FOUNDATION ATHLETES
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
PERFORMANCE CAN IMPROVE
In the history of the Olympics and World Championships US women distance runners (800 thru Marathon) have won only 11 of the 249 medals available.
Our ability to compete with the world declined further at the 2003 & 2005 World Championships and 2004 Olympics. The US was able to qualify for just 38 of the 50 spots reserved for US women distance runners in those three events. Only one US runner won a medal, Deena Kastor. Only four others have made a final. A finalist is someone in the top 8.
For a country that is 3rd in population and 1st in GNP it is a poor record.
There are no physiological or psychological reasons US women can't compete at the world level. However, they must have the opportunity to prepare properly for entrance into Olympic and World Championship competition by their early 20's.
23 — the average age future medalists from other nations make their first Olympic or World Championship team.
26 — the average age women from other nations win their first medal.
29 — the average age US women make their first Olympic or World Championship team.
Why is there a 6-year difference between the first appearance of other women and US women?
Other women begin development for Olympic and World Championship competitions by age 18. US women focus on collegiate competition. The US system uses women to score points for the college or high school. It is hard to develop into world class athletes in that environment. After college, 4 to 5 years are usually required to rebuild their systems and to change their focus.
The solution is to have US women distance runners focus on international competition earlier and to develop patiently. The Eugene Health and Performance Foundation is committed to this solution.
We know that a medal is not the be all and end all. But we also know that if a person has the potential to compete for a medal, that person should be afforded the opportunity.
THE SITUATION
US distance runners do not represent their country as well as they could at the Olympics and World championships. In the history of the Olympics and World Championships distance runners have won only 8% of the medals available. Sprints, throws and jumps have won 31% of the medals available. Since 1983 distance runners medal production has fallen to 4% of the medals available. US women have only won 11 of 249 medals available. Only 3 have won gold medals. Since 2000 only 5 women have been in the finals (top 8) of the distance events.
But this represents only the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the iceberg encompasses the thousands of young women running in high school and college in a system that encourages over-racing. All too often these young people end up injured, ill, disappointed or frustrated. They never reach their potential and most retire by age 23 or younger, at a time when they are still three years away from their best years in the sport.
The US system uses elite, young distance runners to score points in high school and college competition. Other countries develop elite, young distance runners to compete for medals in the Olympics and World Championships.
| Age | US | World |
|---|---|---|
| Pre 18 | Multiple Competitions | Play at a variety of sports |
| 18 | Focus on NCAA | Focus on Olympics |
| 18-22 | Compete in 3 seasons for 4 years | Develop technique, endurance and race strategies |
| 22-25 | Recover from college competition | Compete at world-class level |
| 26 | Begin competing at world class level | Compete for medals at world-class level |
Many elite US women collegiate distance runners never compete again because the price of early success has been endocrine exhaustion, anorexia, and bulimia or compulsive exercise syndrome.
Those that do want to continue often require 4 to 5 years to completely recover physically and emotionally from their premature and excessive competitive experiences.
The average age a future female distance runner medal winner in the world gets to her first major international competition is 23.4. She usually wins her first distance medal at age 26.7. She has focused on international competition since 18 and the medal winning performance is usually accomplished in her second appearance in the Olympics or World Championships.
The average age a US woman distance runner makes her first Olympic or World Championship team is 29.3.
THE SOLUTION
First, athletes must be selected carefully. The Eugene Health and Performance Foundations Board of Directors will identify and select no more than two athletes each year who exhibit medal potential, academic ability and leadership qualities.
Second, athletes must be prepared properly and patiently:
- Allow time for physical, mental and emotional maturation
- Establish career and yearly goals
- Respect the role of CHALLENGE and RECOVERY
- Develop efficient running technique
- Build a strong aerobic base
- Improve speed, strength and flexibility
- Learn competitive strategies in low-key races
- Integrate more challenging competitions over time
- Be ready to enter world-class competition by age 23
Third, as Arthur Lydiard, New Zealand coach of Olympians, says, Champions are everywhere, its a matter of how they are developed. There are no physiological or psychological reasons US women distance runners cannot compete at the world-class level.
Fourth, a medal is not the be all and end all. If an athlete is not enough without a medal she will not be enough with a medal. But, if she has the gifts and potential to earn a medal, she should be afforded the opportunity to strive for it.
These athletes can be an example to other young women, their coaches and parents. They can show what can be accomplished by slowly and patiently developing potential in any field.
TESTIMONIALS
The Foundation offers a sound approach for developing young athletes without the cost that the current US system imposes on many. It recognizes the importance of an education without the burden of competitive demands, which often contribute to illness, injury and burnout. It affords talented young athletes the opportunity to develop their gift so that they may compete with athletes throughout the world who are vying for championship medals.
Shelly Steely
Tokyo 1991/Barcelona 1992
There is much talk about the struggles that have plagued distance runners in this country, but no one has yet come up with any answers on just how to correct this situation. This foundation will be an exciting opportunity to develop athletes who can compete with the best in the world.
Leslie Krichko
1988 Calgary Winter Olympics
I believe that a program where runners would be able to receive a college education while training with a world-class coach, without the pressures of competing in the collegiate system, would be ideal.
Vicki Huber-Rudawsky
Womens 1500 Meters 1996 Atlanta Olympics