Where's Suetsugu

[Guest]

I hate to bring up the topic of race but why is it that every time I see the start list for the sprints in the golden league or any IAAF meet the entire field is usually West African or African
American. I can understand that there are not a lot of great caucausian, or Asian 100m men but there are some 200m and 400m guys who should be represented. There is not one white sprinter competeing at this weeks IAAF finals. Shingo Suetsugu finished third and is ranked number 7 according to their rankings but does not show up in the startlist he should have also been invited to run some Golden League 100m with a great PR of 10.03. Potter and Steele from the U.S. have competed well enough to compete at some of the Grand Prix and Golden League meets but are never invited. Maybe the athletes aren't choosing to participate? If young European or Asian kids never see one of their athletes competing at these meets they won't take any interest in the sport. Look at what Yao Ming has done to increase popularity of the NBA nationwide.

[gh]

Re: Where's Suetsugu

Justin:

I think you're seeing a conspiracy where none exists. First, let's answer the easy question, Potter and Steele. Both have NCAA eligibility remaining, which means very strict rules relative to what "assistance" they can receive. So even if a GP promoter wants to invite them, they'd have to fund everything themselves. And in this instance, both were eager to prove themselves on the Pan-Am stage, and did so pretty well.

As for Suetsugu, if he was rated No. 7 and isn't in the GP Final, then it's his choice and his alone, as the rules guarantee him a spot.

As to why he wasn't in an earlier race (assuming he wanted to be in one), he ran in exactly one meet (in the 200) all year prior to Paris and that was in May. If you were a European meet promoter would you fly him all the way from Japan with such an unproven track record and not remotely being a ticket-seller?

Being a ticket-seller is huge. Look at the list of entrants in any big GP meet and see how many over-the-hill former Olympic/WC champions/medalists are invited even though there are many people better than them who aren't. If you can say "featuring 27 Olympic medalists" in your advertising that sells a lot more seats than "come and see Shingo Suetsugu!"

[Guest]

Re: Where's Suetsugu

I don't think it is a conspiracy in track, Gary. But I think more Asian's and europeans would watch these events if one of thier athletes were represented. Japan is a huge country and they might pay more attention to track and field with Suetsugu running so fast right now. Japanese sprinters who can run 10.03 and 20.03 don't come around every day. I also don't think anyone is going to the meet to watch J.J. Johnson who is ranked lower than Shingo. Your point about Potter and Steele is interesting but how could they run at Pan Am if they aren't professionals, and don't the athletes get paid prize money at the Worlds, they ran the 4X4 there. You may be right about this but Potter is poised to run mid to low 44's.

[gh]

Re: Where's Suetsugu

Pan-Ams is a "national-team competition" overseen by the USOC. That's permitted. (as are WC and OG) Freebie trips to the GP Circuit are not. (not that the NCAA is ever-vigilant on this subject)