ExpertKipWatcher wrote:
A DQ from VIA would be nice but so long after the fact that I suspect they would only draw attention to how badly they handled the matter originally.
I agree that there has been for quite some time compelling evidence that Rossi cheated at the 2014 LVM, in order to BQ. And, I agree that Barb McKeever dropped the ball miserably by failing to DQ Rossi as soon as the evidence was presented to her. But, I disagree that a DQ at this time would only draw attention to how badly she and the others involved with the LVM screwed the pooch. All they have to do is say that, in light of the evidence that Rossi cheated at the Turkey Trot, and because the evidence of his cheating at LVM was strong (although, in their minds, still not conclusive), they decided to DQ Rossi from the 2014 LVM unless he could present evidence that he ran it. They should contact Rossi and give him one week to present such evidence. They know, we know, Rossi knows, and even Rossi's AOL attorney knows, that no such evidence exists. They can then DQ him. It wouldn't hurt the LVM or Barb at all, especially in the long run. On the other hand, coming on the heels of Rossi's recognition as one of Philly's Biggest Losers of 2015 on Philly.com, it would be devastating to Rossi. He could live with the fact that a bunch of runners world-wide knew him as a cheater. Our lives don't intersect with his all that often, if at all. But, the article put his cheating front and center in Philly, where his non-running friends, colleagues and past and potential future customers would see it. I think the article is why Rossi shut down his Twitter account. A DQ now would all but seal the deal for him. The Philly media would have a field day with the story, the running media would be all over it (good pub for LVM), and even the national media may finally feel obliged to do a follow-up story on the Viral Marathon Dad. It is never too late to do the right thing. And, in this case, if Barb finally does the right thing, it would be a welcome development, and it would be the first step in bringing closure to this whole sorry saga.
