30 medals?

[lonewolf]

Buying foreign athletes does not bring any prestige to the purchasing country. It does give world class athletes an opportunity to make a living that is denied in their home nation by the plethora of talent. They are not fooling anyone. Let 'em be.

[MJR]

Re: 30 medals?

If you look at the men’s events (24) there are at least 11 (1500, SC, 5k, 10k, Mar, 2 walks, TJ, Discus, Hammer and Jav) in which we are likely not to be any more successful at garnering medals (0) than we were in Beijing.

On the women’s side (23 events) there are at least 13 events (800, 1500, SC, 5K 10K, Mar, walk, HJ, TJ, SP, Discus, Hammer and Jav) in which we are not likely to do any better (even though we medaled in both the discus and the 10k, it is hard to argue that we will be that successful in 2012).

The only reason there is no chance to win medals in the Walks is that no one is willing to let it happen. Yes, I said let it happen. In 97, we formed a training group on 6 athletes in Chula Vista (way before the Team USA distance stuff btw). Their budget was about 30k/year, and a good chunk of that came from the Army WCAP. What happened? 99 WC 50km Bronze & a 7th place 2 years later, a few Pan Am Games medals & a complete rewrite of the US RW record books. What was the response to a program that worked better %-wise & impact per dollar than any other program is US history (for any event)? Remove the funding to pay for the National Relays program. We know how well that worked!

In a nation of 300 million people, the only reason we cannot and do not medal in any event in this sport is 100% because the people who make the decisions in the NCAA & USATF are unwilling & uninterested in actually achieving success in that event. When the athletes fail to win, they need to realize that pointing at that person still leaves 3 fingers pointing back at them.

[Dave]

Re: 30 medals?

If you look at the men’s events (24) there are at least 11 (1500, SC, 5k, 10k, Mar, 2 walks, TJ, Discus, Hammer and Jav) in which we are likely not to be any more successful at garnering medals (0) than we were in Beijing.

On the women’s side (23 events) there are at least 13 events (800, 1500, SC, 5K 10K, Mar, walk, HJ, TJ, SP, Discus, Hammer and Jav) in which we are not likely to do any better (even though we medaled in both the discus and the 10k, it is hard to argue that we will be that successful in 2012).

The only reason there is no chance to win medals in the Walks is that no one is willing to let it happen. Yes, I said let it happen. In 97, we formed a training group on 6 athletes in Chula Vista (way before the Team USA distance stuff btw). Their budget was about 30k/year, and a good chunk of that came from the Army WCAP. What happened? 99 WC 50km Bronze & a 7th place 2 years later, a few Pan Am Games medals & a complete rewrite of the US RW record books. What was the response to a program that worked better %-wise & impact per dollar than any other program is US history (for any event)? Remove the funding to pay for the National Relays program. We know how well that worked!
....

This post speaks to honest to goodness strategy for improving World Championship/Olympic results. This is precisely the sort of strategy that should be addressed by the USATF. The basic assumption should be that with a reasonable, and in this case quite modest, investment, more talent will be developed to a higher level. This properly sets aside the question of luck and impact of the one's opinion of the process of selecting a team. The focus here is making sure that talent is developed so that we have capable people in more events than the sprints, hurdles, and a couple field events.

[Gleason]

Re: 30 medals?

Small correction -- Curt Clausen was FOURTH in the 1999 World Championship.

Feb. 2000 T&FN p.21:

"CLAUSEN MADE HUGE NEWS, becoming the first American to place in the Rankings (either walk) since Ron Laird was No. 4 in the 20 in '74."

I had forgotten about this excellent achievement. Thanks for the reminder.

[MJR]

Re: 30 medals?

Small correction -- Curt Clausen was FOURTH in the 1999 World Championship.

Feb. 2000 T&FN p.21:

"CLAUSEN MADE HUGE NEWS, becoming the first American to place in the Rankings (either walk) since Ron Laird was No. 4 in the 20 in '74."

I had forgotten about this excellent achievement. Thanks for the reminder.

Clausen was moved up to 3rd after a drug test positive. It took over 2 years for him to get his medal & the money he was owed. Interestingly enough, that same cheater died in 2008. Makes you wonder WTF they had this guy on that it killed him so young.

[Gleason]

Re: 30 medals?

Small correction -- Curt Clausen was FOURTH in the 1999 World Championship.

Feb. 2000 T&FN p.21:

"CLAUSEN MADE HUGE NEWS, becoming the first American to place in the Rankings (either walk) since Ron Laird was No. 4 in the 20 in '74."

I had forgotten about this excellent achievement. Thanks for the reminder.

Clausen was moved up to 3rd after a drug test positive. It took over 2 years for him to get his medal & the money he was owed. Interestingly enough, that same cheater died in 2008. Makes you wonder WTF they had this guy on that it killed him so young.

Thanks, I missed that.