george oscar bluth
No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 11:54AM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Terrible decision by AK, in my opinion.

If I'm trying to assemble a team to assure a gold medal, he is certainly on it.
Shoebacca
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 12:00PM - in reply to george oscar bluth Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I agree.

But he has a bit of a history when it comes to doing his own thing. Picking Kirui sends a message to their runners that if they listen to AK they'll go places.
orbitboy
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 12:10PM - in reply to Shoebacca Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I think Kirui deserves to be on the team. Two WC victories should count for something.
Leonard Shivolitz
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 12:11PM - in reply to Shoebacca Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Or you are sponsored by Nike and coached by Canova. In a crooked system, you need someone to fight your battles.
qfw
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 12:14PM - in reply to orbitboy Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

orbitboy wrote:

I think Kirui deserves to be on the team. Two WC victories should count for something.


Yes, he did win 2 world titles. But looking at the fields for those races, you could argue fairly easily that mostly every major over the past 2 years has had as strong or stronger of a field. Then consider the fact that Kirui was completely obliterated by Kipsang this weekend. I just can't think that Kirui is more likely to medal/win than either Mutai or Makau
george oscar bluth
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 4:57PM - in reply to qfw Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I can live with Kirui being on the team, but Mutai beat Mosop head to head.
Disgruntled Gentlman
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 5:01PM - in reply to george oscar bluth Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I cant live with Kirui 2:05:03 2:03:02 you be the judge
george oscar bluth
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 5:04PM - in reply to Disgruntled Gentlman Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Disgruntled Gentlman wrote:

I cant live with Kirui 2:05:03 2:03:02 you be the judge


Meh, I see Kirui as being a contingency plan in case it is really hot on the day of the race. If the goal is to have at least one of your guys bring home the gold, then I can understand a 2:05:03 guy who has proven himself in the heat and in championship races being allowed in to add some diversity to your team. But I understand your argument.
orbitboy
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 5:07PM - in reply to qfw Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

qfw wrote:

[quote]orbitboy wrote:

I think Kirui deserves to be on the team. Two WC victories should count for something.


Yes, he did win 2 world titles. But looking at the fields for those races, you could argue fairly easily that mostly every major over the past 2 years has had as strong or stronger of a field. Then consider the fact that Kirui was completely obliterated by Kipsang this weekend. I just can't think that Kirui is more likely to medal/win than either Mutai or Makau[/quote]

I could have worded that better. What I meant was that is should mean something to say that you have been successful in summer, championship-style races without rabbits. I think it's smart for AK to include one guy who has been successful in that arena. The summer Olympics is rarely going to be anything like running Berlin on a 40º day. I realize Kirui was obliterated by Kipsang in London, but so was everyone else!
@running_comment
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 8:00PM - in reply to Leonard Shivolitz Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Leonard Shivolitz wrote:

Or you are sponsored by Nike and coached by Canova. In a crooked system, you need someone to fight your battles.


Um...Kipsang is sponsored by Adidas.
@running_comment
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 8:03PM - in reply to george oscar bluth Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

george oscar bluth wrote:

I can live with Kirui being on the team, but Mutai beat Mosop head to head.


When? April 2011? It's April 2012, the Olympic marathon is in less than four months, and Mutai's record this year is a half marathon DNS and a marathon DNF. Makes it easy for AK to go on to the next guy, who didn't exactly get smashed by Mutai in that aided 2:03 day, and who just put down a 2:05 low on a crappy day.

Agreed with the other posters above noting that Kirui has played ball with AK, and Mutai hasn't. It shouldn't matter, but it does. Mutai was off the team once he stepped of the course in Boston - AK was looking for reasons to cut him, not looking to keep him.
Concerned Citizen
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 8:14PM - in reply to @running_comment Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Mutai and Mosop haven't ran much faster than Kirui when they have run on the same course. All three ran their real PRs at Rotterdam - 2:05:04 for Kirui, 2:05:03 for Mosop, and 2:04:55 for Mutai.
NativeSon
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 8:16PM - in reply to george oscar bluth Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

george oscar bluth wrote:

Terrible decision by AK, in my opinion.

If I'm trying to assemble a team to assure a gold medal, he is certainly on it.


I concur totally.

Leaving Mutai out is a little bit reckless in my opinion.I hope this doesn't come to pass but Ethiopia could take it.They have;

1. Ayele Abshiro
2. Dino Sefir
3. Yemane Adhane

4. Getu Feleke
5. Markos Geneti
6. Tadese Tola

7. Tsegaye Kebede
8. Gebre Egzhieber Gebremariam

Ethiopia has three good teams and 3 or even 4 unknown guys so to speak.

I still think Geoffrey should have been picked instead of Mosop but then again, I could be wrong and I hope I am.

I'd love to hear the wise words of Dr. Renato Canova regarding this selection.

Also, should Florence have been selected ahead of Priscah Jeptoo?I believe we are very okay with regard to the women.
george oscar bluth
RE: No Geoffrey Mutai?! Really?! 4/25/2012 8:20PM - in reply to @running_comment Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I don't buy into weighting 100% of the decision on "what have you done for me lately".

Mutai Boston 11 > Mosop Boston 11
Mutai NYC 11 > Mosop Chicago 11
Mutai Boston 12 < Mosop 12

So Mosop beats Mutai on their worst day. If I'm assembling a team with the sole purpose of trying to make sure someone gets gold, I'm taking the guy who I know can beat ANYONE if he is on.