Only track could have a dumb rule like this. Texas A&M loses 4 x 400 but gets credited with the WR

The entire 2nd place WR is due to the IAAFF taking its time setting up a new "system." But, evidently the new system exempts people who are native-born and who state they are competing for their native country, which Benjamin has indeed stated.

Texas A&M will end up like the Polish team. They'll have the WR for a few weeks--months--until the IAAF implements their new system.

"And seeking the same for himself, Benjamin, who has represented Antigua in some international events, also intends to compete instead for the U.S.

"Benjamin’s 400 hurdles time would have qualified him for the U.S. team competing at the World Championships in August. But the International Association of Athletics Federations has blocked all country-to-country transfers until it sets up a new system to combat country-jumping, particularly African athletes being recruited to run for other nations.

"New rules should not affect Benjamin, however, since he’s U.S.-born."

https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/college/2017/07/26/track-after-big-ncaa-finish-mount-vernon-benjamin-transfers-colleges-national-teams/509288001/

Rhlo wrote:

It makes sense. There has to be some limit as to who can make up a record eligible relay. Otherwise, what’s to stop some meet from just assembling a team of WVN, Lashawn Merrit, Kirani James, etc. to set a crazy record for a ton of money? A record of international all-stars isn’t really a meaningful record.

And people wonder why nobody watches T&F.

Except that wrote:

wineturtle wrote:

Because he ran for Antigua internationally his national affiliation is Antigua-Barbuda and comes under the current freeze of change of nationalities-- until that is resolved he is theirs not ours under the current IAAF view of things

Citizenship is not the issue, it is his IAAF Federation affiliation that matters

https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/antigua-barbuda/rai-benjamin-283841

Except that he ran for an American high school as an American. Try again. The rule is ignorant. The guy is 20 years old and hasn't run for Antigua for several years.

Tryagain ??? I just stated the rules and a comment that once upon a time USA even invited outsiders to the national championship..

I've been say that other than a select few most of the' administrators of T&F nationally and internationally are self-important boobs who do nothing to help the sport in any meaningful way.That has been going on since the wineturtle versus the AAU days in the 1960s.

wineturtle wrote:

I've been say that other than a select few most of the' administrators of T&F nationally and internationally are self-important boobs who do nothing to help the sport in any meaningful way.That has been going on since the wineturtle versus the AAU days in the 1960s.

Yup. They are so self-important that they decide to implement a ban/moratorium while they try to figure out how to fix a problem they think exists. ... Meanwhile, the T&F season is here and they have no solution in place, and they likely won't have one until long after the season is over. ... Rai Benjamin has done what he needed to do; declare he is running for the USA, prove he is a USA citizen, and that is all he needs to do. .... But the IAAF decided it is better to jerk everyone over include naturally-born citizens of countries they state they are running for.

As a long-time manager at a large company the is one basic rule of proper management: do not proceed with a change to the rules until you have a solution in place that has been vetted. THEN implement the change; with a timeline to allow people to get ready.

So who is going to be the first to suggest USC or TA&M is doping? Didn't take long to suggest it for Poland's men when they set the WR.

Before I say anything, I live near College Station and my parents are Aggies. So, I guess that is extremely biased. I have to say I'm on the fence on if USC should have the WR or not. True, they did run the fastest time ever, but are these rules fair to the competitors in this case? Here's what puzzles me the most: if they can claim themselves as national champs, then why can't they have the world record?? It seems silly to say that Texas A&M ran a WR time if they DIDN'T win. However, I think there does need to be limits, just for the fact that more people get to "eat" as a result of these rules. Would you rather see 4 guys continue to get together solely to make a world record attempt, or would you rather see 32 guys on 8 relays battle against each other and try to make a WR attempt? In my opinion, by allowing more athletes to compete, we actually increase our chances of getting a WR by producing occasional breakout athletes that have great potential but never harnessed the talent until being under the influence of good coaching.

Rhlo wrote:

It makes sense. There has to be some limit as to who can make up a record eligible relay. Otherwise, what’s to stop some meet from just assembling a team of WVN, Lashawn Merrit, Kirani James, etc. to set a crazy record for a ton of money? A record of international all-stars isn’t really a meaningful record.

Isn't the point of a World Record, to see what humans are capable of? I think a world record in the 4x400 absolutely should be held by a combination of superstars; that's what makes it a WORLD record. It isn't a "fastest time run by four guys from the same country" record.

Its the exact same thing as the National Basketball Association gathering superstars from all over the world to put together the best possible team.

Devil Dog wrote:

Rhlo wrote:

It makes sense. There has to be some limit as to who can make up a record eligible relay. Otherwise, what’s to stop some meet from just assembling a team of WVN, Lashawn Merrit, Kirani James, etc. to set a crazy record for a ton of money? A record of international all-stars isn’t really a meaningful record.

