Heard from a few post collegiate coaches that USATF may not fill out the fields to the numbers they have listed on their entry standard page. They will only take athletes that have meet the assigned standard. So once again there will be open lanes or partial fields for events like the 5k and 10k again this year. Why does USATF feel the need to act like an elitist corporation? They are helping to kill this sport! Maybe a boycott is in order?
USATF WTF? wrote:
Heard from a few post collegiate coaches that USATF may not fill out the fields to the numbers they have listed on their entry standard page. They will only take athletes that have meet the assigned standard. So once again there will be open lanes or partial fields for events like the 5k and 10k again this year. Why does USATF feel the need to act like an elitist corporation? They are helping to kill this sport! Maybe a boycott is in order?
If someone wants to run in the USATF Nationals, they need to meet the assigned standard.
This is not Jr. High.
They need to take the next three guys/gals on the list that didn't get in and tell them to hit certain splits. If they make the splits and finish in the top 3 they win some prize money (or in a championship year one of the 3 will earn a provisional entry). And if they choose to run with the pack on a slow pace, no matter where they finish, they get no money (or in a championship year, no provisional entry).
If they make their splits and don't finish in the top 3, they should be happy they were invited.
bobby s wrote:
USATF WTF? wrote:Heard from a few post collegiate coaches that USATF may not fill out the fields to the numbers they have listed on their entry standard page. They will only take athletes that have meet the assigned standard. So once again there will be open lanes or partial fields for events like the 5k and 10k again this year. Why does USATF feel the need to act like an elitist corporation? They are helping to kill this sport! Maybe a boycott is in order?
If someone wants to run in the USATF Nationals, they need to meet the assigned standard.
This is not Jr. High.
This. No reason to take people who haven't made the standard.
Fill the lanes witn boys wearing soiled, undersized, hole-ly speedos, showing their dual cheeks and bulge for the TV camera.
USATF does not meet the standard.
You are not a college or post collegiate coach, because the system is different this year. There are not A and B standards, there is a single standard, and there is no issue of promoting "provisional" athletes. They are officially leaving lane 1 open in 200,400, and 400 hurdles, and you have virtually no chance if you are stuck in lane 1 (even in an 800).
"The Sport Committee will use the field size number only if there are insufficient number of athletes entered who have met the qualifying standard for that event. In this case, the committee will go down the list of entered and declared athletes only as deep as is needed to fill the field."
it's about the money & the quest to be cost effective
and the second reason is
it's about the money & the quest to be cost effective
Alvin Harrison took 4th in the Olympics in Lane one in the 400. Then he went on the juice but he did something.
what don't you understand? wrote:
"The Sport Committee will use the field size number only if there are insufficient number of athletes entered who have met the qualifying standard for that event. In this case, the committee will go down the list of entered and declared athletes only as deep as is needed to fill the field."
This is exactly the opposite of what the OP is saying. Who is right?
coach d wrote:
you have virtually no chance if you are stuck in lane 1 (even in an 800).
Most idiotic post ever, your lane assignment means very little in an 800.
In the PDX wrote:
They need to take the next three guys/gals on the list that didn't get in and tell them to hit certain splits. If they make the splits and finish in the top 3 they win some prize money (or in a championship year one of the 3 will earn a provisional entry). And if they choose to run with the pack on a slow pace, no matter where they finish, they get no money (or in a championship year, no provisional entry).
If they make their splits and don't finish in the top 3, they should be happy they were invited.
THIS is an excellent idea. Could keep a few of the longer races from becoming ridiculous sit and kick races.
As for the point about lane one - did you ever hear of Angelo Taylor? Lane one - 400h gold in Sydney
Mike in LA wrote:
In the PDX wrote:They need to take the next three guys/gals on the list that didn't get in and tell them to hit certain splits. If they make the splits and finish in the top 3 they win some prize money (or in a championship year one of the 3 will earn a provisional entry). And if they choose to run with the pack on a slow pace, no matter where they finish, they get no money (or in a championship year, no provisional entry).
If they make their splits and don't finish in the top 3, they should be happy they were invited.
THIS is an excellent idea. Could keep a few of the longer races from becoming ridiculous sit and kick races.
As for the point about lane one - did you ever hear of Angelo Taylor? Lane one - 400h gold in Sydney
Sniper in the stands taking the athlete out when he fails to hit the required split. That would get the NASCAR fans to get on board'
Guaranteed gore in every race!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbz-4UFdWDw
Angelo winning the Gold medal in the Olympic 400m hurdles from lane 1.
USATF WTF? wrote:
Heard from a few post collegiate coaches that USATF may not fill out the fields to the numbers they have listed on their entry standard page. They will only take athletes that have meet the assigned standard. So once again there will be open lanes or partial fields for events like the 5k and 10k again this year. Why does USATF feel the need to act like an elitist corporation? They are helping to kill this sport! Maybe a boycott is in order?
Not saying I agree or disagree, but instead of just knee jerk bashing...for once, try to see it from their standpoint. Btw, take a look at some other T&F national governing bodies practices, starting with GB and Canada to get some perpective.
USATF WTF? wrote: Why does USATF feel the need to act like an elitist corporation?
I'm no fan of the USATF, but I would hope that the National Championships would be elitist.
Op
I'm guessing you're from the generation of participation trophies.
What is a reasonable number of qualifiers per event for U.S. Nationals? I think we can agree that allowing 1,000,000 per event is too many, and only allowing 1 individual is too few.
I say take the top 24 U.S. performers per event by a cutoff date. It strikes a balance between elitist enough and is a reasonable goal to encourage development of athletes rising up through the ranks.
J.R. wrote:
USATF does not meet the standard.
another person who has NO IDEAS who or what "USATF" is. I'm curious, do you know? It is all of us.... the members, volunteers, athletes and coaches vote on the standards and issues. Perhaps USATF needs to be made of a professional staff only.