I don't know about the future of athletics but going by the way the events at Stawell were full of very young people on the weekend (under 21yo's I'm talking) plus how they have incorporated Little Athletics into the program - They have been REALLY SMART

We don't seem to notice people belting horses anymore And the fact that young people find it unacceptable

Have a look at the Heats of the Mildura Cup tonight. Young Abby Sanderson wins heat 1 and uses the whip in a barely noticeable way - the way the new regulations were written
Have a look at heat 2 to have a look at how noticeable the drivers are using their whole arm and belting their horses

The Abby way could be the norm in just a couple of weeks - massive fines and loss of races would see drivers change their style virtually overnight BUT we do not get it!
Just another way that we are failing
If you do not think social license is a thing, just remember that the USA do not have greyhound racing anymore

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...24#MLC02042401