So I'm trying build up a collection of distance race videos, preferably on DVD, and have found it almost impossible. I'm willing to pay good money, but I can find hardly anything for sale in any format*!
Why the heck can't I buy a copy of, say, the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials on DVD? Or the 2008 Olympic Marathon? Or, in fact, ANY marathon??
I understand that rights can be complicated, and that there is probably not much of an audience for buying this stuff. But distribution is now sooo cheap, and they already invested in filming it, it seems that they're passing up some easy money (not much, but some). And missing a chance to build an audience for the sport.
Maybe one reason our sport currently has limited popularity is that it's so hard to find video of it? Fairly crappy YouTube videos are basically it, and there's not even much for the marathon on YouTube.
Shorter's victory in the '72 Olympic marathon is credited with helping to start the running boom in the US. Too bad I can't watch it. In fact, I've never seen it, despite being a pretty hardcore distance running fan.
Come on capitalism - I've got money in my hand for this stuff and nobody is willing to take it.
If I'm missing something here I'd love to hear it.
* = A few years back I scored some DVDs with various Olympic middle distance races on eBay, but haven't seen anything there since. DVDs of a number of NCAA championship meets are on Amazon, but that's about it. USATF has nothing in its online store under videos, except on-demand coverage of the Junior Olympics.