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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Paula Radcliffe to lose Marathon world record as she was helped along as she ran it with men

104 replies

DrNortherner · 30/09/2011 07:32

sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=trackandfield&id=7009372 The year she set the world record they put a few male pace makers in the woman's race, despite the fact she ran 2.15 (amazing) they are not calling this a world record as she probably would not have achieved this time without the men.

Sexism at it's worst surely?!

OP posts:
Greythorne · 30/09/2011 07:36

Bonkers

LoveBeingAMummyAgain · 30/09/2011 07:41

What?? That's unbelievable

Original poster
DrNortherner · 30/09/2011 07:48

Guardian article here

OP posts:
Meglet · 30/09/2011 07:51

I heard about this and though it can't be true. But it is! Shock Angry

MmeLindor. · 30/09/2011 07:58

That is ridiculous.

She ran the time, what does it matter if there were men in the field?

silverfrog · 30/09/2011 08:00

it is nonsense.

if there is a distinction to be made (ie a record with pacemakers, and a record without pacemakers) then it should be made for both men and women.

of course, that would mean the 4 minute mile would not stand either, so can't see that happening.

but to do anything else is blatant sexism.

karmakameleon · 30/09/2011 08:13

The men's races have male pacemakers though don't they? Does that mean that none of the men's records stand either? Confused

malinois · 30/09/2011 08:25

Whatever you do don't read the comments on the Guardian article, I did by accident and almost had an aneurysm Angry

By the same argument, all juniors and veterans times should be discounted if they ran in a mass start race with seniors - can't see that happening...

RoundOrangeHead · 30/09/2011 08:32

ok, someone explain to me a pacemaker?

RoundOrangeHead · 30/09/2011 08:33

if they set the pace wouldn't they always win Confused

Original poster
DrNortherner · 30/09/2011 08:34

A pacemaker is a person put into a race to make the field faster. They can not run the whole race at that pace, or they would be the world record holder. Some marathons/races use them to guarantee a faster race to attract the elite athletes.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 30/09/2011 08:34

omfg!

Original poster
DrNortherner · 30/09/2011 08:35

Pacemakers are usually paid and they longer they stay in they earn more, they drop our part way through.

OP posts:
theothersparticus · 30/09/2011 09:03

How can this be allowed to go on? Surely her time is her time and whether she ran with men, women or martians shouldn't matter? Like Karmakameleon said, they should strip the men's times as well.

RoundOrangeHead · 30/09/2011 09:08

thanks DrNortherner I had no idea that happened

Hullygully · 30/09/2011 09:20

I can't believe they had the nerve to do it. I really can't.

Hullygully · 30/09/2011 09:21

We really really need a mass protest about this.

The total fucking arsehole wankers.

AitchTwoOh · 30/09/2011 09:25
SoupDragon · 30/09/2011 09:28

WTF?!

MistyB · 30/09/2011 09:36

Wow - sex discrimination case, court of human rights anyone? I'd sign a petition to have the decision reversed.

Thank you for posting that DrNortherner.

It is truly shocking. To quote "she ran on her own legs" and men have these fast pacemakers when they break records.

munstersmum · 30/09/2011 09:38

The whole thing with pacemakers of any gender makes a mockery because it makes it a race where not everyone in it wants to win. In fact some are being paid not to.

IMO the two should be separated out. Races should be races where everyone is out to do their best for the distance. A pacemaker assisted attempt at a record could be a stand alone event. The pacemaker could be anyone, even on a scooter Wink

Original poster
DrNortherner · 30/09/2011 10:02

But regardless of pace makers she ran 2.15 not assisted by drugs. If she was incapable of running this time she wouldn't have done it would she?

It's an utter disgrace imo.

OP posts:
Hullygully · 30/09/2011 10:03

Pacemakers are a pathetic unbelievable excuse.

HedleyLamarr · 30/09/2011 10:08

What the actual Jeff!?!?! Were my eyes deceiving me or did Paula Radcliffe not run the 26 miles and 385 yards using her own legs? What a bag of shite.

munstersmum · 30/09/2011 10:09

Agree she ran the fastest so I would happily say she should hold world record. But gold for a womens marathon race with men in it?