World Championships
What a difference a couple of decades makes.Although the Channel 4 coverage is very welcome , there was once a time when the BBC would have this as a main feature and it would have been the cover of the once popular radio times.With recent estimates of the huge number of obese Britons set to rise and a claim yesterday that teenagers got involved in rioting because they were bored in the summer holidays ( what an unbelievable excuse for rubbish parenting and criminal behaviour;they thought they could get away with it and get something for nothing.)there has never been a more important time to involve people in sport and why not Athletics.
Clearly its harder than ever to impress at a World Championships as there are African Nations now who have the knowledge and desire.If you lived in east Africa wouldn't you see using your natural talent as a way out of poverty ?Powerful motivator.It was once unusual to see the Chinese compete on the track yet they have just won a hurdles medal.there's also no excuses made from smaller countries such as Gabon.the Maldives and St Kitts and Nevis who produced Bronze medallist Kim Collins.The Global involvement in Athletics surpasses the number of United Nations members as there are 222 IAAF member countries.
Collins at 35 may have been a touch fortunate that Bolt false started but coupled with the involvement last year of Merlene Ottey aged 50 still sprinting internationally it shows how perceptions have changed in whats possible.The South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius , with his controversial blades, made it to the Semi finals of the 400m (thats the full world championships , not the Paralympics).This poses another teaser;should he be allowed to compete in this event?the bone of contention is that in the latter stages of the race he will not suffer fatigue in the foot and ankle joint in flexion in the same way as able bodied runners.
How about the Disqualifications ? When orughua was dismissed for a crazy false start in the 400m it was put down to nerves and a bad preparation through injury and it seemed the end of it and similar for Chambers but when Bolt missed the 100m Final questions were raised about the one false and out rule.Is this because he is such a high profile athlete who has brought charisma along with his talent, thereby attracting more of the public interest into Athletics? Can the Sport afford for him to be out as he is so attractive to the media ? My thoughts were that its part of the race and he knew the position before the race like all his competitors.The young Jamaican took full advantage and good luck to him , opening up chances for someone else.Its probably better that it doesn't become like Football is becoming where in the premiership we know before the first games are over who the four main contenders will be because of the domination of business interests.Its getting a bit boring.
Should Chambers be forgiven or are the BOC right and he shouldn't compete in the Olympics?His case did seem more clear cut than the American who is appealing.
What about the next generation of GB athletes who traditionally come from the ESAA events and now from the NATYAL and UK school games.Its all the same Athletes anyway but who for the last three years has had the lack of foresight to have the School Games on the Saturday and the NATYAL main Finals on the Sunday ? Surely they could get their heads together and come up with a timetabel that doesn't clash ? Pity some of the poor Athletes who will be under pressure from clubs and Schools to compete for them.Doesn't seem a fair thing to do to schoolkids but there will be some who will cope and some will maybe try both.
Clearly its harder than ever to impress at a World Championships as there are African Nations now who have the knowledge and desire.If you lived in east Africa wouldn't you see using your natural talent as a way out of poverty ?Powerful motivator.It was once unusual to see the Chinese compete on the track yet they have just won a hurdles medal.there's also no excuses made from smaller countries such as Gabon.the Maldives and St Kitts and Nevis who produced Bronze medallist Kim Collins.The Global involvement in Athletics surpasses the number of United Nations members as there are 222 IAAF member countries.
Collins at 35 may have been a touch fortunate that Bolt false started but coupled with the involvement last year of Merlene Ottey aged 50 still sprinting internationally it shows how perceptions have changed in whats possible.The South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius , with his controversial blades, made it to the Semi finals of the 400m (thats the full world championships , not the Paralympics).This poses another teaser;should he be allowed to compete in this event?the bone of contention is that in the latter stages of the race he will not suffer fatigue in the foot and ankle joint in flexion in the same way as able bodied runners.
How about the Disqualifications ? When orughua was dismissed for a crazy false start in the 400m it was put down to nerves and a bad preparation through injury and it seemed the end of it and similar for Chambers but when Bolt missed the 100m Final questions were raised about the one false and out rule.Is this because he is such a high profile athlete who has brought charisma along with his talent, thereby attracting more of the public interest into Athletics? Can the Sport afford for him to be out as he is so attractive to the media ? My thoughts were that its part of the race and he knew the position before the race like all his competitors.The young Jamaican took full advantage and good luck to him , opening up chances for someone else.Its probably better that it doesn't become like Football is becoming where in the premiership we know before the first games are over who the four main contenders will be because of the domination of business interests.Its getting a bit boring.
Should Chambers be forgiven or are the BOC right and he shouldn't compete in the Olympics?His case did seem more clear cut than the American who is appealing.
What about the next generation of GB athletes who traditionally come from the ESAA events and now from the NATYAL and UK school games.Its all the same Athletes anyway but who for the last three years has had the lack of foresight to have the School Games on the Saturday and the NATYAL main Finals on the Sunday ? Surely they could get their heads together and come up with a timetabel that doesn't clash ? Pity some of the poor Athletes who will be under pressure from clubs and Schools to compete for them.Doesn't seem a fair thing to do to schoolkids but there will be some who will cope and some will maybe try both.
