{"id":1040001802,"date":"2025-05-24T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T07:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.athleticsweekly.com\/?p=1040001802"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:50:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T14:50:42","slug":"the-enduring-appeal-of-the-gotzis-hypomeeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/athleticsweekly.com\/news\/meetings\/the-enduring-appeal-of-the-gotzis-hypomeeting-1040001802\/","title":{"rendered":"The enduring appeal of the G\u00f6tzis Hypomeeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

As it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Gabriella Pieraccini looks at the rich history of the G\u00f6tzis Hypomeeting in Austria<\/p>\n

\u201cA good old-fashioned wallow in nostalgia,\u201d my editor mused, as we pondered how best to set the scene for the 50th anniversary of the G\u00f6tzis Hypomeeting at the end of May. \u201cThe roll of honour. Some pointers on how influential it\u2019s been through the years. Can you do 1500 words?\u201d Some writing and gorgeous wallowing on 100 days of world-class athletics? Count me in.<\/p>\n

Celebrating the history<\/strong><\/p>\n

G\u00f6tzis is, without doubt, the finest track and field meeting anywhere in the world. The pages of this, and many other, athletics publications are rich with gushing praise of the gold standard set year after year by the organisers. The fan experience, the athlete experience, the media experience, the coach experience. Simple athletics, done beautifully.<\/p>

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The G\u00f6tzis Hypomeeting has taken place every year since 1975, save for the Covid-ravaged season of 2020. For the 50th anniversary edition, the usual celebrations have been gilded accordingly. Special invitations have been extended to those who won multiple editions of the competition, as well as one-off winners who went on to win a world or Olympic title.<\/p>\n

The most prolific of all the multiple winners is the 2021 Olympic champion Damian Warner of Canada, who has been the victor no fewer than eight times, and six times in a row between 2016 and 2022. His most recent streak was broken in 2023 by compatriot Pierce LePage, who went on to win the world title in Budapest that year.<\/p>\n

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Damian Warner (Bjorn Paree)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Czechia\u2019s Roman \u0160ebrle is a five-time winner, and in 2001 in G\u00f6tzis he became the first man to ever score over 9000 points, a feat only achieved since by three others \u2013 Ashton Eaton, Kevin Mayer and Warner.<\/p>\n

Great Britain\u2019s Daley Thompson won the title twice, in 1980 and 1982, setting world records on both occasions. Sweden\u2019s 2004 Olympic champion Carolina Kl\u00fcft won in G\u00f6tzis five times between 2003 and 2007, and Jane Frederick of the USA won five times between 1978 and 1985, straddling the evolution from pentathlon to heptathlon. Anke Behmer, representing the German Democratic Republic, won in the three years leading up to the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, and passed the baton to Sabine Braun to win for Germany in the three years afterwards.<\/p>

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Carolina Kl\u00fcft (51) and Kelly Sotherton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2012 Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill took the title in G\u00f6tzis in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while double world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson won in 2014 and 2019 and triple Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam won in 2017 and 2018.<\/p>\n

The last time anyone who wasn\u2019t a Canadian won the decathlon was Kai Kazmirek of Germany in 2015, who retired from the sport this year. Canada won both men\u2019s and women\u2019s titles in 2016, Brianne Theisen Eaton overlapping in her third victory with Damian Warner\u2019s second.<\/p>\n

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Jessica Ennis-Hill (Mark Shearman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Robert Zmelik of Czechia, who won in 1992, holds the world best for the one-hour decathlon (7897, compared to his \u201cnormal\u201d decathlon PB of 8627). Eduard H\u00e4m\u00e4l\u00e4inen, who won three times in the mid-nineties, is an athlete to retain for trivia purposes, having competed in three different world championships representing a different country each time \u2013 the Soviet Union, Belarus and Finland. Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus won in 2007, and in recent years has been a leading sporting figure speaking out against the current political regime in his native country.<\/p>\n

The 2023 \u201cRookie of the Year\u201d title was won by Sander Skotheim of Norway, who claimed European and world gold indoors this season, along with breaking Kevin Mayer\u2019s European heptathlon record. Ash Moloney, Rico Freimuth, Leonel Suarez, Sofie Dokter, Henriette Jaeger, Nadine Visser and Dafne Schippers were all former rookies of their year. In 2024 Great Britain\u2019s Abi Pawlett won that honour on her G\u00f6tzis debut.<\/p>

