dwade wrote:
You don't realize just how dangerous this event can be and is. Much trainning goes into the event and even those at the elite levels must take precautions in participating in this event. A lot of preperation and planning goes into an event like this and, as was seen in Barnsburn, high school athletes are not ready for an event like this on a weekly basis. Many high schools around the country have seriously discussed implementing this event into their meets but it always comes back to this question on safety and generally agree that it is not worth the risk to the athletes health over the course of a track season. So before you dismiss the safety of the student athletes, maybe you should do some research on the topic and understand that it is a realistic risk that simply cannot be ignored. Ignorance is the cause of many problems in this country, hopefully not more to come. WAKE UP People!
I have 5 years of first-hand personal experience in running the steeplechase so I think you could say I 'understand' the topic. Yes it has risks, but doesn't every event? Look at the javelin, or pole vault, aren't those dangerous too? Even outside of track, would you say football is less dangerous than the steeplechase? Basically every city in North Dakota has 5th grade football, but you say that the steeplechase for high school athletes is too dangerous? Spare me. It all comes down to the responsibility of the coaches being able to educate the athletes on proper technique, if this is done it could be a successful high school event.