i think that pretty much sums up european distance running. The Africans are dominating and the European countries aren't even trying to compete anymore.
8 male european athletes in total ran in the world half and just 1 team competed
Spain - 4
France - 1
Italy - 1
Leichenstein - 1
Czech Republic - 1
Well done canada & the US.
The difference here is that most of the top western athletes are signed on for fall marathons. That's not really a huge difference than their African counterparts, it's just that there is much more depth in terms of quality marathon runners coming out of Africa than in the west. That's why this is the last year of the world half marathon champs. Perhaps next year (an off year) we can get a good team together should they go through with their plan and implement an IAAF Ekiden.
Also Israel participated, ended up 13th as team place. As far as every sport issue, Israel is in the europe region (championships and so on). Only Spain and Israel had 3 full team rosters.
had 3 full team = oops I mean had full team (how did that 3 get there?
You forgot wrote:
Only Spain and Israel had 3 full team rosters.
Del that "3", don't know how it got there...
i'll be dead in my grave before i recognise israel as part of europe.
While I respect most of your opinions i dont think your excuse (reasoning) here is accurate.
Part of the rot is due to tepid enthusiasm from european countries' federations not individual athletes. European countries seem unwilling to send teams they know are going to be beat 'out of sight' by east/north Africans. But sending teams to these competitions should be seen as an investment in the sport. It raises the standard in domestic competition, forcing a fiercer rivalry between local athletes and increases the focus on national championships as a vehicle for qualification. Athletes see reaching these championships as a mark of achievment (and it is). Remove more and more incentives and the overall standard falls.
Its hard to understand what european federations (and athletes) feel is an acceptable standard. Running and competing honestly for minor places in these races (& world cross etc) is the ONLY way of ensuring that when the right athletes do emerge the springboard is in place for them to reach a higher level. All honest efforts should be acceptable - isn't that part of the beauty of sport?
The English FA are happy to send teams to world cups despite the fact that they dont have a realistic change of suceess (one top 4 place in 40 years). The Italians send teams to the 5 nations rugby every year prepared to battle for forth place. The ECB were quite willing to play the aussies in the Ashes every 18-months despite being routine whipping boys for their criminal cousins.
Why is this defeatism so rife in athletics and distance running in particular?
Actually, the Italians compete in the Six Nations and battle for fifth place - with Scotland. But I get your point.