Throwdowns > Completed

Views
14
Comments
41
  • July 10, 2008 09:40 AM ET

NMI Tournament IV Final - Should the format of the US Olympic Track and Field Trials be modified?

Bigalke (105-35-15) vs Porkins (138-13-1)
7
Votes
12
Votes
7
Votes
12
Votes


Last Sunday, the 2008 US Olympic Track & Field Trials ended here in Eugene, OR. The event was a rousing success -- from level of competition to the facilities at hand, Hayward Field provided great moments of high drama as people fought to reach Beijing & represent the Stars & Stripes...

Is there anything, though, which should be changed with the format? Not that I can see...


"A" Standards, those qualifying times or distances which are requisite for each athlete to meet to be guaranteed an Olympic slot, ensure that only the most deserving athletes travel to China...

Events were schuduled well, with the ten-day format giving the athletes a better feel for how the competition will be run in Beijing. There were always plenty of fans packing Hayward...

... & while Tyson Gay will not get his chance in the 200m due to cramps, the rule on injuries is also reasonable. Everyone knows when their one opportunity to make the team comes -- they don't replay the Super Bowl if the star QB gets injured, after all...


The Olympic Trials are exciting as they stand... there is absolutely no need to water them down & modify the format... we would only water down our Olympic team in the process...


I think there need to be adjustments.

1. An athlete puts together a season worthy of the Olympics. Meet after meet. Then in the trials, he gets hurt, rendering all of his prior accomplishments meaningless.

Can you imagine if MLB decided that the last game you play would determine whether or not you make the playoffs?

Injuries are part of the sport, and they SHOULD count against you. But something needs to be done to account for previous performance too.

2. Right now, a guy false starts, and it's charged to the whole field. But the NEXT FS is a disqualification for the offender.

The 1st guy gets away with it, but the 2nd doesn't? Lesser athletes USE this as a strategy to slow the starts of faster guys. It's a cheesy tactic that needs to be addressed.

3. Some events require athletes to not only finish in a qualifying position, but also meet a pre-determined "A" time standard. Yet others do not. Why?

Standards should be applied evenly, or they become arbitrary and negatively impact the sport.

4. Athletes good enough to run more than one event often cannot due to the schedule. 1 Olympic chance in 4 years. Possibly spoiled by a schedule. It's wrong.


To refute your points:

1. Often it is the person who puts together one phenomenal performance who gets the slot, injuries or no injuries. Performance in track varies to the point where seeing who excels in the heat of the moment is crucial. Injuries are tough to bear, yes... but they ARE a fact of the sport. Plus, this close to the Olympics there's no reason to threaten U.S. hopes on a person who might reaggravate that injury.

2. False starts suck, definitely, but the system in place is the most equitable. A first mistake happens; the penalty warns the field. The second offense IS the responsibility of EVERYONE warned...

3. EVERY event has an A-standard. This standard, which can be hit by the athlete at any time in the previous two years, ensures quality of competition. The athlete doesn't have to meet that mark at the Trials; he or she must have proven, though, that they CAN hit that mark...

4. Scheduling is done as well as possible. Extending the Trials any longer would put undue strain on communities which host the events; running more events in a day is dangerous to athletes' health. The two windows of events give the greatest number the greatest chance to qualify...


To refute your rebuttal:

1. A guy is the best in the field (e.g. Tyson Gay) and won't be on your Olympic team for the event where he got hurt. Isn't the goal to field the BEST possible team? One strain, and his season is washed away. That is wrong.

2. Slower runners PURPOSELY false start to slow the starts of their faster competitors. Isn't there something inherently wrong with that?

3. Yes, they all HAVE A standards, but for some, B standard athletes may participate if the field needs to be filled. In other events however, you MUST have attained the A to get to the Olympics.

I could theoretically WIN the 1500M, but not go to the Olympics. Fair?

No. Either the Trials are the ULTIMATE authority on who gets to go, or they're not. We can't have it both ways.

4. As well as possible? Really?

"I thought I'd have more time...I thought I'd have 45 minutes between races and I only had 23 minutes. I just couldn't recover..."

This was Angelo Taylor after the schedule ruined his chances of qualifying in the 400M Hurdles and the 400M.

He's the defneding champ in the hurdles, and could have run both in Beijing. But a 20-minute time frame took care of that.


1. Gay had a tough break of it in the 200m... which happens sometimes in sports. This in no way diminishes the accomplishment of those who DID qualify... should these people be denied a spot so that Gay might run in Beijing, possibly reaggravating his injury and plummeting American hopes?

