gh's ideas in current editorial

[Atticus]

I see gh has some proposals in the latest T&FN that are worth debating. You need to read the whole thing to get his rationale, but I'll get the ball rolling.

1. Make the 50 part of the OG/WC.
* I can go along with that.

2. Replace the 400 with the 500 and make it a break to the pole at the end of the first straightaway.
* No on the 500, but a break for the pole at the end of the back straight of the 400 would be great for spectating. Might also end up with faster times because the 200 split would be faster!

3. Get rid of 3-turn stagger in 4x4.
* Absolutely yes.

4. 4 jumps at a height in the HJ/PV.
* Hmm, have to think about that.

5/6. In a devil-take-the hindmost scenario, winnow the other field events and distance races as the event progresses.

7. Add DMR to OG/WC.
* Even tho I ain't no dist fan, I could go along with that. How bout a SMR too?

8. Mixed-sex relays.
* Yeah, OK.

Thoughts? Other ideas?

[aaronk]

As the Beatles once sang----Let It Be.

[cubehead]

I am with gh on a lot of these ideas.

[gh]

As the Beatles once sang----Let It Be.

yes, and nearly all of the beloved Beatles are now.... dead!

[lonewolf]

I see gh has some proposals in the latest T&FN that are worth debating. You need to read the whole thing to get his rationale, but I'll get the ball rolling.

1. Make the 50 part of the OG/WC.
* Ambivalent.. but I don't think we need more events.

2. Replace the 400 with the 500 and make it a break to the pole at the end of the first straightaway.
* No.

3. Get rid of 3-turn stagger in 4x4.
*Yes.

4. 4 jumps at a height in the HJ/PV.
*No.

5/6. In a devil-take-the hindmost scenario, winnow the other field events and distance races as the event progresses.
* Uhhhh.. no

7. Add DMR to OG/WC.
* Ok..and SMR

8. Mixed-sex relays.
OK.

I screwed up the quote but those are my votes.

[berkeley]

yes, and nearly all of the beloved Beatles are now.... dead!

Nearly all ? I count half ...

[berkeley]

I see gh has some proposals in the latest T&FN that are worth debating. You need to read the whole thing to get his rationale, but I'll get the ball rolling.

1. Make the 50 part of the OG/WC.
Yes, definitely.

2. Replace the 400 with the 500 and make it a break to the pole at the end of the first straightaway.
Can't see messing with the 400 in any way.

3. Get rid of 3-turn stagger in 4x4.
Yes

4. 4 jumps at a height in the HJ/PV.
OK, but I don't feel strongly either way.

5/6. In a devil-take-the hindmost scenario, winnow the other field events and distance races as the event progresses.
Field events, yes. But in the distances, a bit radical. It would change the events to fartlek. Something similar (points at intermediate finishes) works in the tour de france though.

7. Add DMR to OG/WC.
Sure.

8. Mixed-sex relays.
No.

Thoughts? Other ideas?

This has been raised before, but laser beams replacing bars in the vertical jumps.

[DoubleRBar]

I don't like the four jumps in the vertical jumping. Stick with three. I do like the 400 and breaking for the pole. I would love to see the distance medley as well as the 8 man (and women) 1,600 meter relay. Each runner goes 200 meters. The 50 would be interesting (they do it in swimming). Yes, get rid of the 3-turn stagger in the 4 X 400 relay. I do like the mixed-sex relays.

Believe me, the more relays you have in the World Championships and Olympic Games, the more enthusiasm you will generate. Imagine the top 8 U.S. 200 runners going against the best 8 from Jamaica, UK, Poland, Ivory Coast, or wherever!

[Dave]

Would 4 tries in the vertical jumps improve the competition or just let people like me enjoy more of the spectacle?

[booond]

3 and 7 are worthwhile the remainder... no.

Alligators patrolling the water jump in the steeple?

[aaronk]

Adding a 4th attempt to the verticals---or even the horizontals--would be unfair to the thousands who got just 3 in the past.
You'd have to ask---What if THEY all had a 4th try?
Would they have set a record with that extra try?

[Dave]

Adding a 4th attempt to the verticals---or even the horizontals--would be unfair to the thousands who got just 3 in the past.
You'd have to ask---What if THEY all had a 4th try?
Would they have set a record with that extra try?

I disagree. That is simply a rule change. In the PV, there have been numerous rule and equipment changes that have either raised the heights or reduced them. This is as it has always been.

[aaronk]

I disagree. That is simply a rule change. In the PV, there have been numerous rule and equipment changes that have either raised the heights or reduced them. This is as it has always been.

Not just a rule change.
Implement changes, yes. (Fiberglass after bamboo, etc.
Tartan vs dirt tracks, better shoes, etc etc.

But giving an extra try at a height would be akin to baseball suddenly needing 4 strikes for a strikeout.

[lonewolf]

Adding a 4th jump in the verticals would mess up the comparative record and increase the already too long time of competition.. and, while it might allow a jumper to take a safe jump, I don't think many jumpers are going to get stronger after a prolonged series of 4th jumps.

[dukehjsteve]

I'm a traditionalist ( outlaw the spin in SP, outlaw the Flop in HJ, outlaw fiberglass pole in the PV )....

ok, back to reality ( !!! ) :

Staggers are a necessary evil in several events, but not so in the last part of the 400, be it the individual 400 or the first leg of the 1600 R. Get 'em around the first turn and down the track a bit, and then the WAR starts !