T&FN commits unpardonable sin

[gh]

came in this morning to find a voicemail from a distraught subscriber who is seriously considering never buying the magazine ever again: the cover of the latest issue calls Radcliffe's London run a "world record" when everybody knows that because of the course differences there is no such thing as a world record in the marathon and we should have called it a "course record."

Alrighty, then!

[Guest]

well, if I could run 2:15, I'd be very very happy...

of course, it's 800 meters I talking about right now.

[oldvaulter]

How about "best ever" instead of "world record"? A broader, more appropriate, term than mere "course record" which is true but doesn't begin to convey the significance of Paula's achievement.

[Guest]

I thought the term "world best" was generally accepted...

[Guest]

Bottom line is that the IAAF will vote (and surely accept) on ratifying "official world records" in the road events this summer. TFNews was obviously just way ahead of the curve. That's why we subscribe, right?

[BisonHurdler]

>I thought the term "world best" was generally
>accepted...




You are 100% correct, that is what should've been used.

[JohnGa]

I thouht world best was just for that year though, but I'm not too sure.

[BisonHurdler]

>I thouht world best was just for that year
>though, but I'm not too sure.



Nah, "world best" has traditionally been used for events that are not officially ratified by the IAAF for WR's.


"World best" = "World record for non-ratifiable events"

[magpie]

>I thouht world best was just for that year
>though, but I'm not too sure.

'world leader'?

[gh]

T&FN, marching as always to a superior drummer than that of the various governing bodies (insert smiley here), has for decades referred to the best marathon as a World Record: why demean the best effort known?

As 45rpm noted earlier, IAAF finally agrees with us and will make the change in vocabulary this summer.

[oldvaulter]

>T&FN, marching as always to a superior drummer...

True without the caveat of the "smiley". BTW, the new issue with the Paula cover is great, "World Record" and all. Loved the headline and Allyson photo on the Mt. Sac Relays report, Deena centerfold, etc..