I think it has been more likely that the focus in our sport on chasing world records rather than valueing the race has been far far more damaging than pacemakers.
Imagine in car racing if we only valued a Formula One race by how fast the race was completed rather than the victory on the day. World Record Focus has done all the damage. Pacemaking is just part of that and drugs are another part of it. Money is in a WR. regards Steve Bennett www.oztrack.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jones, Carleton Sent: Saturday, 8 May 2004 2:33 AM To: Track & Field List Subject: RE: t-and-f: Did Bannister ruin athletics? I direct your attention to this link: http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-41-1303-7607-11/that_was_then/sports/ I don't think you could characterize Bannister (or Landy) as not knowing "...how to behave when there's no pacesetter to lead them around." Bannister had a goal that he wanted to achieve - running under 4:00. He certainly had other goals that he pursued as successfully - including winning races. I hardly think it's his fault that subsequently SOME fans, promoters, and racers have chosen to elevate the goal of chasing times as opposed to the goal of winning races. Cheers, Buck ____________________________________________ Carleton 'Buck' Jones, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pharmacology Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University - Glendale 19555 N 59th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85308 623-572-3667 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 7:20 PM To: Ed & Marsha Prytherch Cc: Martin J. Dixon; Track & Field List; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: t-and-f: Did Bannister ruin athletics? Ed ranted: >That's typical of the crap that's published in the rag known as the >Guardian. They get it wrong on everything else, why should anyone expect >them to get it right on athletics. First, I'd note that they're carrying a piece by an author - not an editorial by the paper itself. Second, I'd welcome any piece on T&F so nuanced in an American paper. It's critical about a national hero - and it's not even about drugs! Third, it's an opinion. And one which has some merit. I have great respect for Dr. Bannister, both in the way he prepared for the record attempt, and for his exemplary conduct and life since - but track is lessened when it devolves into trains of pacesetters leading the way for a time trial disguised as a race. That's probably one of the reasons that the championships seem so muddied in the 1500, in particular - nobody seems to know how to behave when there's no pacesetter to lead them around. Phil > "Bannister's four-minute mile, whose 50th anniversary is being hailed > this week, actually ruined world athletics." > > http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1208738,00.html > > >
