As the guy who coordinated one of the most competitive international road race elite fields in the US this year, I can verify that what this guy said is true.
1. Visas are tough to get. We lost out on multiple athletes for this very reason.
2. travel is very expensive. In many cases double what it was in January for Kenya to Doha to major east coast city. if you have to book late these prices are even higher.
3. Small races are struggling and unable to be as generous in their travel budgets. Most race registration is still down around 50-75% of pre-pandemic numbers.
4. If you don’t have a shot at the big money, you don’t go. If you won $2500 but it cost you 3K to fly to the US, what’s the point.
5. Geopolitical challenges are real. COVID, civil wars, this stuff impacts people.
6. Worlds were at a weird time. Many racers peaked for their trials and are toast now.
7. Many races are focusing on US based international athletes or US citizens thinking it will grab larger headlines or have a better story to tell.