Men’s 100 Meter Dash

  • 75 entrants
  • More than 40 countries represented
  • 8 men in the finals
  • Of more than 40 countries entered, only 4 are represented in the finals
  • Of the finalists, all 8 are black
  • You have to go back to 1980 to find a Gold Medalist that is white

Is this an example of bias?

6 responses to “Men’s 100 Meter Dash

  1. Direct bias? Probably not. Culture? Yep. The vast, vast bulk of swimmers, gymnasts, cyclists, and horse people are white. Probably not due to direct bias either.

    What’s your point?

    • Direct bias? Probably not. Culture? Yep.

      I’ve thought that too.

      Though it’s remarkable that Jamaica has 3 finalists. A nation of what, 3 million?

      The vast, vast bulk of swimmers, gymnasts, cyclists, and horse people are white. Probably not due to direct bias either.

      Don’t forget hockey and tennis.

      What’s your point?

      I’ve just wondered for a long time if our society is such that certain groups of people see athletics as “a” or perhaps the only, way out. Both of my parents in sometimes subtle and other times not so subtle ways, discouraged athletics. But the expectations of academics was clear; college was never really a choice or an option. It was as natural for me to go to school as for me to have lunch between breakfast and dinner. Not one time ever did I consider not going to college.

      So if there is bias, what bias must exist such that sprinters come from the US and Jamaica but distance runners come from Kenya? Why would that be?

      All just very interesting to think through.

      • “I’ve just wondered for a long time if our society is such that certain groups of people see athletics as “a” or perhaps the only, way out.”

        For many, it’s probably not just “seen” that way, it may well be true, or darn near true. I suspect that being a great long-distance runner is a more plausible path to riches & comfort than going to college in some countries, if you’re living in some isolated area that happens to have produced a few marathoners. And you have a better chance of betterment through education here in the US, but we’ve been increasing the price of education, and our social mobility is weaker than in almost any other wealthy country. So it wouldn’t be a shock to see social & individual effort to emphasize athletics in areas with low mobility.

        Don’t see how bias factors into this discussion, personally. It’s culture, it’s expectations, it’s what’s available.

        • I suspect that being a great long-distance runner is a more plausible path to riches & comfort than going to college in some countries, if you’re living in some isolated area that happens to have produced a few marathoners.

          But what is it about Kenya that makes great long distance runners? Same question for Jamaican sprinters.

          but we’ve been increasing the price of education, and our social mobility is weaker than in almost any other wealthy country. So it wouldn’t be a shock to see social & individual effort to emphasize athletics in areas with low mobility.

          Right. But why are all the 8 finalists black? Why wouldn’t weak social mobility create the same incentive for fast white people?

          Don’t see how bias factors into this discussion, personally.

          Well, remember, the subject is that all 8 finalists are black. Are we steering young black people into athletics? Or away from education?

          It’s culture

          Careful 😉

          Romney said the same thing and it didn’t play well.

  2. Well, remember, the subject is that all 8 finalists are black. Are we steering young black people into athletics? Or away from education?

    You may want to account for the fact that 4 of those athletes come from countries that are 90% black. I suspect that in those countries the vast majority of college graduates are also black. That’s not to say your entire point falls apart, but it’s a significant alternative cause when you start talking absolute numbers.

    • You may want to account for the fact that 4 of those athletes come from countries that are 90% black.

      Good point. However, I think that point would be stronger if representation in the finals were evenly distributed across countries.

      I suspect that in those countries the vast majority of college graduates are also black.

      Again true, but I doubt that 2/8’s of the world’s most gifted academics would be from Jamaica.

      but it’s a significant alternative cause when you start talking absolute numbers.

      Black or white aside, Jamaica is a nation of only 3 million people. And they have sprinters all over the Olympics.

Leave a Reply to reflectionephemeral Cancel reply