Lennie Waite Denied by British Athletics

Who?

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She is a UK steeple Chaser with a 9:40 PB that was denied a trip to worlds.

She was denied nothing. The uk rules say you have to run the standard twice. She only did it once. She did not make the cut plain and simple. Better luck next year honey

The requirement for distance runners to run the standard twice is ridiculous (especially when there is a lack of quality races over the distance). They waived the requirement for a male middle distance runner, probably because he is a reasonable championship performer, but didn't for a dual medallist who needed a strong year building up championship running experience before the Olympics (Andy Vernon). But if anyone thinks Chris O'Hare is top 8 potential, they're deluded.

This is what happens when the sports ends up run for the benefit of the ego of the Chief Executive and his favoured managers, not for the benefit of athletics.

UKAthletics seems to be on a campaign to demoralise and wipe out what is left of the talent of British distance running.

Alan Webb's Goggles wrote:

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UKAthletics seems to be on a campaign to demoralise and wipe out what is left of the talent of British distance running.

Uh, UKAthletics has produced the top current distance runner in the world. You yanks wish your boy Rupp could hang with Mo. UKAthletics #1

Uh uh wrote:

Alan Webb's Goggles wrote:

...

UKAthletics seems to be on a campaign to demoralise and wipe out what is left of the talent of British distance running.

Uh, UKAthletics has produced the top current distance runner in the world. You yanks wish your boy Rupp could hang with Mo. UKAthletics #1

How did UK Athletics produce Mo when he has been living in the USA since 2011?

Mo is barely British, don't live there, and was an also-ran until he had a come to Salazar moment.

Nobody in the UK even cares let alone know who she is

I don't understand this decision at all. I can't think of a good reason for it.

can anyone take a devil's advocate position and explain what the brits are thinking here?

She's from the US, moved to the UK to train, moved back to the US.

My theory... She's a plastic Brit, and she didn't stay in their system. So, sorry.

A wild guess would be the selectors looked at her 1500m and 800m times and decided they weren't world class, forgetting that the Steeplechase is quite a different event, and some athletes make their best races in championships, so without that opportunity, you will never find out how good they are. Also her mother isn't a former World 10,000m Champion married to a leading coach, so she isn't Olympic potential for being at the back of the field, like past selectees.

As for Vernon, the message seems to be the British selectors don't want improving white athlete championship performers who have opinions, so most other white British men should just give up. It doesn't matter how good you are, you won't get selected (unless they know your parents/coach).