ironside wrote:
In US, since 1896 we have been the elite country for 400 metres. We think nothing of a 16 or 17 year old US high school lad running a 46 or 47 400m. If we, in US can run 46 400m at age 16, it's possible Nijel Amos running 1:42 at age 18 was age legitimate. I don't believe in US we have a clue how to train young 800 metres runners. You're exaggerating when you state 16 or 17 year old Africans running 12:54 5000 metres. Give us a name and date that occurred.
Re: "We think nothing of a 16 or 17 year old US high school lad running a 46 or 47 400m."
Which one is more legit, 1. An American 16 or 17 year old who runs a 46 or 47 400m and you know exactly when and where he was born, you know what he ran the year before that and the year before that and does not come for a country with a history of age cheating. -Or, 2. an African 16 or 17 year old who runs a 3:33 1500, you don't know when he was born, you have no sense of his progression, he basically comes for out of nowhere and represents a country known for age cheating. Also, consider the fact that they American is looking forward to winning his state championship and one day compete in the NCAA system. The African on the other hand is looking forward to the DL circuit, making money for himself, family, agent and coach, etc.
Do your own research and you will found that there are numerous well documented examples of African age cheating. It is rampant and outrageous as in athletes in their mid-20s running in WY competitions, athletes running for Kenya as a junior and running for an Arab Emirate several years latter as a junior athlete under a different name. At the 2011 WYC (I repeat, "World Youth" Championships for 16-17 year olds), the top 3 athletes all ran 1:44x in the 800m final. The 800m junior record is 1:41 and several African Athletes have run 1:42x in the 800m and yet no junior in the rest of the world has ever broken 1:44. If junior athletes are running 1:41/1:42...why isn't the world record in the 800m 1:38?
If you don't think Africans are age cheating...I could use the typical LRC speak and call you an idiot, but I will be respectful and simply say you are very naïve.