MORE IMPRESSIVE WR: McLaughlin 50.68 or Gidey 1:02:52?

Instead of offering valid criticism, you come across as just as much of an idiot as that poster by criticizing longer distance races.

Both times are insane. I can’t relate as much to the 400mH since I’ve never run it, but 1:02:52 is mind blowing.

I agree that if Gidey was American, she would be Serena Williams type famous. Since she’s Ethiopian, nobody outside of real track/running fans even know who she is.

It’s very close, but I give the nod to Gidey. If McLaughlin breaks the 400M record, then it’s another conversation.

You guys don't get it. There is no level of impressive distance running that will suddenly make it interesting and popular with the American public. If Kipchoge was American... nothing. Lance Armstrong won the TdF 7 times, and slowly became slightly known, but still way below hundreds of football and basketball players.

I get it.

I have stated for years on this site it was foolish for Olympic committee to add 5000m & 10000m on the track, 1912. I have stated for years on here 3000m needs to be added and 5000m & 10000m need to be dropped from Olympics & W.C. Women 3000m used to be great entertainment. Since 1500m one of the glamor events, many aged out 30-something famous 800m/1500m runners would move up to 3000m. Only a select few are capable of moving up to 5000m.

Until that day, since I am one of the most knowledgeable all around T&F persons on this site, I comment on all the events.

American public interest shouldn't dictate what's on the Olympic program. While the 3000 is great entertainment it's too similar to the 1500. It makes sense to have the 5000 on the program. I could understand why people want to take out the 10,000 even though I love watching those races develop.

I have noticed that you know your stuff. I too appreciate all distances, I just don't think it's worth comparing apples to oranges or thinking that some particular performance will make T&F popular. The announcer during worlds kept saying things like "OK, this should be on the front page of newspapers". Not going to happen.

Lance was a huge name. Everyone knew who Lance Armstrong was before he got caught doping. Bigger than any US track and field star in the last 30-40 years.

If an attractive American woman or a charismatic American man set multiple distance world records and won multiple marathon majors, they would be a real celebrity. Maybe not Tiger Woods, MJ, or Tom Brady type star, but they’d be a household name.

If Coburn set the WR in the 5000, 10000, and 1/2 marathon and won multiple Gold in the Olympics, she’d be extremely famous. She has the looks and the personality to be a star if she had the talent of Gidey.

Usain Bolt isn’t even American, and he’s the most recognizable track star ever for the vast majority of Americans.

Swimming is boring, but Phelps made it exciting. Can you name 3 other US male swimmers from the 2008 Olympics?

Anyone who can run sub 14 should be able to EASILY run 62:52 if they trained for it. Very few people train for it because the half marathon isn't a real event.

Gidey couldn't even win the 10k at the Tokyo Olympics (she was only 3rd). And she has never run a full marathon.

She was wearing trampoline shoes in the half marathon, and she had male pacers for the full race.

It seems to me that its not all that long since gideys time was competitive at men's world level

You cant say that about 350 1500m for example it's miles away from having been competitive

Women do gain an edge at longer distances