Where are these British athletes this year??

Lizzie has nothing to prove in terms of 'fitness'!

yes, but wrote:

It depends why the athlete gave up. Maybe they were getting too many injuries, and they need a training program that is based more on injury avoidance, as any good program should be.

Maybe the results weren't coming as expected. In that case a good coach will show how and why you can get more enjoyment from your running by organising your program in a certain way.

Whatever the problem, there is usually an answer.

And sometimes the answer is to leave the sport for a while. I've stopped running after 19 years of competition because I've lost the desire to do the training day in day out. I may come back to it, I may not, but it's my choice. People say its a waste of talent when a good athlete gives up but there's no onus on that athlete to use their talent; they don't owe it to anyone to run.

the most common reason for droping out of any sport is a perceived lack of future success. Failure (or losing) in itself does not seem to have to negative consequences - it is once the athlete feels there is no hope of succeeding (or winning in whatever relative term you wish to you use) that quitting becomes a real option.

Surely this is a serious issue that any good coach shoule be addressing in order to encourage and motivate their athletes. Its part of the coaching process- mental awareness and preparation- vital for success.

A well organised training and racing schedule should be agreed between athlete and coach at any level.

athleticsfreak wrote:

Typical story- young athletes cant keep up the hard work and dedication needed to stay on top in this demanding sport- no guts or staying power ......

life does not start and end with dedicating everything towards an endeavour that you don't enjoy all that much, just out of duty to your 'gift'.

it irritates me that you can sweeping statements like that about people that I'm assuming you don't know particularly well. does it ever cross your mind that in fact YOU might be the one with an unhealthy outlook on life? because I can assure you that by not running religiously every day, and enjoying some beers a few nights a week is far more in keeping with the population than what might be considered 'the norm' here.

Ahh Learned helplessness... textbook sports psychology!

Indeed - i don't claim it to be an original thought.

Im talking here of top class elite runners who are at their peak and have dreams aspirations of entering the international scene/olympics. All sportspeople at this level have the same pressures and decisions to make about their life and future hopes. To be the best requires a certain dedication and long term commitment. Some would say just sheer hard work- nothing else!

Many countries send their top athletes to specific training camps where there are no other distractions - just excellent coaching and facilities for athletes to use and develop.

Some athletes would welcome the opportunity to have this facility and be able to just work at being the best with top class coaching !

Haha, it's funny to here athleticsfreak change his tune cos he knows he's been owned. lol!

I don't think anyone disagrees on that point, i think the point being made was that if an individual decides they want to do something else with their life that's up to them and no-one is entitled to tell them otherwise or admonish them for 'wasting their talent' as they see it. We're not living in 1970s/80s Eastern Europe.

Isnt the national sports centre of excellence at Lilleshall our equivalent of a training camp?

Agree with freedom of speech and everyones right to not do somethink they dont want to in life.

Shame of wasted talent but what can anyone do about it

Its there choice!

i don't lilleshall has any connection with athletics.

generally speaking, Britain.

which is most likely the problem.

jean bouin

Farah's back with a solo 1500m win in 3:46 and 2nd place in the 800m in 1:51 (beaten by a controversial character) in the opening British League.

Runmours are going round that another one of our top youngish athletes has quit.

Is Colin McCourt still running??

Why is Bowser controversial?

Why is Matt controversial??? are you referring to his recent court appearance?? [quote]Bow wow wow wrote:

Yes that and his regular appearances as his alter ego "Omar"

And Michael East?