Official 2014 Lausanne DL Discussion Thread

necking broads wrote:

Because without fans, he has no endorsement money. If people don't see Centro race, they don't see the swoosh on his chest and shoes.

They did see him race. At the Lausanne Diamond League Meeting. An international event watched by people all over the world, and an event that had a much larger attendance in the stands than Sacramento.

necking broads wrote:

I would think Centro winning USAs is much more valuable to a sponsor (especially a US-based sponsor of a US-based runner) than running a 3:32 in Lausanne.

Why would you think this?

necking broads wrote:

Now one could argue that there are more eyes on Lausanne than USAs, and that may be true,

Agreed

necking broads wrote:

but Centro would be a star at USAs while at Lausanne he's a back in the pack schlub.

You don't run a fast time until you do.

necking broads wrote:

fan of US distance running wrote:

It is not Centro's responsibility to act in "the best interest of the sport".

It is in his best interest to act for himself.

Why should he care about the expectations of fans whom he has never met have placed upon him? Answer: he shouldn't.

Because without fans, he has no endorsement money. If people don't see Centro race, they don't see the swoosh on his chest and shoes.

I would think Centro winning USAs is much more valuable to a sponsor (especially a US-based sponsor of a US-based runner) than running a 3:32 in Lausanne.

Now one could argue that there are more eyes on Lausanne than USAs, and that may be true, but Centro would be a star at USAs while at Lausanne he's a back in the pack schlub.

Claim: the kind of people who watch USATF nationals in an off year are also the kind of people who follow the DL races [and hang out on message boards like this one.] People who aren't already pretty hard core T&F fans are paying attention to either meet. Among us T&F fans we can argue about what we'd rather see Centro, but neither decision is going to move the dial on interest in T&F in the US among the general public.

Broader claim: If every healthy, qualified US T&F athlete had participated as fully as possible in this year's nationals, the live attendance and TV/web audience numbers wouldn't have been much different from what they actually were. In other words, T&F's problems as a spectator sport in the US run way deeper than who happens to compete at nationals. And I don't think the big problem is doping either.

Right now the Olympic Games is the only major elite T&F competition that the general public takes seriously. The athletes take Outdoor Worlds seriously, so an obvious first step to building the sport in the US would be to find smart ways to market track worlds here. Then you could build on that interest to start creating additional competitions in the US that both the athletes and the general public take seriously.

This can be done, but the starting point isn't USATF nationals in a year when it isn't a qualifying meet.

dkny64 wrote:

This can be done, but the starting point isn't USATF nationals in a year when it isn't a qualifying meet.

You make some good points, but I have to take issue with the statement above.

US nationals should absolutely be marketed as a major meet every year it's held. The best athletes in the US competing to see who can be crowned champion of the entire country? That's compelling.

Again, try explaining to a non-track fan why 1) the best runners in the US don't compete at the US championships, 2) the US championships aren't an important meet, and 3) a meet in Switzerland a week later is a much bigger deal.

fan of US distance running wrote:

necking broads wrote:

Because without fans, he has no endorsement money. If people don't see Centro race, they don't see the swoosh on his chest and shoes.

They did see him race. At the Lausanne Diamond League Meeting. An international event watched by people all over the world, and an event that had a much larger attendance in the stands than Sacramento.

necking broads wrote:

I would think Centro winning USAs is much more valuable to a sponsor (especially a US-based sponsor of a US-based runner) than running a 3:32 in Lausanne.

Why would you think this?

At Lausanne Centro was running in the back of the pack and finished seventh. The camera was never on him, and the announcers barely acknowledged him. Do you think he really had a chance of winning with the field assembled?

At USAs Centro would've been at the front of the pack, and more than likely would've won. The next day, Letsrun's front page (along with other news sources) would've featured a photo of him winning, swoosh prominently displayed.

When they announce you at major tracks meets, they won't say "And in lane 6, the seventh place finisher at the Lausanne DL meet..." they'll say "And in lane 6, the XX time US champion..."

Whatever Centrowitz decides to do does not "hurt" or "help" the sport in any significant way. It's a silly conclusion to a question with many complex aspects. Fans such as you and me have to realize that Track and Field is a niche sport and will always be a niche sport.

After we realize this we can ask "What can our best miler do to become more competitive on the world stage?" The answer is competing with the best in the world. Centro and Salazar obviously thought being fresh for Lausanne was a good idea, so we must accept that he skipped USAs in an off year to be better prepared. The way LetsRun chastises Centro for trying to become a better athlete is laughable. It's like they don't want him to get better.

To your example, the only athletes that get announced in distance races in the DL are ones of note on the international stage. The meet directors don't care how many US titles a distance runner has.

Wow what a meet. I just got home from work and watch the races on Youtube. The sprints were great! Wind corrected, that was Gatlin's best 100 ever! 9.80 with a +.1 wind is incredible. Wouldn't be surprised if he went sub-9.75 before the end of the season. Gay's AR is probably safe, but who knows.

Kirani MF James with a 43.74!!! He's so young, only turning 22 this year, and talented. I think MJ's WR is living on borrowed time. Race of the meet!

Pretty disappointing result for Blake in the 200 (20.48). Hopefully he can be back in top shape to challenge Bolt next year at the WC. Also Dibaba had a bad day not winning, but she still looked great.

Have a great 4th of July everyone!

necking broads wrote:

Again, try explaining to a non-track fan why 1) the best runners in the US don't compete at the US championships, 2) the US championships aren't an important meet, and 3) a meet in Switzerland a week later is a much bigger deal.

1) the same reason why many of the world's best basketball stars don't compete in the Olympic Games or World Basketball Championships. It, by itself, isn't necessarily important to the top individual athlete.

2) similar as the above

3) again, the meet in Switzerland is as close a major league stop as there is.

centrowitz is one of the best tactical racers i have ever seen.

all the top 1500 guys blow it and get stuck in a bad spot though, you make your best plans and life happens.

maybe centro got a bit lucky in championships where the universe didn't screw up his plans. infact you have to gamble and luck does play a role. you have to figure that fact into your equations.

a big problem is that when you are near your max and trying to save something the finish, you can't maneuver like you'd like, so you hope sometimes for an opening. that is why you get in trouble a lot of the time.

but if you have lots of gas, you magically move into position and seem like a tactical genius.

longjack wrote:all the top 1500 guys blow it and get stuck in a bad spot though, you make your best plans and life happens.

but if you have lots of gas, you magically move into position and seem like a tactical genius.

This. So much planning and then reality happens: Sixteen guys want to win, traffic is real, bravery is needed, luck cannot be discounted. "That's why they play the games."