Check Yo Facts wrote:
2:10 would have won the most recent world championship, would have medaled at 4 of the last 6, and would have placed top 5 in all 6 of the last 6.
Yes, I do know that -- that's why I wrote "or equivalent effort depending on the conditions," even though I thought it was completely obvious. 2:10 would have won the most recent world championship because it was held in Beijing rather than, say, Munich. It was considered a major upset that Ghebreslassie won, because he "only" had a PR of 2:07:47. Of course guys with modest PRs like Meb (or the bronze medalist this year, Mutai) sometimes sneak in for medals, but it's the exception rather than the rule.
Are you really arguing that (a) guys with 2:10 PRs should be considered podium favorites at Worlds and Olympics, and/or (b) there's no difference in the competitive level of the field between 1972 and now?