If they train as hard, shouldn't a true distance runner be given the opportunity to use their strengths to drop a true middle-distance runner before it's time to kick?

如果他们训练的强度够大，当比赛开始前难道不是一个真正的长跑运动员通过给予的机会并利用自己的优势赢了一个真正的中长跑选手？

youdao

(in football, hockey, etc) kick or hit (the ball) from the side towards the middle of the pitch.

(足球、曲棍球等)将(球)传到球场的中央。

youdao

Students in dormitories are often astonished middle of the night, but also with their feet to kick bed board, and sometimes lasted until dawn.

宿舍有个同学三更半夜经常惊叫，还会用脚去踹床板，有时候甚至一直持续到天亮。

youdao

He could kick the ball to the left, the middle, or the right.

他可以选择左路,中路,右路

耶鲁公开课 - 博弈论课程节选

Portsmouth had a penalty and the guy who was going to take the penalty came up to kick the penalty and he kicked it to the middle and it was saved.

朴茨茅斯获得一个点球,主罚点球的球员站在球门前,一脚把球射向中路,门将扑救成功

耶鲁公开课 - 博弈论课程节选

Tevez was made to wait by some unnecessary jostling on the edge of the box, but he his nerve held to dispatch the spot-kick down the middle of the goal.

BBC: Man City 4-3 Sunderland

Ballack drilled the spot kick straight down the middle after Douglas committed himself early.

BBC: Germany 2-1 Scotland

George Skivington charged through the middle of the Quins defence following a tap kick, then chipped the ball forward towards Strettle, who should have dealt with it.

BBC: Harlequins 20-21 Wasps