Posted on 08/15/2016 7:14:24 PM PDT by originalbuckeye
I know we haven't much discussed the Olympic races. But I wanted to say that someone diving over the finish line in a track race doesn't seem like it should be a winning play. Shouldn't it be the required that you end the race, standing??
Runners lean forward, some dive forward. It’s an accepted technique that coaches teach and you practice.
Disagree.
Has an Olympic gold ever been won in this way?
I just saw it and think you have an interesting take.
To take it to the extreme, what would the discussion be if every race began to be decided by a dive, with all of the presumed aftermath of cuts, blood, and broken bones?
Daily Mail covered it http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2167949/Track-field-athletes-diving-finish-line-bid-make-Olympics-team.html
Total commitment!
Nope. No rule against diving. As long as it doesn’t impede anyone else.
I think the Bahamian would not have won without the dive. It doesn’t seem ethical somehow. I think it is downright sleazy and not at all sportsmanlike.
I know that the lean is actively taught but a dive? I've never seen it used in a track meet. Baseball players are discouraged from diving at first base because research has shown that running through the base gets you there faster than diving at the base with far less chance of injury.
On the contrary, it should be required that you dive.
I have to agree. Are runners going to be forced to practice diving in order to win? Otoh, if you put in a rule against it, then when does an accidental stumble become a deliberate dive? It sucks, it’s unethical, but what can you do?
I could not care less. These freaks do not interest me.
The actual physics of the dive may in fact not be as beneficial as it appears. In order to dive, a runner must “gather” and this act actually reduces velocity before the finish line is crossed.
Agree. Without the dive she probably wouldn’t have won. I just like clean sports. I am really glad they can be so accurate with the volleyball these days. No more bad calls. I find the ‘dive’ a cheap shot at the rest of the field. I don’t believe any of the others would think someone would do that to win. It feels sleazy and unsportsmanlike.
She would of won either way. I think it was all show.
Disagree. Felix was a half step ahead of her when she threw herself forward. Felix should have won the gold.
And what does diving have to do with track?? I thought it was supposed to be foot race, not a diving competition. She should be disqualified for the dive.
Screw the Olympics. Doping, money, corruption - time for them to end.
The original purpose of the Olympics was to have amateur athletes to participate to generate goodwill among countries in the world. Now it’s one giant freak show filled with professionals who train year round.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.