Amy Coney Barrett Refuses to Say Whether It's Possible to PR in a Virtual Race
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Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s nominee to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court, refused Wednesday to say whether she believed a best-ever time run during a virtual race should count as a personal record.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., raised the hot-button topic during the third day of confirmation hearings for Judge Barrett before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The issue has roiled the running community this year, as the coronavirus pandemic has forced thousands to “race” alone and on unofficial, uncertified courses.
On Wednesday, it prompted this testy exchange:
Booker: “Judge Barrett, due to the pandemic—or, should I say, the gross mishandling of the pandemic by this administration—most road races since spring, including major marathons, have been canceled, and replaced with so-called ‘virtual races.’ Do you believe that times run in such virtual events should qualify as PRs? As personal records?”
Barrett: “Senator, I’m not prepared today to weigh in on such a controversial matter of debate, or to take a stance on something like that.”
Booker: “In your opinion, judge, what is the controversy here? It’s either a PR or it isn’t, right?”
Barrett: “Senator, I’m—”
Booker: “Is it a PR? Yes or no.”
Barrett: “I… Umm…”
Booker: “Yes or no, judge. It’s a simple question.”
Barrett: “It is my understanding, senator, that the question is in fact a source of some contention.”
Booker: “And you have no opinion on it? At all?”
Barrett: “Senator, I’m not a race director.”
Booker: “So there we are. The nominee refuses to answer the question. Thank you, Judge Barrett.”
Given the Republican majority in the Senate, Judge Barrett is all but assured to be confirmed as the next Supreme Court Justice.
Sources close to Senator Booker would not say whether he planned to revisit the topic with Judge Barrett, or whether he might try to suss out her position on Nike’s Alphafly Next% shoes.
