Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

[berkeley]

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

[Matt1]

Sanya R has some considerable way to go before she comes even close to being as good as Marita Koch - hauling yourself around the circuit and clocking sub 50s does not a champion make, no matter what one thinks of the DDR system..

[Frans Rutten]

Re: Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

Sure. But Koch's dominance wasn't apart from the recordraces as huge as everyone thinks. If ever someone rose to the occasion (chmps) it clearly was Marita Koch.

She progressed in the span of more than 9 years in 11 races (!) from sub 51s to 47,60s. She had in her career only 6 times out-of-reach for Sanya Richards.

In fact given that ominous 47,60s she had "ONLY" a championship career.

The suggestion in the title: "lack of racing opportunities" is bogus.

[Muscleman]

well....Koch is right. There is no comparison. Sanya is going to destroy that record and take it way out for the next one to reach.

[berkeley]

Re: Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

Sure. But Koch's dominance wasn't apart from the recordraces as huge as everyone thinks. If ever someone rose to the occasion (chmps) it clearly was Marita Koch.

She progressed in the span of more than 9 years in 11 races (!) from sub 51s to 47,60s. She had in her career only 6 times out-of-reach for Sanya Richards.

In fact given that ominous 47,60s she had "ONLY" a championship career.

The suggestion in the title: "lack of racing opportunities" is bogus.

I should have completed Koch's quote to explain the title of the thread: "Nowadays there are more competitions than in former times. [So] you can arrive at the number 37 much faster".

[TrackDaddy]

Sanya R has some considerable way to go before she comes even close to being as good as Marita Koch - hauling yourself around the circuit and clocking sub 50s does not a champion make, no matter what one thinks of the DDR system..

:roll:

Koch has one Olympic Gold in the 400m, one WC gold in the 200m and one 100m silver.

Sanya has one Olympic bronze, one WC gold and one WC silver all in the 400.

It aint like Koch's championship record is unattainable. At age 24 Sanya is almost there now.

And I wont tell you what I think about her 400m record.

[Frans Rutten]

Re: Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

Sure. But Koch's dominance wasn't apart from the recordraces as huge as everyone thinks. If ever someone rose to the occasion (chmps) it clearly was Marita Koch.

She progressed in the span of more than 9 years in 11 races (!) from sub 51s to 47,60s. She had in her career only 6 times out-of-reach for Sanya Richards.

In fact given that ominous 47,60s she had "ONLY" a championship career.

The suggestion in the title: "lack of racing opportunities" is bogus.

I should have completed Koch's quote to explain the title of the thread: "Nowadays there are more competitions than in former times. [So] you can arrive at the number 37 much faster".

Thanks. But my comment 'bogus" was also directly meant for Maritta Koch herself. That was obviously her political correct answer.

Because it was not in her interest or better in that of the collective (GDR) to get exposed too often in situations in where they were'nt fully in control.

[cacique]

In case it wasn't obvious, I was referring to PEDs ... but I guess I'm up against some DDR apologists here. Muscleman, I hope you're right, but I think the first goal for Sanya is Perec's 48.25.

we got that. but what's the evidence you presented to support that? none. talk is cheap.

[jpaule]

In case it wasn't obvious, I was referring to PEDs ... but I guess I'm up against some DDR apologists here. Muscleman, I hope you're right, but I think the first goal for Sanya is Perec's 48.25.

Agreed.

Try Cathy Freeman 1st.

[deanouk]

Koch has one Olympic Gold in the 400m, one WC gold in the 200m and one 100m silver.

Sanya has one Olympic bronze, one WC gold and one WC silver all in the 400.

It aint like Koch's championship record is unattainable. At age 24 Sanya is almost there now.

And I wont tell you what I think about her 400m record.

Regardless of whether or not Koch was using anything (and I don't think there is irrefutable evidence, but could be wrong!), she is right about it not being fair to compare what Richards has done to her own career.

Koch won 1 Olympic gold yes, but that's partly due to the '84 boycott. She would certainly have been favourite to beat Brisco-Hooks (who herself came from practically nowhere in one season).
In addition the WC only began in '83 (towards the end of Koch's career) and as they were held every 4 years then, only competed in one of them. And that was a gold at 200m not 400m. Richards has a chance to win one every 2 years.

In Koch's days the European Champs were of much higher quality and more important than they have become today. She won 3 golds at 400m over a period of 8 years. If you then add on all the World Cup medals and those she won at 200m and 100m, then her Championship record is something Richards could only dream of.
Had Koch been able to run in LA 84 and had there been WC every 2 years she would have won many more golds.

[Frans Rutten]

Koch has one Olympic Gold in the 400m, one WC gold in the 200m and one 100m silver.

Sanya has one Olympic bronze, one WC gold and one WC silver all in the 400.

It aint like Koch's championship record is unattainable. At age 24 Sanya is almost there now.

And I wont tell you what I think about her 400m record.

Regardless of whether or not Koch was using anything (and I don't think there is irrefutable evidence, but could be wrong!), she is right about it not being fair to compare what Richards has done to her own career.

