Leer blames Lagat

This is the interesting thing, say that Centro and Leo gets the “A” standard and then Brown gets it before anyone else (example: Brown gets the “A” standard and then Wheating gets it like a week later). Would Brown then go since he got it first? I guess then you could look at who got the “A” standard in a faster time (example: Brown runs a 3:32 and Wheating runs a 3:33), would Brown, again, still go? Hopefully everything will be answered by the end of July or even before it.

No, when you get the A-standard and who has the faster time, do not matter. Why would it? Then it would be a "standard" anymore.

If you are not in the top 4 you are not considered for the WC's team. END OF STORY. Russell Brown, Lomong, Leer, or freaking Alan Webb could all go out tomorrow and break the World Record in the 1500 and none of them would make the WC's team.

It does not matter who gets what standard first or last, it's all about finishing order at the US Champs. And only 1-4 are free to chase the standard.

I have no one or nothing to blame but myself ......

(well, of course no one or nothing besides:

1) Lagat

2) the other fast guys who didn't push the pace

3) the people pushing and shoving

4) the wind

5) and the powers that be that robbed me of my rightful position in 4th. Other than those FIVE things (and that's just off the top of my head), it's ALL on me. Straight up. )

________

Perfectly stated. Was going to post exactly the same thing. Leer just needs to act like a man and take responsibility for his own actions . . . and shut up about everyone else's and the "horrible" weather conditions.

The New UncleB wrote:

Plus, I love the Brojos. Leer ran a terrible tactical race -- while not saying the same of Wheating, who is said to have finished .01 ahead of Leer.

Wheating can be criticized for letting it come down to a 400m sprint but he ran much, much better tactically in the race than Leer. At the bell he is right on Lagat's shoulder in 3rd or 4th place.

Lear is meanwhile tucked back on the rail with only 3 people in the field behind him. Wheating just didn't have a good last 200.

Criticize Wheating for letting it come to a 400 which we said in our article, "Perhaps Vin should show Wheating old Steve Holman videos or Hicham El Guerrouj pre-2004 to see what happens often to the favorite in a sit-and-kick race."

But once the competitors decided to let it be a slow race Wheating ran much better tactics than Leer.

I will contact USATF and see if I can get the finishing photo and i will ask them about the top 4. If Leer was 4th he should be 4th. And I hope all the guys can go chase the time. If 2 of the guys ahead of him don't get it and he does we should send a full team to Worlds.

[quote]the smartest letsrunner wrote:

This is like some Phelps-Cavic Beijing 2008 100 butterfly action right here. It would be nice to see the FAT photo...

There is no way in Hell that Phelps won that race. They kept showing the finish over and over again and saying Phelps touched him out -- but it was quite clear from the film that it was the other way around.

Leer would love to hear you say that! ^^^

The New UncleB wrote:

There is no way in Hell that Phelps won that race. They kept showing the finish over and over again and saying Phelps touched him out -- but it was quite clear from the film that it was the other way around.

The mats are touch-sensitive. I would trust them much more than I trust my own eye or the film.

Only the top 4 can chase the time. From USATF:

"If each of the top four (4) rank order finishers has not achieved the IAAF “A” standard, each athlete among the top four (4) finishers who has not achieved the “A” standard will have until midnight PDT on August 8, 2011 to achieve the “A” standard."

In short. You have to be in the top 4. This would include Lagat, Centro, Wheating and Manzano. If you are not in the top 4 you can't chase the A standard.

Further:

"If after August 8, 2011 any of the top four (4) rank order finishers have not achieved the “A” standard, USATF may, in its discretion, enter one (1) athlete who has not achieved the “A” standard, provided that said athlete has achieved the “B” standard in that event during the qualifying period."

Translation: If if Lagat, Centro, Wheating or Manzano do not have the "A" standard by 8/8/11 at Midnight PDT, then USASTF may select another athlete (Not necessarily in the top 4) who has the "B" standard but not the "A" Standard.

John

Thank you for that, this clears things up. Sorry Leer, looks like you'll have to wait till next year then.

But given that USATF has shown they're willing to bend/break their own rules, is it out of the question that they'd make an exception here? I don't see any reason why not. It doesn't make sense to send 1 guy to Worlds.

to legit to quit wrote:

what was Lagat's main purpose for doing this race? I would have to think that running 3 hard races in 3 days is not preparing him for anything like the schedule he will face in Daegu. Instead the most likely motive was $$$.

Do you people forget this isn't just a "qualifier for worlds" This is a National Championship. I would guess that Lagat's main purpose for doing the race would be to try and be NATIONAL CHAMPION in in the 1500 and 5k. After all, unless Nike is paying him some sort of weird per race appearance fee, there is no money involved in placing in these races.

to legit to quit wrote:

Lagat on the other hand is 100% the nicest guy in the world on camera, always saying the utmost encouraging statements, and claiming all modesty. Is this the same Lagat we would find behind closed doors? Is this the same Lagat we would find if he was not always winning races (or finishing close behind)?

Yes. Yes.

After listening to Acosta's and Leer's interview, I couldn't help but think - have they ever ran an international race (OK, maybe Acosta hasn't), but isn't the jostling, cutting off, etc. part of it at that level? They just sound like they don't know whats going on.

Also, if you are a fan of USATF on facebook, they just posted the finish pic from the 1500.