World's greatest athlete retires and 3 hours later there is nothing on front page of ESPN and SI.com

I guarantee if he was announcing a sex change it would have made headlines.

rojo wrote:

For those of you who think I sport isn't niche, I think we've got official proof today. Ashton Eaton has been retired for 3 + hours and there is nothing about it on the front page of ESPN or SI.com - two of the biggest US sports websites.

It's always baffled me that someone as great, charismatic and good looking at Eaton wasn't a huge cross-over star. Part of it may be because Eaton doens't necessarily want to be that star but part of it also shows you how niche Track and field is.

Because the visual test shows that the best athletes play basketball or football. That's where the money is. That's where the talent goes.

Running itself is unique in that the poorest of the poor can do it, so there is a very low barrier to entry. Decathlon, well that takes a much more organized setup to do. Basketball....you have courts everywhere, from inner city to the nicest neighborhoods. You need a ball, that's it.

At one point I'm pretty sure Mark Allen was marketed as greatest living athlete. But triathlons suffer the same issue in that it's not easy for the greater populace to participate in.

Yippee, he can run 4 different distances (including hurdling), jump in various ways (including with a pole), and throw 3 random objects without killing anyone.

Yeah, rather niche wrote:

Yippee, he can run 4 different distances (including hurdling), jump in various ways (including with a pole), and throw 3 random objects without killing anyone.

Decathletes are worst at the throws, about 20% behind WR. Other than 1500m (when they are tired), they are within 10% for everything else.

minong wrote:

I think it's also that the greater sports world no longer views the best decathlete as the World Greatest Athlete. For a time, he (not talking Ashton) was really considered that. How many people probably view Lebron as a better athlete? Typical office water cooler debate (or slack chat) Ashton doesn't even get mentioned in the debate.

Perhaps Nike tried to market him, but there was never enough buzz to make him a star. Track & Field will always be a a niche sport. Outside of LRC, nobody would recognize this guy on the street.

Made the front page of BBC Sport. You yanks should be ashamed. Maybe if he received the attention he deserved he wouldn't be retiring now. Bet he wishes he was British and got his just adulation.

rojo wrote:

For those of you who think I sport isn't niche, I think we've got official proof today. Ashton Eaton has been retired for 3 + hours and there is nothing about it on the front page of ESPN or SI.com - two of the biggest US sports websites.

It's always baffled me that someone as great, charismatic and good looking at Eaton wasn't a huge cross-over star. Part of it may be because Eaton doens't necessarily want to be that star but part of it also shows you how niche Track and field is.

He is strangely uncharismatic, IMO.

Where does it say Lebron James is retiring.

johnny5 wrote:

Where does it say Lebron James is retiring.

Hahahahahahaha. I actually laughed out loud in my office at this response. Good stuff!

minong wrote:

I think it's also that the greater sports world no longer views the best decathlete as the World Greatest Athlete. For a time, he (not talking Ashton) was really considered that. How many people probably view Lebron as a better athlete? Typical office water cooler debate (or slack chat) Ashton doesn't even get mentioned in the debate.

The promoters of the big athletic meets in Europe and elsewhere decide who the best athlete in the world is by the amount they are willing to pay a given athlete appearance money.

Right now, Bolt could command about ten times more than any other athlete in the world.

Jose Montana, Jim Brown, Beckham, Barry Bonds, Fred Williamson, Sugar Ray

Robinson, O.J., etc. moved to L.A. after their careers were done to cash in.

Ash & Bri did Mt Sac Relays every year, and coach Hair is from L.A. so they

knew where'Earth Publicity Centrale' was in Hollywood.

Still they failed to re-locate to L.A.

Now you see the lack of media interest.

Seems like a nice person. Watched a replay of the men's Olympic steeple final recently, and fairly certain that was Eaton standing at the final curve cheering the USA runners as they passed by.

runalongnow wrote:

rojo wrote:

For those of you who think I sport isn't niche, I think we've got official proof today. Ashton Eaton has been retired for 3 + hours and there is nothing about it on the front page of ESPN or SI.com - two of the biggest US sports websites.

It's always baffled me that someone as great, charismatic and good looking at Eaton wasn't a huge cross-over star. Part of it may be because Eaton doens't necessarily want to be that star but part of it also shows you how niche Track and field is.

He is strangely uncharismatic, IMO.

Had quite the opposite experience. I was out at the Eugene South track with my son (6yo at the time) and daughter (8yo at the time), just goofing around in the long jump pit after running together on the track back in 2014. They both love to run, and I just concentrate on making it fun for them. Well, Eaton and his crew show up for a workout. Eaton sees my kids jumping into the pit, and walks straight over to us. He's giving out tips and really encouraging the whole time. I mean, the whole 9 yards. Gives my son his OTC warmup jacket and my daughter, his hat. Couldn't believe it. Saw him a few months later at the grocery store, and he actually asked how my two kids were doing. I was totally shocked. Just s genuinely great person. I took the kids to watch the world indoor champs in Portland last year, and we run into Eaton and his wife on the street outside the convention center. My little son runs up and gives him this huge hug, and Eaton asks him if he's been practicing his long jumping. Our family are definitely fans.

They are wayyy below that for throws. For reference, NONE of Eaton's throws for discus, shot, and javelin at the Olympics would qualify him to participate in those events as a college athlete at the Penn Relays, much less win them. Of his PBs, only his Javelin throw would get him in.

Decathletes tend to be much better at JT than the other throws due to their build and overlap with jumps, but they aren't anywhere close to the American Record, much less the WR.

Rule Brianne wrote:

Made the front page of BBC Sport. You yanks should be ashamed. Maybe if he received the attention he deserved he wouldn't be retiring now. Bet he wishes he was British and got his just adulation.

At least he has good teeth unlike you Brits.

Eaton who? wrote:

Rule Brianne wrote:

Made the front page of BBC Sport. You yanks should be ashamed. Maybe if he received the attention he deserved he wouldn't be retiring now. Bet he wishes he was British and got his just adulation.

At least he has good teeth unlike you Brits.

Sorry old chap, but our British oral heath is as good or even better than you Yanks.

rojo wrote:

Ashton Eaton has been retired for 3 + hours and there is nothing about it on the front page of ESPN or SI.com - two of the biggest US sports websites.

.

He's a hermit shacked up in the boonies in the middle of who knows where, that's why ;-)

Just because decathletes call themselves the world greatest athletes doesn't make them so. I have been watching track for 20 years and still have no idea about the throws.