Peter Elliott,1500m Gold ,1990 Commonwealth Games(HQ)

[knightsxc06]

I'm American, so correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't Britain currently have a sub 3:50 miler in the form of Andrew Baddeley ? He certainly has the speed- if he can put it together tactically in the big races (a la Jenny Simpson at the world champs 1,500 meters =) ,) then Britain could score a middle distance medal at the olympiad next year.

[scotjack]

Why are there no world class middle distance runners in Britain now?

[ARRISIPPY]

@scotjack Some kind of cycle? Had some good ones in the early mid fities and again in the late 70's and through the 80's,so in theory we're due for another batch! But I won't be holding my breath....

[yortzandat]

@scotjack Good question. I put it down to that most serious runners with a bit of talent tend to come from a good background and focus mainly on their studies and career first, then think about training. Also British runners at the top of their game only like to train in a small group that they know they will never be beaten The Africans on the other hand are all skint so they do everything in the power in order to run their way out of poverty.

[AlanBurtonSinger]

@scotjack Same reason we have an obesity epidemic: A whole generation of sedentary kids eating processed junk in front of computer screens. Kids bodies developed differently in the old days when they walked, cycled and ran more, and played outside far more. I went to my local park on a sunny weekend afternoon recently and there were NO kids playing there. That would NEVER have happend during my childhood (I'm 36). It's no surprise we struggle to match the talent of 20-30 years ago.

[scotjack]

@AlanBurtonSinger I think you are probably right. When I was a teenager (nearly 50 years ago) we would start a game of "football" every Sunday morning at "The Park." That game would usually last 5 or 6 hours! Players would come and go, and we would reshuffle those present often to keep the teams balanced. Like your park, that park is also deserted these days. Sad very sad

[seanofafrica]

@scotjack Running shoes, is why. The runners are all injured because running shoes are ****. That's why the Africans have continued to improve. They have spent years running barefoot, which 'makes' the body's biomechanics work efficiently. This is why over the next few years you will see a huge upsurge in flat, 'minimalist' running shoes.

[Shrubb1879]

Top runner, our last middle distance man who could compete at world level. A lot better than anyone Britain has now.

[musik102]

Great stuff! I loved Elliott. Those were the days.