Jakob Ingebrigtsen didn't stop to talk for long after his 1500 prelim (he said he will talk longer after the 1500 and 3000 finals). Asked him whether he was disappointed his rivals from the Olympic 1500 in Paris weren't running World Indoors.
Disappointing is putting it mildly! For running fans it's extremely frustrating especially given last years champs with Hocker and Kerr showing up! Unless they are injured? It's very poor they didn't show up! It's not an Olympic year and world champs Tokyo are at the end of the season this year, but I imagine sponsors want them to compete at these events as well as fan and supporters from their respective countries!
Disappointing is putting it mildly! For running fans it's extremely frustrating especially given last years champs with Hocker and Kerr showing up! Unless they are injured? It's very poor they didn't show up! It's not an Olympic year and world champs Tokyo are at the end of the season this year, but I imagine sponsors want them to compete at these events as well as fan and supporters from their respective countries!
I was surprised that the two stronger Americans did not show- Nuguse and Kessler. Par for the course regarding Kerr.
Most fans have said for years that they don’t care about world indoors. Why should runners travel all the way to China for an event that most fans don’t care about?
For those of you who didn't see it live, Jakob waited until late. He walked off the line and was running in 6th coming off the 3rd to last turn with 250m to go. He then accelerated and was quickly in first before the final 100m.
Most fans have said for years that they don’t care about world indoors. Why should runners travel all the way to China for an event that most fans don’t care about?
Jakob Ingebrigtsen didn't stop to talk for long after his 1500 prelim (he said he will talk longer after the 1500 and 3000 finals). Asked him whether he was disappointed his rivals from the Olympic 1500 in Paris weren't running World Indoors.
Jakob is dodging them in Grand Slam Track, he is the one that should be actively racing Kerr, not Kerr himself. They best him at the Olympics, Jakob is 4th right now, and Hocker is the top dog.
I care that Jakob is ducking them in the Grand Slam Track.
Grand Slam is new, feels very American-focused, and is not ideal for a 1500/5000 guy.
No one will remember the "2025 Grand Slam season" five years from now, but Jakob will (most likely) have two World Indoor golds on his résumé.
It's unrealistic to expect the top Americans to fly 30 hours to run in a race that happens in the middle of the night in their home country and is not shown live on TV.
World Champs should be in Europe, N. Africa, or N. America. How many medals is China even going to win??
I care that Jakob is ducking them in the Grand Slam Track.
Grand Slam is new, feels very American-focused, and is not ideal for a 1500/5000 guy.
No one will remember the "2025 Grand Slam season" five years from now, but Jakob will (most likely) have two World Indoor golds on his résumé.
There are 22 countries represented in the Grand Slam Track. Athletes are coming from farther than Norway to face the best competition. Unlike Jakob, they aren’t afraid.
it would have been nice to see better elite attendance
back in the day, i cannot remember top fields at the world champs on any kind of regular basis.
bolt? coe? ovett? cram? bekele etc.
that said, it isn't that big a deal to fly over for a one off, there needs to be more incentive, the athletes obviously don't see enough reward. sponsors can motivate with rewards, like a world champs medal, is one hundred thousand?, or prize money that pays the bills,
that would do it, cash to pay the bills.
once everybody shows up, then it becomes a competitive thing that people put on the calendar.
anyway, the improved attitude by athletes to show and compete against one another, we'll see plenty this summer,.. and also maybe stir up some momentum for the sport,
Disappointing is putting it mildly! For running fans it's extremely frustrating especially given last years champs with Hocker and Kerr showing up! Unless they are injured? It's very poor they didn't show up! It's not an Olympic year and world champs Tokyo are at the end of the season this year, but I imagine sponsors want them to compete at these events as well as fan and supporters from their respective countries!
No matter who shows up, there really isn’t much to win. Beamish’s win last year is the answer to a trivia question compared to Hocker winning in Paris. If Ingebrigtsen gets upset in one of his world indoor races this year, it will not change my expectations for him outdoors.
