<<< If the average fan thinks that the athletes in track are greedy
like the rest of the athletic world then we are truly doomed. >>>
Would the average fan be wrong in any defensible way to have this
perception?
<<< There are savvy ways to state disagreement with an athletes decision
but not leave
him/her holding the bag. >>>
Or, the athlete could just compete in his National Championships. Why is
the public's perception of an athlete the fault of the USATF?
Their were guys (and GIRLS!) who ran 2 or 3 events. Alan Culpepper ran both
the 5k and the 10k, and he is running the Worlds. Look at what Regina
Jacobs did. Could actually running all rounds of the 100m or 200m be that
ruinous to someone?
Brian McEwen
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 3:37 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: t-and-f: a huge loss to the sport
We are skating the issue here. Yes, there is the AAC, but they are the same
people that feel slighted. This is exactly what I am speaking about. The
athletes do not feel as though they have an adequate voice in the function
of
the federation and its decision making, and policy making.
More specifically the sprinters really feel slighted. And that becomes a
big
problem because you are talking about the premier athletes at that point.
Having a place to vent does not constitute power. And far to often the
athlete is left holding the bag. Perfect example was Maurice this past
weekend. I am sitting in the stands about to watch the first round, and a
fan turns to me and ask why is he only running one round. As I began to
explain 5 other fans turned to hear my explanation. USATF should have made
it clear about the rule change and that Maurice was fulfilling his
requirement. Regardless of personal opinion, we are discussing the health
of
the sport. If the average fan thinks that the athletes in track are greedy
like the rest of the athletic world then we are truly doomed. There are
savvy ways to state disagreement with an athletes decision but not leave
him/her holding the bag. This is a definite weak point in our federation.
Very rarely do you see a public showing of support for its constituents, and
privately it is even worse.
Enough of my rantings...
Darrell Smith
P.S. Hello Mrs. Kamani ;-)
Faith is a road seldom traveled
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12: 1-2
