Agreed. A lot of world champions are completely out of shape and don't deserve a place. At worst they should have to make some agreed standard to earn their place.
Agreed. A lot of world champions are completely out of shape and don't deserve a place. At worst they should have to make some agreed standard to earn their place.
I definitely see the validity of the points made on both sides. Ultimately, I tend toward the status quo. I think the champion should have the right to defend their title.
If Syd wins the 400m she may go for the double at LA. Not hard for organizers to change schedule.
If not Gaults worst opinion of all time its definitely top 3
Sorry Jon but you are wrong on both opinions.
First off, do you really want to give usatf board and Max Siegel more power selecting the team? This brings back the days of AAU and athletes being classified as "Serfs". The WC champs byes were a major step forward on giving athletes control over their racing decisions instead of being under the foot of their federations. (or do you want the barnstorming days back where Owens got band from the sport for wanting to end his season and go home?) Before you even think about this proposal how many Defending WC champs has the USA had and successfully defended the next WC? If that is zero, then you have a point, but I know there have been many that have used the wildcard and won a 2nd time. Felix, Merritt, Lyles, Crouser, Holloway to name a few.
You're supposed to be "some kind of expert" in this sport, but if the top names are not at a meet I guess, like the masses, you don't want to watch. Ever going to a random College or High School track meet in your life just to enjoy the pursuit of athletics? For your football analogy, should the Super Bowl be in March so both teams have a better chance of being full strength for the game? Many stars have had to sit out the SB because they were injured either in the season or playoffs. Or is it acceptable for a team not to play a star in the playoffs and then let them play in the SB?
As for SML double, it is the year after the Olympics. A lot of stars decide to forgo this year entirely because of the last 2 years cycle of intensity. Many even retire after the Olympics. So, as a true fan of the sport I will enjoy SML in her choosing to do one event this year and not feel slighted because she is so good that she could have done 2. Didn't she have to Qualify for both events this year? The Double at the USA's was a ton harder with the short timeframe this year at USA's. Just because she did 2 races in 2 days last year, which that meet didn't have rounds prior to the finals, doesn't me us fans should expect her to do it every time she has the chance.
They still have to qualify for the finals. So they clearly deserve it objectively if they’re able to make the final. And if they don’t and even get knocked out of the heats, you should look at it like like a ceremonial procedure or especially if it’s a legendary runners last time running competitively at the world level. We literally have let in 3:44 guys from Somalia into World’s before. Sorry you’re mad we’re adding another 44.x 400m runner to the competition. I actually believe Olympic Champions should get byes. Again there’s heats with 46-47 second 400m runners and 10.5 100m runners from small countries.
TERRIBLE take.
There should be MORE byes.
One possible idea: current world indoor champ should get a bye.