2. Intentional false starts? You continue asserting this and then don't come with corroborating stats? How does one even prove this fact? And if someone is the fastest, he should know better than to false start... if someone DOES false start, the rules state clearly what happens...

3. Again, do you want someone @ the Olympics who ripped off one winning time @ the Trials but hadn't been competitive in the two years prior to Trials? Or would you rather have as an Olympian someone who can at least meet the Olympic standard? A-standards keep weaker competition off the track... something you were QUITE UPSET about in point #2...

4. Not everyone can be accommodated. Sorry for Taylor, but most athletes had their chance to qualify in everything. What do you ask -- that the communities which host Trials tolerate the strain indefinitely while they run one event a day?!




DON'T CHANGE THE TRIALS!


1. Other sports offer exemptions. A World Record holder happens to cramp...and he misses the Olympics? It NULLIFIES ALL that previous effort! The Olympics are like the playoffs, and we deny our BEST a chance to go based on 1 "game"?

2. Analysts like Ato Bolden and others affiliated with T&F admit that this tactic is practiced. So why not put a stop to it?

Like yellow cards in soccer, false starts could carry over, eventually resulting in penalty. Eliminate the possibility of using it as a strategy to slow down competitors.

The fastest athletes AREN'T offending..they're the ones whose ability to get off the blocks is being affected.

3. My point here was that IF the Trials are to be the SOLE criteria for making the Olympics, it should be applied fairly in ALL events. Winning event A is a guaranteed ticket, but winning event B is not?

4. You can't please everyone. BUT there are only a FEW events that MIGHT be doubles for elite athletes. Olympics come once in 4 YEARS! Why not give them a chance to to compete in both events?

Potential doubles only impact select races- those SHOULD be scheduled more appropriately.

Fairness matters. Some adjustments are needed.

Comments (41) Add A Comment

July 10, 2008  10:09 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

biglake your argument great for a writing assignment, but it lacks the meat and potatos regarding the sporting aspect

July 10, 2008  10:35 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

biglake your argument great for a writing assignment, but it lacks the meat and potatos regarding the sporting aspect

Frank Pentangelli RIP Carlin | 07/10/08, 10:09 AM

That's code for "you didn't mention Nicole Bass."

July 10, 2008  10:39 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

all he did was say nothing, your not gonna knock the tyson gay injury thing??? compare it to hte superbowl???? the superbowl is 2 american teams going at it for an american championship, anything in the olympic trials that may keep the best american out of the games is bad, b/c the olympic games is america vs the world

July 10, 2008  10:39 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

She's encoded in my first post.

July 10, 2008  10:50 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

again, a writing assignment by biglake

July 10, 2008  10:52 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

biglake your argument great for a writing assignment, but it lacks the meat and potatos regarding the sporting aspect
Frank Pentangelli RIP Carlin | 07/10/08, 10:09 AM

Sorry, Frank... the justification comes in the refutation... the first post was introductory for those who may not even know these Trials exist... and the analogy between the Super Bowl and the Trials IS valid, Frank -- they are ALL athletes, they are ALL in a one-or-done situation, and they ALL could easily go lame and miss their chance for glory...

July 10, 2008  10:53 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

... and it's B-I-G-A-L-K-E, Frank... I don't call you Fran, so please don't bungle my surname...

July 10, 2008  10:56 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I am lost with all these big and confusing words.

July 10, 2008  10:57 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I want to force them to run uphill in the snow with no shoes

and be THANKFUL!!!!

July 10, 2008  11:19 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

So if Tyson gets hurt in the Olympic Qualifiers he should just be allowed to run in the final?

As far as tournament finals are considered, I would have a beef with who ever created such a lame topic.

July 10, 2008  11:28 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

As far as tournament finals are considered, I would have a beef with who ever created such a lame topic.

Swayze Bandwagon Fan *BBF | 07/10/08, 11:19 AM

I created it because:

A: Bigalke and I both like OTHER sports in addition to football, baseball, and basketball
B: The Olympics are kind of a big deal
C: I think there are some things in the trials that are unfair.

And if that's why you voted left, then you are AWESOME.

July 10, 2008  11:29 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

and the analogy between the Super Bowl and the Trials IS valid, Frank -- they are ALL athletes, they are ALL in a one-or-done situation, and they ALL could easily go lame and miss their chance for glory...

