Why does the Olympics have specific races like 100 m, 200m , 500m etc?
Who decides these are the best races and why?
Why is there no 20m sprint?
Why Specific Races?
deme on 22/02/2024 - 23:55
Comments
Many if not most human constructs are just the inertia of random things in the past - tradition. Sometimes moved by evolutionary forces (progressiveness), sometimes opposed to evolutionary forces (conservatism) - neither necessarily intrinsically good or bad. Until they change. Ultimately everything changes, just depends how long. We may see a 20m sprint yet.
Rather racist…
"Who decides these are the best races and why?"
Illuminati
.
Why is there no 20m sprint?
There's the 40 yard dash which is ~36m.
I think it would be cool if you had to compete in a bunch of different races to win gold. for example you would tally up the scores in the 100m, 200m, 1500m, etc. and the best overall wins gold for running. an then the same for field events, swimming, equestrian, etc.
That sounds like a variation of the pentathlon or decathlon, or cycling's omnium.
Because swimming pools are 50m long.
X0(0)(00)m
Because the majority of the world operates under a metric system.
Who decides these are the best races and why?
My great grand dad did because they fit the Goldilocks principle of nice round metric numbers with clear physical effort required.
Why is there no 20m sprint?
Because at that distance it's pot luck. You'll have a different winner each race. It will also be very close, with a lot of ties and controversies. Extreme example is 1m sprint.
Why is a basketball round?
Just cos.
I'd like to watch them play with a slightly oval ball.
would make the game interesting. Imaging dribbling and no one knows if it's going to veer left or right.
Kyrie should still be able to handle the ball with his reflexes. The 7'5" guys they'll prob struggle.
Everything has to be something, or it isn't anything.
Once it has been agreed to be something, for whatever reason seemed like a good one at the time, it is hard to change it to something else unless there is some compelling reason that most people agree with.
Why does the Olympics have specific races like 100 m, 200m , 500m etc?
The Olympic Games feature specific race distances for various reasons, each rooted in history, practicality, and athletic tradition. Let's delve into the rationale behind these iconic race lengths:
Sprint Distances (100m, 200m, etc.):
- Historical Origins: The original Olympic footrace distances were relatively short sprints. The first of these running races was called a stade, which consisted of a roughly 200-meter dash around the perimeter of the arena ⁴.
- Fair Competition: To ensure fair competition, athletes start from staggered positions in different lanes. If they all started from the same line, those in outer lanes would have to run further due to the semicircles at the top and bottom of the track. Each lane has a special starting position to ensure everyone covers the same distance ².
Middle-Distance Races (800m, 1500m):
- These races strike a balance between speed and endurance. They challenge athletes to maintain a fast pace over a moderate distance.
Long-Distance Races (5000m, 10,000m):
- These events showcase endurance and stamina. Athletes compete over several laps, testing their ability to sustain speed over extended periods.
Road Races (Marathon):
- The marathon, with a length of 42.195 kilometers, commemorates the legendary run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens. It symbolizes endurance and determination.
Race Walking:
- Race walking, introduced in the Olympics since 1904, has specific distances like 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, 20,000m, and 50,000m. These events occur both on outdoor tracks and metalled roads ¹.
In summary, the diverse race distances cater to different athletic abilities, historical significance, and the desire for exciting competitions. Whether sprinting, middle-distance, or marathon, each race showcases the remarkable capabilities of athletes worldwide. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
(1) Your Guide to the Olympic Running Distances - Marathon Training Academy. https://www.marathontrainingacademy.com/olympic-running-dist….
(2) Activity: The Olympic Athletics Track - Math is Fun. https://www.mathsisfun.com/activity/olympic-athletics-track.….
(3) Race walking: All you need to know - Olympics.com. https://olympics.com/en/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-race….
(4) Everything you need to know about Olympic cycling. https://olympic.ca/2020/02/24/faq-everything-you-need-to-kno….Thanks Chat JVT.
(Race walking is dumb. Go as fast as you can but don't use the fastest gait)
There used to be a 60m race. I'm still filthy they got rid of the standing high jump, standing long jump and the tug-of-war. They were my favourites.
500m?
Whilst you are at it you could ask why there are so many swimming events with different strokes for completing the same distances, whereas there is no athletics equivalent (running backwards, hopping on one leg, skipping), and why a swimming medal is worth the same as a running medal
Come for the bargains… get blown away by the stupid or trolls…
My 12 year old is a national gold medal winner in the 100m multiclass. He represents his state.
Trust me there are enough track and field events to choose from and to dilute the pool even further with new events would probanly cause other races to lose competitors.
I’d like to see them have an egg and spoon race.
See who can cook and eat an egg then find someone to spoon with?
The ancient Olympic Games were performed in a stadium with a track about 200m long, so it makes sense to keep it about the same. Shorter races require more impressive quick release power, longer ones need more of a balance with endurance, they are all fun to watch and compete in for different reasons.
A 20m race would be over in seconds and would just be a display of acceleration rather than of speed, kind of boring to watch. Though the 60m dash is sometimes raced.