Missing in inaction

[carterhatch]

I said I would be asking for information on various MIA over the coming weekend. I do not have 'social media' beyond a 25 year old email so I hope someone far more adept might trawl the 'net and perhaps find out why so-and-so is not present.

First on my radar. or lack of, Sam Talbot, anyone know why he is not on the start list for Decathlon, he had made a promising return in recent weeks... injury, illness, might instagram tell someone ?

[marra]

There's a Sam Talbot in the 110m just there...Not sure if it is the same one.

[Occasional Hope]

He's probably thinking he's not making any teams this year so go back and regroup before doing another gruelling decathlon.

[jjimbojames]

It was indeed the same Sam! He is fit and healthy for the first time in ages, but just individual events for rest of season now

[carterhatch]

Well, we can account for Sam Talbot, he ran the 110 h... i am sure it is the same one [he of the great multi events potential] ...

I note on another htread, that Desiree Henry seems absent ... I do hope its not another injury. any social media sleuths?

[trickstat]

I was wondering about her as well earlier but forgot to post.

[Ladyloz]

A general point I would make about Social Media is that athletes are I guess no different from Joe/Jill public. Yes you get some who post incessantly on Social Media seemingly without filter (hey Sha'Carri) but many others are quite selective about what and when they post. I guess athletes don't always want to post blow by blow accounts of injuries which I understand and a lack of posting can often suggest something may be amiss.

But general rule is don't expect Social Media to provide many answers.

As for Desiree, her most recent posts on Instagram and Twitter are from earlier this week on her Commonwealth Games selection.

[carterhatch]

thanks ladyloz for the tempering of my social media sleuthing solution to all things MIA [as mentioned I am pre-mandatory device in hand so know nowt] but your snippet on the absence of Ms. Henry, makes the mystery deepen [I hadn't clocked that she was selected for CGs, though very pleased] ...

[Occasional Hope]

Desiree is named in the 4x1 relay squad. She's some way off world or Euro standard in the 200, a full second outside her pb, and no. 17 in the UK rankings so she may see no benefit to her in competing today.

[Christy93]

A general point I would make about Social Media is that athletes are I guess no different from Joe/Jill public. Yes you get some who post incessantly on Social Media seemingly without filter (hey Sha'Carri) but many others are quite selective about what and when they post. I guess athletes don't always want to post blow by blow accounts of injuries which I understand and a lack of posting can often suggest something may be amiss.

But general rule is don't expect Social Media to provide many answers.

As for Desiree, her most recent posts on Instagram and Twitter are from earlier this week on her Commonwealth Games selection.

I get this, but I really think lottery funded athletes have a responsibility to be a little more open than some are when injured. Whilst I would never expect it from an athlete, Adam Peaty has pretty much been documenting every step of his recovery and it has been so refreshing - He really kept followers up to date on his injury and progress.

[drobbie]

ive found out a lot more about naomi emersons house renovations than i ever did about her injury on instagram

[marilyn1]

This generation with the slightest claim to prominence in sport feel its essential that the outside world follows their every thought and opinion on matters both connected and unconnected with themselves and the sport.How did we all manage before Twitter, facebook and Instagram. All these sites really say is look at me I'm really significant.

[justrunfast]

This generation with the slightest claim to prominence in sport feel its essential that the outside world follows their every thought and opinion on matters both connected and unconnected with themselves and the sport.How did we all manage before Twitter, facebook and Instagram. All these sites really say is look at me I'm really significant.

No it doesn't say look at me im really significant... it is essential, how do you think athletes make money????

Believe it or not an athlete showing interests unconnected to their sport is how sponsors outside of sporting brands get in touch with them... WE did manage before social media athletes did not

[trickstat]

Also their social media might also be used to keep in touch with family, friends, old school-mates etc.

[Ursus]

Social media is definitely divisive. I’m not going to wade into that particular argument, suffice to say some use it very positively while others very don’t…..athletes and the rest of the human race alike.

But without it we’d never have known that Gemini’s “whole body fully cramped” during warm up for his 200m final. Not quite sure what that means / how it could happen, but that’s what he’s saying.

[Sprintfan]

Caught a video on Instagram of Charlie Dobson. Back in training. Followed up a couple of his videos and he has to my opinion an awesomely powerful running action. Huge stride. Upright and so styish. Keep fit Charlie let's see you in some action thru the rest of the year

[marilyn1]

No it doesn't say look at me im really significant... it is essential, how do you think athletes make money????

