• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Track & Field

Can Track & Field Compete in the Media?

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
June 14, 2007
1
0 0
0
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Let’s face it, we all have egos. We all want to be thought of in a positive manner as much of the time as possible. We also want to be thought of as doing a great job!
Yet, track and field seems to receive more of the bad press on sports than any other sport! Why is that?
The question has both reasonable and unreasonable answers. First, the reasonable answers: writers who cover track & field, love the sport and want to see it succeed. They also are the first to cast stones at the sport, finding parts that need improvement, and comparing the sport to the old days. Much of what they say is understood by the track fan, much of what they write, however, is not understood by the general sports fan.
The truth is, we live in a totally different world than track & field inhabited in the 30s-40s, and then the 50’s-60’s. Track & Field did not do well against the growth of professional sports, like football, basketball and baseball. A televised track meet is a whole different animal than a televised football game. How to give the TV viewer intimate viewings of a 1,500 meters, how to give the TV viewer the tension that fills the sprint start as sprinters line up, these are some of the questions that a producer and director have to ask themselves. Track & Field can be dynamic, and the stories of athletes, weaved into the comptetition, can make for some compelling Television.
A sport that is not communicated compellingly, a sport that is focussed on self hatred, is sure not going to grab the attention of sponsors. A great track & field meet on TV cost money, and unless that money is there, producers will take short cuts. A sport that focuses on drugs, even though is has done to advance drug testing, and more to catch cheaters than all other professional and Olympic sports combined, needs to say that in its defense.
The focus by many in the media on, ” well, there were no records today” has hurt our sport. Track & Field is about competition, pure competition, throwing, jumping, running—that is what people want to see!
At the adidas track classic, Reebok Grand Prix and Nike Prefontaine this year, the crowds and the TV fans were treated to some great competitions, and dazzled by a few American, Chinese and World bests! But the key was the competition, and TV did a nice job in telling the story.
The web is giving track and field something to cheer about. From Flotrack.com to letsrun.com to dyesports.com to runningnetwork.com, a fan or could be fan can find stories on track and field, road running, race walking and ultra running, all to their liking!
The web has added timeliness to print media. Our publications have had to change to take the benefits of websites, however, most has been for the good. Readers check the new news on a daily basis and receive our publications with stories, and features that recommend them finding more on the web. After ten years of archiving, we have a few million pages of archived content. After ten years of web coverage, we have ten years of e-newletters updating our readers on every track meet that they want to read about!
Track & Field has a second chance, and the web will be continuing to evolve. Soon, one will be able to download every race that Jeremy Wariner ran in the season in the 400 meters. If one wants an interview with Wallace Spearmon after a 200 meter race, one will be able to download that from a podcast soon.
And sponsors? Sponsors go where they can find an intelligent, interested populace that buys things. If they see numbers improve, on the web, on TV, in print, for interest in track and field, they will spend money.

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    RelatedPosts

    Women’s High Jump in Stockholm

    British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm

    This Day in Track & Field, June 17, Glenn Cunningham wins 880 yards/Mile at NCAA (1933), Craig Virgin breaks Pre’s 10,000m AR (1979), by Walt Murphy

    View all posts
Previous Post

When will Jeremy Wariner get the 400 meter record?

Next Post

The truth of athletics in North America

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Seven Scandinavian takeaways
Uncategorized

Seven Scandinavian takeaways

June 18, 2025
Aussie, Aussie High Jump – new run-ups aplenty in Nanjing 2025!
Diamond League

Women’s High Jump in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm
Track & Field

British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 9, Stanford dominates NCAA (1928), Michel Jazy runs 3:53.6 (1965) Mile WR, Craig Virgin gets HS 2 mile record (1973), by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Services
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, June 17, Glenn Cunningham wins 880 yards/Mile at NCAA (1933), Craig Virgin breaks Pre’s 10,000m AR (1979), by Walt Murphy

June 18, 2025
FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025
Continental Tour Gold

FBK Games FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED), 9 June 2025

June 17, 2025
Is Beatrice Chebet Quietly Building the Most Dangerous Range in Women’s Distance Running?
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 17, 2025, week 14, day 2, Third week of sharpening, Third week, transition from track to cross country.

June 17, 2025

Comments 1

  1. Rain Johnson says:
    18 years ago

    I really couldn’t have said it better.Our sport does have a segment of self hate and a destructive perimeter that is getting in the way of the pure and beautiful sport it is.
    We track and field enthusiast love “All” track and field from our youth competitions to our Master’s Meets.We understand what it takes at all levels to compete. It takes the same thing, hard work and an individual willingness to show up for every race ,every meet and most important every practice.
    The general population may need”sexy,and compelling to get the big sign-on for Track and Field.But for those of us that just want an opportunty to view a good meet ,this summer we enjoyed the USATF JO’s on line via web cast as well as the AAU JO’s. It was exciting , engaging and best of all great meets to watch the future achievers of a great sport. Track is a great sport and the future of spectatorship is in part via the internet.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Seven Scandinavian takeaways

Seven Scandinavian takeaways

June 18, 2025
Aussie, Aussie High Jump – new run-ups aplenty in Nanjing 2025!

Women’s High Jump in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm

British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 9, Stanford dominates NCAA (1928), Michel Jazy runs 3:53.6 (1965) Mile WR, Craig Virgin gets HS 2 mile record (1973), by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Services

This Day in Track & Field, June 17, Glenn Cunningham wins 880 yards/Mile at NCAA (1933), Craig Virgin breaks Pre’s 10,000m AR (1979), by Walt Murphy

June 18, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Seven Scandinavian takeaways
Uncategorized

Seven Scandinavian takeaways

June 18, 2025
Aussie, Aussie High Jump – new run-ups aplenty in Nanjing 2025!
Diamond League

Women’s High Jump in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm
Track & Field

British triumphs and disappointments in Stockholm

June 18, 2025
This Day in Track & Field History, June 9, Stanford dominates NCAA (1928), Michel Jazy runs 3:53.6 (1965) Mile WR, Craig Virgin gets HS 2 mile record (1973), by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Services
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, June 17, Glenn Cunningham wins 880 yards/Mile at NCAA (1933), Craig Virgin breaks Pre’s 10,000m AR (1979), by Walt Murphy

June 18, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

The truth of athletics in North America

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved