Athletics

teapot

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Despite our medal success, track and field never results in masses of medals, any ideas why?

Athletics is probably something everyone does at school so where does that talent go? Do people reach 16/18/uni and try different sports or what?

Saying that, I couldn't tell you where my nearest athletics club is but I know where I can row and sail...
 
I've helped trained a pentathlete and the dedication required is enormous. Four am starts before college to swim, 9 pm sessions running, keeping up the riding, no social life, no binges, no days off, I think it takes huge determination to do it. I know all sports require high input but somehow the running and so on seems so very punishing.
But then I'm pathetic and can hardly run a bath these days.
 
On the subject of athletics - am I being a grumpy old bat thinking that someone who's twice tested positive for illegal drugs shouldn't be anywhere near an Olympic team?
 
On the subject of athletics - am I being a grumpy old bat thinking that someone who's twice tested positive for illegal drugs shouldn't be anywhere near an Olympic team?

absolultely right!!!!!!!!!! and they should be banned for life if caught twice. once could be a genuine mistake but twice is not...
 
also dont forget that alot of schools have sold off their playing fields and sport seems to now be a low priority for many schools. it is still very important in fee paying schools which is why alot of our athletes are from the well off part of society. very sad IMO, as sports give kids who are not clever in class a way of boosting their self esteem and also teaching to have a good work ethic, and also help to control obesity.
 
I don't buy the private school thing to an extent because whatever school you go, once you hit A-levels sport, unless you're on a county squad, it tends to die down a bit. I went to private school and every year there was a county wide athletics day - we used to be thrashed by the state schools. You can pick up most sports once you get to uni too. Not to mention that research into the 2012 Team GB demonstrated that only 20% of the entire Team GB squad went to private school...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ol...Olympic-athletes-bridge-the-class-divide.html


We have a decent athletics squad but will we ever compete with the US for example?
 
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i take your point but still think that sports are not classed as important and too much emphasis is put on academic prowess. not all kids can excel in academics and sport is a way to boost them up , alot of bad behaviour comes from kids with nothing better to do so if schools could channel their energy into sports i am sure it would help.......hopefully some kids will get the bug after watching how well we have done at rio...
 
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