Geoffrey Kamworor and Alice Aprot to get wild Cards for Rio Olympics.

NativeSon wrote:

I don't know how true it is but it's a great move in my opinion.

They totally deserve it.

I agree it's a good idea, unless it takes potential spots from other competitors.

If so, then it's better that everyone race fairly to qualify.

Haven't read the article and I agree and had even hoped for Aprot to be given a wild card due to the fact she just raced the other day winning the African title with a world leading time and that puts her at par or better than the best Ethiopia has to offer. Furthermore, she has won every race since March in a dominant fashion. On Kamworor, I think it is totally unfair if he is exempted and Karoki and Paul Tanui are made to take part in the trials considering the three have since last year demonstrated that they are way better than anyone in Kenya right now at the 10K. Last year Tanui and Kamworor ran in Eugene and showed good fitness and they joined Karoki at the trials where the three finished well ahead of everyone. This year only Paul has done a 10K which he won in Japan in 27:2x. That time is way slower than what he ran last year in Japan(27:08) and one wonders if his shape might be a little off from last year. Also Tanui ran 12:58 PB over 5K in June last year but this year it seems like he has not run any 5K. That sure raises some questions on his fitness. Karoki has been quiet since his great run with Kamworor at the world half marathon championships at the end of March. His fitness understandably needs to be tested. I understand Kamworor is a "beast" when it comes to endurance as he has demonstrated over the last three or four years but still I think it would be great for him to toe the line with the rest and earn the right to be in the team. What happens if at the trials some "unknowns" locks out Karoki and Tanui from top three and runs, say, sub 27:15? There is Kenneth Kipkemoi, Vincent Yator who are highly capable of this kind of time. The best thing would be to have Kamworor take part in the 10K with everyone else in the trials so that if anyone doesn't make it, no one will blame anyone since the process fair to all. The case of Aprot is different because she is so good she could run sub 31 mins in the trials when fresh and finish at least 20 seconds ahead of next competitor.

A wild card for AK doesn't exempt Kam or Aprot from running in the trials. Simply means they don't have to finish in the top 2/3 to be selected. They won't be picked if they don't show.

Oops. Just read the article which suggests they'd be exempt and that's unprecedented for Kenya. But I don't think it'll happen as it would be unfair to others. What if Vivian doesn't finish in the top 2?

yes to april but not kamworor

NativeSon wrote:

https://citizentv.co.ke/sports/kamworor-aprot-set-for-rio-wildcards-3-walkers-make-olympics-131743/

Did anyone read the caption to the photo?

"According to Citizen Digital, World Half Marathon titleholder Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor would be forced to start future races a minute after the rest of the field has taaken off. PHOTO/Getty Images for IAAF"

Well it worked at the world HM champs....

I like the idea that top athletes still have to run a trials race to make the team. I think the exception should be oly and world medalists still putting up near world leading times or winning diamond league races (or iaaf gold label road races) or national record holders.

I can't see how giving the world half marathon champion and the world leader in the 10,000 byes would be a bad idea.

BREXIT wrote:

The best thing would be to have Kamworor take part in the 10K with everyone else in the trials so that if anyone doesn't make it, no one will blame anyone since the process fair to all. The case of Aprot is different because she is so good she could run sub 31 mins in the trials when fresh and finish at least 20 seconds ahead of next competitor.

If she can do that then she won't need a wild card.

If she can't and, for example, finishes 7th or last, then she doesn't deserve to go.

The key word is FRESH! Read it again. She just ran a race two days ago and laid down her credentials for selectors to see. Normally at the trials the first two positions are automatic and the third is reserved for a wild card(to be decided by a panel of selectors). None would deserve that chance than Aprot and I am sure she would be overwhelmingly voted into the team.

Thinking.... wrote:

BREXIT wrote:

The best thing would be to have Kamworor take part in the 10K with everyone else in the trials so that if anyone doesn't make it, no one will blame anyone since the process fair to all. The case of Aprot is different because she is so good she could run sub 31 mins in the trials when fresh and finish at least 20 seconds ahead of next competitor.

If she can do that then she won't need a wild card.

If she can't and, for example, finishes 7th or last, then she doesn't deserve to go.