Brian Sell finished 9th in the WC Marathon. But he was never a factor, being over 30 secs back at the 10K. It seems clear that he did not want to go out over his head, and likely blow up, and so he ran his own race, and picked off tons of runners in the second half, as they dropped off the back of the lead pack.
That seems like a good strategy. But is someone who does that "World Class"? I admire what he did, but I wouldn't say it was world class.
Anyone who went to the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in the first plce should be considered world class.
World class id defined by the ability to probably make a team that would compete at a Global Championship ... by definition.
If the highest level you have attained or could attain reasonably in the near future would be say 13:40/28:30 then you would make the National Championships in this country, hence you are National-class. But not World Class.
Sell competed at the highest level and therefore is World Class. In addition, he was one of the ten best in the world. How exclusive a club do you want to make it? only the top-3? Or should only the WR holder be allowed to call himself world class?
The WChamps are not like the Olympics used to be where there were 30:xx 10k runners in the heats and 2:30 or slower marathoners running the race. There are tough standards and everyone who meets them is world class.
you are just a negative hack.
i agree that just being at the world champs merits one being called world class...but top 10 leave ZERO doubt about one being referred to as world class. lots of other guys that finished behind Sell or DNFd that are too.
When was the last time any any of YOU ran a 2:13? Just checking, thanks very much.
He was there, none of us were, he got a top 10, I give him a round of applause.
jpgarland wrote:
Brian Sell finished 9th in the WC Marathon. But he was never a factor, being over 30 secs back at the 10K. It seems clear that he did not want to go out over his head, and likely blow up, and so he ran his own race, and picked off tons of runners in the second half, as they dropped off the back of the lead pack.
That seems like a good strategy. But is someone who does that "World Class"? I admire what he did, but I wouldn't say it was world class.
what to you then is worldclass to you, oh smart one?
Does it really matter? I really don't think about who is world class and who isn't. Keeping things as simple as they are is how I like it. More labels are not needed, it saves meaningless conversation.
Not trying to sound like a prick.
As you know, "jpgarland," everyone in the field had the talent to be in the lead at 10k. But that doesn't make them world-class marathoners either. The marathon, like the 400 hurdles, is defined by the last 25% of the race.
On any given day, how many people in the world could run a marathon in under 2:15? 1,000? 10,000? 50,000??
65,000 people is 0.001% of world population.
My point about where he was at 10K was that it showed that he did not intend to win, unless he thought that the 37 guys in that pack would all blow-up. That's one of those logic things. I think it was a very smart move, as evidenced by what happened to alot of those others.
Some good points. Define the term, if we need to. That's why I asked the question, and whether a 9th place "automatically" does it. If by "world class" we mean someone capable of competing at the highest international level, can we say after this race that Brian Sell qualifies? Maybe I should have said "elite." Obviously he is near the highest level, but is he there?
Since you're having trouble comprehending the replies above I'll put it very simple. Yes, Brian Sell is world class.
Fuck that the person who finished last place in the WC race is considered World Class.
I think when you finish 9th in the world in anything, you can be considerd world class...just my thoughts.
I was there in Helsinki today and it was quite clear that the boy kept his head throughout the race. He was very strong in the second half and only the first 3 looked better. I would guess that he could have run between 1 and 2 minutes faster but that would have increased the risk of failure. I think he got it fairly right and will come back ready for something better in the future. A lot of good runners failed because they went to fast and misjudged the heat and humidity.
Glen
I usually consider the "A" standard to compete in a World Championships as a standard to be considered as world class.
It doesn't mean that you can compete to be number one in the world or a medalist, it means you can compete in that group.
MaLinnaean System of Athlete Classification
SUPERSTAR: I think that we would all agree on what a SUPERSTAR is.
