sweathog wrote:
Reminds me of the T2 tent at Lake Placid in 2011 - the very hot year when wet suits were not allowed. The temps in the tent were sweltering and the team captain was pleading for all volunteers to wear gloves. Most were thinking it over because of the temps and how uncomfortable it would be. One of the first pros off the bike flew into the tent, sat down, pissed on the chair while changing, and was out of the tent in a matter of seconds.
Two things: 1) every volunteer immediately decided to wear gloves as we all witnessed the event. 2) None of the group (nearly all athletes working to register the next year) thought that behavior was odd in any way. Isn't that part of the WTC experience to provide a private gender-specific change tent? I'd hardly call that a public space - not like I could just waltz into the women's change tent and volunteer there. Plus, he is a pro - and I think most were OK at giving him a pass as this is his living and, for him, time really does matter.
I smiled at the innocence of the comment that no volunteer should have to work in such conditions - I guess you haven't considered T2 of an Ironman event before. Handling the shoes, socks, and bike pants of a few hundred racers who had recently pissed themselves multiple times is a rather humbling manner to earn your place in line to pay for next year's race ticket.
Sweathog, I have worked several IM Change Tents, and completed several IM races.....I volunteer knowing I will be asked to help athletes with the clothes they change from and to. some come in an are in actual physical distress, these folks deserve a pass on problems they might have. This was not that, Mr. Brandon was having and did have a great race it appeared to me, he was just disrespectful of folks there to help him. I do not volunteer to be splashed with urine or forced to walk around in it. As others have pointed out IM Chattnooga was extremely well organized, there were port-a-potties all around the transition area as well as on the course headed out to both run and ride portions.... So no innocence here, I just don't approve and think the conduct should be regulated and penalized. And no, a Pro does not need nor does he deserve a pass on violating the rules, with out the volunteers and the AGers who support these races all over the world, there would be no Pro Race....anywhere.
bb