Comparing Track and Field’s All-Time Greats Debated as Futile Amidst Evolving Eras
The article argues that debating the greatest track and field athletes of all time is a futile endeavor due to significant differences in eras. It highlights Josh Kerr's recent world record in the mile, surpassing Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old record.…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 8, 2026 —
The long-standing debate over who stands as the greatest track and field athlete of all time faces significant challenges, largely attributed to the vast differences across historical eras, according to recent analysis.
This perspective is underscored by contemporary achievements, such as Josh Kerr’s recent shattering of the world record in the mile. Kerr’s performance surpassed the previous record held by Hicham El Guerrouj, a mark that had stood for 27 years.
However, direct comparisons between athletes like Kerr and legendary figures from earlier periods, including Roger Bannister and Jim Ryun, are increasingly being viewed as problematic. The article points to a confluence of factors that have fundamentally altered the landscape of track and field performance.
Key advancements include the evolution of track surfaces, which have become significantly faster and more forgiving than those used in previous decades. Training methodologies have also undergone substantial transformation, incorporating more sophisticated scientific approaches to athlete development. Furthermore, the advent of pacing technology has provided athletes with more precise control over their race strategy.
Perhaps the most impactful development highlighted is the emergence of specialized footwear, particularly “super shoes” equipped with carbon fiber plates. These technological innovations in footwear have demonstrably enhanced running economy and speed, leading to a dramatic shift in achievable performance standards over time.
Given these substantial disparities in equipment, training, and technology, the article contends that making direct, cross-era comparisons of athletic prowess is inherently flawed. The modern advantages available to today’s athletes render a definitive ranking of the greatest of all time a complex, if not impossible, undertaking.
Story summarized from the original created by Doug Robinson on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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