02-09-2017, 10:59 PM
I'm a bit of an old traditionalist when it comes to track and field.
I've been involved in the sport for nearly 50 years as an athlete and coach.
I prefer my athletics pure.
But I understand what they're trying to achieve
Australian athletes who are operating at about 80% capacity beating overseas athletes operating at about 50% doesn't really excite me that much.
The commentating and attempts to beat it up into something resembling the Professional Wrestling is a bit off-putting too.
Ridiculous comments as you're coming in for an attempt in the pole vault would be particularly distracting.
One thing that was a concern was the length of time it took to straighten out the result of the relay debacle last night and that's been a major talking point on Athletic websites this morning where there seems to be a bit of a mixed reaction to the whole concept.
Having said that the format, and also the commentating, was much tighter than the first meet last night and the whole thing seemed to run more smoothly.
It's probably a little early to condemn it out of hand. They just need to find a balance..tweak some events and they may have a worthwhile product. I quite like a few events like the 3minute run and the elimination mile races. I'm not sure they've got the field events right as some of the rules tend to work against great heights (Pole vault particularly) and distances.
I just wonder though, when the drawcard of Usain Bolt is no longer there whether it will generate the same interest.
I've been involved in the sport for nearly 50 years as an athlete and coach.
I prefer my athletics pure.
But I understand what they're trying to achieve
Australian athletes who are operating at about 80% capacity beating overseas athletes operating at about 50% doesn't really excite me that much.
The commentating and attempts to beat it up into something resembling the Professional Wrestling is a bit off-putting too.
Ridiculous comments as you're coming in for an attempt in the pole vault would be particularly distracting.
One thing that was a concern was the length of time it took to straighten out the result of the relay debacle last night and that's been a major talking point on Athletic websites this morning where there seems to be a bit of a mixed reaction to the whole concept.
Having said that the format, and also the commentating, was much tighter than the first meet last night and the whole thing seemed to run more smoothly.
It's probably a little early to condemn it out of hand. They just need to find a balance..tweak some events and they may have a worthwhile product. I quite like a few events like the 3minute run and the elimination mile races. I'm not sure they've got the field events right as some of the rules tend to work against great heights (Pole vault particularly) and distances.
I just wonder though, when the drawcard of Usain Bolt is no longer there whether it will generate the same interest.