Competitor ditching the elites is a blessing in disguise b/c I'm sick of watching our runners get paid to "race" so

Josh Cox had a slightly less angry response as well. He says the runners actually share the blame. http://joshcox.com/competitor-groups-decision-to-remove-elite-funding/

They are going to maintain contracts with Ryan, Meb etc. they will still have their paid tempos. What they are cutting is the few elite fields that they still did have with a dozen or so athletes of each gender going at it.

8-10 months a year there's no such thing as running an easy 2:15 marathon even for the elite - just look at the latest Words and Olympics; 2:12-2:15 there is usually good enough for 10-15 place...

fecker wrote:

Josh Cox had a slightly less angry response as well. He says the runners actually share the blame.

http://joshcox.com/competitor-groups-decision-to-remove-elite-funding/

I worked with athletes that had developed a sense of entitlement. They did just well enough to get to the Olympic Training Center and while they trained they did not improve. When the bar was raised in terms of performance standards they whined and pouted. None made the new standards. The org finally realized that the model was not going to work and shifted resources.

Remember back in the day when 30-50 Americans would run under 2:20 in our major marathons? Maybe we can get back to that?

I don't see how taking money away from top athletes would somehow affect the rest of the field unless they're putting it towards more prize money or prize money for more people. They probably won't do that. And the only part of the Renato Canova quote that makes sense is the part where he says he doesn't understand the American market.

fecker wrote:

Josh Cox had a slightly less angry response as well. He says the runners actually share the blame.

http://joshcox.com/competitor-groups-decision-to-remove-elite-funding/

That was bar none, absolutely the most intelligent thing that looney josh cox has ever said. It is absolutely true. Track and field and running in general has become the most god awful boring sport ever. The only elites dont do themselves any favors. The Boring interviews alone speak for themselves.