American Distance Running: Why is it so UNDER-funded?

well i guess i'm gonna chime in on this subject because it's something i'm always complaining about.....

Fact: Americans like explosions, car wrecks, bright flashing lights, loud obnoxious repetitive music, junk food, tv, etc......All of the above have nothing to do with distance running. It takes a patient kind of intelligence and sophistication to enjoy a footrace that lasts almost 30 minutes and does not have any loud, shiny distractions to keep you entertained. Do you think the average American could be described as having a "patient kind of intelligence and sophistication"? HELL NO. Distance running appeals to those who have a little bit of intelligence and don't need to watch NASCAR or WWE Smackdown to be enthralled. Therefore, distance running will NEVER be popular in the USA.

People who belittle other sports = insecure about their own sport.

Problem is that DISTANCE running is an entirely different sport than sprints, throws, etc. and in America, it is impossible to market it here to the maximum effect- without compromising the sprints, throws, etc. which is more supported by USATF and the powers that be in media and advertising. Track and Field as such in America is a big sloppy brew, and a marketing nightmare because there is no clear message to be delivered under a limited resource budget. There is no easy way to separate distance running from the rest of the carnival in order to properly sell ilt.

Truth, son wrote:

People who belittle other sports = insecure about their own sport.

If you are referring to my comments about NASCAR and professional wrestling, my intention was not to belittle the athletes themselves, or the sport as a whole.

The average American is attracted to cheap entertainment like explosions, loud noises, crashes, etc. Not to mention that everytime you see NASCAR advertised it is ALWAYS accompanied by mosh metal or Sweet Home Alabama. The same can be said for professional wrestling (blood, boobs, fireworks, mosh metal, etc).....I am NOT saying that there is no intrensic value in the sports of auto racing or wrestling, but a person can't just watch an auto race or a wrestling match. It must be accompanied by all kinds of silly bells, whistles, and special effects in order to keep anyone remotely interested. So I am not bashing the sport really, but rather, the way the sports have been marketed and developed over the years to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Hell, just contrast pro wrestling with classic (Greco-Roman, freestyle) wrestling, the type and size of audience for each is dramatically different.

I think track and field/running would be more popular with spectators if there was more of a team aspect on the professional level. Yes, there is the Olympic team, but that only happens every four years. There are also other international races that team USA competes in, but the average American is not as interested in the rest of the world. So in order to gain interest, team USA should be divided into teams, by state or region, for events within the U.S. This way the athletes are representing something other than a corporation (sponsor). It might also provide more opportunities for post-collegiate athletes. I just think that people will relate with and support runners they can identify with. If someone is watching a race and they do not know who the athletes are, would they be more likely to cheer for a guy wearing a Nike swoosh or a guy wearing the name and colors of their state? Speaking of identifying with athletes, names need to be printed on singlets so the audience knows who they are cheering for. Where can USATF get extra money? Why not put on USATF sponsored non-professional races to raise money? Putting on local road races, track meets, etc. would raise money through entry fees and selling USATF merchandise. It would raise awareness of the sport and make even the slowest plodder feel like they are part of the team by participating and contributing. Last but not least, there needs to be a way to sell beer at track meets. How else can you explain the popularity of Nascar? If people are expected to spend all day at a track meet, they are going to want to have a good time. Maybe some music too. Just some ideas.

I think you've got some good ideas in there. I also would like to see a greater focus on road running and cross country since they are, to me at least, more exciting to watch than track. I would take the regional team idea and set up a team point system similar to that in xc and use it one the roads. Then, have a cumulative season of some kind like Nascar that keeps fans watching every race or at least paying attention to their team's progress in the standings.

We LOVE to invade. Isn't that what you Lefty Euros think we do?

Americans are facinated and brainwashed early that violence and big muscles equates to masculinity and athleticsm.

That is why a skinny white sprinter like Jeremy Wariner remains unknown, while big buff sprinters like Michael Johnson are well known.

You have to overcome cancer and win mutiple world titles to become a famous skinny white athlete in the USA.