Viren broke 2 mile world record either soon before or soon after 1972 Olympics, so Viren would have had no excuse, 3000m. It's doubtful a gal or guy can fall down, 3000m and earn gold. You are making my point. You did not state Viren could not compete at 3000m. Three-thousand meters is as long as T&F can hold an event and make a deal with network television to air entire race, no commercial breaks. Network tv can go nine or so minutes sans commercial breaks when they want to.