Imagine that there were
no weight classes in boxing, weightlifting and
wrestling. Who would compete? Certainly not the lighter athletes, no
matter how good they may be. Not even the not-so-light. They would be
events solely for heavyweights.
Unimaginable, you might
say. Yet there are sporting events where that principle is not only
imaginable but the rule, particularly in athletics (track and field).
Take the high jump, for example. If you are not built like a
beanpole, you are best advised to try something else, regardless of
your talent and ability.
So here is how I would
change the rules. Clear your own height and you get say
ten points, with an additional point
for every centimetre above that level and
minus one for every centimetre below. The competitor with most
points, wins.
Everyone would then be
competing on equal terms. OK, if you are very heavily built you are
still not likely to jump high, but there can hardly be any
legislation for that, just as the very slightly built are not likely
to make good shot putters or discus throwers. But those events could
nevertheless be divided into weight classes, if not as many as in
weightlifting, for instance.
Basketball
is another sport dominated by players who tower over most of us. Why,
in New Zealand, famed for its rugby team – the All Blacks, the
national basketall team is known as the Tall Blacks. So what about
all those who can't stretch up and dunk the ball in the basket? Yes,
I know there may be one or two shorter players in a side, but a team
entirely without its giants would stand little chance against the
others, certainly at elite level. So I would have a seperate class
for those below a certain height. And the same principle would apply
to any other sport where height or weight give a decisive advantage.
Don't you
agree?