Run-Down Forums

[Conway]

Last night my kids started asking me about starting a X-mas list ... Made me think about our recent conversation on how we feel about the sport this year and I was thinking (I know look out) .. What if we started to put together wish list for track and field ... With the potential goal of sending such a list to the USATF AND /OR IAAF !!!

Sort of a run down from Run Down on how we feel the sport might be able to improve itself !!! We have lots of ideas ... Why not share ???

Conway

[Dan]

I like the sound of that. I'll throw a few obvious ones out there:

- more domestic (US) competitions
- keep working to [further] improve broadcast coverage of meets
- as much as possible, included every event in every meet
- find a way to emphasize head to head competition
- get rid of drug testing

Dan

[Conway]

You took all the good ones right off the bat !! Of course you realize that we should have some suggestions to go with the wish list - not just a bunch of complaints ... LOL !!

One thing I would like to add would be to look for ways to make meets more fan friendly ... For example, better use of field events markers/signs ... Greater information flow from the press box ... More focusing on field events when high quality fields are involved - try to isolate some time on the schedule for them, use long time block between running events more wisely ...

And another thing I would add would be better web sites for BOTH USATF and IAAF !!! Neither are user freindly and the USA site definitely lacks aesthetics (as well as user friendliness) !!!

Conway

[Dan]

emphasize quality announcing (makes a huge difference for spectators and competitors alike)

Dan

[Distance_Guru]

I like just about everything on Dan's list.

I would say really crack down on drugs as opposed to stop testing all together but, we are trying to achieve the same goal (legitimacy of athletes and competitive balance) we're just asking for it in different ways.

Other things:
Better media coverage times and re-runs. Hey ESPN how about replaying this years Zurich meet instead of the 1978 Worlds Strongest Man Compotition :question: :question:

More coverage of Cross Country meets (NCAA, USA and World Champs). I don't know if it counts towards track or not but hey, I'll throw it in there.

Continued progression in the area of distance running training programs for post college (and even college aged) American distance runners. Like the Nike Farm Team.

Ban Carol Lewis from Television, radio and internet coverage of track and field.
_________________
Time is the fire in which we burn

[Paul]

Not exactly an answer to Conway's question, but my x-mas list would include a chance for all of us to get together in the near future.

...and DG, I, too, am so tired of those stupid Strong Man Competition repeats on ESPN. :t-: :t-: :t-:

Paul

[Conway]

The Favorites thread lead me to this one ...

Creating less of a barrier between the athletes and the fans ... Create some sort of Mixer or something to coincide with track meets ... Something aside from clinics ... Clinics are over done and don't involve fans - they involve aspiring young athletes ... Which is good ... But the fans need a connection ... The young athletes are already connected ... Mixers or even luncheons would be nice ... People would be willing ot pay to mingle with the stars and you could raise money !!! If every big meet came with a luncheon think of ht emoney that coudl be raised for development or something ...

Conway

[Dan]

Yeah, think of all the extra money they could spend on drug testing.

Dan

[Conway]

Come now Dan ... How about to pay for Regional Events coaches !!!

And another thought ... How about keeping the Golden League, but changing the format ... Make it a winner take all of the gold, but set up a points system that takes into account wins, marks, and records (meet/world/national) ... Forces individuals to appear AND compete well ... Irrespective of how competitive their individual event is in any given year ... And as far as doublers or triplers, each event would carry it's own set of points - not combinable ... So an athlete could double in the 100 & 200, for example, and earn points in each ... But at some point the athlete may decide to focus on the 200 becasue he or she is performing better there !!! Opens up allkinds of posibilities ... But all good for the fan !!!

Conway

[Dan]

I like that better, but I don't have quite that much confidence in the sport's braintrust... But hey, this is a X-mas wish list!!

A points/ranking system like you describe would be an absolute dream for fans. I wonder what the athletes would think of it? Would it be a deterrant to some of the big names to have to show up more frequently than some prefer? Or would they do whatever the status quo is without giving it much thought?

Dan

[Conway]

Good question ... As an athlete I think I would like it ... Lose once or twice and you still have a chance to redeem yourself ... Everyone in the Oslo 100 was out of the runing this year except for Chambers - who needed ot get ready for Euros so he was effectively eliminated too !!! So after the very first race the 100 meant nothing !!! So much for motivation ...

With a winner take all all events can be on the schedule ... So again as an athlete I like it .. Allen Johnson and Anier Garcia would have had a chance at the gold instead of having to "sit out" this season ... You have a shot every year ...

It also sort of sets up a "who the best athlete for the season" is !!! And I think those who are comptitive would like that ... Better than a simple ranking becasue you get paid for the efforts you put in ...

Conway

[Dan]

Those are all very good arguments in favor of such a system. Maybe we should start a petition?

Dan

[Paul]

Devers would certainly benefit from a change like this.

[Conway]

[Paul]

I would hope that such a plan would keep people from avoiding each other all season long.