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The list of famous winners goes on. Trey Hardee. Bryan Clay. Dmitry Karpov. Erki Nool. Michael Smith. Christian Plaziat. Siggi Wentz. Christian Schenk. Guido Kratschmer. Natalya Dobrynska. Eunice Barber. Denise Lewis. Ghada Shouaa. Jackie Joyner Kersee. Anna Hall. The careers of champions born, consolidated, and celebrated in a small, unassuming town in the westernmost corner of Austria.<\/p>\n

A festival of combined events<\/strong><\/p>\n

G\u00f6tzis is a golden thread running through the modern history of combined events, weaving dominant all-time greats together with memorable individual performances and personalities.<\/p>\n

There are too few words at our disposal here to capture the full history of G\u00f6tzis, but happily there will be special merchandise available onsite to commemorate the anniversary, including t-shirts listing all winners from the last 50 editions. The Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) will have a presence at the meeting for the first time, following the award of a heritage plaque to the event in 2019. The very first winners in 1975 \u2013 Petr Kratky, who won the inaugural decathlon title for Czechoslovakia, and Burglinde Pollak, who won the pentathlon title for DDR \u2013 have been invited to the weekend, too.<\/p>\n

The celebrations will extend beyond the track and field. The traditional Friday night presentation (with accompanying beer garden) of the top ten competitors is moving to a new, open-air location, and will also include the superstars from years gone by.<\/p>\n

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Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Bjorn-Paree)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The town will be transformed into a combined events festival \u2013 graffiti artworks promoting the 50th anniversary, benches printed with the Hypomeeting history, and big screens in the town centre for shoppers and caf\u00e9-goers to enjoy the action.<\/p>\n

Within the stadium, we can expect the usual convivial atmosphere. The en masse declaration of \u201cOle!\u201d in response to the curlicue of trumpet fanfare which announces every one of the ten decathlon, and seven heptathlon, disciplines over two days. The grassy vantage points, from which the action can be followed over the edge of a frosted stein of Mittel-European beer, while nibbling on a slab of lunchtime schnitzel.<\/p>\n

There will be high jump and long jump features on the route from the entrance to the grandstand, demonstrating the stadium and world records, and helping new visitors understand the range of feats the multi-talented athletes in attendance can achieve. Event presentation is where G\u00f6tzis really shines.<\/p>\n

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Anouk Vetter (Bjorn Paree)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Telling the story<\/strong><\/p>\n

While G\u00f6tzis and other major events gear up for the start of the main athletics season, Michael Johnson\u2019s Grand Slam Track has been keeping us entertained. The series promised to be something fresh compared to current mainstream athletics formats, designed to reward athletes handsomely for their craft and leveraging the simplicity of track athletics into an attractive entertainment product. However, amongst all the hoopla, something familiar caught the eye of the attendant commentators and analysts.<\/p>\n

As the athletes worked their way through the multiple events in their cluster, the notion of collecting points emerged as an engaging storyline. Whether Gabby Thomas\u2019 domination of the 200m would be enough to help her win over the 400m expertise of Marileidy Paulino. Whether Ejgayehu Taye\u2019s 5000m PB would be enough before the final event to allow her to hang on to the lead gained in an earlier event. Whether the precious points Kenny Bednarek picked up in the 100m would be significant for him against Oblique Seville in the 200m.<\/p>\n

Swap those individual specialist names out and replace them with combined events athletes. The resulting narrative could be lifted from any combined events competition \u2013 at national, circuit, continental, or global level.<\/p>\n

Within minutes, Grand Slam Track had discovered that combined events are engaging. That pitting athletes with different specialities against each other in multiple events over several days leads to fascinating competitions. That points and arithmetic are not too difficult to understand and, when presented with clear graphics, can inspire spirited debate about likely scenarios, and outcomes.<\/p>\n

