Betsy Saina to NOP

isn't she a kenyan?

Interesting. Guess she is becoming a citizen?

Mo Farah isn't a citizen.

Nor Levins

Not quite the same, though.

Point is, if corporate America, supported by plenty of homebody tax dollars, won't even properly cover a marathon sporting event conducted on home soil, because there are no homebody's competing with the lead pack, then why is corporate america not spending their limited training resources trying to get more homebody's at the front of the races.

I sometimes wonder if, rather than the NOP model, where a bunch of dough is spent on just a few 'stars', would the actual results be better served if the dough was spread out to a lot more athletes to compete for the prize.

But then, one can debate money isn't the issue.

My guess is that she's probably being brought in to train with Hasay. Saina's times are superior, and she'll push Hasay in practice. Look at how well it worked to have Rupp and Farah training together.

Might also work if they instead blew the money on 10 up-and-comers, to push each other, for every one mega-star, is all the point I was making.

strategic move wrote:

Look at how well it worked to have Rupp and Farah training together.

Looks like she will be a perfect fit with Hasay

Not true. Spoke to her and her coach in Boston.

Also, Saina would destroy Hasay like Shalane did to Lisa. Be careful what you wish for...

Albero running out of great white hope talent I guess, Hasay continues to fail miserably. Cain got fat.

Wow, Christ is lorde needs to come down from heaven! Hasay is destroying!

With regard to Betsy running for NOP? It's not going to happen.

With regards to this post:

A) Hasay.. doing just fine. Fast at Tufts 10k. A little over raced, yes, so some mixed results but moving forward. Rupp was not built in a day... it took years, research and TUEs. Give her time.

B) Saina.. declined the Nike offer. Wise move as you see what the NOP "team" does... Some big stars and a whole bunch of uncoached and used-up individuals (Puskedra, Erdman, Begay, Yoder, Webb, Goucher(s), Browne, Caitlyn Chock (remember her?)...

Your post listing various names actually could be used as a counterpoint to my point. It indicates NOP actually does spread the money around to various athletes, and those that don't end up breaking and do perform, become 'stars'. For example, witness Amy Yoder B. She was brought in to be 'star' Kara's training-mate fodder, and ended up making an Olympic Team in the process.

Anyone want to Counter-counter-point this?

If it is true, it's a bad choice. Saina is running really well now, much better than when she was in college. Whatever coaching she has at the moment is working.

Sciatica Road wrote:

Your post listing various names actually could be used as a counterpoint to my point. It indicates NOP actually does spread the money around to various athletes, and those that don't end up breaking and do perform, become 'stars'. For example, witness Amy Yoder B. She was brought in to be 'star' Kara's training-mate fodder, and ended up making an Olympic Team in the process.

Anyone want to Counter-counter-point this?

Alberto didn't talk to Amy for 2 weeks after she made the olympic team because she forced the pace to hit the A standard (which she didn't have), which Alberto felt "cost" Kara the race to Shalane.

Kind of surprising she made the move after making some incredible PRs this past year. Must be for the $$$$$$.

(Also, if you think she's moving there to "help" Hasay, I guess you think Mo is there to "help" Rupp.)

I still remember watching the end of some track race in which Amy brought 'the big bus' home, coming around the final turn for the win. Shalane had shock on her face.

I still remember watching the end of some track race in which Amy brought 'the big bus' home, coming around the final turn for the win. Shalane had shock on her face.[/quote]

Maybe this one?

http://runningtheroad.com/images/Amy_Yoder_Begley_photo.jpg

Would like to see the video if anyone can find it.[quote]boomtown rascals wrote:

"Yoder Begley thrills Hayward crowd again

Oregon Track Club member Any Yoder Begley thrilled the Hayward Field crowd in finishing third at the Olympic Trials last year, bettering the Olympic Games women's "A" qualifying standard in the process, and she brought an even bigger roar tonight as she won her first national championship and set a Hayward Field record.

Yoder Begley and 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan traded the lead twice in the final lap, with Yoder Begley emerging as the victor in 31 minutes, 22.69 seconds, which is the #9 U.S. women's 10,000m time in history. Flanagan was the runner-up in 31:23.43. Both times shattered Flanagan's previous Hayward Field record time of 31:34.81, set in winning the 2008 Olympic Trials."

http://www.rrm.com/Newsarchives/archive09/09begleyrecord.htm

Yoder Begley went on to run a 31:13 later that year:

http://www.all-athletics.com/node/171215

Dis Yoder Begley ever consider moving up to the marathon?