My thoughts on Ironman’s new Champions Program
Ironman is launching the new Ironman Champions Program. And I tweeted about it earlier today saying:
First of the AGs (age groupers) are the foundation, heart and soul, and source of our sport- triathlon. We were all AGs at some point even if we’re pros now. I have no problem with AG racing I think its great and I’d love to see it grow exponentially from where it is now.
My problem and what I eluded to in my tweet are two basic ideas. However, first let me explain the IM Champions Program. Basically it is the same type of thing as the Rainbow Jersey in cycling. A way to signify the reigning and past world champions. Some athletes have tried to adopt the rainbow jersey idea in triathlon in the past the the UCI (cycling governing body) got a bit pissed in a few cases, threatening lawsuits and all that fun stuff. So, Ironman has tweaked it a bit. The Ironman idea will be to give the reigning Ironman World Champions permission to wear a gold “m-dot” logo on their uniform signifying they are the current IM World Champions. The past champions can have a white “m-dot” and if you have won numerous times you are allowed that number of stars worked into the “m-dot” logo. So, basically it is kind of the rainbow jersey idea mixed with what soccer teams do for the World Cup i.e. the stars. For example Brazil’s World Cup uniform has 5 stars above the National emblem since they’ve won the World Cup 5 times. So, that’s the basic idea.
Now, to my issues:
- First; in my mind there are two world champions at Kona each year, one male and one female. That’s it, it doesn’t matter if you are pro or not. Fastest time wins the World Champs. To win your AG at Kona does not make you a world champion. Ironman wants to allow the AGs who won their age group to wear the new World Champion symbol as well as the true World Champions.
I believe this dilutes the whole purpose of creating this symbol of a champion in the first place. Rather then very few athletes with this privilege now you have literally hundreds of people running around with this logo/symbol and, bam, its lost all significance. Thus I don’t think the champions symbol should be offered to AG winners as well.
(yes it would be hundreds, since you have at least 20 division winners each year and most of those will compete for numerous years)
- Second, and actually more of an extension of the first point is; I have never like this YMCA youth soccer idea of “everyone’s a winner”. Everyone is not a winner. There are only two WINNERS. If an AG is driven by this idea of winning then they need to focus on upgrading to pro and race for the overall WIN. Otherwise you need to accept your place and your roll. Yes your very good compared to your peers but most likely you’re not very competitive against everyone. AND THAT IS OK! There are myriad reasons to compete in Ironman beyond trying to win. But the true winners do deserve the acknowledgment that they are indeed the BEST not justification from to a bunch of other guys deluding themselves into thinking they are somehow on the same plain by wearing the same champion’s logo.
Now I have to admit some of that is personal, particularly with coaches and “elite amateurs” who advertise themselves as “world champions” or winners of such and such a race and just ignore the entire pro field or the fact the they only “won” their AG. I’ve not had the best past few years of racing, but it’s pretty annoying when you’re 10th or something and you got some guy offering to coach you because he “won”, although he was at least 20 minutes behind. Or you see “world champion” on a web page, tweet, blog, etc. Come on keep it in perspective and be honest to clients, sponsors, and the world in general.
But anyway, that’s my rant.
So to review. No problem with AG racing, its all good bring your friends. Only two real winners in any race 1 male 1 female. Ironman should not offer AGs the Champions program. The very very very small minority of deluded “elite” AGs need to chill the hell out.
More to come...
Jimmy
"Cool idea, not sure about including ag, Only 2 WCs any year 1M 1F -@IronmanTri announce the Champions Jersey Program."I’ve got some static in the past over comments like this. Some people seem to think I’m an anti-Age Group racing, elitist, snob pro. Well I’m not. But I do have some opinions on the matter, so here goes.
First of the AGs (age groupers) are the foundation, heart and soul, and source of our sport- triathlon. We were all AGs at some point even if we’re pros now. I have no problem with AG racing I think its great and I’d love to see it grow exponentially from where it is now.
My problem and what I eluded to in my tweet are two basic ideas. However, first let me explain the IM Champions Program. Basically it is the same type of thing as the Rainbow Jersey in cycling. A way to signify the reigning and past world champions. Some athletes have tried to adopt the rainbow jersey idea in triathlon in the past the the UCI (cycling governing body) got a bit pissed in a few cases, threatening lawsuits and all that fun stuff. So, Ironman has tweaked it a bit. The Ironman idea will be to give the reigning Ironman World Champions permission to wear a gold “m-dot” logo on their uniform signifying they are the current IM World Champions. The past champions can have a white “m-dot” and if you have won numerous times you are allowed that number of stars worked into the “m-dot” logo. So, basically it is kind of the rainbow jersey idea mixed with what soccer teams do for the World Cup i.e. the stars. For example Brazil’s World Cup uniform has 5 stars above the National emblem since they’ve won the World Cup 5 times. So, that’s the basic idea.
Now, to my issues:
- First; in my mind there are two world champions at Kona each year, one male and one female. That’s it, it doesn’t matter if you are pro or not. Fastest time wins the World Champs. To win your AG at Kona does not make you a world champion. Ironman wants to allow the AGs who won their age group to wear the new World Champion symbol as well as the true World Champions.
I believe this dilutes the whole purpose of creating this symbol of a champion in the first place. Rather then very few athletes with this privilege now you have literally hundreds of people running around with this logo/symbol and, bam, its lost all significance. Thus I don’t think the champions symbol should be offered to AG winners as well.
(yes it would be hundreds, since you have at least 20 division winners each year and most of those will compete for numerous years)
- Second, and actually more of an extension of the first point is; I have never like this YMCA youth soccer idea of “everyone’s a winner”. Everyone is not a winner. There are only two WINNERS. If an AG is driven by this idea of winning then they need to focus on upgrading to pro and race for the overall WIN. Otherwise you need to accept your place and your roll. Yes your very good compared to your peers but most likely you’re not very competitive against everyone. AND THAT IS OK! There are myriad reasons to compete in Ironman beyond trying to win. But the true winners do deserve the acknowledgment that they are indeed the BEST not justification from to a bunch of other guys deluding themselves into thinking they are somehow on the same plain by wearing the same champion’s logo.
Now I have to admit some of that is personal, particularly with coaches and “elite amateurs” who advertise themselves as “world champions” or winners of such and such a race and just ignore the entire pro field or the fact the they only “won” their AG. I’ve not had the best past few years of racing, but it’s pretty annoying when you’re 10th or something and you got some guy offering to coach you because he “won”, although he was at least 20 minutes behind. Or you see “world champion” on a web page, tweet, blog, etc. Come on keep it in perspective and be honest to clients, sponsors, and the world in general.
But anyway, that’s my rant.
So to review. No problem with AG racing, its all good bring your friends. Only two real winners in any race 1 male 1 female. Ironman should not offer AGs the Champions program. The very very very small minority of deluded “elite” AGs need to chill the hell out.
More to come...
Jimmy
2 comments:
yep makes sense to me!
WC should be the best! not the best not to be a pro and over 35 ext
Agreed. I could see doing something to highlight AGs but I don’t think it should be the same thing they do to highlight the pro champions. Had some interesting talks with Paula Newby Frasier and others last night about it.
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