I decided to take a closer look at the shifting balance in performance standards between Kenya and GB, comparing the height of the EPO era 1996-1999 (up to 18th June) and the same length of period to now, so 2020-2023 (to today, 18th June).
The contrast is stark.
I looked at the numbers of Kenyans and Brits in the top 30 of each of the men's 800 and 1500, and combined them.
In the 90's Kenya had 25 of the top 60 middle-distance runners by performance, and Britain had only TWO.
In the last 3 1/2 years, Kenya's share had gone down to 11, and GB's rose to 10.
I then looked at the numbers from each country running under 1:44 or 3:33
In the 90's period, 19 Kenyans did so, and only 2 Brits.
Mysteriously, in the last 3 1/2 years only 11 Kenyans reached that standard, despite super shoes, mondo V.2 tracks, and wavelight pacing. Meanwhile, EIGHT British reached those standards.
The population of Kenya also almost doubled between 1995 and 2021, so if the Kenyan standards had risen proportionately equal to the Brits, you would have around 190 Kenyans achieving those standards instead of just 11.
How do you explain these statistics?