Sportsmanship alive and well in Athletics

ecoli

In the final event of the decathlon at the US Trials Curtis Beach an up and comer leading the 1500m (one of his strongest events) moved to the outside lanes and allowed Ashton Eaton to take the win as he set the World record. Decathlon can be somewhat anti climatic in that someone can win or set a world record with a middle of the pack run for the last event so by doing this made it even more special. Beach's chances of making the team were already dashed when he fouled out of the Javelin but all the same a very classy move from a very classy athlete.

This sort of thing is something rarely seen these days though reminded me of John Landy back in 56 helping Ron Clarke to his feet after falling. Great to see these sort of thing in professional sport (a contrast to some of the actions in the likes of modern day football).

Any other memories that spring to mind for people?

Pisco Sour

ecoli wrote: »

In the final event of the decathlon at the US Trials Curtis Beach an up and comer leading the 1500m (one of his strongest events) moved to the outside lanes and allowed Ashton Eaton to take the win as he set the World record. Decathlon can be somewhat anti climatic in that someone can win or set a world record with a middle of the pack run for the last event so by doing this made it even more special. Beach's chances of making the team were already dashed when he fouled out of the Javelin but all the same a very classy move from a very classy athlete.

This sort of thing is something rarely seen these days though reminded me of John Landy back in 56 helping Ron Clarke to his feet after falling. Great to see these sort of thing in professional sport (a contrast to some of the actions in the likes of modern day football).

Any other memories that spring to mind for people?

It's nice to see, but no way would he have done so had he been fighting for a place in the top 3.

What the decathlon/heptathlon has though is real camaraderie among the competitors, which doesn't exist in any of the other events. From doing one myself I can verify these claims. Your competitors take almost as much joy in seeing you do well as they get in achieving their own goals. It's an experience that far surpasses anything else I have been involved in in athletics to date. It's hard to describe until you do one. So my example of great sportsmanship is not a specific example, but rather the ethos of a great event, the decathlon.

From 6:20 on in this video sort of brings across what I am talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6YfxUeAGsU

RoyMcC

Track & field generally produces a high standard of sportsmanship. Certainly it is most usually evidenced amongst the multi-eventers. They are a breed apart with individuals helping and encouraging each other. Carolina Kluft, though a fierce competitor, was the epitome of this, cheering and clapping her rivals' good performances.

Throwers are much the same though. Maybe this is due to the shared experience of long and lonely hours of training with very little public recognition outside their own peer group.

And I find that athletics is made up of good people generally - or that has been my experience.

nerraw1111

I don't get it??? How is allowing someone win considered classy? Genuine question.

ecoli

nerraw1111 wrote: »

I don't get it??? How is allowing someone win considered classy? Genuine question.

Placings were sown up. Eaton and Hardee had already sown up the top two and with Beach fouling out in the javelin there was no way he could make top three. Eaton was on track for the World Record. Now he could have got that finishing down the field (as long as the time was still quicker than his PB) but as said before could be slightly anti climatic (both to Eaton and the fans at Hayward field)

By allowing the win he created more of a spectacle. Small gesture in terms of the impact it made on Beach's finishing place but one which will stand out in the minds of fans at Hayward field in years to come and Eaton himself (the Dec. is a rare event where you can be beat and still be a winner so you dont always get that feeling you would get being first past the line in other races)

RoyMcC

nerraw1111 wrote: »

I don't get it??? How is allowing someone win considered classy? Genuine question.

Because the result was irrelevant to Beach in the context of the competition.

You youngsters won't remember the days when lapped athletes automatically moved aside to allow the leaders through. It was considered the sporting thing to do, but it rarely happens now

ecoli

Would the crowd get behind hims as much if there were 2 people ahead of him? Just added to the spectacle of the WR. A good move for the sport in general

ceegee

Is there not rules about deliberately throwing a race? (Granted its only a segment of the competition but should they not be trying to do as well as possible every time?)

RoyMcC

ceegee wrote: »

Is there not rules about deliberately throwing a race? (Granted its only a segment of the competition but should they not be trying to do as well as possible every time?)

No, nothing at all in the rules.

ecoli

ceegee wrote: »

Is there not rules about deliberately throwing a race? (Granted its only a segment of the competition but should they not be trying to do as well as possible every time?)

I wouldn't imagine so as these are Olympic Trials so by throwing a race they are sacrificing their own position on the US Olympic team so there is no personal gain (and as US has strict Gambling laws and no international booker makers priced up these competitions)

You also have the problem that pace makers are regularly employed in races so it can be very hard to implement these rules while when this practice is in pace.

There may be something to it but as it didnt effect the overall standings doesnt actually constitute as race fixing

These are only my thoughts though not 100% sure tbh

Clearlier

Luz Long helping Jesse Owens negotiate the qualifying rounds of the long jump at the Berlin Olympics 1936.