Performance Gap Widens Between World and US Women

In the history of the Olympics and World Championships US women distance runners (800 thru Marathon) have only won 10 of the 234 available medals.

Our ability to compete with the world slid further in the 2003 World Championships. The US was able to fill only 10 of the 16 spots reserved for US women’s distance runners. No US woman distance runner finished better than twelfth in any race. For a country that is 3rd in population and 1st in gross national product we can do much better.

There are no physiological or psychological reasons US women can’t compete at the elite world-class level. However, they must have the opportunity to prepare properly for entrance into Olympic and World Championship competition by 22 or 23 years of age.

The average age a US distance runner makes her first appearance in the Olympics or World Championships is 28.8. The average age a medalist from any nation wins her first distance medal is 26.8. The average medalist has made her first appearance at the Olympics or World Championships at 23.9.

Why is there a 5-year difference between the first appearance of a US athlete and the appearance of other women in the world? While women in the world are focusing on Olympic and World Championship competitions by age 18, elite US runners are focusing on collegiate competition. If they are not completely used up within the college system, they need 4 to 5 years to rekindle their energy and change their focus.

The solution is to have our elite, young female distance runner’s focus on international competition earlier and to develop these athletes patiently. This is one goal of the Eugene Health & Performance Foundation.