America'$ Relay$ Debacle

[Charlie_Francis]

@Taliban

I can’t say for certain what they have been doing because I am on the outside looking in but it reduces outside interest in the sport. If I was a guy who became interested in the sport because I watched the Olympics and I went to a relay meet and saw none of my favorites I would be disappointed and will not attend another meet. Take Texas Relays as an example, the professional relay sections had 2 teams. I think they should hire a relay director that knows how to combat egos and they should host an effective relay camp before major competitions.

An effective relay camp before competitions is a HUGE problem, because, as you probably know, the period before a major comp is the time to lower training intensity and especially to individualize the pre-comp period.
Relay practices are usually fast affairs, once you get past fundamemtal stick passing drills which the vast majority of US athletes have mastered in college long before.
The Texas Relays are held very early in the training schedule of Professional athletes vs College athletes so readiness is a big issue.
Hosting/supporting relay comps in big meets after the sprint events is the way to go here. This requires some negotiations with meet directors. If the federation pays to bring in the athletes, the meet must reciprocate by eliminating heats in the 100, instead going straight to A and B finals to allow the athletes to be fresh enough to perform. Enough comps in major meets when the athletes are as ready as they can be will work well.