<<< Who's to say that these Kenyans are actually 16-19? >>>
Right. I know this.
Supposedly Moses Kiptanui is 30 right now ... but he hasn't been near his
best in years ... that is because he is NOT 30. Ditto for Kirui and Haile
Gebrselassie.
The same goes for most of the African who were World Junior Champions in the
last decade. They are entered in the WJChamps because they need experience
at the elite level ... whereas the athletes from the developed countries
enter athletes because they need developmental experience for the elite
level.
Some people say that they reach their peak faster than those outside
East-Africa ... that is crap. Before the domination of distance running by
Africa occurred, there were many great Africans who ran for 10-12 years at a
high level or at least well into their 30's (Mike Boit, kip Keino, Miruts
Yifter, Kedir, Nyambui, Filbert Bayi, Wolde).
I have been described as "cynical to a fault" ... my post on the WJR was
supporting that perception ... it was pure sarcasm.
NEVER, EVER GIVE UP on anything!
-----Original Message-----
From: alan tobin [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 12:55 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: t-and-f: Cherono almost catches Lindgren
Who's to say that these Kenyans are actually 16-19? There's a reason why
Kenyans tend to drop in times when they are in their mid 20s...1. Are
actually probably 30 and not 25, 2. After so many years of top level
running, whether you start at 16 or 20 you tend to fizzle out. Check road
race results, the winning Kenyans are listed as early/mid 20s and only a few
stay competitive after 30 whereas many Americans/Europeans stay competitive
after 30. Even in marathon races in which you can still be very competitive
in your 30s you still many Kenyans listed early/mid 20s. Kenyans start
running at an earlier age, reach a top level, then end their careers at an
earlier age compared to American/European runners.
Cherono is young and has run a very fast time. That doesn't mean that with
age he will run much faster. Entine is RIGHT in that overall in a large
group the N./ E. Africans will produce faster runners, but he is DEAD WRONG
in stating that an American/European will NEVER win a major marathon or gold
medal...that statement is just plain ignorant on his part and he only states
it to reap the rewards of further book sales. There can and will always be
the select few Americans/Europeans that can and will achieve the heights he
says is impossible, but as a group the N. / E. Africans are better.
Alan
http://www.geocities.com/runningart2004
>Maybe Entine is right ... we have no chance, and should just give up before
>we fall further behind. We have no chance of ever getting a 16 year old to
>go 8:19 or even a 19 year old to go 7:58.
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