Cetnro won an OLYMPIC IQ TEST

Also, to Brannen, Gregson, Grice, Blankenship and anyone saying after the race "I didn't expect it to go so slow"....

Waaaaaaaaaaaah.

Guess what, there isn't a little man in the stands with a remote control making the race "go so slow." There is a group of 12 guys (or 13 in this case WTF) running on a track. YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

People who win races either position themselves within the way the race is "going" or if they don't, they take control. See Centro. See Farah. See the women's 1500/5/10 winners. If you want to sit in the pack thinking like 100% of the field does that you can outkick everyone, fine, but when that math doesn't work out don't complain about the pace YOU SET.

Do you not realize the obvious?

Nike "encouraged" the Kenyan coaches to make sure it was slow, telling Kiprop and Kwemoi not to go until the last lap.

A less-than-ideal strategy for Nike-sponsored Kiprop, but still winnable, and great for Nike posterboy Centro (this was very important for Nike, since US Nike athletes scored no other distance gold). It basically guaranteed Centro a medal and shot at the gold (which he wouldn't have in an OR-paced race).

I wonder what incentive$ Nike gave to the Kenyans not to push the pace! (I doubt Centro was even aware of it, but he must suspect since there's no other explanation for a HS-paced race. This is like Lagar rolling over to the "must-win story" El G in 2004, while Nike supported his move to the US.)

You are a sad, strange little man...and you have my pity.

brogan1 wrote:

You are a sad, strange little man...and you have my pity.

This. I hate Nike but they aren't the Mafia.

another fixed race wrote:

Do you not realize the obvious?

Nike "encouraged" the Kenyan coaches to make sure it was slow, telling Kiprop and Kwemoi not to go until the last lap.

A less-than-ideal strategy for Nike-sponsored Kiprop, but still winnable, and great for Nike posterboy Centro (this was very important for Nike, since US Nike athletes scored no other distance gold). It basically guaranteed Centro a medal and shot at the gold (which he wouldn't have in an OR-paced race).

I wonder what incentive$ Nike gave to the Kenyans not to push the pace! (I doubt Centro was even aware of it, but he must suspect since there's no other explanation for a HS-paced race. This is like Lagar rolling over to the "must-win story" El G in 2004, while Nike supported his move to the US.)

Yeah, Nike has been intervening on behalf of US runners to win Oly gold in the 1500m like forever.

And it clear from the vast riches they piled on Leo after his silver how much OG 1500m medals are worth to the Nike corp- Oh wait.

Bravo, I agree with every word. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Asbel Kiprop is an idiot. No one but himself to blame.

However, from a Kenyan perpective, I feel him losing was the price we had to pay the universe so that Eliud and Vivian could finally win theirs. I would have been crashed if either left without. Asbel has a gold medal from Beijing anyway.

Both Asbel and Genzebe ran exactly like they did (successfully) at WC's last year. It's like...something, I can't guess what!... was missing/different, and they fell short. Maybe they missed a few "vitamin injections"?.

Nah, they just had to pay the dopeman.

El Keniano wrote:

Bravo, I agree with every word. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Asbel Kiprop is an idiot. No one but himself to blame.

However, from a Kenyan perpective, I feel him losing was the price we had to pay the universe so that Eliud and Vivian could finally win theirs. I would have been crashed if either left without. Asbel has a gold medal from Beijing anyway.

ravving lunatic wrote:

And it clear from the vast riches they piled on Leo after his silver how much OG 1500m medals are worth to the Nike corp- Oh wait.

Yea, $1 million bonus for OG in Matt's contract.

The difference is that Centro is a real American and Manzano is not. Nike was smart to dump that chump after London.

When they have someone with a shot, they intervene.

Handing out new pre-cooled hats to Rupp on the marathon course.

Funding trips to Houston to see Dr. Brown. Funding trips to train with Jama Aden.

Of course it was in Nike's interest to see a slow 1500. Gives the faces their TV audiences like a chance at it.

Nike would rather Centro or Willis be on the podium than an "anonymous Kenyan" and leaned on the squad to ensure a slow opening.

No, Kwemoi clearly can blame Souleiman, who inflicted the most grievous foul I've ever seen in a track race, on Kwemoi and to a lesser extent Iguider.

RUPP. CERTIFIED. SALADBAR. wrote:

Also, to Brannen, Gregson, Grice, Blankenship and anyone saying after the race "I didn't expect it to go so slow"....

Waaaaaaaaaaaah.

Guess what, there isn't a little man in the stands with a remote control making the race "go so slow." There is a group of 12 guys (or 13 in this case WTF) running on a track. YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

People who win races either position themselves within the way the race is "going" or if they don't, they take control. See Centro. See Farah. See the women's 1500/5/10 winners. If you want to sit in the pack thinking like 100% of the field does that you can outkick everyone, fine, but when that math doesn't work out don't complain about the pace YOU SET.

PREACH my man!

more than a rumor wrote:

Ryan Sarcasmo wrote:

Yeah, Nike has been intervening on behalf of US runners to win Oly gold in the 1500m like forever.

When they have someone with a shot, they intervene.

Handing out new pre-cooled hats to Rupp on the marathon course.

Funding trips to Houston to see Dr. Brown. Funding trips to train with Jama Aden.

Of course it was in Nike's interest to see a slow 1500. Gives the faces their TV audiences like a chance at it.

Nike would rather Centro or Willis be on the podium than an "anonymous Kenyan" and leaned on the squad to ensure a slow opening.

Yep, I bet Nike were really rooting for Willis - the only non-nike sponsored athlete (adidas) running for a NB sponsored team.

The stupidity of your comment is backed up by how little you clearly know/follow the sport.

speaksthetruth wrote:

RUPP. CERTIFIED. SALADBAR. wrote:

Also, to Brannen, Gregson, Grice, Blankenship and anyone saying after the race "I didn't expect it to go so slow"....

Waaaaaaaaaaaah.

Guess what, there isn't a little man in the stands with a remote control making the race "go so slow." There is a group of 12 guys (or 13 in this case WTF) running on a track. YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

People who win races either position themselves within the way the race is "going" or if they don't, they take control. See Centro. See Farah. See the women's 1500/5/10 winners. If you want to sit in the pack thinking like 100% of the field does that you can outkick everyone, fine, but when that math doesn't work out don't complain about the pace YOU SET.

PREACH my man!

True this. My high school coach always told me that I have the best chance of winning when I run my own race. You will only get Mo Farah'd if you go out in a slow pace if you have no ability to close under 1:50. Along those lines, I really think Makloufi would probably have run if it weren't for his long week of racing. The way to beat Centro, Makloufi, and Farah is only by a prolonged kick. When you hit the front, you better be ready to push straight to the end, Bekele style. I always laugh when these Americans and Europeans are out in front in the first couple laps, as if it means anything. Just a bunch of suckers.

H. Hogan wrote:

The difference is that Centro is a real American and Manzano is not. Nike was smart to dump that chump after London.

Then Manzano went sponsorless for a couple of years. Many speculated that it might have had something to do with taking that big Mexican flag around the stadium in London.

But why was he unsuccessful in getting sponsors? Aren't there some big companies in Mexico? How about Dos Equis? Jose Cuervo?

I have looked into Leo's eyes and I see a loser.

Modelo too .

La Bamba wrote:

But why was he unsuccessful in getting sponsors?

Because his pre-race routine is creepy.