we are inconsistent. we run the mile indoors but 1500 outdoors, why? in eurpoe, they run the 1500 indoors and out.
the mile is "understood" but so too should be the 100 yard dash, right? Because we didn't run the 110 yd dash and then just convert it to the 100m, we actually ran the 100 yd dash, but also ran the 220yd and 440yd and 880yd and even the 1660. So how come people "understand" the 100m, but not the 1500m? Maybe because of the 10 second barrier. Well, then the 1500 should be magic for women, because the quest to break 4 minutes could be understood.
Where did the 1600 in high school come from? Most people think that is the mile, and that 3200 is the 2 mile, but they are not.
It would probably be more supported to change the mile indoors to the 1500, than changing the 1500 to the mile outdoors. But I do think we need consistency.
Change takes time. Shoot I've been coaching for a generation, and only now am I can i speak in metrics about the high jump, long jump and triple jump. The athletes in the events learn to do that too.
Track isn't football or basketball anymore. It isn't popular, and we should stop worrying about what a group of older or uncaring people will understand. It didn't become unpopular because of the metric system or the 1500.
You can't get a qualifying time from a mile if you are an international athlete competing in the ncaa.
Maybe 2 day, 20+ hour track meets are the problem. Maybe teams going to 3 different meets on the same weekend are the problem. Maybe head coaches who want to put resources in only one event group is the problem.
I like the mile too. I don't understand why we do one indoor and a different event outdoor. Either we are American track and field and use the mile, or we are an international sport and use the 1500.