Ron Clarke is a fine fellow and knows what he's talking about.
He lost me with this one though, "those opponents are born with a genetic heritage that enables them to absorb more oxygen, which gives them something like a 20-second advantage over 5000m."
I am seriously doubt that Herb Elliott would have made a comment like that and I am sure that he wouldn't.
Elliott ran 3:35.6 on a torn up cinder track in the heat at Rome. Gordon Pirie said the track was so bad he ran in the 2nd lane most of the way. Considering the much faster tracks now, that puts Elliott right at the peak of the top runners today.
Additionally, and Clarke probably didn't mean it that way, but his comment is an insult to Mohammed Gamoudi and Kip Keino.
Does he seriously think he was 20 seconds better than them?
It sure didn't look that way in the Olympic Games of 1968.
dunce runner wrote:
I am seriously doubt that Herb Elliott would have made a comment like that and I am sure that he wouldn't.
Ba de ba de ba-dee-ba-dee-ba bababababa WHAT?
dunce runner wrote:
Considering the much faster tracks now, that puts Elliott right at the peak of the top runners today.
Look, even though your primary aim is be controversial, try to keep the self-parodic bullshit within reasonable limits.
Mottram is better than me too, are they going to write an article about that??
no because your just some average joe runner, ron clarke was a very very solid world class runner, who is admiting an current australian runner is better than him, so thats a pretty big hype!
Love the swimming pool comment !
If Ron honestly believes Mottram is better than he was and isn't just trying to be nice, that proves he is a complete moron. Mottram hasn't done jack crap in distance running, whereas Clarke was a legend. When Mottram smashes the 10k world record we can talk.
Guys I think you have to realise that the world of athletics is so much more competitive these days, and I am sure that there are more countries competing. Also even athletes from 3rd world countries are being given great opportunities to improve and be world class athletes these days. So yes if he says Mottram is better than he was, trust him, because quite honestly he has done more than anyone on this message board.
Also I get the feeling that one of the above posters thought Ron was saying that Mottram is better than Herb Elliot. He says nothing of the sort, he actually says that Mottrams attitude and character remind him a lot of Herb. So good on ya for bringing out your bloody Gordon Pirie quotes, you obviously read his book close enough to pick up that lane 2 quote, so why not read the article correctly.
Enjoy the World champs all, they have been pretty good so far in my opinion, and i am sure that they are going to be made better over the next 2 days.
OZ Elvis wrote:
Ron was saying that Mottram is better than Herb Elliot.
I hadn't noticed that but thanks for the heads up.
The point of my message is Elliott didn't concede any 20 second advantage to anyone, regardless of who they were or where they were from.
Ron Clarke was a great runner, but he was not a championship runner as was Elliott.
Even so, Mottram does not yet come anywhere close to what Clarke has accomplished.
OZ Elvis wrote:
Ron Clarke was a great runner, but he was not a championship runner as was Elliott.
Ron Clarke was not a champion? He set something like 27 world records. Cock.