Episode 117: Ben Rosario joins us to talk about the recent changes in track and field. We discuss what it may mean for the Diamond League meets to drop the 5k and how the IAAF changing the Olympic qualifications standards will impact the USA and other countries.

1:25 Diamond League dropped the 5k, why do you think they dropped it

• TV
• Live experience for fans
• Shorten meets
• Cutting to 90 minutes

2:42 Do you agree with the change?

• Willing to watch meets and see what it is like
• Can still see them in the 3k
• Has been 3k/5k so mix of both
• Can still host them, just not part of Diamond League points

4:15 Hard to imagine not having that historic race anymore

• The counter-argument is could be more exciting 3k than 5k
• 3k usually has more people involved in the finish
• We will still see 5k races in other meets, DL not the only meets
• Chance for distance industry to get creative

6:30 You don't think this a move to eliminate the long-distance races off the track?

• Think it is more about TV
• Could see 10k maybe being eliminated but may be replaced with a road race

8:30 5k is so relatable to people who do it on the weekend

• Relatability is even more road racing
• The casual fan doesn't run on track after high school
• Road and track are almost completely different sports

10:10 IAAF changed qualifying standards for Olympics

• Biggest change is a 2 tier system Time Standard and Rankings
• New times are harder to achieve
• Rankings system accrue points based on races through year
• Some races are ranked higher and get more points
• Better geographic representation into the Olympics with region points

13:20 Top 3 American not necessarily going to the Olympics under the system

• For international athletes, this system may be better
• Consistent and run and gain points can give you another way in
• The biggest problem is we found out way too late
• Problem is with the US, puts us in a bind
• USATF is struggling with what to do with Trials now
• US still have not decided how to name their team

18:15 Problems with how this will work with Marathon

• If come in 4th and person in 3rd were to beat them but don't have the auto standard, a person getting 4th could not feel good about being named
• USATF has to figure out what their system will be now

21:35 Gave exceptions for World Major but not for US Marathon Trial?

• They made national championships one thing and weighed area championships higher
• From US point of view may not make sense, but for the outside US may make sense

24:15 Could the focus on World Majors backfire on athletes with appearance fees?

• Don't think the people who make those decisions would do that

25:09 What else is going on with NAZ Elite

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