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(Bjorn Paree)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the combined events, we have great sprinters like Damian Warner and Simon Ehammer. We have fabulous jumpers, like Sander Skotheim and young Jana Ko\u0161\u010dak. We have superb throwers, like Lindon Victor and Ireland\u2019s new superstar, Kate O\u2019Connor. And we have two-day competitions where the sprinters, jumpers and throwers can face each other in different events, and where fans can follow the progress of their favourite \u201cracer\u201d, \u201cchallenger\u201d or equivalent to the emerging national treasure that is Vernon Norwood.<\/p>\n

We have a devoted army of statisticians and analysts who can model scenarios based on season\u2019s bests, PB series, \u201cideal\u201d competitions, and any combination you could ever wish for. We have talented narrators who understand the dynamics of combined events, including how they differ from individual events, and can guide the viewer through the competition.<\/p>\n

World Athletics will also have a presence in G\u00f6tzis this month, seeking inspiration on how to make combined events more attractive for fans as part of their agenda on innovation. A good first step would be to introduce some rudimentary storytelling measures which, thanks to Grand Slam Track, there is now no excuse to overlook. But we are never more than a few steps away from a hasty WA council decision to solve a problem that has not yet been defined.<\/p>\n

So, as we wallow in some good old-fashioned nostalgia, we must be mindful that tomorrow\u2019s nostalgia is dependent on the memories we build today.<\/p>\n

We know that our competition is not too long, too boring, or too difficult to understand, and we need only the most basic of measures \u2013 some scene-setting, some graphics and some knowledgeable narrators \u2013 to show that all that glitters in G\u00f6tzis on its 50th anniversary, is indeed gold.<\/p>\n

decathletesofeurope.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

G\u00f6tzis roll of honour<\/strong><\/p>\n

Decathlon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year Name Nationality Pts<\/strong><\/p>\n

