It is indeed frustrating attempting to get TV networks, and even track &
field officials, to properly use metric measurements. For years I have
written comments to TV networks asking them to describe, for example, a
50 km cross country ski race for what it is. What we get is always,
"...twenty miles into this grueling 50 kilometer race, Joe Blow is
starting to fade....", or some such. You can bet that field events in
the London Olympics will be reported in feet and inches. I have run out
of idea how to change the mind set.
I think that at the high school level, there are a lot of high jump and
pole vault standards that have just inch measurements stamped on them,
so one can understand measurement problems here. It should never be a
problem at the college level.
HARRY WYETH
