The MT&F Interview: James Barrineau

ANSWER: Competing, especially in an event that requires a large measure of mental concentration and intensity, is an experience that I find missing from other parts of my life. It is extremely satisfying to be able to conjure up these emotions/feelings. I would not call that reliving past glory, because it is not connected to the past. High jumping and masters track and field in general tend to bring people together with a common interest. It is a real bonus when you run into old friends and competitors from my open days. Competition in championships "primes the pump" for the rest of my normal activities. It provides a rush that can be replicated in few places.

I have stopped surprising myself these days. I had had a pretty dismal season up to that point, with only two meets all season, both indoor (NH at 2.00 in a college meet and 1.95 in Reno). I had no expectations, but knew if there was serious competition anything was possible. High jumping is pretty much a mental game. If your mind can connect with the body properly, you can find "the zone." That is exactly what happened that day in Buffalo. I am convinced that great performances are in all of us and all it takes are the proper conditions to make it happen. Buffalo had it all: a great venue, good weather, relaxed atmosphere, family, friends, and all the attention focused on my primary target, the Big D. The focus for me was not a particular height, but keeping the pressure on Dwight. Drawing a position in the jumping order ahead of him was fortunate. Keeping focused, relaxed and hydrated during the long competition was also key. One miss early on could have decided the competition. I count that competition second in intensity to the 1976 Olympic Trials among competitions I've been in. Going back to the first question -- this is what it is all about.

Anything can happen, but I don't see it. The heavens would definitely have to be in perfect alignment for me to crack 2.14. There are simply too few opportunities and too many great jumpers getting older fast. Carlo Thranhardt is my pick to be first. Jacek Wszola may have a shot, but he will have to make steady improvement from his 2.01 in England and do it fast. Then there is always the possibility of someone coming out of left field like Thomas Zacharias did at the 50 age group.

I would not call it "Beamonesqe," but it is significant. I don't think anyone will challenge that record for 8 or 10 years. 2.00 is still a pretty significant jump at 40. It will be very, very tough for ANYBODY at 50.

I had held off committing to Durban until after Boston. I had some very good attempts at 2.05, enough to see some hope. I'm still not confirmed as I need to get out of a military school commitment to make the trip. So Durban and San Jose will probably be it.

The popularity of track and field has become so diluted in recent years that I can't say as there will be an explosion in popularity. The best open competitors will only do masters if there is money. There is no money unless you can dupe some investors into paying the premium on an insurance policy. I'm talking about track and field in general, not the distance running side where races from the mile on up (primarily road) can mean big bucks. The sport from youth through masters needs a boost, but open track and field -- which gets the most visibility -- must be made healthy again. Indoor track has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel in this country. I certainly don't have the answer to the problem, but there should be some smart folks out there who might. Part of the answer will be money. It seems that sports with big money attract big followings.

If he is successful in getting money, it will attract more stars. The stars will do what is necessary to reap the dollars which means more money will be needed for drug testing (year round -- unannounced, as well as at meets). It could also mean the possible exclusion of those who are nowhere near masters world class. Are we prepared to go down that road? I still cannot quite picture a USATF Masters Championships full of Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino types. As mentioned before, the venues for the showcasing of masters track are dwindling quickly. Open track needs attention first in this triage.

See my comments above. It is already there for distance runners. Opportunities may be there, but the money will have to be big. It still hurts a little to know I can never come close to my PR again. I think it hurts the former big stars even more. There is an ego factor at work here. And lets face it, when was the last time you saw a golfer or bowler grab his/her hamstring? Nuff said on that.

Appearance fees and more prize money.

I have a special reverence for the Olympics. We had our shot. I would settle for something on the rest day of the open world championships.

I'm really not familiar enough with the current apparatus to comment.

Personally, that would not benefit me because of my schedule (I don't train most of the time), but it might benefit others.

The ones I most admire are the ones who have had to overcome the most adversity to compete.

Ray Kimble's triple jump from 93. (Kimble is credited with a 54-4 3/4 jump in 1993 at age 40, and had a wind-aided leap that year of 55-8 1/4) The triple is an incredibly pounding event. It puts a 7-foot high jump to shame.

Putting the necessary scrutiny on each and every world record is probably not practical in today's environment. I would venture to say that many performances/records on the books today (mostly open) are tainted to some degree. We do the best we can do with the resources available to ensure fair assessments of records. USATF says it's a record --its a record. Nuff said on THAT one.

No, I have not. Repeating: Bring in the money, the drugs will follow.

By encouraging discourse like this. Maybe someone will hit on a bright idea to help the sport.

It will follow the fortunes of open track. Once again we need to nurture the seed corn first - youth, high school, college, open.