Ugh. None of the medal winners would show up for an XC race at the end of the meet. It would be taken even less seriously than the mixed relay.
Why do you say that?
They're done with their main event. A 12K race over dirt and grass won’t kill them. It would be fun.
I think Bekele and Tergat would have done it. Maybe Farah. You don’t think Cheptegei would do it?
Jakob might do it for fun.
You’re fit and your done your main event. That’s how they get the top sprinters to do it and the end of the meet (and not before).
It’s still XC and most of the top runners would be on a plane going home. There’s already a world championship for XC that a lot of elite runners skip and making it a WC event wouldn’t change anything. If it was held, runners on East-African B teams would probably sweep the first 20 places.
USATF wanted the AF story line. But since she came in 6th at the trials they felt obliged to use the 4th and 5th place runners in the line-up to avoid criticism of favoritism (LOL). With the fact that they could only sub one runner, AND wanted AF in the final, they were stuck with the other 2 and not using Steiner or Mu or anyone else. They got what they deserved.
Ridiculous take. The athletes in the individual events were not options. Look up the results from the Tokyo Olympics in this event and you'll find the same situation with the athletes used and the same result.
USATF wanted the AF story line. But since she came in 6th at the trials they felt obliged to use the 4th and 5th place runners in the line-up to avoid criticism of favoritism (LOL). With the fact that they could only sub one runner, AND wanted AF in the final, they were stuck with the other 2 and not using Steiner or Mu or anyone else. They got what they deserved.
Ridiculous take. The athletes in the individual events were not options. Look up the results from the Tokyo Olympics in this event and you'll find the same situation with the athletes used and the same result.
But, why aren't those individuals available ? For example, how much can one 400m leg take out of a super fit top athlete?
I was rooting for USA(im not American) but the women did a bad job in my opinion. They started too fast and got tired fast, like they ran on emotions without any plan.
Ridiculous take. The athletes in the individual events were not options. Look up the results from the Tokyo Olympics in this event and you'll find the same situation with the athletes used and the same result.
But, why aren't those individuals available ? For example, how much can one 400m leg take out of a super fit top athlete?
For the athletes who are legit medal contenders I can understrand not wanting to interrupt training to run a relay leg. From an agent and athlete standpoint there could be monetary rewards they put at risk by racing even if those risks are small.
For the athletes who it is a bit of a pipedream to medal or possibly even make the final of an individual event then it makes more sense to run the relay I guess but then you're not improving the mixed team all that much....if at all.
I actually don't disagree with the thought that a relay leg shouldn't be that big of a deal but this is how the athletes and agents think in this situation. If the men's and/or women's 4x4 were on the first day we'd see the same thing.
As you said, there is already a World XC event that most elites skip. Because it’s in March. Runners are coming off of indoor season (or training through) and would prefer to go back to base training next then fly to another location for an event they aren’t training for.
Do it at World outdoors. The athletes are already there and in top shape. They stay two more days. It wouldn’t disrupt their schedule.
If the East African countries have the best runners, they should dominate and that’s fine. They already do in the current World XC. But I really do think you’d see some medalists from the 15, 5 and 10 participate. It would be better than this mixed relay.
As you said, there is already a World XC event that most elites skip. Because it’s in March. Runners are coming off of indoor season (or training through) and would prefer to go back to base training next then fly to another location for an event they aren’t training for.
Do it at World outdoors. The athletes are already there and in top shape. They stay two more days. It wouldn’t disrupt their schedule.
If the East African countries have the best runners, they should dominate and that’s fine. They already do in the current World XC. But I really do think you’d see some medalists from the 15, 5 and 10 participate. It would be better than this mixed relay.
The best 1500m runners are going to be 800/1500m or 1500/500Om and not competitive in XC. It would be tough for the runners from the 5000m final to run XC a couple of days later and the ones that ran only the 10000m might not want to hang out for 10 days or return to the meet.
If superstars like DOM's Marileidy Paulino and NED's Femke Bol could run it before their individual events, then one of our elites could have as well. Heck, Paulino (OG 400 silver last year) ran both prelims and final.
What if you forced the XC teams and individual entrants to be compromised of only participants of the track World Championships (limit of 7)?
If the 5000m runners have more trouble doubling back than the 1500m runners, that actually evens things out a bit.
100m runners wait around a week to come back for the 4X100. 10,000m runners that did want to wait would have an advantage over others and would have an incentive.
From a team perspective, a 1500m from one team just needs to beat the 1500m runner from other teams over 12K.
If AF was 5th at trials, she and the 4th place run the prelims. Then they swap out the 4th place with Steiner for the finals. Steiner (and her agent) would absolutely take that relay spot for the connection with AF's final medal (I can hear the announcers talk about "the passing of the baton") and an almost certain gold with Steiner running a 48 high/49 low.
If AF was 5th at trials, she and the 4th place run the prelims. Then they swap out the 4th place with Steiner for the finals. Steiner (and her agent) would absolutely take that relay spot for the connection with AF's final medal (I can hear the announcers talk about "the passing of the baton") and an almost certain gold with Steiner running a 48 high/49 low.
No one is disputing how it could be done. The reason it was not has been explained numerous times whether one agrees with it or not.
USA winning a mixed 4x4 gold with their A team or B team would be a more guaranteed medal than Mu in the 8 or Syd in the 400h.
Why give up a 100% lock for a gold just to be a little fresher for a gold that may be an 80% chance?
In fact, this 400 would have been a perfect workout for Mu 6 days out from her 800 prelims where she can jog a 2:02 and easily qualify.
The athletes and agents look at the individual event as far higher on the food chain than this relay. Look at the history of the event and who has run it for the US.
You can't replace runners. So those who run in the semis have to run in the finals. So because Simon ran in the semis, no one could have replaced her in the final.
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