The considerable publicity that has been given to the high smog levels
in Beijing has caused me to speculate on a world record holder who
would not have been able to compete in the Olympics if they had been
held there in 1968. If I'm wrong in the details, maybe someone will
offer correction.
Roger,
Anyone not training or living at low altitude was at a disadvantage. Why
select Jim Ryun over, say, Ron Clarke one of the greatest runners in the
history of long distance.
As for Keino running only 3:34/9 to Run's WR of 3:33come on... that's
an Olympic race for victory. The last time a
Perhaps Ryun's loss is more notable in this instance because he
clearly had the prerequisite to win an Olympic final--ability to kick
off a fast pace. Clarke was in a class by himself as a setter of
records, but his closing speed was his weakness--to the extent that he had any.
The tactic
