As a US track fan who has never really liked Rupp, I hate to admit it but I think Rupp will beat Manzano on Thursday.
Manzano - despite the silver and the win at USAs - to me just seems to be way too inconsistent. Rupp never runs bad. Manzano runs bad half the time.
So if Manzano puts out a clunker, Rupp beats him.
Plus, I hate to admit it but I think Manzano was really lucky to get the silver. 6 or 7 guys were running for gold and tried to hang with a guy who may have been doped and blew up in that race and handed Manzano silver.
Rupp - admittedly he himself admitted he didn't really run for gold - was taking on Africa's best and beating them.
If either one of these guys actually runs for the win instead of just runs for third, I'll be cheering for them.
So tell me who you think will win? Then tell me, if Rupp beats Manzano, does that mean that he would have medalled in the 1,500 if he'd run it?