What do you think about WINNING athletes flopping down at the finish?

Flagpole wrote:

2) The winner CAN do anything they like, but I can judge whether that was cool or not. And flopping and writhing, sometimes for several minutes, is ridiculous...histrionics.

Show me the proof where ONE runner has flopped and writhed on the ground or several minutes after winning race.

show me state wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

2) The winner CAN do anything they like, but I can judge whether that was cool or not. And flopping and writhing, sometimes for several minutes, is ridiculous...histrionics.

Show me the proof where ONE runner has flopped and writhed on the ground or several minutes after winning race.

Add the flop, the writing, the attempt of others to get him or her to their feet, the sink back down to the ground, the second attempt to help him or her up, the second sink to the ground, a little bit of time as the helpers are a bit exasperated, a third attempt which he or she finally allows it to happen but only if they put their arms around him or her and walk them around like they've had surgery, then finally a bit of steadying on their own and the first few steps by themselves during which the helpers smile at the runner. Two seconds later the runner does some sort of run and jump celebration with teammates. Yeah, I've seen that take a few minutes.

Ho Hum wrote:

It doesn't tell the other competitors anything of the sort. I don't know where you come up with this stuff. What collapsing shows people, or intends to show people, is that you tried as hard as you could. Nobody other than a supremely self-centered person would interpret it as a personal insult.

The key there is "intends to tell people". THAT is why runners do it. It is NOT necessary. It is NOT a normal result of running a race to the limit of your ability. It IS to communicate something...and that something is "I tried as hard as I could" and it is ONLY for self-centered reasons to do so. When the winner flops and the others do not, the MESSAGE is, "I tried as hard as I could" (that's what you agree with), and since the others didn't flop to the ground, then they obviously didn't try as hard as they could.

It is ALL BS. We see elite runners all the time who run amazing times, don't flop to the ground and then even later say they ran the very best time they could. It is ALL an act and ALL to communicate something that need not be communicated.

I guess I need to restate it. Show me the proof.

show me state wrote:

I guess I need to restate it. Show me the proof.

1) Not all things are video recorded.

2) There ARE some out there that I could offer up, but I do NOT slam specific runners unless they REALLY need it; this isn't one of those times, so I will not do it.

3) I said that this has happened, so there's the proof. My word is golden. My word is my bond.

Flagpole wrote:

Star wrote:

Are you going to show us an example of what you are talking about or what?

Nope. It is not my intention to slam any particular person, so I will not do that.

That's not fair.

You got this whole multi page thread going and you won't even give an example of what the hell you mean.

Are you OK with that 1960 Olympic 5000 flopper or what?

I did after about a 25 sec 5k pr. legs were absolutely baked and pushed to the limit. i was exhausted and not even the adrenaline from a huge pr could keep me up. now there are deff some floppers but i guess it is case by case

I used to have the kids I coach do a finish line routine similar to this after winning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n62J9-WP1A#aid=P9Y0DZ1bx1I

But in light of this thread, if any of my students win a race, they are immediately met by an armed forces recruiter who swears them in for enlistment following high school. After that, they negotiate with their parents for the cash equivalent of the post-race pizza party that they would have had for the team and put that money into a high yield, low fees index fund. Then they give blood and donate their spikes to underprivileged kids at an inner city school. Time permitting, they can give their teammates a very subdued fist bump, but only after complimenting every other runner on their performance and congratulating all the parents on their dedication to their children.

Star wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

Nope. It is not my intention to slam any particular person, so I will not do that.

That's not fair.

You got this whole multi page thread going and you won't even give an example of what the hell you mean.

Are you OK with that 1960 Olympic 5000 flopper or what?

Well, it's FAIR. I understand why you want to know who I'm talking about, but it is NOT my intention to slam that specific runner about that specific race, so I will not offer the name and event.

Also, regarding the specific 1960 flopper, there's no benefit to me to comment. All you need to know is that with VERY RARE exception, falling to the ground after a race is not necessary and even ridiculous. You can decide for yourself based on that comment if I think his falling down after his win is ridiculous or not.

Flagpole wrote:

Captain Obliviousness wrote:

Perhaps you can't read?

"Pretending that the race was effortless is even worse". This implies that flailing on the ground IS pretentious.

Ah. I see now that I misunderstood your meaning and that you are right in your comment. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and I apologize unreservedly.

Nice post!

I think Jenny Simpson just flopped for the win.

http://www.letsrun.com/?attachment_id=52053

1) It didn't happen.2) You lied.3) You're trolling.

Flagpole wrote:

show me state wrote:

I guess I need to restate it. Show me the proof.

1) Not all things are video recorded.

2) There ARE some out there that I could offer up, but I do NOT slam specific runners unless they REALLY need it; this isn't one of those times, so I will not do it.

3) I said that this has happened, so there's the proof. My word is golden. My word is my bond.

Flagpole wrote:

When you flop on the ground like that and writhe in agony, it's a big arrogant slap to the face to all those who just lost to you.

A victory lap is a worse slap in the face.

Pretty obvious that these are another "Look at Me" moment. How often does it happen in a road race? Bring back the ash track and it all goes away.

It's obvious the OP is talking about Pre.

Flagpole wrote:

Captain Obliviousness wrote:

Perhaps you can't read?

"Pretending that the race was effortless is even worse". This implies that flailing on the ground IS pretentious.

Ah. I see now that I misunderstood your meaning and that you are right in your comment. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and I apologize unreservedly.

I have found it in my heart and accept your apology.

I think Bannister laid it on a bit thick in this race. The Victorian swoon and being carried off like an infant looks bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_NzZP_LK0

Captain Obliviousness wrote:

I think Bannister laid it on a bit thick in this race. The Victorian swoon and being carried off like an infant looks bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_NzZP_LK0

You sir are CORRECT!