The shove seen 'round the track world: Bad sportsmanship, or just good theatre?

First, if we can agree that you can't put your hands on people, on purpose, in anger, after the whistle, in a non-contact sport, then we can also recognize that the only person who crossed a bright red ethical line at the USATF Championships men's 200-metre final was silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, who delivered a two-handed shove to champion Noah Lyles a few strides past the finish line. 

Even if you think Lyles cut Bednarek off in post-race traffic (fact check: he didn't), or that Lyles showboated down the home stretch (reality check: he did, but so what?), it doesn't justify the push. Not among adults paid to settle their differences on the track. If you defend Bednarek's actions on Saturday, you might as well cape up for the Texas Rangers sending Rougned Odor to cold-cock José Bautista back in 2016. Yes, I know the old bromide that Hurt People hurt people, but in the context of pro sports, hurt people also need to grow up. 

But second – I empathize with Bednarek. He dominated the early season, going 6-for-6 in short sprints during the aborted Grand Slam Track season, and nobody outside the track world noticed. This past weekend in Eugene, Ore., he ran a scorching 9.79 seconds to win U.S. trials at 100 metres, and the mainstream sports media didn't care. But on Sunday he shoved Lyles, and landed on ESPN Sportscenter's Instagram feed, then earned a spot on NBC Nightly News.

The message here is both mixed and plainly discouraging:

If you're a world class sprinter in the U.S., there's more publicity in losing your cool than there is in being great at your job. 

As an isolated incident, it's amazing news for the sport's profile in the U.S. Sizzling hot beef between medal contenders in a high-wattage event, and built-in