalists, while also allowing us to discuss and share our experiences and learn from each other. He also had the opportunity to take part in an arena tour and step onto the track before any other athlete. I will be forever grateful for this experience.
Media development program members touring arena in Glasgow
The action is immediate and it's time to put what you've learned into practice. Each of us was assigned to write a summary of at least one event each day. On the first day, I wrote an article about the men's shot put final, and what a great lineup it was, with world record holder, world champion, and Olympic champion Ryan Crouser winning.
On the second morning, I wrote about the men's long jump final, where Greece's Miltiadis Tentoglou came out on top despite battling Italy's youngster Mattia Furlani throughout the competition. In the evening session, we covered the women's pole vault, which was won by Great Britain's Molly Cordery and in which French vaulter Margot Chevrier suffered a serious injury.
Experiencing an international level media mixed zone was very nerve-wracking as it could be very crowded, but the opportunity to interview athletes in that environment further boosted my confidence.
“Grateful” is an understatement of how grateful I am for this opportunity. In just one week, I was able to develop a variety of skills, network with experienced journalists, and receive valuable feedback.
Jasmine Trapnell of the World Athletics Media Development Program