Isn't the point of a World Record, to see what humans are capable of? I think a world record in the 4x400 absolutely should be held by a combination of superstars; that's what makes it a WORLD record. It isn't a "fastest time run by four guys from the same country" record.

Its the exact same thing as the National Basketball Association gathering superstars from all over the world to put together the best possible team.

This is so wrong. It is NOT similar to the NBA or other pro sports leagues. Those leagues distribute the superstars amongst different teams for the purpose of COMPETING against each other. Assembling a superstar international 4X4 is useless because at that point they’re not actually racing anybody. It’s not a competition. What is there to prove by having the four best guys in the world run a relay? That the four best guys are all really fast? No sh*t. That’s why they’re the best. It’d be infinitely more interesting to just have those same four guys race each other.

No relay record reflects “what humans are capable of”, anyway. There are too many variables. Frankly, relay records aren’t that interesting.

Hey Ghost of Igloi, you know how Jamaica holds the current 4 x 100m WR? Well last year European Athletics proposed scrapping all pre 2005 records, which gained lots of headlines, what didn't get as many headlines were the other proposals such as for an athlete to be eligible for a world record, they had to be tested a certain number of times prior over a certain lead-up period. But here's the biggy, they also proposed that no record shall be awarded to any athlete who fails a test. If this was adopted the 4 x 100m record would be a lot slower because every fast relay team contained either Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay. That would be funny, but there is no way that they would adopt this.

How come this record was broken twice in a week, first by the Poles and now by three colleges?

Is this an event that is hardly ever contested or what?

Rhlo wrote:This is so wrong. It is NOT similar to the NBA or other pro sports leagues. Those leagues distribute the superstars amongst different teams for the purpose of COMPETING against each other.

This couldn't be anymore wrong. Every single team tries to gobble up as many superstars as they possibly can, in order to create the most stacked team, so that no one can compete with them. There are no officials within the National sports organizations saying, "now, now, you've got too many good players. Don't you think you should give the Browns a chance?"

The only thing you said that was remotely correct is that relay records aren't that interesting.

Subway surfers addiction:

Asafa Powell's ban was due to the supplement company (his sponsor) adding in "other things". Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson sued successfully and had his/her ban significantly reduced (2 years to 6 months). That is why he is NOT seen as a cheater in the sprinting community.

Runfastrunfar wrote:

Subway surfers addiction:

Asafa Powell's ban was due to the supplement company (his sponsor) adding in "other things". Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson sued successfully and had his/her ban significantly reduced (2 years to 6 months). That is why he is NOT seen as a cheater in the sprinting community.

And supplement companies continue to try to get away with adding goodies because if their product "works" they sell more--maximize profit.

Devil Dog wrote:

Rhlo wrote:This is so wrong. It is NOT similar to the NBA or other pro sports leagues. Those leagues distribute the superstars amongst different teams for the purpose of COMPETING against each other.

This couldn't be anymore wrong. Every single team tries to gobble up as many superstars as they possibly can, in order to create the most stacked team, so that no one can compete with them. There are no officials within the National sports organizations saying, "now, now, you've got too many good players. Don't you think you should give the Browns a chance?"

The only thing you said that was remotely correct is that relay records aren't that interesting.

I’m not sure if you’re genuinely stupid or just being difficult. Are you not aware of things like salary caps? Draft orders? There are systems in place to create parity and ensure that teams are competing on a roughly equal level. The Browns are given a chance to get more elite players through high draft picks. In fact, they have 4 picks within the first 35 in this year’s draft, including number 1 and number 4 (via trade).

An all-star 4x4 is pointless because it ELIMINATES any competive aspect of the event. It’s not even sport then, it’s just a show.

Guess what? Athletics is entertainment.

Supplement company:

True. The industry term is called "fairy dusting" because it works like "magic". As a believer in clean sport you (me) need to avoid supplements that are not certified for sport. Major brands have been faking this certification in order to boost sales and they have been caught and sanctioned.

Most supplement companies have no intention of ever getting the certification since most people do not care and are not even aware how or what is in the "bucket -o-mass" bought in the local gym/pro shop.

I agree

Just Asking wrote:

How come this record was broken twice in a week, first by the Poles and now by three colleges?

Is this an event that is hardly ever contested or what?

Much more interesting question than original post.

Rhlo wrote:

Macdaddy wrote:

What are you talking about? Running fast = running fast - who cares how the team is put together?

It matters if you want the record to be a reflection of meaningful competition. If I take the 4 best runners in the world and put them on a relay team, of course they’ll win every race and set records. But what’s the point of that? Track is a sport of racing, not time trialing. For a record to have value, it should be something that multiple individuals/teams can realistically aspire to beat.

10/10