What bring in more money to kenya? soccer or running?
What bring in more money to kenya? soccer or running?
Kawa-unchi wrote:
What bring in more money to kenya? soccer or running?
I have no clue. Perhaps you have some insight on the issue?
Lydiard, Vigil and even Canova, have said they U.S. Has enough talent to be one of the top 2-3 marathoning nations. Having enough talent isn't the issue.
The issue is the American model is middle distance (800-5k) and frequent race focused until the athletes are in their mid to late 20's. By then many are burned out, dealing with recurring injuries and/or have left the sport.
They are few athletes who realize they may be better in the longer races are criticized and over ostracized if they attempt to go outside that system and pursue the longer races. Making it very unlikely anyone would go down that path.
It's the U.S. junior, Youth, And school system take keeps us from realizing the potential Lydiard, Vigil or Canova saw.
Just as the Japanese system is marathon focused, the U.S. System is middle distance focused.
There are lots of ways to look at track and field - professionals, collegiates, high schoolers, etc. You said The highest rated Japanese runner this year was an 18-year-old sprinter.
And he ( Yoshihide Kiryou - 10.02) would have ranked #2 behind a windaided high schooler (9.99w) in USA. And would be #1 in USA in 200m (20.41). The top Japanese HS boys 400m (45.69) would also rank #1 in USA. Top Japanese HS 800m dips to 18th in USA. Then 34 Japanese HS boys are ranked between 3:42.3 and top ranked American at 3:53.81 in 1500m; in 5000m 76 Japanese boys between 13:26.73 and ahead of 14:28.73, the 2nd ranked American boy; 16 boys are ahead of the top ranked American boy in 3k steeplechase. Now here is an interesting trend: For the Girls, USA takes top 27 in 100m, the top 15 in 200m, 6 of the top 9 in 400m, and 11 of top 14 in the 800m, but then plummets to 2 of the top 46 in the 1500m, and zero of the top 87 in the 3000m.
Numbers to think about (using combined stats of MileStat and athletic.net)
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