I don’t believe the two things are mutually exclusive either, but there seems to be a fear that if athletes or clubs can promote sponsors it devalues the governing bodies offering to sponsors. Formular 1 was in a similar situation in the early to mid 1970’s and was struggling to get an audience and cars were limited in their display of sponsoship. This lead to a war between the contructors and the governing body that ended with a much more even distribution of wealth as well as economic and real empowerment for the constructors.
These outcomes as well as the resulting ascension of Bernie Eccleston that has been attributed to turning the sport into a multi-multi-multi-billion dollar operation. I think that we could do alot worse than examining the model for ideas in moving the sport forwards.
Wow, I just read the regulations on advertising in competitions sanctioned by the IAAF and they are quite strict! Sponsors can’t even say they sponsor a certain athlete at the competitions!
just a few facts from so many years ago. Adidas bought a two page spread in L’Equipe (prob 100,000 plus then) to promote Ben’s 87WR- but along with Adidas, Ben’s Singlet had Mazda in bold letters. That paid for Mazda’s contribution to not only Ben, but our whole team in only one go. There were thousands of other logo exposures for Mazda on film and print worth millions for ads they would otherwise have had to buy directly. As well, this was a type of goodwill advertising that couldn’t be bought at any price.
This was soon recognized, first by the US federation that placed tremendous pressure on Mazda to hire US functionaries and sign US athletes of dubious value under threat (to quote Mazda’s then president, Mr Wada in a phone conversation with me: “You will sign who we say and hire who we say or we’ll blow you out of the water like we did with TDK!” Ever hear of the TDK track Club? Didn’t think so! )
Next came the IAAF. One look at that L’Equipe gold mine and they immediately changed the rules on logo size.
Next came the Canadian fed, who tried to get Mazda’s agent, IMG to use it’s two year contract with Ben to dump all my other one year contract athletes to sign up the rest of the federation for less- with a piece for them, no doubt! (They failed after I told them I’d quit and tell everyone why.)
Has anyone actually been sanctioned by the IAAF before for having a logo (or logos) that go against the IAAF rules? I imagine them having a hard time, public relations wise, sanctioning a major athlete for having a logo that is of a different size.
I don’t know but they can prevent you from going on the track with a shirt they don’t like in the first place. The meets sell logo space on the bib numbers which they try to make big enough to cover anything else.
Shubba :mad: - I’ll intervene here…there are many reasons why various people may opt to keep their identities private and it would be decent of you to respect those wishes.
Absolutely nothing. Some medical funding to help me deal with my injuries would have been appreciated, however the fact that I didn’t compete during the domestic season (due to those injuries) meant that I was niether surprised nor upset about not recieving anything; as a matter of fact it was one of my goals to achieve a performance standard that would regained my position in my institute.
But let me make this clear, I do not attribute my current position directly to the policies of AA. That is a separate issue entirely.
When did informed discussion become bitching and moaning? I was under the impression “bitching and moaning” as it was put was the cornerstone of change and the democratic system, without it you’re left with apathy.
But to answer your question I’ve interacted with the Athletes Commision, which was well recieved by the representatives but not followed up on or pursued any further than the administration - a situation fairly typical of such representative bodies. I am also hoping to one day “add value” by performing at a high level; it won’t happen this year, but it’s not going to stop me from trying in the future.
Did you read the posts? One of the problems is that there is not enough power outside of the governing bodies to implement change without taking drastic action. In the formular one example I gave 5 years of debate culminated in the boycott of the Sanmarino grandprix, imagine the uproar from the ex athletes if athletes were to boycott the selection trials or a national granprix.
Do you care to contribute to the discussion John? Or are you just going to put down the people who are not happy with the situation and have the mind to voice their opinion?
When did informed discussion become bitching and moaning? I was under the impression “bitching and moaning” as it was put was the cornerstone of change and the democratic system, without it you’re left with apathy.
But to answer your question I’ve interacted with the Athletes Commision, which was well recieved by the representatives but not followed up on or pursued any further than the administration - a situation fairly typical of such representative bodies. I am also hoping to one day “add value” by performing at a high level; it won’t happen this year, but it’s not going to stop me from trying in the future. I have spoken out in the past (within the team talking directly with management) about things I have been unhappy with and have been threatened with ejection from the team and told that I am jeopardising my position on future teams. I am not going to go into any more detail, other than to say this was under a previous administration however as the situation with the relays has shown there has not been a culture change.
Did you read the posts? One of the problems is that there is not enough power outside of the governing bodies to implement change without taking drastic action. In the formular one example I gave 5 years of debate culminated in the boycott of the Sanmarino grandprix, imagine the uproar from the ex athletes if athletes were to boycott the selection trials or a national granprix. Not to mention the potential repercussions for the sport as a whole.
I totally agree! I saw PJ in the semi and ran a low 10.30 chillin at the 60 mark and just coastin in! I think he might have hurt himself trying to pick up the field in the final when he was left in the blocks. It was a bizarre night to say the least!
I totally agree! I saw PJ in the semi and ran a low 10.30 chillin at the 60 mark and just coastin in! I think he might have hurt himself trying to pick up the field in the final when he was left in the blocks. It was a bizarre night to say the least!
Totally agree but without action they are only words.
Bitching and moaning may have been a bit harsh and my comments weren’t aimed directly at you more en masse as unfortunately too many people would rather complain than get involved, that is human nature and applies in all areas.
Yes many associations (not just athletics) are resistant to change but without people challenging that, preferably from within, nothing will change. It wont happen overnight but a start has to be made.
Your comment I have spoken out in the past (within the team talking directly with management) about things I have been unhappy with and have been threatened with ejection from the team and told that I am jeopardising my position on future teams. REALLY pisses me off and I don’t need details but if done respectfully and within the confines of the team environment (i.e. not in public) there should be no issue. Threatening non selection for that is totally out of line.
Absolutely nothing. Some medical funding to help me deal with my injuries would have been appreciated, however the fact that I didn’t compete during the domestic season (due to those injuries) meant that I was niether surprised nor upset about not recieving anything; as a matter of fact it was one of my goals to achieve a performance standard that would regained my position in my institute.
Not only do you have to reach the qualifying performances set out to gain a scholarship at your institute but you have to give up your coach and support personnel who got you to that performance level, and then come march 31st of the following year you could be dumped for not reaching the qualifying standards (all whist under the institutes coaching)
Me and Dazed have had our run in over the years. Regardless he a is very sincere athlete who has empathy for other athletes. And thats a lot more than those you continually jump at the chance to rubbish others. Hey some have earned careers out of it.