Darrell,
"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."
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."
I
started a long reply and the whole thing got too involved. The jist of it
was that there is no solidarity among the athletes. Cases in
point are Mo and the women's high jumper on Sunday. All of the
athletes must act in solidarity in order for athletes to hold real power in
an individualistic sport. Most if not all of the athletes must talk the
same talk and walk the same walk for real change to occur. Let's look at
something less controversial than Mo.
On Sunday the women high jumpers were asked to begin jumping
on time in the rain and cold. But they were not being televised so why the
hell should they jump at the official start time. Why not wait out the
rain? Conditions weren't going to
get any worse. And what was to be gained by jumping in horrible
conditions? At one point there were
something like 11 straight misses at 5-10 1/2. So, why didn't the high
jumpers get together and tell the official that the conditions were
unnacceptable, put on their warm ups, and walk off the track to wait for the
weather to clear or wait until they had to jump in order to get the competition in? In the
'70s and early '80s that probably would have happened. Today there is no
solidarity in the sport. NONE.
The long and short of it? If you want
power, you must take it or make it. No one is going to give it to
you.
--Ben
-----Original Message-----We are skating the issue here. Yes, there is the AAC, but they are the same
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of [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
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
