I think the track etiquette of remaining seated comes from at least two
factors:
- The action is situated much closer to the stands than in most other
sports. This is accentuated by the nature of the stadiums, which are
usually designed for football, and thus a lower angle of vision of the
action. The indoor sports address this problem by installing stands that
are substantially steeper than outdoor arenas.
- The audience has many more women than a typical sports audience. Women
are shorter than men, and thus are more likely to have their view blocked
by a large man in front of them. Women are more likely to come to see (1)
their family members and friends (T&F has a larger participant pool
relative to the audience than probably any other sport) and (2) women
competitors who are prominently displayed. The only other U.S. sport in
which women are on approximately equal standing with men is tennis (women's
soccer may now be reaching that status).
So, I think we need to observe this etiquette until we can redesign the
stands to better accommodate these issues.
Richard McCann
