Just look at the DL Women's 1500m today and how the medalists did vs. non-medalists. It really seems that getting a medal on the day is mostly luck, tactics and peaking well vs. really being the best of the best in the World.
Just look at the DL Women's 1500m today and how the medalists did vs. non-medalists. It really seems that getting a medal on the day is mostly luck, tactics and peaking well vs. really being the best of the best in the World.
The sport has agreed that the assessment of "the best" is to measure their ability to train and compete in one race, the Olympic Final. By setting one aingle competition, you garuntee that every other athlete is also brining their best effort, training and plan perform in that event.
Performing well outside of the Final isn't a measuring stick for "the best", because even if you chose to peak for something else, no one else did; you are not comparing yourself to their best.
OntheStromphhh wrote:
Just look at the DL Women's 1500m today and how the medalists did vs. non-medalists. It really seems that getting a medal on the day is mostly luck, tactics and peaking well vs. really being the best of the best in the World.
Totally. My neighbor had never broken 16 for 5K and he won a Gold a few years back. He just peaked well and got lucky when some guys got boxed in and had to run wide on the last turn.
OntheStromphhh wrote:
Just look at the DL Women's 1500m today and how the medalists did vs. non-medalists. It really seems that getting a medal on the day is mostly luck, tactics and peaking well vs. really being the best of the best in the World.
Yes, there is some level of "luck" in winning a medal. But it is not random. I am not sure it is mostly luck, but you have to consider that the people in the final are not separated by a lot.
The only thing that makes the Olympics special is the marketing hype that surrounds them.
Letsrun is stupid wrote:
The only thing that makes the Olympics special is the marketing hype that surrounds them.
Well, yes, that and the fact that every athlete in the race thinks it's special... they probably think that because of 'marketing hype' but if you put it that way, what is really special???
Bekekelele wrote:
The sport has agreed that the assessment of "the best" is to measure their ability to train and compete in one race, the Olympic Final. By setting one aingle competition, you garuntee that every other athlete is also brining their best effort, training and plan perform in that event.
Performing well outside of the Final isn't a measuring stick for "the best", because even if you chose to peak for something else, no one else did; you are not comparing yourself to their best.
This. It's the big dance. Everyone shows up with their best. No excuses. No one gives a sh*t about someone DL win. All eyes are on the Olympics, from the hardcore running fans all the way to the people that have literally zero knowledge of running.
This.
Luck? Are you kidding me?
Perhaps you are forgetting that the medalists probably don't care that much about a DL race one week after the Games and the losers at the Games have everything to prove at the DL event after losing at the Games.
Also medal winners are probably enticed to go to the DL event for appearance fees and/or by their sponsor. It's called "easy money".
Faith Kipyegon was a 2015 world champs silver medalist and had the best first half of the 2016 outdoor season in the event. She excelled when it mattered. Dibaba is Dibaba. Simpson had two world championships medals and was picked by many "pundits" for third and up to Rio had had a better year than Rowbury up to that point.
The form chart held up. Getting ready for the Olympics and doing well at the Olympics were what mattered in 2016. What the heck do you mean by "arbitrary" anyway? Do you actually think Zurich results determine "the best in the world?" Don't you realize there's an ongoing Letsrun joke about that?
Also, diamond league races often have rabbits and no rounds. Olympic medalists have to be prepared for fast races and tactical races. Some may luck out that it goes slow or fast (could Centro win a fast race?) But everyone knows their strengths and can take control of a race if they want.
The only way it is arbitrary is that it is once every 4 years, as if someone is better for winning Olympic gold v World Championship gold.
my three cents to ponder.. wrote:
Well, yes, that and the fact that every athlete in the race thinks it's special... they probably think that because of 'marketing hype' but if you put it that way, what is really special???
Thinking something is special doesn't make it special. The only thing that makes the Olynpics significant is that they're the only track competition that the general public pays attention to. If the same spectacle can turn a douche like Michael Phelps into household name it doesn't mean anything. It's all a political/cultural spectacle, not genuine appreciation for the sport.
Letsrun is stupid wrote:
my three cents to ponder.. wrote:Well, yes, that and the fact that every athlete in the race thinks it's special... they probably think that because of 'marketing hype' but if you put it that way, what is really special???
