Olympic Bronze or World Championship Gold

WC gold and the Jingy Scalp in 2022 vs bronze in 21

You don’t understand this at all. Not at all. This is not even a question.

WC gold, world champion would sound pretty good for most.

Before 83 Helsinki they used to say Olympic AND World Champion.

Can you imagine asking Jake Wightman if he would surrender his World Championship Gold for an Olympic Bronze?

When it comes to boxing it is the Heavyweight Champion of the world. When it comes to basketball it's the NCAA Champion and the NBA Champion. Baseball it;s who wins the World Series, The Indy 500 winner, The Kentucky Derby winner, when it comes to track & field it's will always be that Olympic gold medal that matters, a World title no comparision not close.

An Oympic gold medal gets ya on a Wheaties box, only us track geeks care about the Worlds Champs.

Would ya believe the 60 was once an Olympic event?

In any event other than the marathon I’d rather have the win.

WC marathon is a joke race though so I’d take Olympic Bronze.

But you haven't a prayer of winning either at Worlds or the Olympics.

Nobody asks a horse trainer if he's ever won the Preakness

Every one agrees an Olympic Gold is the gold standard and the pinnacle in T&F. But that wasn't the question. A Olympic Bronze won't get you on the Wheaties box. Would you rather place 3rd at the Kentucky Derby or win the Preakness?

Tough one.

World champion has a better ring to it than bronze Olympic medalist, but maybe that's just me.

World Championship gold for sure.

You're competing against the same people, so you're still the best in the world on that day.

The only difference between the Olympics and the World Champs is marketing and hype - a.k.a sh*t that doesn't matter.

I wonder which Emma Coburn values more? She's got an Olympic Bronze and a WC gold. When they introduce her at the Diamond league races, the announcers often say former world champion, or something like that. I don't think I ever heard them say former Olympic bronze medalist.

Yes, they probably announce the highest achievement only for timesake. However, unless they took those medals away, there is no former... Correctly announced, there should be a year followed by an achievement as that is the credential earned...forever.

In lane 3, the 2012 Olympic 800m Champion and world record holder, David Rudisha.

Not former unless they took the title away or someone broke the record.

Obviously WC gold. A more interesting comparison would be one Olympic gold vs multiple WC golds/medals. What point does Olympic prestige get outweighed?

Yes but the OP is talking about an Olympic bronze, not the Gold. An Olympic bronze is not going to get you on a Wheaties box.

^ Reveals a shocking lack of understanding about thoroughbred racing.

This is exactly what I thought. But, Olympics? That follows you forever even outside the culture of your own sport.

Just remembered: Jenny Simpson also has Olympic Bronze and WC Gold. I recall her Gold better of the two. Personally, I'd take the Bronze in the Olympics given the choice.

This thread reminds me of what my HS XC/track coach used to ask: Would you rather be County Champ in XC (a big deal in the 70s where we were) or 5th man on the State Championship XC team?