Bigalke | 07/10/08, 10:52 AM
Report Offensive Comment

no its not valid at all

superbowl: american championsip between american teams in an american sport

olympics: every country vs every country, by leaving the best american athlete out of the event b/c 1 injury is an injustice to the american people and an injustice to the spirit of the olympic games

July 10, 2008  11:34 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I created it because:

A: Bigalke and I both like OTHER sports in addition to football, baseball, and basketball

Porkins | 07/10/08, 11:28 AM

Oh yeah! Well I don't so I'm voting for...me! Everyone vote for Ram as a write in candidate!

July 10, 2008  11:37 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Oh yeah! Well I don't so I'm voting for...me! Everyone vote for Ram as a write in candidate!

The Ram | 07/10/08, 11:34 AM
Report Offensive Comment

everyone vote for frank, he makes the best point regarding the TD

July 10, 2008  11:37 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Swayze - this topic is for the NMI tourney....you know the group that can actually TD about other sports besides NBA, NFL and MLB....

July 10, 2008  11:50 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

As far as tournament finals are considered, I would have a beef with who ever created such a lame topic.

Swayze Bandwagon Fan *BBF | 07/10/08, 11:19 AM
Report Offensive Comment

fruckin child molester

July 10, 2008  01:50 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I created it because:

A: Bigalke and I both like OTHER sports in addition to football, baseball, and basketball
B: The Olympics are kind of a big deal
C: I think there are some things in the trials that are unfair.

And if that's why you voted left, then you are AWESOME.
Porkins | 07/10/08, 11:28 AM

The reason why I am awesome is because Bigalke was so dumbfounded by the question that he could not even logically conceive of a big enough problem with the Trials that his whole argument consisted of "If its not broken..." and I found that to be my opinion of this TD.

Then when I form my opinion, I make a comment of it, to share with you why I voted that way.

Then I click on the vote button to solidify my opinion. Because likely I will not be around when it is completed and it makes your whole experience stronger.

That, Porkins, is why I am awesome. Your welcome for being so damn awesome.

July 10, 2008  02:13 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

He could have taken either position on the issue, BBF. He went first. He chose to argue in favor of no changes.

If you can't vote intelligently, don't vote.

July 10, 2008  02:13 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

And Cass, you are truly, truly ridiculous.

 
July 10, 2008  02:30 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

He chose to argue for nothing because you gave him nothing.

My vote is actually based on my opinion of the topic, not the simple existence of your sad creation.
Of which I had no idea you created it, so how could I hold it against you?

By the way, a vote for you is a bastardization of T&F. The Olympics have qualifying standards and if for whatever reason you do not meet those standards, no matter what you cannot participate. Qualifiers will continue to be the standard for entry when numerous athletes meet those high marks. Injury or no injury, who is to say if Gay would not perform well that day.

Unless Bigalke falls on his face or you have a revolutionary argument for changing things stuffed into 1200 character segments, the INTELLIGENT choice is against you.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Leaderboard

  Fan W L T Win %
1 DetroitFan* BS: Start Stanton! 132 9 7 91.6%
2 Porkins 138 13 1 91.1%
3 Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD 54 5 1 90.8%
4 The Ram 139 17 4 88.1%
5 Foosball 70 9 2 87.7%
6 Philly-- www.sportsnoise.com 74 11 4 85.4%
7 Hyped78 116 19 5 84.6%
8 Dookie: Here We Go Steelers 117 19 8 84.0%
9 [The] Coach 97 18 5 82.9%
10 BSchwartz07 129 27 6 81.5%

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Dodgers hitters wanted payback
    Views
    3987
    Comments
    848
  2. 2
    Dolphins, Lions shopping players
    Views
    36991
    Comments
    134
  3. 3
    Photos escalate Harvick-Edwards fight
    Views
    1639
    Comments
    73
  4. 4
    Kobe: Gold medal better than NBA title
    Views
    7276
    Comments
    65
  5. 5
    What's wrong with Beckett?
    Views
    4128
    Comments
    55

Weekly Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

Message Boards

  1. MMA > Fight Club

    'Rampage' ready to return?
    Views
    230
    Replies
    5

  2. MMA > Fight Club

    EliteXC fighters overshadowed…
    Views
    149
    Replies
    3

  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Bowden Fired at Clemson
    Views
    140
    Replies
    20

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

Marisa MillerMarisa Miller
Michelle DamonMichelle Damon

SI Photos

Best NFL shots from Week 6Best NFL shots from Week 6
Comedians World Series PicksComedians World Series Picks