Thanks Alec! Neville - closest comparison is probably swimming banning at end 2009 of full body, low drag swimsuits less than 2 years after their introduction. Checking back on reports from the time, nearly 200 world records were broken in the short period - a stunning number - including over 40 at a single world champs. I can't see any way World Athletics can effect a similar reversal now. I'll make some comments on shoes next week when I look ahead to the athletics at Tokyo, and GB's prospects
fair comments Ed...and rarely have I looked forward to a Games less...interested in your views on the new shoes and the material effect they are going to have...are there similar occasions in the past when kit has had an anything like similar effect?
Wise words, Ed, but I have a creeping sense of dread that C-19 may spread like, well, a virus between the athletes, coaches etc, self-isolation will thin the numbers further (Amber Hill is just one example) and we will end up with (at best) a severely depleted / threadbare Games. What price athletes (or their governing bodies) 'hiding' positive test results? Or 'fudging' the dates so that they get to compete and win medals. I would have very little sympathy for the athletes and none whatever for the governing bodies, given that lives are (literally) at stake.
Thanks Alec! Neville - closest comparison is probably swimming banning at end 2009 of full body, low drag swimsuits less than 2 years after their introduction. Checking back on reports from the time, nearly 200 world records were broken in the short period - a stunning number - including over 40 at a single world champs. I can't see any way World Athletics can effect a similar reversal now. I'll make some comments on shoes next week when I look ahead to the athletics at Tokyo, and GB's prospects
fair comments Ed...and rarely have I looked forward to a Games less...interested in your views on the new shoes and the material effect they are going to have...are there similar occasions in the past when kit has had an anything like similar effect?
Wise words, Ed, but I have a creeping sense of dread that C-19 may spread like, well, a virus between the athletes, coaches etc, self-isolation will thin the numbers further (Amber Hill is just one example) and we will end up with (at best) a severely depleted / threadbare Games. What price athletes (or their governing bodies) 'hiding' positive test results? Or 'fudging' the dates so that they get to compete and win medals. I would have very little sympathy for the athletes and none whatever for the governing bodies, given that lives are (literally) at stake.