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1. Don't think everyone is or has been on PED's. The best are the best because they're the best, not because they cheat. (for the most part)
2. progression is not linear. Making age comparison's are useless.
3. stop relying on an announcement and actually watch the field events and write down the results if they have a competent crew.
4. have a conversation with a knowledgable stranger (No time to educate a luddite who hasn't figured out why the sport is so great). You may learn more than "field or track"
5. Reward excellence by learning how to pronounce the names of the leaders
6. Stand for and remove any headwear during the playing of any anthem. It's a little thing but it shows respect (people from that country will appreciate you).
7. Dammit, just do the wave. (when in Rome...)
8. accept the fact that you will have to stand during some races...because the person in front of you has accepted it.
9. Try to learn the WR distance/time and/or SB's in each event.
10. Introduce an American geezer to the metric system! (It's NOT the mile stupid, it's a race - the historical distance shouldn't matter)
11. The Jumbotron/Diamond vision is a few seconds behind the actual event, in case you need a more instant, instant replay.
Oh yeah, and tfn.com had a version
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index. ... arId=69796
2. progression is not linear. Making age comparison's are useless.
3. stop relying on an announcement and actually watch the field events and write down the results if they have a competent crew.
4. have a conversation with a knowledgable stranger (No time to educate a luddite who hasn't figured out why the sport is so great). You may learn more than "field or track"
5. Reward excellence by learning how to pronounce the names of the leaders
6. Stand for and remove any headwear during the playing of any anthem. It's a little thing but it shows respect (people from that country will appreciate you).
7. Dammit, just do the wave. (when in Rome...)
8. accept the fact that you will have to stand during some races...because the person in front of you has accepted it.
9. Try to learn the WR distance/time and/or SB's in each event.
10. Introduce an American geezer to the metric system! (It's NOT the mile stupid, it's a race - the historical distance shouldn't matter)
11. The Jumbotron/Diamond vision is a few seconds behind the actual event, in case you need a more instant, instant replay.
Oh yeah, and tfn.com had a version
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index. ... arId=69796
11 Ways To Increase Your Enjoyment Of The Sport
TRACK & FIELD IS, OF COURSE, THE GREATEST sport going. But why not make it even more enjoyable? Revisiting a concept I first posed a decade ago in this spot, here in no particular order are 11 ways to increase your enjoyment of the sport:
1. Don’t sit close to the track. Sitting down close, even at the finish line—just like center court or the 50-yard line—is way overrated. If you really want to watch races develop, or follow the field events, sit high up. Even consider sitting on the backstretch, near the 1500 start. That’s an amazing vantage point.
2. Think of the sport as field & track. Unskilled announcers and poor visual aids can make this a tough one, but learn to enjoy the ebb and flow of the jumps and throws. Chart the event yourself.
3. Bring a non-fan to the meet. Not only will you have the chance to create new followers, you can also boost your ego by being expert-for-a-day. Cultivate your kids, if you’re of an age.
4. Join or form a track fantasy league. “Owning” athletes is a real kick in the pants (and sometimes in the head).
5. Volunteer to work a meet. The sport gives lots to you; give something back, even if it’s just raking the pit. Better yet, think about becoming an official, a commodity we’re woefully short on in most places.
6. Combine going to meets with tourism. No matter where you live, or how little time you have, there are always things worth stopping to see.
7. Visit both ends of the spectrum. If you like high school track, with all its purity and unfettered emotion, step up to the collegiate scene, or even the pros. Be blown away by the talent those at the top end exhibit. Conversely, if you’re jaded by the Euro Circuit, go and watch an elementary-school field day. The sight of those uncoordinated little critters giving their all will bring tears to your eyes.
8. Forget you’re a T&FN reader when you watch track on TV. Out of necessity, they’re pitching the sport at a wide demographic, one that’s not remotely track-savvy. Be thankful for what you get and revel in the fact that you understand the sport so well.
9. Go out to dinner with other fans after a meet. If you enjoyed the meet the first time round, you’ll enjoy it even more when you rehash a race, or fight over what strategy might have helped Lagat beat El Guerrouj back in ’04. Debate whether or not the no-false start rule is good or bad. Be sure to include the non-fan (Rule 3) here.
10. Even if you’re a Luddite, embrace the electronic age. You don’t have to go the 24/7 route, but learn to follow the sport on-line. Check out the social media aspect.
11. Scribble in your program, and keep it. This is your own permanent record. Pull it out days/weeks/months/years later and relive that great 100 when you read, “Jones 10.54, Smith 10.55, Johnson 10.55.”
The corollary to this last, of course, is the First Commandment: Never throw away a copy of T&FN!
TRACK & FIELD IS, OF COURSE, THE GREATEST sport going. But why not make it even more enjoyable? Revisiting a concept I first posed a decade ago in this spot, here in no particular order are 11 ways to increase your enjoyment of the sport:
1. Don’t sit close to the track. Sitting down close, even at the finish line—just like center court or the 50-yard line—is way overrated. If you really want to watch races develop, or follow the field events, sit high up. Even consider sitting on the backstretch, near the 1500 start. That’s an amazing vantage point.
2. Think of the sport as field & track. Unskilled announcers and poor visual aids can make this a tough one, but learn to enjoy the ebb and flow of the jumps and throws. Chart the event yourself.
3. Bring a non-fan to the meet. Not only will you have the chance to create new followers, you can also boost your ego by being expert-for-a-day. Cultivate your kids, if you’re of an age.
4. Join or form a track fantasy league. “Owning” athletes is a real kick in the pants (and sometimes in the head).
5. Volunteer to work a meet. The sport gives lots to you; give something back, even if it’s just raking the pit. Better yet, think about becoming an official, a commodity we’re woefully short on in most places.
6. Combine going to meets with tourism. No matter where you live, or how little time you have, there are always things worth stopping to see.
7. Visit both ends of the spectrum. If you like high school track, with all its purity and unfettered emotion, step up to the collegiate scene, or even the pros. Be blown away by the talent those at the top end exhibit. Conversely, if you’re jaded by the Euro Circuit, go and watch an elementary-school field day. The sight of those uncoordinated little critters giving their all will bring tears to your eyes.
8. Forget you’re a T&FN reader when you watch track on TV. Out of necessity, they’re pitching the sport at a wide demographic, one that’s not remotely track-savvy. Be thankful for what you get and revel in the fact that you understand the sport so well.
9. Go out to dinner with other fans after a meet. If you enjoyed the meet the first time round, you’ll enjoy it even more when you rehash a race, or fight over what strategy might have helped Lagat beat El Guerrouj back in ’04. Debate whether or not the no-false start rule is good or bad. Be sure to include the non-fan (Rule 3) here.
10. Even if you’re a Luddite, embrace the electronic age. You don’t have to go the 24/7 route, but learn to follow the sport on-line. Check out the social media aspect.
11. Scribble in your program, and keep it. This is your own permanent record. Pull it out days/weeks/months/years later and relive that great 100 when you read, “Jones 10.54, Smith 10.55, Johnson 10.55.”
The corollary to this last, of course, is the First Commandment: Never throw away a copy of T&FN!
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