Koch won 1 Olympic gold yes, but that's partly due to the '84 boycott. She would certainly have been favourite to beat Brisco-Hooks (who herself came from practically nowhere in one season).
In addition the WC only began in '83 (towards the end of Koch's career) and as they were held every 4 years then, only competed in one of them. And that was a gold at 200m not 400m. Richards has a chance to win one every 2 years.

In Koch's days the European Champs were of much higher quality and more important than they have become today. She won 3 golds at 400m over a period of 8 years. If you then add on all the World Cup medals and those she won at 200m and 100m, then her Championship record is something Richards could only dream of.
Had Koch been able to run in LA 84 and had there been WC every 2 years she would have won many more golds.

Excellent point concerning the championship haul.

But as far as the comparison with the number of sub-50s races is concerned, the "fact" cannot be overlooked that Koch had no interest in competing as often as possible giving the context under which the GDR or the Eastern Bloc for that matter preferred to perform in those days. That sporting moral was heavily intertwined with political motives, therefore they wanted to excel primarily on area (European) or world stages.

But in the end it boils down to the question: who is apart from the more than 2 decades time span the better athlete?

I only know that no contemporary athlete would survive a 11,70s to 10,77s transition (100m to 200m) in a 400m (47,60 WR) race.

So is it heads or tail(s)? 8-)

[duckedup]

Re: Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

LMAO that trick needs to sit down and shut the hell up. who the hell does she think she's kiddin mouthin off like that LOL

[TrackDaddy]

A lot of rationalizing done here in favor of Koch. :roll:

Obviously, that should work in both directions.

And most interesting is that it all began by saying "Regardless of whether or not Koch was using anything..."

Oh really? :?

And this one..."But as far as the comparison with the number of sub-50s races is concerned, the "fact" cannot be overlooked that Koch had no interest in competing as often as possible..."

And how about this gem mentioning "how many more gold medals Koch surely would have had"... While in the SAME BREATH dismissing and omitting why the European Championships and Koch were so "important" back then and including them in the equation anyway. :?

Well NONE of that has ANYTHING to do with the FACT that Sanya has more sub 50s (for whatever reason) and a chance to have more championship medals (also for whatver reason).

Nope...doesnt change those facts one iota.

I mean everybody has a story...thanks for sharing Koch's. :roll:

Look I have no problem with Koch being the WR holder or having the storied career she had ( or let you tell it, would have had :roll: ) however...

I think she should have them quietly.

[TrackDaddy]

Re: Koch upset at lack of racing opportunities

I had to chuckle when I read the following in this month's issue:

"Marita Koch reacted coolly to Sanya Richards breaking her record of career sub-50 races at 37. "You can't compare us]," said the former East German...."

Ya got that right, Marita :lol:

LMAO that trick needs to sit down and shut the hell up. who the hell does she think she's kiddin mouthin off like that LOL

I think she should be quiet too.

[jpaule]

Koch has one Olympic Gold in the 400m, one WC gold in the 200m and one 100m silver.

Sanya has one Olympic bronze, one WC gold and one WC silver all in the 400.

It aint like Koch's championship record is unattainable. At age 24 Sanya is almost there now.

And I wont tell you what I think about her 400m record.

Regardless of whether or not Koch was using anything (and I don't think there is irrefutable evidence, but could be wrong!), she is right about it not being fair to compare what Richards has done to her own career.

Koch won 1 Olympic gold yes, but that's partly due to the '84 boycott. She would certainly have been favourite to beat Brisco-Hooks (who herself came from practically nowhere in one season).
In addition the WC only began in '83 (towards the end of Koch's career) and as they were held every 4 years then, only competed in one of them. And that was a gold at 200m not 400m. Richards has a chance to win one every 2 years.

In Koch's days the European Champs were of much higher quality and more important than they have become today. She won 3 golds at 400m over a period of 8 years. If you then add on all the World Cup medals and those she won at 200m and 100m, then her Championship record is something Richards could only dream of.
Had Koch been able to run in LA 84 and had there been WC every 2 years she would have won many more golds.

Excellent point concerning the championship haul.

But as far as the comparison with the number of sub-50s races is concerned, the "fact" cannot be overlooked that Koch had no interest in competing as often as possible giving the context under which the GDR or the Eastern Bloc for that matter preferred to perform in those days. That sporting moral was heavily intertwined with political motives, therefore they wanted to excel primarily on area (European) or world stages.

But in the end it boils down to the question: who is apart from the more than 2 decades time span the better athlete?

I only know that no contemporary athlete would survive a 11,70s to 10,77s transition (100m to 200m) in a 400m (47,60 WR) race.

So is it heads or tail(s)? 8-)

If anyone doubts that it took less effort for Koch to run a sub 50 400m than any other women who has thus far competed in the event is just not in touch with reality. Hell, I bet she could run a couple of them in training almost any day she wanted to. Who cares about who has the most sub 50s anyway? Who has the most sub 49s, sub 48s is more of an indicator. A world record
of 47.60 is one of "the seven wonders of the women's track and field world".