-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Jon Entine
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 10:04 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: t-and-f: Follow the money was- Flat earth Creationism
:
Individual Kenyans get the appearance fees because they
bravoright onwhy can't everyone else see that it was a similiar
thing that created the tennessee state dynasty in women's track in the late
50's-60's...culimnating in wilma rudolph's 3 gold medal victory in rome and
wyomia tyus' first back to back 100 meter gold medal
RE: Soccer.
Soccer is much more technical than distance running. You need access to good
coaching, facilities, etc., whereas with distance running the overall
approach is much more simple.
Additionally - in my opinion soccer is much more competitive sport
throughout the world. Soccer is #1 sport
So why so many great soccer players from Western Africa?
On Tue, 1 May 2001, Oleg Shpyrko wrote:
RE: Soccer.
Soccer is much more technical than distance running. You need access to good
coaching, facilities, etc., whereas with distance running the overall
approach is much more simple.
I still can't understand what motivated Rodgers, Flemming, Meyer, Hodge
and others 20 years ago when
all the road races offered was asphalt and adrenaline.
I can't say what motivated Fleming and Hodge, but in 1981-1982, the
financial rewards for the other two were WAY OVER $100,000 a year.
I personally try to continue to follow soccer, which I admit is not easy
living in the US, but I honestly couldn't name a single west african
soccer player. Can you?
From FIFA world ranking - top african countries:
22. South Africa
30. Morocco
32. Tunisia
34. Egypt
Not a single west-african
Oleg,
West African national teams may not do that great, again because of
mismanagement, poor coaching and facilities and the lack of funds, but look
at many European league teams and see how many players are from West and
Southern Africa. And not just in Europe but in Mexico and South America
Randall and others,
An interesting book to look at is non other than list member John Bale's
excellent work (with Joe Sang), Kenyan Running which looks a lot at the
colonial heritage of sport in Kenya and the types of sport that were
introduced. Remember that kenya was not simply a resource
So why so many great soccer players from Western Africa?
I don't know about soccer players but I wonder if Jon has come up with a child
slavery gene for soccer players from West Africa?
Steve S.
From: Oleg Shpyrko [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Economical reasons.
Would there be more american champions
if winning a major marathon by a US runner was worth $10, 20 million?
My first thought was if that happened I would live in a box and run 200
miles a week right now. Now, why don't I just go
H...I never thought of that. That's a very interesting point. The big
marathons pay big appearance fees to a fleet of Joe-Kenyans so a fleet of
Joe-Kenyans sweep the medal stand. Meanwhile an equally talented
Joe-American gets no appearance fee and fights just for a free entry into
the
Alan:
Individual Kenyans get the appearance fees because they have proven in prior
races that they are likely to do very well. Americans do not get them
because they are not nearly as competitive. Race directors would love
nothing more than to promote American runners -- just a few years ago,
EXACTLY. If the New York and Boston Marathons reversed their trend and
budgeted for the Americans what they've allocated for the Kenyans, and vise
versa, would the Kenyan genes fade and American genes reappear. YUP.
YU-BETCHA.
Don't see any Kenyan corporations supporting American runners do you?
RE: Economical reasons.
Would there be more american champions
if winning a major marathon by a US runner was worth $10, 20 million?
Kenyan GDP is $270 per capita. Even relatively low-key 10K like recent
James Joyce Ramble offers $1000 for a win, plus appearance fees.
Peanuts money for average
Soccer in Kenya is more popular than running, has more particpants than
running, and offers potential financial rewards far greater than running
There aren't any great Kenyan soccer players that I know of.
On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, Oleg Shpyrko wrote:
RE: Economical reasons.
Would there be more
15 matches
Mail list logo
