t-and-f: Why Sully rules
An excerpt from Peter Pimm's latest newsletter is reprinted below. Apologies to those who already get it. Regards, Martin Millard, Rouse & Rosebrugh Martin J. Dixon, B. Math. (Hons), C.A.Chartered Accountants Direct Dial: (519) 759-3708 Ext. 231P.O. Box 367, 96 Nelson Street Private Facsimile: (519) 759-8548Brantford, Ontario N3T 5N3 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Telephone: (519) 759-3511 Web site: www.millards.com http://members.aol.com/peterpimm/page1.htm JUST A THOUGHT~~~[subject: why Kevin Sullivan rules] Hm.don't you find it interesting that with all the hoopla about theamount of money that the Aussies are funnelling into amateur sport that theydidn't exactly shine in the endurance events of track, men's or women's, interms of winning medals. What gives? I'll tell you what gives. With distance running, we're talking about arguably the most highly evolved and hence competitive events at the Olympic Games. Here's why: 1) Everyone in every country can participate relatively easily: this isn't a sport of means to the same extent as swimming, gymnastics, yachting) - this isn't a sport where facilities are nearly as necessary;2) this is a historic sport with over a century of male participation (vs. triathlon, synchronized diving );3) This is a sport where many other nations (e.g., Morocco, Italy, Japan) have, for several years directed considerable money to its athletes, facilities and, just as importantly, to its coaches; 4) this is a sport which is for all intents and purposes, the national sport of other countries (Kenya, Ethiopia) and which greatly fosters extraordinary high participation levels, talent identification, and its subsequent development. These evolutionary factors are so formidable, it is my opinion that even real programs, such as Australia's, will require many years in my opinion before they can make up the competitive gap And this is why I personally rate Mr. Kevin Sullivan's 5th place finish in the 1500 meters, in terms of absolute performance, well beyond any other Canadian performance, gold, or otherwise. But just as Australia's great 1500 meter runner, Herb Elliot, was an "accident of nature" and individual inclinations, arising well before the days of financed programs in Australia, so is Kevin Sullivan. So was Bill Crothers. And so were a great many others who "accidentally" left the sport well before realizing their potentials.
t-and-f: Why Sully Rules
4) this is a sport which is for all intents and purposes, the national sport of other countries (Kenya, Ethiopia) and which greatly fosters extraordinary high participation levels, talent identification, and its subsequent development. I'm not too knowledgeable about Ethiopia, but nothing could be further from the truth about Kenya. Running/X-C/Track and Field is at best the fouth or fifth most popular sport in Kenya, trailing soccer, boxing, cricket and even horse racing. MOST people on the street would not recognize Paul Tergat if he were standing next to them, and they most likely would not have heard of someone of the stature of , say, Tom Nyariki. /Drew
Re: t-and-f: Why Sully rules
I've never heard of Peter Pimm previously (that's a mouthful). No offense, but I can only hope his coaching is better than his logic... --- "Martin J. Dixon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > An excerpt from Peter Pimm's latest newsletter is reprinted below. > > 1) Everyone in every country can participate relatively easily: this > isn't a sport of means to the same extent as swimming, gymnastics, > yachting) - this isn't a sport where facilities are nearly as necessary; No arguement there. > 2) this is a historic sport with over a century of male participation > (vs. triathlon, synchronized diving ); Historic or otherwise, it only takes one person to excel in order to set a trend. I think that was sort of the point of the article this was excerpted from? Did Kenya have half a century of international experience when Keino broke through? > 3) This is a sport where many other nations (e.g., Morocco, Italy, > Japan) have, for several years directed considerable money to its > athletes, facilities and, just as importantly, to its coaches; Hmm, that certainly contradicts #1. > 4) this is a sport which is for all intents and purposes, the national > sport of other countries (Kenya, Ethiopia) and which greatly fosters > extraordinary high participation levels, talent identification, and its > subsequent development. And that contradicts reports that soccer is the craze in Kenya, with running being a distant second. > These evolutionary factors are so formidable, it is my opinion that > even real programs, such as Australia's, will require many years in my > opinion before they can make up the competitive gap Strange definition of evolutionary. Economic might have been a better choice of word. Dan = http://AbleDesign.com - AbleDesign, Web Design that Can! http://Run-Down.com - 8,500 Running Links, Free Contests... @o Dan Kaplan - [EMAIL PROTECTED] <|\/ <^- ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) _/ \ \/\ [EMAIL PROTECTED] (lifetime forwarding address) / / (503)370-9969 phone/fax __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/
Re: t-and-f: Why Sully Rules
In a message dated 10/5/00 2:40:17 PM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'm not too knowledgeable about Ethiopia, but nothing could be further from the truth about Kenya. Running/X-C/Track and Field is at best the fouth or fifth most popular sport in Kenya, trailing soccer, boxing, cricket and even horse racing. MOST people on the street would not recognize Paul Tergat if he were standing next to them, and they most likely would not have heard of someone of the stature of , say, Tom Nyariki. /Drew >> Drew is absolutely right. Football (soccer) is number one in Kenya. Give a Kenyan runner some free time and a soccer ball and you've got yourself a happy guy. The other sports mentioned are also up there. In fact, pick up a copy of the Standard or a similar publication and you're as likely to find a golf story headlining the sports section as you are to finding an athletics story. Bruce Meyer KUKIMBIA Chicago
Re: t-and-f: Why Sully Rules
As a Kenyan I can confirm that most people in Kenya would not recognize Tergat but you would be suprised how many people would notice Patrick Njiru( A local safari rally driver) Eric kamau Go cougs On Thu, 5 Oct 2000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 10/5/00 2:40:17 PM Central Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > I'm not too knowledgeable about Ethiopia, but nothing could be further from > the truth about Kenya. Running/X-C/Track and Field is at best the fouth or > fifth most popular sport in Kenya, trailing soccer, boxing, cricket and even > horse racing. MOST people on the street would not recognize Paul Tergat if > he were standing next to them, and they most likely would not have heard of > someone of the stature of , say, Tom Nyariki. /Drew > >> > > Drew is absolutely right. Football (soccer) is number one in Kenya. Give a > Kenyan runner some free time and a soccer ball and you've got yourself a > happy guy. The other sports mentioned are also up there. In fact, pick up a > copy of the Standard or a similar publication and you're as likely to find a > golf story headlining the sports section as you are to finding an athletics > story. > > Bruce Meyer > KUKIMBIA > Chicago >
