From: gthome@bulldogs.austin.ibm.com
Subject: Re: Why are Kenyans so fast and US distance runners so slow?
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 01:23:21 GMT
News-Software: IBM OS/2 PM RN (NR/2) v0.16g by O. Vishnepolsky and R. Rogers
Reply-To: gthome@dss1.austin.ibm.com
Organization: IBM Austin

In <15618.2b601883@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu> dwp@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu writes:
>In article <1jp38rINN9fb@savoy.cc.williams.edu>, Thomas.C.Pinckney@williams.edu writes:
>>      I am (or at least was!) a US distance runner.  I've also lived
>> in Kenya about 5 out of the last 15 years, during which time I competed
>> regularly in road races, on the track, and in cross country.  Some
>> observations based on this experience:
>>
>
>{First three interesting observations deleted}
>
>>      (4) Running has become to young Kenyans what basketball is to
>> inner-city Americans.  A large number of kids dream of becoming great
>> runners; that is the only way for many of them ever to make more than
>> $2000 per year.
>>
>I think this is a major difference between the U.S. and Kenya.  American
>sports (baseball, football, basketball) require short explosive action,
>so mainly athletes with these skills get any recognition (and at an early
>age, I think this is important.)  Also, a frightening number of high
>school distance running coaches have little or no experience.  And
>cross-country/ track teams are some of the first things dropped when
>schools face buget cuts.  I think the U.S. suffers a lot from poor
>coaching and little recognition, especially at the important early stages.
>
>>      So what can be done to improve the pitiful state of US distance
>> running?  Some ideas:
>>
>{first idea deleted}
>
>>      As for (3): In order to be the best in the world it is necessary
>> to train with and frequently compete against the almost-best in the
>> world.  What distance talent we have is spread much too thin in this
>> country.  I would encourage any 22-yr old American who wants to compete
>> at this level to go live in Kenya for a couple of years.  The Armed
>> Forces team is delighted to have others join them in training.
>>
>
>Another difference between the U.S. and Kenya is that U.S. distance runners
>tend to train alone or in small groups.  This may be that the U.S. government/
>Olympic committee has no central training facility, while Kenya seems
>content with supporting their distance runners through there Armed forces.
>
>>      Finally, Americans have to think higher.  Todd Williams is a fine
>> runner, but he seemed satisfied to make the final and come in 10th
>> at the Olympics (he only came in 10th because Kenya couldn't send the
>> next 20 runners who would have beaten him), as he was looking ahead to
>> the future.  He seemed to forget that Chelimo and Kiptanui are 2 years
>> younger than he is!
>
I have raced Todd Williams several times while I was running at Mississippi
Stat Univ.  Todd went the the University of Tennessee and kicked my butt
on a regular basis.  If anyone suggests that Todd is "satisfied" I suggest
they step on the track and see his fury themselves.

Also, FEW people actually know the difficulties is takes to get to the
Olympic level.  Please don't persecute folks for getting 10th at the
Olympics.




>Sorry, but I have to object to this, especially since it's insulting to
>Williams.  From what I've read, Todd Williams definitely is seeking a
>higher level.  Happy about his Olympics, yes but not satisfied.

Agreed.
>>
>>      Sorry for the length of this post.

>
>You should be! It was too short!
>>
>>      Coty Pinckney                   Thomas.C.Pinckney@williams.edu
>
>                       -dp


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