Can European cross country runners still compete with the Africans?
Nowadays it does look as though European male athletes in particular have difficulty competing against African runners. There are a few exceptions, such as Sergiy Lebid (UKR) and Juan Carlos De La Ossa (ESP), who are approaching the level of the Africans, but in general there is no doubt that the Africans are now the best. Every year has seen an increasing distance between African and European runners. There are two possible explanations for this – either Africans are improving a great deal, or the European level has come down. Why has this gap been growing during the last 15 years or so? I don’t think it is due to one specific reason but a variety of factors. Firstly, it’s sociological. To succeed at long distance running is very difficult and requires much sacrifice. African athletes have a background that encourages them to work hard to meet their economic needs. On the other hand, European society, with all its technological and economic advantages, is now not used to sacrifice and
