Track and Field alt-history stuff

Surprised there's no thread about this already. Basis of this thread is to discuss track/field alt-history. Some beginning ideas I had in mind to start off discussion were things like:
- What if events like the mile/1600 and 2 mile/3200 were run at the professional level in events like the olympics? Would records be lower? Who would be running them.
- What if [athlete] had decided to compete in a different primary event than OTL, such as Michael Norman in the mile/1500 or Bob Hayes in the 800?

But yeah, unusual topic, so I guess i'll see if this gains any interest and I might try a TL based around some stuff like this. I probably will even if it doesn't gain any interest.
 
I think an earlier allowance of professionalization in the sport. It would allow athletes to compete for longer and without the distraction of needing to get "real jobs." Edwin Moses actually worked as an engineer for General Dynamics early in his career before turning to running fulltime in part due to reforms he fought for.
 
I think an earlier allowance of professionalization in the sport. It would allow athletes to compete for longer and without the distraction of needing to get "real jobs." Edwin Moses actually worked as an engineer for General Dynamics early in his career before turning to running fulltime in part due to reforms he fought for.
That would definitely be interesting. Runners like Gunder Hagg and Arne Andersson should have been allowed to compete at the levels they wanted to, instead of being banned from most worldwide competitions due to them being professionals.
 
Top