Mosop Wins in CR... Did he just win an Olympic spot?

Probably yes, but he won´t go in order to prepare a WR, he said once that he´s not specially uinterested in Olympic Marathon

Makau, Mutai, and Mosop would be the smartest way to go right now, you gotta take your three 'sub-2:04' guys. Kirui's WC doesn't prove he's in their league.

I hope so. It would be a shame for Makau not to be invited to the Olympics, after a 2'nd place Boston, finish, a 25k and 30k world record, and a Chicago course record. That said, Mutai is a strong candidate as well. I agree that Kirui hasn't yet proven he's on their (Makau, Mutai, Mosop) level.

Rene the Cart wrote:

Makau, Mutai, and Mosop would be the smartest way to go right now, you gotta take your three 'sub-2:04' guys. Kirui's WC doesn't prove he's in their league.

Both Mutais. Don't forget that Mosop got beaten by Mutai in Boston. If he shows a decent performance in NYC, I don't see why AK would pick Mosop over Mutai.

No doubt that Makau is going to London, again, they're not going to leave the WR holder at home.

If I'm not mistaken, Kirui already has a guaranteed spot for his world championship, as does Makau for his WR. There is one spot left and probably one of the toughest choices in the history of the sport

Kurui has proven that he can win at the Championship level (not always about time, even considering Wanjiru's run in Beijing), none of these guys have done that. He gets rewarded for toeing the line at Worlds, when others didn't want to bother (understandably chasing bigger bucks at the majors, with rabbits pulling them to fast times). Good for Kenya, to reward that kind of sacrifice. He is just as deserving as anyone who has run faster.

can-can wrote:

Kurui has proven that he can win at the Championship level (not always about time, even considering Wanjiru's run in Beijing), none of these guys have done that. He gets rewarded for toeing the line at Worlds, when others didn't want to bother (understandably chasing bigger bucks at the majors, with rabbits pulling them to fast times). Good for Kenya, to reward that kind of sacrifice. He is just as deserving as anyone who has run faster.

Agreed that Kirui does deserve a spot, especially if AK is going to award wild card spots to all the track WC winners. It seems like a lot of people missed this headline, but *Makau and Kirui have already been guaranteed spots by AK* This leaves an absolute sh*tshow for the 3rd and final spot on the team. I'd guess that it depends on what happens in NYC, but it is going to be very difficult to go against someone who ran a 2:03:06 debut, then took down a Wanjiru CR in Chicago while running at less than 100%

WGEGA wrote:

Beats a Wanjiru CR, supposedly at about 85%. His 2 marathons were a 2nd place 2:03:06, and a Chicago CR win. Did he lock down that 3rd Kenyan spot today or not?

I don't think he has won a spot yet. We really need to see what the two Mutai (Mutais?) do this fall. Both have run faster on legal courses and great performances could overshadow Mosop.

As mentioned, Kirui should already be on the team, and I don't think he's a weak spot either. He has ran 2:05:04 along with two WC wins, and he looked great winning it this year.

Hard to argue against the WR holder, and though some have come out and said he isn't a lock, I'd sure think he was.

Makau and Kirui are GUARANTEED spots already. There is only one up for grabs, and agreed... they definitely need to see what each Mutai does this fall before any decisions on the final spot are made. Mosop has put himself in a good position, but a win and a faster time from Mutai might overtake his performance today

Don't write off Martin Lel just yet

cooperman. wrote:

Don't write off Martin Lel just yet

Funny you should say that 'cause one of my first thoughts after Chicago ended was "that pretty much takes Martin Lel out of the running to make the Kenyan Olympic team." I guess it's true that if Lel runs a spectacular time in NYC to beat what is [currently, anyway] a stacked field, he could get himself back into the conversation, but as of now he's at best the #6 Kenyan.

As for Mosop, I think today's win solidifies his grip on...the 2nd alternate position. Only way he makes the team is if something bad happens to at least two of Makau, Kirui and the Mutai's.

Scary thought: it's possible that Kenya's #6 - #10 marathoners could beat the best of the rest of the world.

Mosop has said he doesn't really want to do it, I hope AK does not even consider him.

Lel should just get a spot on experience, A sub 2:05 isn't going to happen in London.

It looked like Mosop really suffered the last 2 miles or so today. He pushed himself to his limit. This marathon may have taken something out of him

I just wish that AK hadn't automatically granted a spot to Kirui. Winning the WC Marathon is a great accomplishment, but both G Mutai and Mosop are better. I can understand that they want guys that are proven in Championship marathons, but I'd argue that Boston and Chicago are more deserving of being called "championship" than the actual WC race, just since the competition is so much better at the Marathon Majors than the WC marathon. I think Kenya's best team would've been Mutai, Mosop, and Makau, but now that Kirui has a spot, I think that it's going to be a tight run between Mutai and Mosop. Obviously Mutai had the advantage after Boston and I really would argue that his Boston time still beats Mosop's Chicago time. If Mutai doesn't win NYC, I see Mosop getting the ticket, but if Mutai does indeed pull through in NYC, I think they'll have to give it to him. As for E Mutai, he's also very deserving of a spot (perhaps over Kirui as well), but I think Athletics Kenya would be out of their minds if they sent him over G Mutai or Mosop. Kenya is simply too good to send him, even with a London CR and 2:04:40 PR. His level of consistency is certainly a bit lower than G Mutai and Mosop of late, so I don't think he should get the spot.

Definitely a difficult decision, but I agree with AK giving Kirui the wild card bid. Kirui has a legit low 2:05 PR to go with two straight world championships. There is little incentive to run for a blazing time in a WC race when he knows he can play it safer and win easily. Regardless of the strength of the field, he's proven his ability to win in a championship race setting. Obviously his PR isn't quite as strong as others, but I doubt were gonna see anybody taking the olympic marathon out in 1:01:30 next summer

Kenya should try this radical method of choosing their team by having these guys race each other.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't AK done some screwy/political type things in the past regarding their selection process? What makes you think they are necessarily going to adhere to the previous reports of "guaranteed" entries? I'd say no one will know any of the names until they actually have to write them down on an entry form.

OK, speculate away....

Casual Outsider wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't AK done some screwy/political type things in the past regarding their selection process? What makes you think they are necessarily going to adhere to the previous reports of "guaranteed" entries? I'd say no one will know any of the names until they actually have to write them down on an entry form.

OK, speculate away....

Obviously AK isn't the most trustworthy organization, but I can't see them going against these reports. They have given gtd. spots to all of their WC gold medalists, and having that apply to all events except the marathon seems even beneath them.