Five is the magic number wrote:
It's the outdated "three per nation" rule that is the problem. Maybe it made sense back in the day when travelling to champs to weeks and were costly for smaller nations. It has far outlived that by now.
EVERYONE that has gone sub 27 this year should be in the WC 10000. Imagine if the Superbowl had a "three players per US state max" rule. The IAAF is killing T&A.
A great compromise idea. You want the best five from each nation if a nation's runners meet the qualifying standard. That sounds reasonable. A poster responded to you stating many nations deserve to send their athletes to Olympics. Poster stated we would have numerous Africans competing in distance events. Poster stated we would have numerous U.S. athletes and Jamaican sprinters. Basically the poster who responded to you believes having numerous inferior athletes helps to grow the sport. I offer a compromise. Bring back qualifying round for 10000m. We can simply increase the number of 10000m athletes brought in for opening ceremony but we would have the best athletes of the world competing, 10000m final. If we are talking tv ratings and growing the sport, I want to add 200m on straightaway, add 200m low hurdles and add 3000m. I want to delete 5000m & 10000m from the Olympic & W.C. schedule, but if not, go ahead allow 5 athletes per nation and bring back prelim round for 10000m. In regard to Olympics representing the entire globe, 800m & 1500m will have athletes from all over the world. Most nations produce men and women with almost elite 400m speed. Of course, almost elite 400m speed may make one a middle distance runner.