Would you give up your spot?

i don't think it matters so much. If we sent a guy who was ready for a possible 2:15 or 2:17, he'd pretty much just be another also-ran, right? So if you qualify fair and square, might as well just take that also-ran spot.

Talked about this very thing on the long run with some friends this morning. Our consensus was that Cabada deserves some props for knowing he wasn't ready and not going and embarrassing himself and his country for that matter. I understand working so long and so hard for a spot and wanting to keep it but we should be sending our best men and if you know you aren't the best you should step down and let someone else run.

Also as part of the conversation we discussed how Tim Parr is being an idiot right before representing the USA at the Mountain Running World Champs. I know not very many people follow them but he still is representing the US at a world championship. I say he is being an idiot because if you are going to run as a representative of the US that race should be your focus and it has not been his. Last weekend he ran and won the Pike's Peak Ascent which might be good training but then he followed it yesterday with a win at the Leadville 100. I'm sorry but running a 100 mile race over mountain passes two weeks before representing your country at a world championship distance that is far less than that is being stupid and he is disrespecting the everyone else who tried for that spot and didn't get it. To me he is saying the he would rather do what he wants and who cares about his country.

In my eyes both of these examples are akin to treason of our sport.

The way to look at it is what would a football team have done in the super bowl? WOuld they play a starter who was injured and coldn't perform his best? Or would they replace him with someone else.

Maybe he should have stepped down. But, would there have been time for someone else to step in?

Is Torres even there? He just lost a close friend and has family still in hospital.

Ya he is there, I know he is having a rough time with that as well but why put yourself in a more stressful situation when you aren't prepared and unhealthy in more ways than one...check flocasts for his "pre-race" interview.

Yes, I know truly in my heart that I'd honestly give it up if I realized I wouldn't be able to give my best effort possible on race day. I respect Jenkins more than Torres, at least he got out there and took a shot. Props to Cabada for sure, very mature decision on his part.

I have no respect for either. They should both be blacklisted at USATF

xsx wrote:

I have no respect for either. They should both be blacklisted at USATF

USAT&F LDR Committee is responsible for not requiring proof of fitness before leaving the US.

Why is it mandatory the US has to field a full team at each championship?

UK Athletics hired Van Commenee as high performance director...and that involves making hard selection decisions.

Also, USA LDR Committee selects World 1/2 Marathon champs (October) from a race the previous January (Houston). That is nuts...especially when you have a 20km (New Haven) in early Sept.

Just plain dumb.

It's management - it's not the athletes.

silly old fossil wrote:

USAT&F LDR Committee is responsible for not requiring proof of fitness before leaving the US.

Why is it mandatory the US has to field a full team at each championship?

UK Athletics hired Van Commenee as high performance director...and that involves making hard selection decisions.

Also, USA LDR Committee selects World 1/2 Marathon champs (October) from a race the previous January (Houston). That is nuts...especially when you have a 20km (New Haven) in early Sept.

Just plain dumb.

It's management - it's not the athletes.

How would you test fitness? A time-trial? A workout? A VO2 max test? There's no way to accurately asses an athlete's capabilities in the marathon without exhausting him to the point of being detrimental to his upcoming marathon.

The decision for Cabada to drop out was far easier than it was for Jenkins. He had run there before! He's already got storytime for his grandkids prepared.

And now, Jenkins does too. Along those lines it was important for Jenkins to finish, just like it was important for Cabada to finish in 2007 even though they were both doing badly.

What do you mean how would you test fitness? You don't HAVE to test fitness. Jenkins made his training VERY public and many people predicted him to run over 2:30...Torres said himself he is very well UNDERtrained and was obviously suffering an injury and some personal issues as well. With these two, no fitness tests necessary - just move on...

The issues regarding Nate Jenkins and Tim Parr rest solely on our Athletics Federation, which act like they have no control over the athlete.

Nate Jenkins should not have been allowed to line up without a test effort, much like the Kenyan and Japanese handle their business.

Tim Parr should have been handled professionally, and given an agenda, much like Kitwara of Kenya was banned from the Kenyan 10,000m team after choosing to race Peachtree against the Federation's advice.

Jenkins, however, has embarrassed himself and his sponsor, Saucony and the USA, quite enough and does not need us to rub it in. He knows his errors and will be wiser in the future because of these World Championships. His "story" to his grandkids will be one of embarrassment.

I've said this several times, but I think this time I've really hit the nail on the head. This is the dumbest post in the history of Letsrun. Just when you think you've read the most inane drivel ever, someone like this guy comes along and posts inanity like this.

runn wrote:

The way to look at it is what would a football team have done in the super bowl? WOuld they play a starter who was injured and coldn't perform his best? Or would they replace him with someone else.

Maybe he should have stepped down. But, would there have been time for someone else to step in?

But does it really even matter? Come on now we aren't talking about The Cup. We are only talking about the WC's. Let's see what happens after The Cup before we make any judgements.