2024 Damian Warner CAN 8678<\/p>\n

2023 Pierce LePage CAN 8700<\/p>\n

2022 Damian Warner CAN 8797<\/p>\n

2021 Damian Warner CAN 8995<\/p>\n

2019 Damian Warner CAN 8711<\/p>\n

2018 Damian Warner CAN 8795<\/p>\n

2017 Damian Warner CAN 8591<\/p>\n

2016 Damian Warner CAN 8523<\/p>\n

2015 Kai Kazmirek GER 8462<\/p>\n

2014 Trey Hardee USA 8518<\/p>\n

2013 Damian Warner CAN 8307<\/p>\n

2012 Hans Van Alphen BEL 8519<\/p>\n

2011 Trey Hardee USA 8689<\/p>\n

2010 Bryan Clay USA 8483<\/p>\n

2009 Michael Schrader GER 8522<\/p>\n

2008 Dmitriy Karpov KAZ 8504<\/p>\n

2007 Andrei Krauchanka BLR 8617<\/p>\n

2006 Bryan Clay USA 8677<\/p>\n

2005 Roman Sebrle CZE 8534<\/p>\n

2004 Roman Sebrle CZE 8842<\/p>\n

2003 Roman Sebrle CZE 8807<\/p>\n

2002 Roman Sebrle CZE 8800<\/p>\n

2001 Roman Sebrle CZE 9026<\/p>\n

2000 Tomas Dvorak CZE 8900<\/p>\n

1999 Tomas Dvorak CZE 8738<\/p>\n

1998 Erki Nool EST 8672<\/p>\n

1997 Eduard H\u00e4m\u00e4lainen FIN 8617<\/p>\n

1996 Michael Smith CAN 8626<\/p>\n

1995 Erki Nool EST 8575<\/p>\n

1994 Eduard H\u00e4m\u00e4lainen BLR 8735<\/p>\n

1993 Eduard H\u00e4m\u00e4lainen BLR 8604<\/p>\n

1992 Robert Zmelik TCH 8627<\/p>\n

1991 Michael Smith CAN 8427<\/p>\n

1990 Christian Schenk DDR 8481<\/p>\n

1989 Christian Plaziat FRA 8485<\/p>\n

1988 Uwe Freimuth DDR 8381<\/p>\n

1987 Siegfried Wentz BRD 8645<\/p>\n

1986 Guido Kratschmer BRD 8519<\/p>\n

1985 Uwe Freimuth DDR 8473<\/p>\n

1984 Grigoriy Degtyaryov URS 8579<\/p>\n

1983 Grigoriy Degtyaryov URS 8454<\/p>\n

1982 Daley Thompson GBR 8704<\/p>\n

1981 Sepp Zeilbauer AUT 8191<\/p>\n

1980 Daley Thompson GBR 8622<\/p>\n

1979 Thierry Dubois FRA 8161<\/p>\n

1978 Guido Kratschmer BRD 8410<\/p>\n

1977 Sepp Zeilbauer AUT 8063<\/p>\n

1976 Guido Kratschmer BRD 8381<\/p>\n

1975 Petr Kratky TCH 7591<\/p>\n

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Anna Hall and KJT (Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heptathlon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year Name Nationality Pts<\/p>\n

2024 Anouk Vetter NED 6642<\/p>\n

2023 Anna Hall USA 6988<\/p>\n

2022 Anouk Vetter NED 6693<\/p>\n

2021 X\u00e9nia Krizs\u00e1n HUN 6651<\/p>\n

2019 Katarina Johnson-Thompson GBR 6813<\/p>\n

2018 Nafissatou Thiam BEL 6806<\/p>\n

2017 Nafissatou Thia BEL 7013<\/p>\n

2016 Brianne Theisen Eaton CAN 6765<\/p>\n

2015 Brianne Theisen Eaton CAN 6808<\/p>\n

2014 Katarina Johnson-Thompsona GBR 6682<\/p>\n

2013 Brianne Theisen CAN 6376<\/p>\n

2012 Jessica Ennis GBR 6906<\/p>\n

2011 Jessica Ennis GBR 6790<\/p>\n

2010 Jessica Ennis GBR 6689<\/p>\n

2009 Nataliya Dobrynska UKR 6558<\/p>\n

2008 Tatyana Chernova RUS 6618<\/p>\n

2007 Carolina Kl\u00fcft SWE 6681<\/p>\n

2006 Carolina Kl\u00fcft SWE 6719<\/p>\n

2005 Carolina Kl\u00fcft SWE 6824<\/p>\n

2004 Carolina Kl\u00fcft SWE 6820<\/p>\n

2003 Carolina Kl\u00fcft SWE 6602<\/p>\n

2002 Shelia Burell USA 6363<\/p>\n

2001 Eunice Barber FRA 6736<\/p>\n

2000 Eunice Barber FRA 6842<\/p>\n

1999 DeDee Nathan USA 6577<\/p>\n

1998 Irina Belova RUS 6466<\/p>\n

1997 Denise Lewis GBR 6736<\/p>\n

1996 Ghada Shouaa SYR 6942<\/p>\n

1995 Ghada Shouaa SYR 6715<\/p>\n

1994 Sabine Braun GER 6665<\/p>\n

1993 Svetla Dimitrova BUL 6594<\/p>\n

1992 Sabine Braun GER 6985<\/p>\n

1991 Sabine Braun GER 6584<\/p>\n

1990 Sabine Braun GER 6604<\/p>\n

1989 Anke Behmer DDR 6686<\/p>\n

1988 Anke Behmer DDR 6805<\/p>\n

1987 Anke Behmer DDR 6692<\/p>\n

1986 Jackie Joyner-Kersee USA 6841<\/p>\n

1985 Jane Frederick USA 6666<\/p>\n

1984 Nadeshda Vinogradova URS 6319<\/p>\n

1983 Natalya Shubenkova URS 6526<\/p>\n

1982 Jane Frederick USA 6423<\/p>\n

1981 Jane Frederick USA 6308<\/p>\n

1980* Yekaterina Smirnova URS 4677<\/p>\n

1979* Jane Frederick USA 4708<\/p>\n

1978* Jane Frederick USA 4651<\/p>\n

1977* Diane Konihowski CAN 4639<\/p>\n

1976* Diane Jones CAN 4641<\/p>\n

1975* Burglinde Pollak DDR 4542<\/p>\n

* 1975 - 1980: Pentathlon, from 1981: Heptathlon<\/p>\n

The 2025 G\u00f6tzis Hypomeeting is live here via Eurovision Sport<\/a> from May 31 to June 1.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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