This is my daily chat with #RunBlogRun viewers, and tracks fans on all things track & field!
This is Monday, May 29, 2023, and this is Coffee with Larry.
Our topics;
1. The LA Grand Prix is hugely important as the US builds up to the LA 2028 Olympics.
2. The success of USATF communications in bringing in nontraditional coverage of track and field is highly important.
3. At the same time, it sure would be nice that USATF might recognize media groups paying their own way who have covered this sport for decades, with little help from the federation.
4. We have incredible stories in our sport, the athletes are all stories within their cultures, and we need to build those stories and tell the stories of the sport each and every day.
5. If NBC wants to build its audience, it might be good to speak to those in the trenches, day in and day out. Cutting out an event like the Men’s 800m does not make sense as NBC needs to keep traditional viewers and bring in new generations of viewership for sports to grow. It must be terribly challenging.
6. Track & Field will need to be reinvented at the elite level to grow.
7. NB Outdoors is June 15-18, 2023, www.nbnationals.com
8. Register for the Peachtree road race; just five more days! www.atlantatrackclub.org/Peachtree
9. Witness the wonder! Story 41! https://www.runblogrun.com/…/witness-the-wonder-world…
10. Fibersport USA is our sponsor; please support them and check out their site for your equipment needs, www.fibersportUSA.com
11. A sincere thanks to our fighting men and women who have given their lives to support our freedoms! Think about the reasons for Memorial Day.
12. Femke Bol ran 52.12 for her opener at the 400m hurdles this weekend.
13. Watch for our commentary on the meets in the month of May this week; lots of minutes to absorb.
14. On May 29, 1975, Steve Prefontaine ran his last race, a 5,000m race at Hayward Field, in 13:23.8, defeating Olympic marathon champ Frank Shorter. Steve Prefontaine, who held all ARS from 2000m to 10,000m, died early on the morning of May 30, 1975. I remember the story in the newspaper, and the TV announcement. It struck me hard as a 16-year-old runner. Steve Prefontaine, RIP.