polevaultpower wrote:
Memphian wrote:The same goes for fluids & fuel on the course. Provide what will be available in the upcoming Games and let the athletes figure it out.
I don't buy this argument for several reasons.
1. I don't think the course complied with IAAF regulations and am looking into this further. My understanding is that USATF and IAAF rules say there should be fluids every 5k. From what I keep hearing about this course, the placement of the single fluid station on this course meant that the athletes the athletes hit the station, went 2 miles, hit it again, then had a 4 mile stretch until they hit it again. Maybe someone who was there can make a map on mapmyrun or something and get more exact distances for me?
2. Adding additional water bottles on a hot day is not going to get some slow person on the team. Give me a freaking break. The only outcome of the race it will change is less dropouts and less athletes needing to get IV fluids after the race. God forbid we consider the safety of the athletes in this equation.
3. Don't promise coaches and athletes at the technical meeting the day before that you are going to have water bottles at the north station and then NOT DO IT. That's absolutely unprofessional and ridiculous.
1. The first fluid station was placed on the southbound Figueroa loop, following the 2.2 mile start loop. I don't know the exact metric, but it was somewhere around 3.7 miles into the race. Fluid stations were set up on the 6-mile Figueroa loop-southbound and northbound-making those stations exactly 3 miles apart, 8 times over the marathon course.
2. Extra water bottles? Where would those be set up? There were close to 100 tables for each gender, with a mere 8 personal bottles per table, to assist in athlete access. I believe the sponge and towel station was added to combat the warm temps, but I don't think it was meant as a substitute for drinkable fluids. I don't know if the logistics and course would allow for the addition of an entirely new fluid station as well. Can you imagine the course if there were thousands of paper cups for the 2nd-4th loops?
3. There were designed 'neutral' fluid tables at the far end of both personal fluid stations. The water and Powerade in those areas was to be available to all athletes. Was this not the case?