Sympathy For Aggressor, None For Victim

High school track star hit on back of head twice by a relay runner she had passed. Some on X show sympathy for the victim, as expected in a civilized nation. But many claim the victim was exaggerating – “flopping.” They pointed out that the baton is aluminum and hollow, too light to be a deadly weapon. Oh wait, is that the standard now in track? You can use a weapon, just not a deadly one?

What is going on here?

• People spewed similar baloney about Caitlin Clark. After a collision with a defender, the basketball star grabbed her ear, fell to floor. No foul was called. The commentator “didn’t see contact.” But blood in her ear canal was clearly visible, if anyone – a coach, trainer, referee, or doctor – had bothered to look.

If we could see blood on the video, they surely could see it in person.  Clark had a ruptured eardrum. But she was accused of “flopping.” No concussion protocol was followed. There was no sympathy for the athlete.

• In the case of the relay runner, yes, the baton is light, but it acts as a kubotan, a short stick that aids in punching. It is illegal in California and elsewhere. Even in boxing or MMA, a blow to back of head would get a penalty, possibly a disqualification (DQ). But in track? Are you joking?

Blows to the back of the head or neck are called “rabbit punches.” Such punches are used to kill rabbits without damaging the fur. If you think this is an appropriate tool in sports, especially in women’s track, you need serious help.

There should have been an immediate DQ, a lifetime ban, expulsion from school, and criminal charges of aggravated assault. Civilized people do not need prompting to show sympathy for those who deserve it, but none for those who do not. Civilized people do not allow violence that is forbidden in professional hockey in girls’ high school track. We used to be civilized people. What happened?

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