US Olympic Marathon Team may come from Chicago, New York and Boston Marathon?

Trevor, you are wrong.

You are an idiot.

I also happen to hope that Trevor is wrong. However, that does not make him an idiot. If you disagree with his opinion then destroy all that you see as wrong in his message. I actually think that his message may be correct. I just hope that he is wrong.

Silly Kids wrote:

I just hope that he (Trevor) is wrong.

He is.

ray wrote:

Not to get into a pising match with you, but...... the standards for 2008 haven't been announced yet. They could go up or down, we don't know. So the problem hasn't been solved, it was resolved in 2004.

USATF didn't screw anything up in 2000. There were two bids. One from Pittsburgh for the men and one from Columbia for the women. Both had million dollar budgets. Even with hindsight going for you, would you put on your own race to the tune of $2 million dolllars?

I know you probably can't say because of the politics involved, but do you really think they will make the standards tougher again? What's the point? In the Marathon I am sure they want more counties sending more athletes. When will they be announced?

As far as bids go, do the release little feelers before the bids are due (like this one) and then potential bidders either get encouraged or discoured (see: this thread) and that could account for the number of bidder they get?

I am not trying to be a smart ass, I am asking because I don't know and would like to understand the process a bit better.

This thread consists of Miles and Miles, and a few other people posting under annonomous names. Let it die for god sakes.

OH MY GOODNESS wrote:

This thread consists of Miles and Miles, and a few other people posting under annonomous names. Let it die for god sakes.

Dear Mr. Goodness,

I am glad that you were able to call out "anonymous" posters. It was very refreshing to have this done by someone that uses their own name in order to not be a hypocrit.

Sincerely,

Donals Duck

Sorry Miles, I can't say. I am no longer involved in the process.

I know in the past, we didn't get much feedback from races before the bid documents went out. I know Columbia hinted they wanted to do it again in 2000 and I know that New York floated a rumour through Running USA that they would do 2004 but they (NY)never officially bid.

I am not sure when the A standards will be announced for Beijing. Usually 8-12 months out. There is no rhyme nor reason to why they raise and lower the marathon standards. You are right in saying it shouldn't make any difference if there's another 25 or 30 in each race.

Trevor....I can assure you that I never told you to blindly follow anything. When championships were decided under Carol, they were openly discussed and voted on. The only three races that I have lobbied for have been Tufts, Friehofer's and New Haven. I think the reputations of those races speak for themselves, so if you claim I had to twist your arm you must not have much of a background in distance running. If you are referring to any other races I'm calling BS. You can e mail me if you feel the need to explain your accusation.

OH MY GOODNESS wrote: annonomous