I *also* disagree with the idea of allowing the 70.3 WC - and even more the 5i50 champ - automatic entry into Kona with "validation." I didn't say validation was the best system. But if you are going to require "validation," i think there should be some performance requirements.
I think Kona should be filled with the best IRONMAN triathletes. I think there should be a performance bar for Ironman that athletes have to meet. Look at the previous champions - Normann, Faris, Macca, Crowie, Natascha, & Chrissie. ALL of them WON Ironman races both before AND AFTER the won Kona. The only recent Kona champ yet to win an Ironman outside of Kona is Mirinda Carfrae, who came 2nd last year in NZ and 3rd this year in Melbourne.
Personally, I do not care what Ms. Rollison does. She's allowed to walk the marathon, so she's going to. But I don't think she should be allowed to walk the marathon. That's my
opinion. And I also think that it's poor form to announce ahead of time that you are going to walk because you are simply there because you have to be. I think that's an insult fans, sponsors, everyone. Again, that's just my opinion. I'm not going to lose sleep over her doing it. But that doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't say, "I don't agree with that."
Monty - you seem to be forgetting that I was in favor of the 8% rule. And nobody is saying that athletes need to be actors. They just need to recognize that they are "personalities," and - as such - need to recognize that how their actions are perceived is important. You don't need to look any further than Lance Armstrong to see the impact that being cognizant of that can have. Or, strictly within triathlon, just look at Macca. Those guys understand that they are more than just their performance/presence out on the race course. And I can assure you that neither of them would - in advance - openly admit to phoning it in, even if they did. Now, some people may dislike that about them. And that's fine. Differences of opinion are what make the world go 'round.
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