Somebody call OLN RIGHT NOW!

[Halfmiler2]

Questions and observations I have after reading these posts:

The sport does not have a reputation of being clean - at least in Joe Public:s eye. Drug use in athletics (and other sports) has been a stain on the game. USATF and others need to look at this as a contributor to declining athletics ticket sales, and come up with a better response to it.

Actually, I think the tide has turned to some degree in this area. Major League Baseball is now taking its well-deserved lumps, and our sports is getting some recognition in the media and with the public as having tried to clean its house while the pro-team sports were sitting on their hands. Having a new generation of young stars who have been tested drug-free so far helps too.

[bekeselassie]

Phantom of the boards, I was bantering back and forth with Squackee, playfully exchanging jabs, but I get cut? You left Laugh Track's statement, but cut me?

Edit: Oh, nevermind. I was premature. I see what you did.

[mojo]

Do I have to sell all my worldly possessions to experience the pure joy and awe that I felt watching a world class meet?

If you're not ready to do that, you're not a true fan :P
Don't tell me you're not planning on going to Moscow.

Are you going Powell?

I am sure you are. 8)

[Powell]

Are you going Powell?

Yup 8) It will be my first time in Russia, too.

[Pego]

It will be my first time in Russia, too.

Now, that is a REAL surprise.

[marknhj]

I've been toying with the idea of going too - however, looked at hotels two days ago and it seemed like they were priced like NYC or London (which I'm not prepared top pay). Did see some relatively cheap ones ($100 +/- change) but am dubious about going that far and risking it. Any suggestions/advice?

[AKMarmoset]

ITrack and field is the easiest sport in the world to understand. A bunch of guys/gals run from point A to point B and you watch to see who gets there first. (Of course, in races of 400m or longer, it's n laps around the track, but it's still a simple concept.) Likewise, who can jump higher, throw something farther, etc. Why shouldn't people enjoy watching that? Forget about the numbers--anyone can appreciate the competition, whether or not they've ever done it themselves.

I submit that this is what has been lost. When the sport of T&F enjoyed its glory days in the U.S., it rode on the backs of guys like Jim Ryun, Pre, Gerry Lindgren, Billy Mills, etc. Um, well, I guess I'm using just the distances for example here (it's what I know) - Jim Ryun was famous as a young man, competing with the best in the world. Pre was famous for his brash competitiveness. Gerry Lindgren was a champion for the U.S. by defeating the Russians in a duel. Mills had his upset victory in Tokyo. They were famous for competing, for defeating opponents, for championship and victory. GH has said that records are the life of the sport, but I believe that, as Bob H implied, the life of the sport will always be the heart of the sport, and that is competition.

[bekeselassie]

I submit that this is what has been lost. . . . GH has said that records are the life of the sport, but I believe that, as Bob H implied, the life of the sport will always be the heart of the sport, and that is competition.

You and Bob make excellent points. But so often the competition is nothing to write home about, so the records keep it exciting. For example, when is the last time Bekele or Shaheen have been in a "competition" on the track? Not in the last two years. (Except for the OLY 200M final :x )

Using these two guys, I have two observations. One, we know who's going to win the race. Two, the record is all we have to watch them for. Bekele goes after the WR in the 5. He runs 12:40 and afterwards we remember, "Oh yeah, there was someone else of the track - 12:50" Then he goes after the WR for 10, breaks it, we hoop and hollar, and then, "Oh yeah. There were other runners in the 'race'". 2nd place was almost 200m back.

Incredible performances. Pathetic competition.

Again, I love the races and we need them. But without quantifying the performances, it's humdrum more often than it's exciting.

[kuha]

I submit that this is what has been lost. . . . GH has said that records are the life of the sport, but I believe that, as Bob H implied, the life of the sport will always be the heart of the sport, and that is competition.

You and Bob make excellent points. But so often the competition is nothing to write home about, so the records keep it exciting. For example, when is the last time Bekele or Shaheen have been in a "competition" on the track? Not in the last two years. (Except for the OLY 200M final :x )

Using these two guys, I have two observations. One, we know who's going to win the race. Two, the record is all we have to watch them for. Bekele goes after the WR in the 5. He runs 12:40 and afterwards we remember, "Oh yeah, there was someone else of the track - 12:50" Then he goes after the WR for 10, breaks it, we hoop and hollar, and then, "Oh yeah. There were other runners in the 'race'". 2nd place was almost 200m back.

Incredible performances. Pathetic competition.

Again, I love the races and we need them. But without quantifying the performances, it's humdrum more often than it's exciting.

I agree with all this. In those few instances when there are two or more great athletes in the same event at the same time, you have it all: fast races and heated competition. That's the ideal, clearly. However, for many events, there are obviously "fallow" periods in which one athlete towers above everyone else. In those cases, it may well NOT be the competition that's really most important, but rather the sheer quality of the efforts from the top guy. I personally have no problem at all with this--and its really not a matter of always demanding WRs, but simply a matter of seeing all-out efforts and fast times.

And, in regard to someone like Ryun, I don't think we can discount the fact that he broke--no SMASHED--WRs several times. The records very clearly helped establish his "name" recognition with the larger public.

[bad hammy]

And, in regard to someone like Ryun, I don't think we can discount the fact that he broke--no SMASHED--WRs several times. The records very clearly helped establish his "name" recognition with the larger public.

And the fact that he smashed these records at such a young age, dropping the HS record by a huge amount, and then taking big chunks out of WRs right out of high school.

[kuha]

And, in regard to someone like Ryun, I don't think we can discount the fact that he broke--no SMASHED--WRs several times. The records very clearly helped establish his "name" recognition with the larger public.

And the fact that he smashed these records at such a young age, dropping the HS record by a huge amount, and then taking big chunks out of WRs right out of high school.

Absolutely.

[bekeselassie]

. . . its really not a matter of always demanding WRs, but simply a matter of seeing all-out efforts and fast times.

Exactly!

I'll even take my stance a step in a slightly different direction. There's something to be said for the record lasting a long time. That is, it's kinda cool to see athletes come close to breaking the record, but missing it. It gives us a greater respect for the record, but it's exciting if they at least come close.

[Powell]

It will be my first time in Russia, too.

Now, that is a REAL surprise.

Why's that a surprise? Travelling to Russia is complicated in terms of the visa procedure etc. Anywhere else in Europe (well, nearly) I can go whenever I feel like it.

[Pego]

It will be my first time in Russia, too.

Now, that is a REAL surprise.

Why's that a surprise? Travelling to Russia is complicated in terms of the visa procedure etc. Anywhere else in Europe (well, nearly) I can go whenever I feel like it.

Well, I think you are old enough to have lived and been involved in sports for years under socialism. I suppose you also had banners "With the Soviet Union forever".
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Powell]

Well, I think you are old enough to have lived and been involved in sports for years under socialism.

I think I'm not 8)