FAQs
Why was DNA created?
It’s time for something new in athletics, a break with tradition. DNA is an innovative and flexible competition format developed by European Athletics that is designed to boost grassroots participation and offer audiences a different way to engage with our sport.
What makes DNA different?
DNA is a fresh way to experience athletics. It brings attractive, flexible competition opportunities for every level – school kids, club athletes and even elite performers – and a mixed-gender team element that will appeal to and help retain younger athletes. It also brings a different match concept that is designed to enhance the enjoyment of participants and fans, both experienced and casual.
Where does the name DNA come from?
DNA stands for Dynamic New Athletics but the initials indicate that the concept respects the essence and fundamentals of our sport – running, jumping and throwing – and, importantly, that athletics is in everybody’s genes.
How has DNA been developed?
DNA was created with support from the European Olympic Committees from 2016 to 2019. For the project, we drew on research about the tastes and preferences of young people around Europe, received extensive input from top athletes and then worked with event-presentation and broadcast experts. Since then we have conducted regular surveys of participants and spectators and collected other feedback to help us further shape the product.
Are the DNA disciplines the same as classical athletics?
Yes . . . and no. DNA competitions follow the basic rules of athletics and the matches include a selection of the most popular track races, which can be altered for each match as required. Matches also incorporate features like mixed-gender relays, where the distance of the legs and the number of team members can be adapted to add interest.
What about the field events?
The jumping and throwing disciplines of a DNA match are conducted as head-to-head competitions, with competitors allowed fewer attempts than would be expected in a classical athletics meeting. In the vertical jumps the athletes select the height for each attempt without knowing their competitor’s choice. As a foul in any event has the consequence of costing team points, these DNA innovations heighten interest by speeding up the presentation, adding an exciting extra element of risk and ensuring that every attempt counts.
How is a DNA match scored?
Competitors are awarded points corresponding to their placing in each of the events. At the end of the match, the team that has accumulated the most points starts first in the dramatic final relay, known as the Hunt, while the other teams must wait to set off at intervals determined by the size of their point gaps – the fewer points a team scores, the more time its relay squad needs to wait and then make up. The overall match winner is the team that finishes the Hunt first.
What is the DNA experience for spectators and media audiences?
Each DNA match is a non-stop narrative with the final result always in doubt until the Hunt. As just one event is taking place at any time, and the field events receive the same attention and focus as the track races, it is easy for new and casual fans to follow the action as well as the evolving team battle.
Will DNA replace classical athletics?
No, definitely not. DNA is meant to supplement the traditional athletics format that has been known and loved for more that 100 years – like chocolate ice cream supplements vanilla or hip-hop supplements classical music. By offering both alternatives we can maximise the sport’s fan and participant bases. Some people will like one format, some will like the other . . . and some will like both!
