You could say that. The history of 800m running in SA is appalling, with the state record being 1-47.0 (hand held), recorded in 1970 by Chris Fisher. Only 3 SA runners have broken 1-48 and all were hand held times from over 30 years ago. No SA runner has ever broken 1-48 electric. The last national champs 800m finalist (male) was nearly 10 years ago. Only 9 SA runners have made the national 800m final in 36 years.
The last male SA winner of a national 800m title was in 1976. The last medallist (bronze) was in 1989.
Yet there’s been a lot of junior national finalists including several winners and minor medallists in the last 20 years who have simply not progressed.
The event has obviously not evolved in this state and while the talent has definitely been here, it is patently obvious the standard of coaching has been very ordinary for it not to produce one decent senior half miler in 30 years, ie: capable of representing Australia at a major champs. (The last male SA 800m runner to be selected for a national team was in the 1970’s)
My view is that there is an obsession with volume and not enough respect given to genuine speed. Some of the coaches struggle with the notion that improving an athlete’s raw 200/400 speed will assist their 800’s. It seems when in doubt - ‘send them on another long run’.