Even if Gidey runs 2:09 this weekend, I would respectfully disagree.
no, no you would not
Yes, I would. If she runs that fast, it would certainly be the greatest performance of all time, and holding the 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon world records simultaneously would be a phenomenal unprecedented achievement, but can someone be the GOAT when they’ve lost 80% of their championship races? I don’t think so.
WMM titles, (senior World XC), World half marathon championship? Nope, nope, and nope.
On top of all that, she's only been competing on the top level for five years, if that.
But when your times are this good, it strains the evidence to choose someone else.
Tirunesh Dibaba? Gidey can run twice as far at Dibaba's 10k pace. Incredible runner, tons of medals, but still not even in the same class.
Paula Radcliffe? Her marathon ability was immense, but her time is well-beaten now, and neither Radcliffe nor any of the recent marathon stars can hold a candle to Gidey's times in any shorter events. Gidey is nearly three minutes faster than Radcliffe in the half marathon, a minute in the 10k, and 20 seconds in the 5k.
Faith Kipyegon? Certainly the top middle distance runner of our time. But she's never set a world record, and doesn't do much about 1500m.
Ingrid Kristiansen? Perhaps the only comparison in terms of dominating her era, but come on, it's not the same sport. Ultimately, running is about moving around the track (or along the road) as fast as possible. Gidey could run every single one of Kristiansen's PBs back to back.
The only athlete I'd even consider is Sifan Hassan. Magnificent runner with no weaknesses. To me, Gidey is a bit ahead because of 1:02:52, but I won't complain if you swap the order.
Getting this in before Valencia. Even if Gidey falls off the pack at halfway, runs over 2:20, and retires after the race, she's still the GOAT for me. When you have runner of similar abilities, it's reasonable to talk about other things (titles, head-to-head, longevity). But Hassan potentially aside, Gidey is just dramatically faster than anyone else who would claim the mantle of GOAT.
Radcliffe would be quicker than the current WR in super shoes
WMM titles, (senior World XC), World half marathon championship? Nope, nope, and nope.
On top of all that, she's only been competing on the top level for five years, if that.
But when your times are this good, it strains the evidence to choose someone else.
Tirunesh Dibaba? Gidey can run twice as far at Dibaba's 10k pace. Incredible runner, tons of medals, but still not even in the same class.
Paula Radcliffe? Her marathon ability was immense, but her time is well-beaten now, and neither Radcliffe nor any of the recent marathon stars can hold a candle to Gidey's times in any shorter events. Gidey is nearly three minutes faster than Radcliffe in the half marathon, a minute in the 10k, and 20 seconds in the 5k.
Faith Kipyegon? Certainly the top middle distance runner of our time. But she's never set a world record, and doesn't do much about 1500m.
Ingrid Kristiansen? Perhaps the only comparison in terms of dominating her era, but come on, it's not the same sport. Ultimately, running is about moving around the track (or along the road) as fast as possible. Gidey could run every single one of Kristiansen's PBs back to back.
The only athlete I'd even consider is Sifan Hassan. Magnificent runner with no weaknesses. To me, Gidey is a bit ahead because of 1:02:52, but I won't complain if you swap the order.
Getting this in before Valencia. Even if Gidey falls off the pack at halfway, runs over 2:20, and retires after the race, she's still the GOAT for me. When you have runner of similar abilities, it's reasonable to talk about other things (titles, head-to-head, longevity). But Hassan potentially aside, Gidey is just dramatically faster than anyone else who would claim the mantle of GOAT.
Radcliffe would be quicker than the current WR in super shoes
Perhaps. Radcliffe's 2:15:25 was a day that everything came together. Close to 2 minutes faster than her next best run. If the same happened in super shoes, I bet she'd be under the current world record. But Radcliffe was a massive outlier in her time. She wouldn't be in this one. The level and depth of talent are dramatically higher now than they've even been in the past. And yet, Gidey is historically dominant.
She outkicked Obiri and Hassan (albeit not at top form) at worlds to win a Gold medal. Granted she's not known for having a crazy kick but she definitely had one for that race.
I think her racing style of starting off conservative and then progressively ramping up the pace suits her well, although to drop someone like Hassan at top form, she basically has to produce an all time performance which she is capable of, but doing that in a championship race doesn't always happen.
WMM titles, (senior World XC), World half marathon championship? Nope, nope, and nope.
On top of all that, she's only been competing on the top level for five years, if that.
But when your times are this good, it strains the evidence to choose someone else.
Tirunesh Dibaba? Gidey can run twice as far at Dibaba's 10k pace. Incredible runner, tons of medals, but still not even in the same class.
Paula Radcliffe? Her marathon ability was immense, but her time is well-beaten now, and neither Radcliffe nor any of the recent marathon stars can hold a candle to Gidey's times in any shorter events. Gidey is nearly three minutes faster than Radcliffe in the half marathon, a minute in the 10k, and 20 seconds in the 5k.
Faith Kipyegon? Certainly the top middle distance runner of our time. But she's never set a world record, and doesn't do much about 1500m.
Ingrid Kristiansen? Perhaps the only comparison in terms of dominating her era, but come on, it's not the same sport. Ultimately, running is about moving around the track (or along the road) as fast as possible. Gidey could run every single one of Kristiansen's PBs back to back.
The only athlete I'd even consider is Sifan Hassan. Magnificent runner with no weaknesses. To me, Gidey is a bit ahead because of 1:02:52, but I won't complain if you swap the order.
Getting this in before Valencia. Even if Gidey falls off the pack at halfway, runs over 2:20, and retires after the race, she's still the GOAT for me. When you have runner of similar abilities, it's reasonable to talk about other things (titles, head-to-head, longevity). But Hassan potentially aside, Gidey is just dramatically faster than anyone else who would claim the mantle of GOAT.
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