Athletics records may be moved to world bests.

[Nearly Sane]

A good idea or an infringement of the presumption of innocence?



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39774233

[Rhiannon]

I guess it might make more sense if the current era is clean, but it isn't.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/may/02/jonathan-edwards-paula-radcliffe-erasing-old-world-records

[Nearly Sane]

Many different takes on this

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39789773

[Rhiannon]

I also think Colin Jackson has a point. Why should anyone young aspire to a career in elite athletics when your records can be wiped out because other people cheated?

Equally though he did get a good secondary career through commentary and advertising work etc. because of his success. Goldie Sayers has a different story thanks to the drug cheats.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39787909

I used to love athletics but no longer watch it. It all feels so fake that it has lost any appeal. I don't know if the sport has a high profile future but it needs a complete rethink.

[wigginhall]

I can see why they're doing it, but it must be gut-wrenching to have a record deleted.   

[Nearly Sane]

Certainly the women's 100, 200, 400 and 800 are hinky.

[Rhiannon]

It reminds me of whole class punishments at school. All that does is give the good kids a horrible sense of injustice - it doesn't stop the bad kids from messing about again.

[SteveH]

Britain's Paula Radcliffe, who faces losing her 2003 marathon world record, called the proposals "cowardly".

I was under the impression that there are no official marathon world records anyway, because the courses vary too much.

[Nearly Sane]

I was under the impression that there are no official marathon world records anyway, because the courses vary too much.

Once upon a time you were correct and it was referred to as a world best but there are a number of restrictions which allow them to declare records. If you want to read more detail see below link.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_world_record_progression

[SteveH]

Oh - thanks.

[Walter]

I also think Colin Jackson has a point. Why should anyone young aspire to a career in elite athletics when your records can be wiped out because other people cheated?

Equally though he did get a good secondary career through commentary and advertising work etc. because of his success. Goldie Sayers has a different story thanks to the drug cheats.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39787909

I used to love athletics but no longer watch it. It all feels so fake that it has lost any appeal. I don't know if the sport has a high profile future but it needs a complete rethink.

I too never watch it because only people who enter the competitions are measured. There must be people who aren't even aware of such competitions who may be much better than them.