Athletes who intentionally don't break records are cowards, amirite?

People will forget that Mulder did this is 5 years. They will forget who Mulder is in 15. People remember records

by Anonymous 1 hour ago

People remember grudges too. And an athlete is there to gather fans and sell merch. That is what separates them from a hobbyist. If leaving the record alone is better for merch sales and fan numbers, then leave the record alone.

by Anonymous 1 hour ago

Aye. I'd lay money Mulder gets more kudos for this than if he had beaten the record, and -as you say - more merch/ jersey sales. Much like a boxer who could have mercilessly knocked out a beaten opponent - people remember the mercy, not what they 'could have done'.

by Anonymous 1 hour ago

My favourite is the pole vaulter who by all accounts could absolutely demolish the record but chooses to do it in small increments so he can receive the bonus for getting the record. That's not cowardice thats is smart

by Anonymous 1 hour ago

Is this actually a common thing in some sports? I only watch hockey and the only example I could think of like this was ovechkin not wanting to break Howes goal record from scoring an empty net. But even then he still did it like that

by Immediate_Amount1229 56 minutes ago

"Cowards" is an awfully strong word. Maybe they just don't want to be the record holder? For whatever reason?

by Anonymous 52 minutes ago

Financial reasons yes, but there's also honoring a respected contributor to the sport that keeps some from doing it. There's examples in American football and Ice Hockey that come to mind immediately. These are not cowards when close to breaking a record and then not- these are honorable men and women with respect for history.

by Anonymous 37 minutes ago

Record isn't something to be worshipped. It's a standard to overcome. This is like saying if somebody gets a chance to score 100+ points in basketball they should respect the record and not do it

by Anonymous 16 minutes ago

Some athletes do it for financial reasons. Many powerlifters for example waited for the Sheffield to fight for world records because there was a higher cash prize at that event than at other meets that season.

by Anonymous 2 minutes ago