He/she is an athlete (always American) who has won a gold medal, world
championship or has set a world record. SUPERSTARS get a lot of airtime
from the networks during the Olympic Games. SUPERSTARS are shown
competing in slow-motion many, many times. SUPERSTARS are also shown in
even slower-motion, with their cheeks jiggling and eyes bulging, because
that's what the network suits are convinced that the masses want. Just
once I'd like to see the replays in real time, or better yet,
ffsfassfst-motion! Like, how about showing us what an 8.79 looks like? I
just can't get enough of the SUPERSTARS-in-the-stands-as-spectators, the
SUPERSTARS-shopping-for-crystal, and the
SUPERSTARS-not-knowing-the-words-to-the-National-Anthem shots! I'm
always fooled by the SUPERSTARS-with-tears-of-joy stuff, as well! Gets
me every time. Amazing what those make-up artists can do. It almost
looks real! SUPERSTARS are the ones that break the meet budgets and are
happy about it until they drop down to the next level - the WORLD CLASS.
It's only then that they ingratiate themselves with the other athletes
and take up such causes as fairer athlete compensation.
WORLD CLASS: means world-ranked (top 10), or an Olympic or World
Championship finalist. It also can mean anyone who has a realistic
chance of being world-ranked, which would probably mean top 20 in the
world. The WORLD CLASS never even think that making an "A" standard is
an issue, because it's not. The "A" standards are far below their
minimum expectations.
Side Note: You will never hear the WORLD CLASS complaining about the
weather conditions, site selection, or other extraneous issues. They
just don't have the time to whine.
INTERNATIONAL CLASS: A step below the WORLD CLASS, these athletes,
mostly National Champions, certainly make the 'A' standards, although
every now and then one or two of them will miss. This can be a very
tough level, as they are not guaranteed entrance into every competition
in Europe. Many of them, when not running in the 'B' races, can make a
good living serving as 'rabbits' in the 'A' races. You will find them
everywhere in the 'second tier' competitions all around Europe. Again,
the INTERNATIONAL CLASS has it the toughest, with the WORLD CLASS
keeping them in their place from above, and the NATIONAL CLASS biting at
their ankles from below.
NATIONAL CLASS: are those that are finalists in the National
Championship meets (NCAA, USATF). The NATIONAL CLASS wastes no effort
thinking about making the qualifying or 'provisional' qualifying marks
for the National Championships. They will be there. On the other hand,
they do think a lot about Olympic or World Championships qualifying
marks, and to get them they will often pay their way to Europe for the
chance to race against the INTERNATIONAL CLASS in those 'second tier'
competitions. They, too, get a lot of gigs as 'rabbits'.
REGIONAL CLASS: are all athletes who are competitive in their Conference
Championships and who qualify for the National Championships. Their main
focus is on getting that 'provisional' mark and if all goes well, the
'automatic' qualifier. It's a victory in itself to make it to the
National Championships, so most are not discouraged by failing to make
it to the finals when they get there.
RECREATIONAL RACERS: Made the team in high school. They compete in
summer all-comers meets, masters events, and road races. These are your
club athletes.
LOCAL YOKELS: They're easy to spot. They are the ones with the latest
and greatest shoes and apparel. They memorize RUNNERS WORLD page by
page, and should you ever ask, they'll tell you that everyone who runs
faster than they do, does not know how to train. The only difference
between the LOCAL YOKEL and the WORLD CLASS is, in their minds,
'talent'. They are frequently the victims of the 'less is more'
snake-oil salesmen. They worry a lot about 'over-training'.
THE HUDDLED MASSES: SLOGGERS coached by Jeff Galloway and Oprah.
PENGUINS: Since I don't read RUNNERS WORLD I'm not quite sure what that
is. Nor do I care.
So there you have it, the Malmo Caste System. If you don't like it then
make up your own damn system! I like mine!
It should be noted that all of the classes are in a dynamic flux.
Athletes can move freely between the classes and there is a half-life
buffer that stops a freefall from the upper classes to the lower ones--
except for the Superstars. Once a Superstar, always a Superstar.
PENGUIN HERE
wow 90% of division I runners are recreational!
shit I quit.