Netters
David wrote:
> given that Michael has no intention of
> competing in the US Championships. Anyone have any insight in to how this
> might go? As a fan of the sport who has seen my fair share of US
> Championships and Olympic trials in the last 15 years I think not allowing
> him to run would be insane. I have previously stated I think the whole set up
> at the World Championships (3 per country limits) is totally flawed. I was
> glad to see the IAAF step in and grant exemptions to previous champions and
> would be consider it incredibly stupid for USATF to not let Michael run.
David and others of like mind,
Ed is right about this being a double edged sword but let me give you my
view of this as an athlete and a fan. As a fan I think it sounds ok to me. But
As an athlete who has to post a qualifying time to get into Nationals, and
who has to reach the "A" standard and make the team through "trial by fire."
I hate it. I hate the idea that some athletes are "more equal than others." I
hate the idea that we try to promote the sport through "stars" and often
ignore individuals who are up and coming. I hated the idea that someone
convinced JJK to come out of retirement and long-jump for pure promotion
(and that was all that was). To me it is nothing but pure incompetence and
lack of imagination that leads us to having to promote the sport with, pardon
the expression, "tired old stars."
On another note Johnson is in his last year and is looking to get in the lime-
light the easy way. I do not believe at all that he has any care for the sport
of track and field considering his comments in Sydney where he managed to
alienate him self from the majority of the U.S. team when he seriously
suggested that field events and distance races should be removed. he would
have included the walks but he didn't know they were and event.
Incidentally, I have been involved with this issue before, in part the decision
to not let Mary Slaney in 98 was made when a walker, who did not have the
standard but was close (slaney had no mark) was denied entry (tough it
could have been allowed under the rules). These rules on entry are clear and
need to be evenly applied.