Believe it or not an athlete showing interests unconnected to their sport is how sponsors outside of sporting brands get in touch with them... WE did manage before social media athletes did not

How the heck did our athletes live and make enough to eat etc twenty years ago ,pre Instagram, facebook and other money making nonsense perpetrated by Americans. They did, even before finding of todays non special athletes. This obsession with self publicity and brand recognition cuts no ice for me. Previous generations of athletes rose through the ranks to.prominence without todays so called social media benefits. Personally I have no wish to hear athletes pontificating about their views on issues of the day, or eve n relevant issues of their sport.

[justrunfast]

How the heck did our athletes live and make enough to eat etc twenty years ago ,pre Instagram, facebook and other money making nonsense perpetrated by Americans. They did, even before finding of todays non special athletes. This obsession with self publicity and brand recognition cuts no ice for me. Previous generations of athletes rose through the ranks to.prominence without todays so called social media benefits. Personally I have no wish to hear athletes pontificating about their views on issues of the day, or eve n relevant issues of their sport.

Your personal opinion is irrelevant the fact of the matter is there is less money in athletics than twenty years ago. Athletes not having a voice leads to crap field event rules in the diamond league that were scrapped.

The winner of the world championships gets the around the same amount as the winners in 2001. Twenty years ago your average athlete could race around Europe and make a living. How do I know? because I did it.There is less money in the sport, less meets and less shoe contracts floating around. Can't just want athletes to shut up and race when there is no races.

People need to stop acting like athletes are absolutely raking it in. Outside of those on funding 99% of athletes work.

[Ladyloz]

Even for those athletes on funding the maximum you can earn is £28,000, hardly a fortune. And plenty will be on less. And any that do earn decent money from sponsorship will be means tested off funding anyway.

I never understand any griping about athletes earning money wherever they can, including Social Media where relevant. It's a short career so take the money and run so to speak.

Lots of rumours about Abby Steiner's Puma contract. I take any figures rumoured with a pinch of salt but if it's good money then good luck to her. It's a fiickle business and companies are quick to pull the plug for various reasons. Look at how Alyson Felix got treated by Nike when she got pregnant after everything she's achieved.

[marilyn1]

Your personal opinion is irrelevant the fact of the matter is there is less money in athletics than twenty years ago. Athletes not having a voice leads to crap field event rules in the diamond league that were scrapped.

The winner of the world championships gets the around the same amount as the winners in 2001. Twenty years ago your average athlete could race around Europe and make a living. How do I know? because I did it.There is less money in the sport, less meets and less shoe contracts floating around. Can't just want athletes to shut up and race when there is no races.

People need to stop acting like athletes are absolutely raking it in. Outside of those on funding 99% of athletes work.

And why not work. Elliot did and he was an Olympic medallist. Where your 99 per cent come from, by the way you met and talked to a hello of a lot of athletes. Where did I say that athletes are taking it in. Nowhere. Stop talking nonsense.

[Sprintfan]

Athletes are as far as I can see rare elatively poorly paid compared to other sports. So Marilyn1. Just let them do what they can to earn what they can. You can choose to not view their pictures and stories. You're probably just perving over the women's pictures anyway.

[MysteryBrick]

They should work, but only in manners marilyn approves of.

[trickstat]

A name that has just occurred to me is Revee Walcott-Nolan. I have now realised that she DNF'd in Ostrava so I assume she must still be injured.

[MysteryBrick]

Had long COVID - on the recovery train now.

[Loop-guru]

Ed Faulds and Jodie Williams set to run at Birmingham tomorrow.

[Occasional Hope]

Hope to see them both in good health.

[Sovietvest]

And why not work. Elliot did and he was an Olympic medallist. Where your 99 per cent come from, by the way you met and talked to a hello of a lot of athletes. Where did I say that athletes are taking it in. Nowhere. Stop talking nonsense.

Elliott perfectly illustrates the difference between the 80s and now. He was a nationally known sportsman despite rarely being the best 800 or 1500m runner in the country because the press and tv covered athletics so prominently. Everyone knew his story. He worked because he chose to. He could easily have lived off his athletics earnings. That said, his best years came AFTER he became a full-time athlete.