The real question is why doesn’t the NYCM hire professional commentators instead of former athletes who *might* be good. There are really good commentators out there who should be calling the race.
He's actually given some really good interviews in recent years, for example the one he gave right before this year's Chicago Marathon. I think he'll be fine.
It seems like in his heyday he would give really bland and short interviews. I'm guessing it was part of the strategy under Salazar, to not bring any additional attention to their training and alleged cheating/gray zone methods.
It would be difficult to do this for a marathon. Both Linden and Rupp have run a marathon at a highly competitive time and Linden has won in crazy difficult elements regardless of time.
No matter how much homework and research a professional commentator does, for the marathon, they don't have enough actual race nuance to bring to the masses.
Those who don't run marathons don't understand why water bottles accidentally scattered from a table are detrimental to some in the field. They can't guide you through what the proverbial wall actually is like in experience and why mitigating lactic acid buildup is so important.
They can't tell you the strategy as to why an elite will run a14:26 final 5k after a 14:52 5k before it. And mostly, they can't tell you what it's like to have trained with a competing elite or someone who trained with that elite.
It should be a former marathoner..or in this case..two.
Because the average viewers are more interested in the names of the commentators than what they actually say during the broadcast. At least that's what the TV producers believe.
I’m sorry but listening to Des Linden do commentary is like watching paint dry. Absolutely no enthusiasm in her voice at all. She doesn’t have the right personality for it. I can think of so many better options.
Has Galen ever commentated before? I remember him being famously impersonal in interviews. Seems an odd choice.
Yes he has. Didn't see it, but he got rave reviews for the last NXN broadcast.
battelbetween wrote:
Would love to see him as a commentator. Last year he was part of the NXN broadcast and was fantastic. Did his homework, did not make the broadcast about himself or his running, added great insight and sounded very comfortable.
Didn't see a thread so here goes. Big day, perfect weather, fast course and two World Records under attack, this should be a good one if we actually get to see any of the race on the stream.
Cheating? Is there ANY proof that Salazar cheated as an athlete? Is there any proof that his competitors were NOT cheating? Have any of his NOP athletes ever tested positive for anything?
Yes. Yes. No. No (but his pre-NOP athlete Decker got banned for her testo - yes testo lol - doping).
how do you prove that someone is not cheating? You can only fail to prove that they are cheating, and then we presume innocence.
I hope Rupp mentions in the broadcast the fact that Salazar won the NYC Marathon 3 times.
Hope Des would then mention to Galen the following: His shady biological passport of a few years ago (passportS some claim), his "supplements" delivered by mail in cut out books by a shady alleged coach, using testosterone as a TEEN BOY is high school, using thyroid meds, cheating with L-Cartinine drips, using asthma meds (a good track athlete should have ZERO lung issues).
Hope she also mentions that because of his association with Salazar and all of the things mentioned above, that ALL of his race results are followed by a big ASTERISK* and theresults do not count.
Glen Rop should go all Gus Johnson inthusiasm level to throw Desi a curve ball. I hope they're not too boring, although I'm sure they both have plenty of input to offer.
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Hope Des would then mention to Galen the following: His shady biological passport of a few years ago (passportS some claim), his "supplements" delivered by mail in cut out books by a shady alleged coach, using testosterone as a TEEN BOY is high school, using thyroid meds, cheating with L-Cartinine drips, using asthma meds (a good track athlete should have ZERO lung issues).
Hope she also mentions that because of his association with Salazar and all of the things mentioned above, that ALL of his race results are followed by a big ASTERISK* and theresults do not count.
To which I would get Galen to quip to Des that she has no problem covering up Allie O's positive doping test and burying it now.
He was part of the NXN Nationals broadcast last year and did a great job. Was well prepared, did not make it about him or his own running, sounded very relaxed and comfortable behind the mic. Bet he does a great job and hopefully we will hear more of him in the future