Thinking something is special doesn't make it special. The only thing that makes the Olynpics significant is that they're the only track competition that the general public pays attention to. If the same spectacle can turn a douche like Michael Phelps into household name it doesn't mean anything. It's all a political/cultural spectacle, not genuine appreciation for the sport.
Sooooooo bitter... sounds like someone needs to get laid.
Letsrun is stupid wrote:
Thinking something is special doesn't make it special. The only thing that makes the Olynpics significant is that they're the only track competition that the general public pays attention to. If the same spectacle can turn a douche like Michael Phelps into household name it doesn't mean anything. It's all a political/cultural spectacle, not genuine appreciation for the sport.
Regardless of why its special, winning an Olympic medal, particularly a gold, is a life changing event.
On top of achieving an internationally known symbol of excellence and the pinnacle of your daydreams as an athlete, you also get very big bonuses for medals, large salary increases, appearance fees at meets, and if you've got a good agent, medial deals, interviews, maybe a book deal, public speaking opportunities, etc.
Win an Olympic medal you're set for life if you aren't financially irresponsible and are creative on how to turn your celebrity into money.
Oh and 120 years of history, international attention, world class pageantry, and an undisputed agreement that THIS is the big show and the one race we're all training for does indeed make the Olympics special.
Running big in big races is important, it's not just important it's VERY important.
So what's better, to win a mid-season invitational or win your state championship? Running big when it counts is what people remember.
You bunch of bed wetters can try to $hit all over Centro's gold, but on this one you're going to have to eat a $hit sandwich and accept it. He won it, he'll be a gold medalist forever. He's set up to do even more really special things, and I sure hope he does.
Bekekelele wrote:
The sport has agreed that the assessment of "the best" is to measure their ability to train and compete in one race, the Olympic Final. By setting one aingle competition, you garuntee that every other athlete is also brining their best effort, training and plan perform in that event.
Performing well outside of the Final isn't a measuring stick for "the best", because even if you chose to peak for something else, no one else did; you are not comparing yourself to their best.
Winning the Olympics means only that you've won the Olympics. Same as any other race, just carrying the most prestige as, by and large, everyone else will be aiming to be at their best that day.
So who decides who is the "best"? That's up to you I suppose based on whatever criteria you choose.
At the end of the day, an Olympic Gold is something that makes you marketable for the rest of your life. Winning a Diamond League race is something that most people outside of the track world probably do not know much about. In Centro's case specifically he will be able to give speeches about overcoming the adversity of 4th place 4 years ago, the emotional lows, and how he trained and focused for the next 4 years to win not just a medal, but the Gold. He will be able to travel giving speeches at high school track banquets and to collegiate athletes for the remainder of his life if he so chooses.
he beat 2 gold medalist one clearly juiced to the gills
kiprop ran 329 this year
his opit will say gold medalist period
destiny plays a role in life too...yifter missed the bus and Lasse won 4
and tactics that play into the best 50 meter runner in the race
like H eG in the 5000 against K Beke they let it come to a 100 dash and H eG was the best at that.
The Olympics is an invitational (by each country's selection process) world championship. To that extent, it is a bit arbitrary who gets to go due to each country's politics. But beyond that, championships are not arbitrary just because it is possible that people will not all have their best day.
I have always thought that it would be interesting to have a T&F "world challenge" on the off year between WCs that would invite the fastest runners over the past four years to compete in a championship that would put up 1 million for first place in each event. Just get Dubai to fund it. You would not have to wear athletes down with heats, semis and finals. All the events are finals. Everyone brings their A game or goes home a loser.
physical peaking, being ready at teh trials but not your best (still good enoug to beat athletes who are peaking) mental sharpness and nerves, ability to physically and mentally handle several rounds of heats in some events, and then the ability to get in the right position and beat the best athletes in your event on the planetyeah, it's just luck.you are an idiot
OntheStromphhh wrote:
Just look at the DL Women's 1500m today and how the medalists did vs. non-medalists. It really seems that getting a medal on the day is mostly luck, tactics and peaking well vs. really being the best of the best in the World.