I'm not a Sydney fan (that bible/pentecostal stuff is annoying and stupid as hell, and she isn't that relatable, for a black girl), but it's her Olympic gold that I'll be enjoying the most because of the many American racists here who have declared they'll be rooting for the Dutch runner over her.
1. The "racism" line of thought is indeed accurate in some cases. There are people who just don't like black athletes. That is what racism means. And racism is real.
2. However, there are people (like myself) who pick and choose who we like from a fan perspective. Sometimes black athletes rub us the wrong way --- Justin Gatlin for example. That doesn't mean we are racist. We also weren't Galen Rupp fans either and he was very white last time we checked.
We are not required to be fans of people just because they are American or forbidden for disliking an athlete who is black. Bol is more "likeable" than SML. That is measurable from a fan's perspective based on what we want to see in our athletes: talent, racing a lot, engages with fans, loves the sport, positive energy, fun to watch, etc. That is not racist.
The inability (on both sides) to admit that these two points can both be true is kind of what is wrong with this board (and America). Two things can be true at the same time...
I love Femke and she's a great talent. But let's just be honest here: SML on her A-game is completely untouchable. 12.74/22.38 in May? She might be knocking on sub-50 over hurdles - I'm dead serious.
22.38 wind assisted, Bol ran 22.64 indoors and she is even known to be slower in shorter distances
22.64 indoors means nothing as there isn't a direct correlation between indoor and outdoor performances.
1. The "racism" line of thought is indeed accurate in some cases. There are people who just don't like black athletes. That is what racism means. And racism is real.
2. However, there are people (like myself) who pick and choose who we like from a fan perspective. Sometimes black athletes rub us the wrong way --- Justin Gatlin for example. That doesn't mean we are racist. We also weren't Galen Rupp fans either and he was very white last time we checked.
We are not required to be fans of people just because they are American or forbidden for disliking an athlete who is black. Bol is more "likeable" than SML. That is measurable from a fan's perspective based on what we want to see in our athletes: talent, racing a lot, engages with fans, loves the sport, positive energy, fun to watch, etc. That is not racist.
The inability (on both sides) to admit that these two points can both be true is kind of what is wrong with this board (and America). Two things can be true at the same time...
Not in every situation. There are times the law of non contradiction governs. A classic and easy example is religion. All the major religions can all be wrong, but they cannot all be true.
if i had to guess she's being prepped for a mix of 400H and then maybe mile relay either women's or the mixed. she made a go at the open quarter record and that's useful training for both. i think if she set some sort of NR or WR experimenting maybe she plays with doing the open, but she didn't. that and i think the girl from arkansas showed last year how trying both in rounds meets may end up spreading you too thin everywhere.
so, nah, i don't think 100H + 200 says you are doing anything but the usual. it's kind of like what you might have a 400H person start off doing indoors, which she skipped.
Frankly, all that Sydney needed to do to get immense popularity among track and field fans was to dominate occasional races in the Diamond League and win consecutive World and Olympic championships. By racing again this spring now, and racing well, she is already recapturing that fan base. Obviously, she's a really reluctant star, so I am glad to see her racing again. Femke Bol races a lot indoors and gives us something to watch, but the best to be hoped for from her is that she can make Sydney's gold medal races a little more exciting as a competitor.
you don't know until june whether someone's performance now is a work in progress or a sign of lackluster, eg, shecarri. mondo aside a lot of the pro meet times are underwhelming and suggest preseason form. the aim is to be peaking in 2-3 months. fwiw monson was dominant back in indoor. now she's shelved short of the target.
The inability (on both sides) to admit that these two points can both be true is kind of what is wrong with this board (and America). Two things can be true at the same time...
Not in every situation. There are times the law of non contradiction governs. A classic and easy example is religion. All the major religions can all be wrong, but they cannot all be true.
Sure, there are exceptions. My point is that in the world where we use the Hegelian Dialectic to come to a better understanding of truth and reality, the statement "most issues can be seen from multiple true, valid, and conflicting perspectives" is the best way forward. Sadly, most people prefer the "pick a side and dig in!"
Not sure of the strategy here after her injury. 12.71 isn’t even a top10 time and isn’t good enough to make the team, let alone compete with the worlds best.
Not in every situation. There are times the law of non contradiction governs. A classic and easy example is religion. All the major religions can all be wrong, but they cannot all be true.
Sure, there are exceptions. My point is that in the world where we use the Hegelian Dialectic to come to a better understanding of truth and reality, the statement "most issues can be seen from multiple true, valid, and conflicting perspectives" is the best way forward. Sadly, most people prefer the "pick a side and dig in!"
Well right there is the problem: I would argue that we threw out the hegelian dialectic a few years ago. If we didn't, Jan 6th and the continuing BS in America would not now be occurring, as rationality would ultimately still be the foundation on which issues and perspectives are built.
I can understand knocking Sydney for not running frequently, or other matters. I do it.
I can't understand doubting her ability. I'll never do that.
She'll either beat Bol handily in 400 hurdles or have an epic battle with Miller-Uibo at 400 flat.
Her choice
re: "or have an epic battle with Miller-Uibo at 400 flat"
SMU has not returned to form yet; she is usually in low-49 shape at this time of the year and appears to be over a second off of that. If Syd did choose to contest the 400m, the Irish athlete would be her biggest challenge. The Irish athlete has a lot of upside with her raw speed like SMU.
You don't have to be a sub-22 second runner to run sub-49. Sanya's PR was only 22.09.
It depends on the person. Some do, some don't. Sydney is more sprint based than some other 400 runners like Femke Bol for example.
Back in 2018, Sydney ran a 22.39 and a 50.07.
She just ran a 22.38. That puts her in low 50 shape right now.
Which means she'll be in good enough shape in June to make the 400 flat team if she wants, but not in good enough shape in July to win gold in the 400 flat at the Olympics.
That's not how it works. Athing Mu's body knew what it was like to win gold in the 800, but she got bronze last year.
You actually have to be in insanely great shape to smash a world record. It's not about what someone's body knows.
It certainly does play a factor. You only have to observe SAFP/ETH/Sha'carri and Shericka's performances to see this.
Mu was suffering from a bad breakup getting dumped by that midget and allegedly contracted COVID several times. In addition to muscle memory and training, mental acuity/sharpness also plays a factor in racing.
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