What’s absurd is the hypocrisy here. Most people were against an exception being made for a black woman in the 800, but they want an exception being made for a white man in the 800.
Let me point out that as it still stands, Athing Mu is listed in the results of the womens 800m final as a finisher in 2.19.69 - even though it was her act of movement that not only caused herself to fall but considerably impacted and impeded the race of Sage Hurta-Klecker.
So race HQ needs to help me understand how Eric Holt gets DQ'd for what reportedly was a few steps on the outside of his lane which impacted nobody but himself (and if anything in a negative way) and Athing Mu can basically end someones hope of going to the Olympics and that is fine.
And this is not an attack or potshot at Mu - I'm just pointing out the absolute absurdity in DQ'ing Holt and the insane inconsistency in what constitutes a DQ.
Holt started in lane 9. He apparently ran on the inside line (I haven't seen it myself as it's not in the broadcast video). He was not on the outside of his lane.
What’s absurd is the hypocrisy here. Most people were against an exception being made for a black woman in the 800, but they want an exception being made for a white man in the 800.
He had no business being in the semis to begin with. He is absolutely the biggest beneficiary of the super shoes of all time. He’s the combination of Drew Hunter and Herman Munster.
What’s absurd is the hypocrisy here. Most people were against an exception being made for a black woman in the 800, but they want an exception being made for a white man in the 800.
I ran the 800 many moons ago. I've run an 800 track race or two for fun since. I think starting in lanes in a 9 person field is pretty ridiculous. (Also the runner in lane 1 has an unfair advantage because of the rail on the inside and the runner in lane 9 has an unfair disadvantage because of the rail of the outside; it's natural for us to run a little further out from what we perceive as danger. A curb is dangerous, a railing looks just like a curb, so inside lane runners subconsciously drift a step or two towards the outside and outside lane runners drift a step or two towards the inside). I think alley starts where the lanes 5-8 break to lane to lane 5 and lanes 1-4 break to lane 1 then merge at 110 meters would be fairer and safer.
As to why this happened, it's because whomever was next on the time qualifier list appealed (or more likely their coach appealed). It looks to be Tinoda Matsatsa from Georgetown.
And here's where I think we get this thing wrong: Matsatsa wasn't even in the heat race with Holt. The coaches of the people in the heat race with Holt said "yeah, it didn't make a difference," and chose not to appeal. But when you're in another heat, you can appeal if you just miss a time qualification. I think that's bonkers, and that appeals should be restricted to people in the same heat.
Georgetown didn’t appeal (though they would have if judges reinstated Holt). The officials directly DQ’d him before any appeals were made. Sucks, but it happens. I’m a Holt fan.
I ran the 800 many moons ago. I've run an 800 track race or two for fun since. I think starting in lanes in a 9 person field is pretty ridiculous. (Also the runner in lane 1 has an unfair advantage because of the rail on the inside and the runner in lane 9 has an unfair disadvantage because of the rail of the outside; it's natural for us to run a little further out from what we perceive as danger. A curb is dangerous, a railing looks just like a curb, so inside lane runners subconsciously drift a step or two towards the outside and outside lane runners drift a step or two towards the inside). I think alley starts where the lanes 5-8 break to lane to lane 5 and lanes 1-4 break to lane 1 then merge at 110 meters would be fairer and safer.
As to why this happened, it's because whomever was next on the time qualifier list appealed (or more likely their coach appealed). It looks to be Tinoda Matsatsa from Georgetown.
And here's where I think we get this thing wrong: Matsatsa wasn't even in the heat race with Holt. The coaches of the people in the heat race with Holt said "yeah, it didn't make a difference," and chose not to appeal. But when you're in another heat, you can appeal if you just miss a time qualification. I think that's bonkers, and that appeals should be restricted to people in the same heat.
Brother, what? These are professional runners. If any half decent high schooler can ride the rail, these guys can ride the rail. An alley start in an even remotely fast 800 is wild. It's a recipe for falls.
Did he really gain any type of advantage? Seems like an official that wants to be involved more than they should be. Nobody that watched that race and is an actual fan of track thinks he should be DQed
Holt is everything right with the sport. Didn't go to a big name school. Kept running because he loves the sport & wanted to see how far he could push himself. Joined a pro team (but with no sponsor) because they saw his workouts on Strava. Got bounced in the 1500. Got a Puma deal. Came back in the 8 & seemingly made the final. How could you not root for this guy? Will never understand comments like this. Of course we all see ourselves in Holt. He represents the best in us.
USATF needs to fix this. He didn't gain an advantage & didn't try to gain an advantage. Just use common sense. Holt in the final grows the sport.