Her body knows what it is to run 48 in the flat 400M. Her body knows what it is to run 50 in the 400MH. Sub 50 this year is not out of the realm of possibility.
That's not how it works. Athing Mu's body knew what it was like to win gold in the 800, but she got bronze last year.
You actually have to be in insanely great shape to smash a world record. It's not about what someone's body knows.
Athing lost mentally, not physically. Watch the race, then watch her American record a few weeks later. Totally different athlete.
If Sydney's mental game is on (and I've never really seen it off), sub-50 is on the table.
1. The "racism" line of thought is indeed accurate in some cases. There are people who just don't like black athletes. That is what racism means. And racism is real.
2. However, there are people (like myself) who pick and choose who we like from a fan perspective. Sometimes black athletes rub us the wrong way --- Justin Gatlin for example. That doesn't mean we are racist. We also weren't Galen Rupp fans either and he was very white last time we checked.
We are not required to be fans of people just because they are American or forbidden for disliking an athlete who is black. Bol is more "likeable" than SML. That is measurable from a fan's perspective based on what we want to see in our athletes: talent, racing a lot, engages with fans, loves the sport, positive energy, fun to watch, etc. That is not racist.
The inability (on both sides) to admit that these two points can both be true is kind of what is wrong with this board (and America). Two things can be true at the same time...
This is a good post but I think it should be mentioned that racial bias DOES mean that certain athletes/people will be criticized and disliked for doing a lot less wrong than others (and this is true for any kind of bias, i.e. "pretty privilege"). No doubt Femke is much more likeable than SML, I think a much better comparison is actually SML to Mu. Both have a similar history competition-wise, but Mu has a more likeable personality - and at least she showed up at worlds last year, even though she lost (and set an AR afterwards). But she attracts MUCH more vitriol than SML on this site despite that.
You guys are crazy. Sydney is really pretty, prettier than Femke in my opinion. Not that it matters though because she’s also just the fastest 400mH on the planet. And probably 400m too if she wanted to be.
You guys are crazy. Sydney is really pretty, prettier than Femke in my opinion. Not that it matters though because she’s also just the fastest 400mH on the planet. And probably 400m too if she wanted to be.
It certainly does play a factor. You only have to observe SAFP/ETH/Sha'carri and Shericka's performances to see this.
Mu was suffering from a bad breakup getting dumped by that midget and allegedly contracted COVID several times. In addition to muscle memory and training, mental acuity/sharpness also plays a factor in racing.
You guys are crazy. Sydney is really pretty, prettier than Femke in my opinion. Not that it matters though because she’s also just the fastest 400mH on the planet. And probably 400m too if she wanted to be.
likeable =/= pretty
Sydney is not pretty. Sydney is drop dead gorgeous. A beautiful young woman by any global standard of beauty. If she wasn't, William Morris would not be her agency. An agency that only reps beautiful and talented people.
You guys are crazy. Sydney is really pretty, prettier than Femke in my opinion. Not that it matters though because she’s also just the fastest 400mH on the planet. And probably 400m too if she wanted to be.
Sydney and Bol should not be mentioned in the same sentence when talking about looks. Sydney is drop dead gorgeous while Bol is plain.