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Boston Marathon governing body tests positive for dumb
The decision by the IAAF to deny Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai the distinction of running the world's fastest marathon (2:03.02) at Monday's Boston Marathon might be the singlemost objectionable ruling I've ever seen by a governing body in sports. You mean it's taken the IAAF 115 years to decree that the most venerable marathon in the world is too easy to be legitimate? And too subject to tailwinds to be legitimate?
Anyone ever hear them say any of that before Monday?
Out of nowhere, the IAAF simply dismisses the record for conditions over 26-plus miles on an internationally famed track. They may as well run it inside Fanueil Hall next year too take the elements out of the equation.
I can understand when a would-be 100-yard dash record is ruled wind aided, because that's run in one direction. But Monday's ruling is as logical as when I walked to grade school 10 miles in the snow uphill ... both ways.
You're telling me that Mutai ran only with the wind at his back?
It's just plain stupid.
Anyone ever hear them say any of that before Monday?
Out of nowhere, the IAAF simply dismisses the record for conditions over 26-plus miles on an internationally famed track. They may as well run it inside Fanueil Hall next year too take the elements out of the equation.
I can understand when a would-be 100-yard dash record is ruled wind aided, because that's run in one direction. But Monday's ruling is as logical as when I walked to grade school 10 miles in the snow uphill ... both ways.
You're telling me that Mutai ran only with the wind at his back?
It's just plain stupid.
posted by Dave Solomon at
3:24 PM
3 Comments:
The IAAF didn't simply dismiss it 'out of nowhere'. It wasn't eligible last week, it wasn't eligible last year, it was *never* eligible.
And there is plenty of logic as to the reason why. You illustrate it yourself with your 'uphill both ways' example. The only courses that are eligible are ones that courses that are (roughly) run in a loop, to negate any advantages of weather, elevation etc.
And yes, Mutai only ran with the wind at his back. I question whether you know anything about the race at all...
In case I didn't make it clear (because you seem to not be aware, although one would think this should have been obvious), the Boston course is not run in a loop.
Yo One Tima! Great Comment on the Marathon! Bonds, McGuire et all keep their records, while Mutai does not. Makes no Sense.
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