With Bolt's retirement, drug bans, leadership scandals & the Semenya spectacle, Pro T&F faces tough times after Rio.

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7 years ago 07/23/2016 2:22am EDT

Crowds have been lighter at track events in Europe this summer, including the World Junior Championships being held this week. Many casual fans of the sport will probably disappear permanently after the Olympic bloom has faded this year. There have been too many issues undermining the integrity of athletics. A large percentage of the world records are suspect and there is zero confidence that championship medals have been earned fairly. The joy of watching a professional track meet is greatly diminished when circumstances cause one to question nearly every impressive performance.

7 years ago 07/23/2016 2:31am EDT

re: Last nails in the coffin

Ten years ago, Balco was still fresh and America's Olympic 100m champion and world record holder tested positive for testosterone. The situation could be worse.

7 years ago 07/23/2016 3:05am EDT

re: Left Said Fred

Yes and it has been 10 years of more of the same. Pro track and field can't fill a stadium outside of Eugene in the US. Europe has issues. Did you see the crowd at the British trials in the video that one of the Brojos posted? The sport has a strong niche following, but we risk becoming gymnastics or figure skating if changes aren't made. I've tuned out the tour since the Lance, Floyd, and co. doping. Are we gymnastics and figure skating? I'm too tired to look up viewership numbers right now.

7 years ago 07/23/2016 3:48am EDT

re: Last nails in the coffin

Rampant doping has made track uninteresting. There's really not much I'm looking forward to watching in Rio. But I can't wait for the 800m for trannies. That's going to be an absurd freak show.

7 years ago 07/23/2016 4:16am EDT

re: Counter argument

Counter argument wrote:
Did you see the crowd at the British trials in the video that one of the Brojos posted?

British athletics only has a tiny number of personalities. Jessica Ennis-Hill is probably the best liked. She is engaging, based in the UK, and can still mix it with the best.

However, her status is outweighed by lack of personalities elsewhere. In 2012 the British public saw Mo win and do his 'Mobot', but since then it seems that his visits to the UK are largely just to collect appearance fees. He could have done massive things to promote athletics in the UK by staying here and working with schools, etc.

We also have zero clout in blue riband events like the 100M. Britain finished 3rd in the 2012 OC medal table and yet can't produce a 100M runner who can consistently run under 10 seconds.

7 years ago 07/23/2016 4:27am EDT

re: Counter argument

Gymnasts and figure skaters would beat eachother senseless to make the sort of money sprints and middle distance athletes earn. A darling Olympic Champion can earn that money, but you've just seen another group of young athletes sign contracts for loads of money, none of whom have even so much have even qualified for a single Olympic Games. That doesn't happen in gymnastics or skating.

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With Bolt's retirement, drug bans, leadership scandals & the Semenya spectacle, Pro T&F faces tough times after Rio.

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With Bolt's retirement, drug bans, leadership scandals & the Semenya spectacle, Pro T&F faces tough times after Rio.

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