Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44" athlete...

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

Larry James was one of the greatest 400 meters runnes of all time. In 1968 at the Penn Relays he was clocked in under 43 seconds on his great anchor leg running down a 45 second Rice University 400 man. Larry ran the fastest ever 500 yards and won numerous NCAA titles. He is well deserving of the T&F Hall of Fame. More importantly Larry is a great Husband, Father, son, friend and a great administrator. He has my love and respect.

[gh]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

No sub-43: he ran 43.9 for 440y (=43.6). But he's not "one of the great 400m runners of all-time." Very-very good, and perhaps worthy of the Hall of Fame at some point in time, but while there are so many far superior candidates who havent' been inducted, his choice should be viewed as premature, at best.

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

neitheranunknownorhof

[OLCATs_Editor]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

Right on point!

The facts speak for themselves.

In spite of advances in technology, equipment, knowledge and training techniques, his accomplishments have been seldom, if ever, duplicated at any altitude.

In the areas of character and commitment to the sport, however, we could well appreciate more people like him today.

(For more of my views, if interested, just look up "OLCATs Online Coaching Assistant Tools" on a major search engine. Meanwhile, please give Mr Larry James his overdue respect and honor.)

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

Does anyone know Larry James 400m best at sea level. That might put things in perspective.

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

44.9 (converted 45.2 for 440y), not making him among the 50 (maybe even 60) fastest Americans ever. The guys lucky enough to run at Mexico in 1968 have been deified WAY beyond their true stature.

Otis Davis ran 44.9 when it was a World Record (on dirt I might add) and won the gold medal in doing so (after setting new Olympic Records in both his quarterfinal and semifinal). Eight years later James, another 44.9 guy, wins silver and he beats Davis into the HOF? Sorry, does not compute.

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

Is Herb McKenley historys first sub 46 quarter miler and the first man to split sub 45 on a relay leg in the Hall of Fame ?

He doesn't have an individual gold medal either but his credentials are impressive. Three Olympic silvers in individual events, world records, fastest relay split for years and numerous collegiate honours won plus.......

How does Larry stack up against someone like him?

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

minor problem...... the USATF Hall of Fame is for US citizens only.

[Guest]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

>minor problem...... the USATF Hall of Fame is for
>US citizens only.>>

Is it? There are certainly coaches in there who started their careers competing in other countries and never represented the U.S. and may never have taken out citizenship.

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

well, I am just assuming that it's for US citizens only; can't imagine otherwise. I think I'd bet the farm on it. Otherwise a raft of foreign athletes who competed for US schools would be in such as Henry Rono, Herb McKenley, etc. Maybe they are looser on coaches ? Who in particular are you thinking of ?

[Emma Grant]

Re: Larry JAMES, the most unknown sub-44

Earl Thomson won an Oly gold for Canada. May have become a U.S. citizen when he coached at Navy, but his coaching credentials pale compared to his athletic credentials. Of course, this just may be another example of the old boy network putting in one of their buddies.

The ultimate exception to a US only rule for someone who wasn't a noted coach was Stella Walsh. She competed internationally for Poland.

So, yeah, where are the other longtime residents, not just the guys who were here only for college. People who won several AAU outdoor titles like McKenley (3) or Ritola (4) or Orton (13)??