60 something wrote:
Question for Jordan about IMC'11 - Has RD/Volunteer Coordinator Laura Carleton(canvolunteers@nasports.com) made a decision about compensating athletes whose race times may have been affected by water shortages on bike/run courses? If yes would you kindly inform Sister Madonna(W80+). Sister M apparently has requested her entry fee for IMC'12 be waived so that she can attempt(for the third time) opening up the 80+ age group for women. Penticton Herald reporter said she missed bike cutoff by less than a minute. If she gets no fee entry then, in the interests of fair play, every other athlete affected should also have this outcome to sad situation on race day.
Her e-mail address is sistermadbud@yahoo.com
Thx. JB
Not to my knowledge. And, to some extent, I can understand why. I would wager that if they offered some compensation/refund/comp'ed entry/etc., that everyone who DNF'ed (except for the obvious folks who missed the swim cut off), any of them could claim that it was a result of the water shortages. With 300ish athletes not finishing, that's a substantial amount of money. I won't pretend to know how that would affect the race, but I do think that it's reasonable to hold back from offering a refund. I would, however, also consider it reasonable and magnanimous if they decided to offer a refund. It would clearly generate huge goodwill to do so, and I think it would be great if they did. I do not, however, think that it's necessary. It's a value judgement, I think, and I don't think there's a clear right/wrong on this one.
In my brief encounters with her, Sister Madonna strikes me as someone who has no trouble speaking her mind or following up on what she wants. I will leave that issue between her and the race, as that's where I believe it belongs. I laud Sister Madonna for her courage, and if the race wants to compensate or otherwise make amends/arrangements, that's their business. I would not fault them either way. I see the benefits on both sides. It's an asset to have Sister Madonna at the race. And, yet, I wonder if showing her "special treatment" is also not necessarily in the spirit of the equality.
And you don't have to feel bad about asking me or putting me on the spot. I would say this question is hardly the toughest question I've been asked. And I'm certain it won't be the most controversial answer that I will give on this thread.
"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp