Tweet
According to IAAF site both Rabat (Morrocco) and Belem (Brazil) had attendance in the 30-35,000 range. We all know that attendance at big meets in Europe is always hitting 15 - 60,000, depending on stadium size.
Carson's crowd numbers were embarrassing.
NYC's Reebok Grand Prix sold out last year at about 7,000 and is likely to sellout again this year at roughly around 8-9,000 (increased seating capacity on back stretch). that's encouraging, but New York is a region of about 20 million people that regularly pulls large numbers for all kinds of sporting events. btw, the atmosphere at Reebok is good. it's a small, but quality stadium and it gets loud.
Pre in Eugene will likely pull a solid 15-20,000 as it usually does. but, that's Prefontaine and it's Eugene, which is an anomoly in the U.S.
Bottom line: what gives? why do early season meets in Morrocco and Brazil pull 30,000 and New York will be deemed successful if it sells out at about 8,000?
old topic. but please people, how about some intelligent debate on the what's going on here?
here's one argument: stadium design matters. most U.S. track meets are held in lifeless sports facilities that have zero atmosphere. as a former track athlete that competed all over the U.S. and Europe, I know that athletes and fans are influenced by stadium atmosphere. it's not just numbers; it's also aesthetics.
Carson's crowd numbers were embarrassing.
NYC's Reebok Grand Prix sold out last year at about 7,000 and is likely to sellout again this year at roughly around 8-9,000 (increased seating capacity on back stretch). that's encouraging, but New York is a region of about 20 million people that regularly pulls large numbers for all kinds of sporting events. btw, the atmosphere at Reebok is good. it's a small, but quality stadium and it gets loud.
Pre in Eugene will likely pull a solid 15-20,000 as it usually does. but, that's Prefontaine and it's Eugene, which is an anomoly in the U.S.
Bottom line: what gives? why do early season meets in Morrocco and Brazil pull 30,000 and New York will be deemed successful if it sells out at about 8,000?
old topic. but please people, how about some intelligent debate on the what's going on here?
here's one argument: stadium design matters. most U.S. track meets are held in lifeless sports facilities that have zero atmosphere. as a former track athlete that competed all over the U.S. and Europe, I know that athletes and fans are influenced by stadium atmosphere. it's not just numbers; it's also aesthetics.
Comment