Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

[gh]

Every few months we get a thread asking why we don't have a relay WC and what a great idea it would be, etc., etc. And the answer is that the rest of the world doesn't feel quite the same about relays as the U.S. does. Better proof was never given than in Budapest, where the level of performance--even taking into account this is an Olympic year--were pathetic. A 3:10 winning a medal?

[Powell]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

'The rest of the world' ? Then how about the US women not making the final in Budapest ? Doesn't that show the US itself doesn't show much commitment to the relays ?

[gh]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

Little bit of apples & oranges: athletes in the U.S. (to a greater extent than any other nation on the planet?) enjoy autonomy, and most of the good women quartermilers simply skipped the selection meet. The U.S. as a whole had nothing to do with it.

In other nations federations pretty much decide who runs when and where and obviously many decided it didn't mean anything.

Wasn't meant as a slam at the rest of the world, rather as an eye-opener to the U.S. fans who drink in relays year-round and can't understand why the rest of the world doesn't follow suit.

[Dutra]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

>'The rest of the world' ? Then how about the US women not making the final in
>Budapest ? Doesn't that show the US itself doesn't show much commitment to the
>relays ?>

We sent a rocket fast team to the World Champs didn't we?

[Halfmiler2]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

I think the timing is the problem here. A relay championship outdoors in the even-numbered years between Summer Olympics would be awesome and get much support.

[gh]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

You mean the years that will start with a World Indoor Championships and then have a Commonwealth Games and a European Championships as well as the GP Circuit/Golden League/GP Final?

Afraid it just wouldn't fly on a calendar that already has too many "championship" meets as far as most people are concerned.

[Conway]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

Then why not add it to something that is relatively meaningless at the moment - like the GP Final ... It has an image problem with somany other championships ... Let it offer something that the others doesn't ... Perhaps draw more attention to it ... Get a global sponsor and some television ...

[marknhj]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

Garry is correct. No one outside the US really gives a flying @#&* about any relay beyond 4x400m. I saw our guys break the 4x800m world record (Cram, Coe, Elliott, Cook) and the general consensus was, "so what"...

[Pego]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

I would prefer the restoration of the World Cup to what it was in it's glory days.

[tafnut]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

You're looking at it the wrong way. The correct perspective is $$$$. Since Europe does have the requistite fan base to pull this off - find some GP II meet that wants to be big-time and have it 'sponsor' a 'Relay WC". The IAAF would like it, fans would like it, some business sponsor would like the 'IAAF WC' affiliation and presto, you've got the resources to invite (buy) the top 'teams'. As soon as you wave some $$ at federations and individuals, they'll work you into their schedule. It IS doable.

[rmayes]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

Part of the problem with the long relays is the fields typically get spread way out and the handoffs are uneventful. At least with the 4x100m a slower team has a chance with well executed handoffs etc. I just don't see most of the longer relays being big crowd drawers. I'd say a world class 4x800m would be less interesting than a good 3000m run just because it would be tough to get two competitive teams together...when Coe et al broke the world record for the 4x800 how far behind was the next team? Look how rarely the men’s 4x400m is competitive at the Olympics or World champs. It would be cool to see some sprint medleys or maybe a world class hurdle shuttle though. It seems the field events always kind of get the shaft at relays too, yeh I know they have events but I mean who cares it's just basically 3 guys/gals taking turns doing their individual event. And the long distance runners get the shaft completely (who wants to watch a 4x5000m), I guess those guys can always do the Hood to Coast.

[Bruce Kritzler]

Re: Why We'll Never Have A Relay World Championships

We already have the ncaa meet. Just look at last weekend's meet, and compare it with indoor world!