Webb Officially in Trials 5k

Yeah, sadly though swimming doesn't have it right... they have over 200 people in single events at their trials, when only top 2 make their team.

Cool thing though, all those college kids are stoked to be going to those trials. Alan Webb probably should get in and has the talent to get in... but damn... He's had since January 1, 2011 to run the USA trials A standard... don't you think if he was going to run the 5k at trials... he should have done it by this point? If he is capable of making the Oly team... he has had soooo many weeks of opportunities to run fast 5k's set up all for him.

If someone does get bumped ( i haven't looked at the list i'm just being hypothetical), think of the young guy's dream that you just totally crushed. Alan Webb isn't going to make the team and neither was that kid... but come on... You don't make the OLY team based on PR's from the distant past... you shouldn't make the trials from them either... (and isn't it mildly embarrassing that the AR holder needs a petition to make the games...)

If he was a legit contender... he'd have the mark already...

I don't agree with this decision at all. I don't care what it does for the Trials race. This is a complete slap in the face to all the other guys that ran faster times. It would have been a good race without Webb. The likelihood of these guys running the A standard is not good if one considers nearly every other Trials and US championship race. They have standards for a reason and dozens of other guys were shooting for those standards, and all of a sudden USATF pulls this out of their a$$ and throws the standards out the window. I would like to hear the reasoning behind it. Perhaps it would be wise for me to hold back my fingers and wait for an explanation, but whatever the explanation ends up being it's a complete load of malarkey.

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COMPLETELY AGREE!!!

I remember when Carl Lewis tried to get into the 100 meter in 92 making the same sort of arguments - This decision is completely wrong and a total mockery of the rules!

THIS IS MORALLY and ETHICALLY WRONG!!!!!

He did not qualify for that event, PERIOD!!!! He should only be allowed to run the 1500m which he clearly qualified for with in the stated calendar year time frame! Who the hell do they think they are doing this????? That runner who gets bumped out who did qualify should absolutely take leagal action against USATF and SUE THE HELL OUT OF THEM!

Imagine for example during a World Series baseball game the officials moving the outfield fence in 20 feet because the batter up is popular and a fan favorite??? WTF!!!!!!!!

Or duringa n NBA final all of a sudden saying that if most popular player on the court makes a cool shot, we'll count it as 6 points instead of 2 WTF?????

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

Honestly, I like Allen Webb and respect all of his amazing past achievements in the mile and other distances but if he himself is going along with this, it completely demonstrates a lack of personal integity on his part and a distain for other atheltes! No wonder he gave LV the Gatorade Award - they are two unethical birds of the same feather!!!!!!! NO SPINE! NO FORTITUDE, A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES!!!!!!

I'LL tell you what's going on here- IT'S CALLED EXTORTION!!!!!

Webb and company have probaby threatened to spill the beans on other supposed EPO or drug users if they dont get their way on htis change!!! The other top guys right now are too focused on their upcoming races and sponcership deals to make a stink about this, so you probably won't hear form them.

BUT SOMBODY WITH SOME CRED NEEDS TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST THIS AND SLAM THIS DECISION!!!!

TAKE LEGAL ACTION NOW!!!!!!

COMPLETE BS! wrote:

He did not qualify for that event, PERIOD!!!!

Yes he did, this is where the giant misconception is. He provisionally qualified, which means the USATF has the right to let him in if they feel it would make it more competitive.

Nowhere in the rules do they say they will always take the top X times.

max219 wrote:

Which guy's spot did he take?

Nobody's, as all the A qualifiers with guaranteed "spots" are in.

make the final and going run 13:teens finishing 3rd

The olympic trials record is 13:22.8 and is 40 years old. Don't count on it being run in the 13:teens[/quote]Right because US distance runners are not running faster than they were 40 years ago.

The chances of making the team are slim anyway.

This was the right decision. Remember that you're looking at the trials- not an Olympic selection.

I remember in 1984 when British selectors were criticized for selecting Sebastion Coe for a spot in the Olympic 1500- look at the results.

Whether Webb makes the team or not, it's the right choice.

Damien Sandow II wrote:

I have three words for ya': John Chaplin & Nike.

You are welcome

First guy to get it right. It's all about going and kissing Chaplin's ring. See the Bauhs/Goucher 2008 OT fiasco for further reference. Chaplin seems to have forgotten what he knew previously...it's his job to serve the athletes and the sport, not the other way around.

It's USATF's Lifetime Achievement Award. Webb, like Adam Goucher before him, has special status. And he earned it.

OG qualification is based almost 100% on standards and Trials performance. I support USATF's power to make a very occasional addition to the Trials field.

Why is everyone saying that Webb is just following the rules and filed a petition like every other provisional athlete can?

THIS IS BLATANTLY WRONG.

Petitions are not accepted until after the field is set and this is 48 hours before the event.

I filed a petition and was told that they are not accepting petitions until 2 days before the event.

So why was Webb allowd to petition before everyone else?

Surprised only one person has mentioned his 3:37 A qualifier. That sets him apart from every other person with provisionals. Do any of them have A qualifiers? Also, he's a record holder, former olympian, multiple national (and trials) champ. Deserved, earned, correct decision.

The question is not whether he deserves to be in or not. The question is WHY WAS HE ALLOWED TO PETITION AT A DIFFERENT TIME THA EVERYONE ELSE? The committee is still not accepting petitions for the 5000 at this time.

i think it's fine.

Someone who is the last place qualifier with the slowest Olympic Trials standard in the field is NOT going to win a medal at the Olympics, so that argument against this is invalid.

I think he'll do well.

The pace may be pushed to the Olympic A standard simply because guys like him need it.

I think the Trials record is going to go down this time around.

asfadsfads wrote:

Hassan Mead was the guy who got screwed out of the 5k final 4 years ago because Rupp decided to just run the prelim as a workout, sprint for the finish, flash the "O," and not run the final. If he gets screwed over because of more Nike shenanigans...I don't even know what to say.

He wasn't "screwed" out of anything, he didn't run well enough to make the final. He hasn't been "screwed" out of anything here, he didn't run fast enough to ensure himself a spot in the field.

I wish him luck, but he does not have much of a chance against the sub 13:20 runners right now.

There were 21 qualifiers, but Torrence, Bauhs, and Braun opted to do other events. So that leaves 18 plus Webb, meaning five "provisionals" will be added to reach 24. Heck, why not add six or seven, that would just mean 13 per semi and it would mute anyone's thoughts of legal action.

Webb will DNF, who cares.

Predictions? I think he comes in DFL and has a tantrum in the infield.

Ttttyge wrote:

Umm... Exactly which of those guys is "technically more qualified" than 3:46 and 27:3x?

Every one of the guys who ran a faster qualifying time in the 5000m within the window.