Jenny Simpson, the 2011 WC gold medalist at 1,500 meters and 2013 WC silver medalist, took the SPIKESmag challenge. Jenny will be racing two miles at the Reggie Lewis Center this Saturday, February 4, 2014 at the 2014 NB Indoor Grand Prix! Be there!
If I could change the rules…
SPIKES asked three US track and field stars, Jenny Simpson, Will Claye and Queen Harrison, to tell us what they’d change if they were in charge of the sport for the day.
Jenny Simpson, 1500m
Change: Get the public involved
“I’d like to see an accountant line up in the 100m just to show people how incredibly fast the athletes are. It would have been good to see some high school kids up against Dwight Phillips in the long jump or Jesse Williams in the high jump.
“This would give people a much better idea about just how exceptional these athletes are. I don’t know if this would practically apply to every event, I’m not sure the crowd would really want to see a non-top athlete finish a 10,000, but it could add a really fun element to the sprints and field events.
“Can you imagine me up against Valerie Adams in the women’s shot? It would be hilarious. I think I could only throw the shot about four inches beyond my fingertips. It would give added perspective just to show how gifted and skilled these women are.”
To read the ENTIRE story, please go to: http://spikes-mag.tumblr.com/post/72870218408/if-i-could-change-the-rules
