Johnny Gray was incredibly consistent for a long time. Never showed crazy jumps in time. Always ran the same way - hard from the gun. So it's not surprising that he ran 1:45 @ 39 because he had the longest time between 1:42.Xs. So to suspect Johnny Gray would be stupid unless you think that he doped throughout his career. I'm sure there are some SMTC "insiders" who are waiting to spill the beans, so don't bother.
Lagat failed an EPO test - and I think his post collegiate improvement is suspicious. I hope I'm wrong about that. He's a very likeable guy and I want to believe that its all a misunderstanding. However, his behavior in changing federations was sneaky and I start to question if there's any fire to go with the smoke. So I don't think it's unreasonable to suspect Lagat, but his longevity and lack of other failed tests make it seem a lot more possible that he was a victim of circumstance with every passing year.
Try as people might, Rupp has never been linked to anything suspicious other than being slightly effeminate, awkward or dickish during interviews, and successful at every level of competition. But the letsun cognoscenti will never accept him because he's not the kind of guy they'd like to have a beer with. Never mind the fact that the guy is 100% dedicated to his running and does everything he can to improve - no he's supposed be Pre, Nick Rose, and Quenton Cassiday all rolled into one. Forget his performance at NCAAs a couple of years ago - that doesn't count bc he "should of" run faster when scoring all those points. So he must be a time trialer, right?
I really think the reason that so many people hate Rupp is homophobia and jealousy. I wish you'd just be honest with yourselves about it. The crowd here is a worse group of haters than Korean short track speed skating fans. No runner is unscathed.
Webb - 1:43/3:46/27:30 - choker headcase - failed messiah
Rupp - 8:09/13:06/26:48/60:30 1/2 - he sucks - boy band appeal brings out the haters
Solinsky - 12:55/26:59 - choker crybaby, can't finish races - should race Clydesdales, too big to compete with Africans
Centro - 3:34, WC bronze - he waited too long to kick - probably least hated in this group
Symmonds - DIII hoser, got lucky at Nats, why hasn't he run 1:43 yet indoors this year?
Has there ever been a more talented group of US runners? Nope. Granted, Webb's likely past his prime. Some people will never get past the fact that Pre would never be able to represent the US in international competition if he raced today. The bar has just been moved permanently and most of you are too stupid to realize it.