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rhb
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I've been meaning to ask, why is elite track running so tactical?
I mean I know each athlete will have different strengths and weaknesses for example Mo and Centrowitz are both considered to have a fast finish so a slow easy race with a sprint finish would suit them. But i expect neither of them would have won a time-trial type event, so why didn't the fastest runner in the field go hard right from the gun? In an Olympic final surely there must be 4 or 5 runners all with a realistic hope of winning on a good day so why don't they go hard from the gun? In the 5k the Ethiopians looked like they might push the race from the start but it was pretty half hearted.
In cycling the answer is the huge impact of aerodynamics and the benefits of drafting... At the speeds the elites run (~23km/h for Mo) there could be some aero benefit to sitting in the group but if it was seriously important they'd all be wearing skinsuits.
Is it all just psychological? Is it misplaced confidence in their own sprinting prowess? Have they already mentally abandoned hope for gold and are conserving every for the minor placings? In the absence of aero benefit surly the runner with the fastest 5kTT should be the victor, but they rarely appear to race like that.