You would argue about a legend if all populations in other parts of the world has the same chance to practice this technical (more likely gymnastic) discipline.
Wrong. Sprinting or middle/long distance running can be attempted by any able bodied person but very few people go out regularly to run by choice as a percentage of the total population. I would estimate less than 1% of people regularly run by choice.
You would argue about a legend if all populations in other parts of the world has the same chance to practice this technical (more likely gymnastic) discipline.
. I would estimate less than 1% of people regularly run by choice.
and 1/1000000 do pole by choice and conditions.
But seriously he and Bubka and the biggest "WR" cheaters ( in a sense) in history.
You would argue about a legend if all populations in other parts of the world has the same chance to practice this technical (more likely gymnastic) discipline.
Just think what the world record would be if the greatest athlete to ever live, Caitlin Clark, did pole vault.
Not only is he unquestionably the pole vault GOAT, but he's also a savvy financial planner, given that he likely gets bonuses for setting the WR and he only goes up a cm at a time. At this rate, he can probably set 10-15 more records, make a few more million, and only have to go up 6 more inches in his entire career.
And this is the main problem I have with the way the bar is allowed to go up for world record attempts. There is no incentive for Mondo to go any higher than slightly higher each time. We may never get to see Mondo at his very best.
You would argue about a legend if all populations in other parts of the world has the same chance to practice this technical (more likely gymnastic) discipline.
Just think what the world record would be if the greatest athlete to ever live, Caitlin Clark Matthew Boling AKA "White Lightning" , did pole vault.
For an interesting contrast to Mondo's approach, go back and read about Lavillenie. After he broke the WR with 6.16, he immediately asked for the bar to be raised to 6.21. Apparently he was feeling it on that day and just wanted to GO FOR IT.
In a shocking twist he ended up injuring himself during the attempt, ending his season on the spot and going to the hospital. But I gained profound respect for Lavillenie reading this
I’d like to see what Mondo could do in the decathalon, he’s ran 10.6 and long jumped 7.15. Obviously makes no sense for him to do this but fun to imagine
That’s the thing about pole vault and high jump though, they’re incredibly high risk / high reward. Imagine if runners had to predict their race time before starting, and they run into a big closed gate at the finish line if they’re too slow. Someone else in this thread mentioned a story about Lavillenie getting hurt after attempting a jump way outside his range. It makes perfect sense to make moderate gambles by slightly improving your PB if you’re the only one out there, and not being pushed by competitors to out-jump them (rather than risking injury at 20+ fcking feet in the air).