>As I have previously stated, it is a lazy solution to a very complicated
>problem. Let's take MJ for example. They denied him the relay spot, and
>he
>told them he would be at nationals regardless, which he was. Simple
>solution, have him come, do luncheons, a clinic or 2, and some autograph
>time. People would come in flocks still. The track fan is going to be at
>the meet regardless, but that person, kid that wants the opportunity to
>meet
>Maurice, Michael, Marion, Stacy, Gail will jump at the chance. Cameo's are
>great marketing tools, that track has the chance to exploit to no end.
These clinics and autograph sessions are great for the several thousand
people who, as you say, would be going to the meet regardless, but what good
are they to the millions of viewers and potential viewers watching TV at
home? You may get a 3-second picture of an autograph session shown during
one of the up close and personal puff pieces, but people are going to tune
into a track meet to see competition. And if the big stars aren't competing
a lot fewer of them are going to tune in. It's as simple as that.
>You cannot compare watching a few seconds of a star, to sitting next to
>him/her in the stands, running around the track with them at a clinic, and
>having the genuine opportunity to talk to these people.
>Forcing them to run does nothing except create resentment, very counter
>productive.
You are right; you can't compare them, because watching competition is worth
far more. And forcing athletes to run at least gives fans and TV viewers a
chance to see what they bargained for: competition.
This whole thread started by Garry bewailing what a loss to the sport the
retirement of Michael Johnson is going to be. Think about it. What made MJ
such a huge presence in the sport? Was it his clinics and autograph
sessions? No. Michael was always lousy at that sort of stuff. He was
never a glad-hander and is private almost to the point of being sullen. But
despite these handicaps he was hugely popular - the best known US track star
since the retirement of Carl Lewis.
So personal appearances are great, but let's not lose sight of which is the
frosting and which is the cake.
Kurt Bray
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