Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Sometimes Good Things Happen

I have just been informed that the WTC has made an ammendment to the 8% rule.
All unearned money will be redistributed to those who finished within the 8%.
The WTC has really stepped up and done the right thing here and should be commended.

To those people who said the pros should just stop complaining and take it - shame on you!
These people had their livelihoods attacked and for some reason many in the sport or on the fringe of the sport, thought it poor form for them to protest this.

I'm proud to have been a part of the movement to correct this ill thought out rule.

The situation is not ideal but this is a great improvement. The situation is still tougher on the entry level athlete, or the age grouper thinking about stepping up but the insentives to improve just got bigger!

10 comments:

Julie said...

I KNEW IT -- same crap as the dollar store franchise -- one moment there is a new rule, the next moment it is gone (in this case amended), when enough people bally-hoo about how stupid it is. Hee-hee!!

I still the think the new rules are STUPID -- both rules, and if it ain't broke don't fix it. We haven't heard the last of these amendments, I am sure.

So, so dumb. It astounds me still.

Well, I'll be one of the bally-hooing voices that won't stop complaining -- you can count on me. (For what it's worth!) Hee-hee!! :)

gnicholson said...

Hey Clint,

How about you stop misquoting me now, both on the Team TBB forum and on ST?

Please re-read my quote and get it straight. You misquote it to make more drama... shameful.

Skippy Two Shoes said...

Greg - I cut and pasted your quote for this blog.
You name was not mentioned on either ST or Team TBB.
On ST I stated that several people had suggested the pros should stop complaining and take it. I believe that understates what you said and others - not makes more drama. I said the same thing on Team TBB.
I certainly wasn't trying to make hay at your expense. As I said - I cut and pasted your quote.

Skippy Two Shoes said...

Again - here is your quote (C&P) from my FB
"The sense of entitlement in triathlon from most AG's and elites (but not all) is ridiculous. STFU and race. If you want to earn money, train harder, or find another job."
Exactly as I put it in the blog. I went to honestly explore the question if they do have a sense of entitlement. Your name was not mentioned again in any of my postings.
On ST I refered to the above attitude along with an STer who posts under De-Tri-mental who stated "Instead of the complaining that they were out of the money said athletes should just take it like professional - train and try harder." Further he stated:
"I am just stunned that some of those professionals actually dared complain about the beating they received. No class."

This almost exactly echos your feeling that the pros should shut up and take it.
I disagreed. I felt the livelhood of the pros was being attacked and they had the right to speak up about it - to complain. Clearly others agreed as the rule was changed.
We disagreed on this issue but I was fair and honest with your statement.
And again - just to be clear - the only place I quoted you was on my blog and the quote was cut and pasted.
I'm sorry you felt attacked. It was not my intent.

Skippy Two Shoes said...

STOP THE PRESSES!!!
I just reread my posts on TBB and YES I did paraphrase you there - though I did not attach your name:
What I wrote:
"I was told by via a comment on my FB that the pros had a sense of entitlement, and they should STFU and train harder."
What you actually said:
The sense of entitlement in triathlon from most AG's and elites (but not all) is ridiculous. STFU and race. If you want to earn money, train harder, or find another job.

I'll stand by that - and again, your name was not mentioned. Was my paraphrase so far off as to increase drama at your expense?
I don't think so but will sincerely apologize if it can be shown to do that.

gnicholson said...

I'll clarify my quote.

Triathletes think they are special, really special, that the world revolves around their tiny little sport. They feel entitled to special treatment. That's why I say "STFU and race." Too much talk, not enough walk. Yes, the irony of this comment is not lost on me. ;-)

"If you want to earn money, train harder, or find another job."
I'm not saying the pro's should "shut up and take it". I'm saying it was fairly easy for a lot of fast ag'ers to race pro in the past and cherry pick a paycheque at races with small fields.

Kudo's to WTC for wanting to improve the quality of the field with the 8% rule, and give MORE money to those who deserve it. (after the amendment today about redistribution of prize funds)

Did you know that LC pro card standards in Canada are 10hrs for men and 10:45 for women? A bit of a joke...

Skippy Two Shoes said...

Thanks for the additional statement Greg. I hope you see that I was not trying to misquote or take advantage.
I always try to hear both sides and give anyone with an opposing view an opportunity to speak.

Skippy Two Shoes said...

And for the record I completely agree - it's too easy to get a pro card AND keep it!

Unknown said...

i sense an opportunity for a job at the WTC - PR DIRECTOR. What a mess.

Skippy Two Shoes said...

Now that IS funny!