Just wanted to get a different Northern Hemisphere perspective. A few guys over here (Western Australia) have been having a back and forth argument over the recognition, rewards associated with Olympic distance success v Ironman Distance. Things that have been brought up include:
- which is more recognised, an Olympic Gold medal or a Hawaiian IM World Championship (best case I suppose is Whitfield and Reid – who received the most coverage)?
- Which type of race distance (OD or IM) has more money associated with it? Things like TV coverage, sponsorship etc (ie who would be the most financially successful if you compared the top athletes between the two)?
Not trying to start an argument on what is “better”, just curious. Quite isolated over here, and obviously the US has the most OD and long course events, which would assist in making the comparisons. Appreciate your thoughts…..
Cheers
Fortitudine vincimus - "By endurance we conquer"
- which is more recognised, an Olympic Gold medal or a Hawaiian IM World Championship (best case I suppose is Whitfield and Reid – who received the most coverage)?
- Which type of race distance (OD or IM) has more money associated with it? Things like TV coverage, sponsorship etc (ie who would be the most financially successful if you compared the top athletes between the two)?
Not trying to start an argument on what is “better”, just curious. Quite isolated over here, and obviously the US has the most OD and long course events, which would assist in making the comparisons. Appreciate your thoughts…..
Cheers
Fortitudine vincimus - "By endurance we conquer"