I think it would be a good idea, but the logistics would be a bit difficult to work out. My idea is that it works something like this.
The initial team can be chosen from the top 3 at the half marathon championships. Then, if those top 3 were to also be first at the marathon champs, the next 3 places get picked for the team. It would be unreasonable to expect someone to run both the marathon and half marathon at the same event. What do you guys think?
I don't think it's a great idea.
The Olympic program is already tough on athletes who have to decide on 10k/marathon.
Also, the selection criteria you propose means that the half would basically be a B-event.
How about taking a cue from the past and adding back cross country? LONG LONG course xc, like maybe, oh about 20 km?
Agree with bringing back Olympic XC. Perhaps the same distance as World Cross, i.e., 8K and 12K. Do it on a 4K loop course with cameras from hell all over the place.
I agree - perhaps an 8km or 10km cross country course would be a good distance for both the men and women.
Honestly given the time of year,I would put XC in the winter games. Otherwise you won't get a guy like Bekele(who would win) to do that over the 5 or 10 on the track. I also think the half should be in the Olympics. Quite a few people like Mark Curp would have probably been able to win a medal that weren't awesome inthe 10k or the marathon.
I think if they should add anything it should be the women's steeple, but personally I feel there are too many events already.
I think the women's steeple will be in the 2008 Olympics.
Olympic DMR! held on the last day.
Hello!? Have you not noticed that they have trampoline and trap shooting and probably even chess and spelling bees are on the horizon. I have NEVER seen so many fat Olympians. In fact, there should be a body fat limit for all events--even trap shooting--cause it is just damn frustrating that morbidly obese people should be able to call themselves Olympians.
I'd say the half mary would be a marvelous addition, in light of the criteria for creating other Olympic events.
barefoot man wrote:
Honestly given the time of year,I would put XC in the winter games. Otherwise you won't get a guy like Bekele(who would win) to do that over the 5 or 10 on the track. I also think the half should be in the Olympics. Quite a few people like Mark Curp would have probably been able to win a medal that weren't awesome inthe 10k or the marathon.
All Winter sports must be played on snow or ice. XC is not designed to be held on either. There is also a requirement that it be a "sliding or skating" sport.
No but there should be an Olympic 50-100KM
I think that the World Half Marathon has been one of the best road events in the world. We have had the good fortune of having athletes in the last 5 and I haven't missed one yet. The top americans don't always decide to go, but the rest of the world most certainly does.
I have run in a few XC races that were on snow and they had plenty of sliding.
I like it.