fdfd wrote:
Agree with Native Son.
Emma is quite egotistical and arrogant to think that she is the greatest steeplechaser of all-time. Emma wasn't even a high school champion, and her highest place in XC for Colorado was 20th.
In the realm of athletes on the planet today, she has limited speed and range. Yes, on a good day she can compete at the highest of levels, but every coach, including Wetmore and her husband have stated her ceiling. She is not Chepkoech, she is not Obiri, she is not Hassan, she is not Dibaba. She is a really great steeplechaser. Period.
But to think she's near the best is asinine. I think there will be several women in the 8:50s within the next Olympic cycle (2024).
You make a good point. Clearly Coburn isn't the biggest American talent in history. She's a 4:03 runner, not a 3:57 runner. So your argument seems to be that one of those massive talents could run 15 seconds faster than her in the steeple and I agree. I certainly think a woman is capable of running sub 8:45 if women can rub sub 14:15. Now, that doesn't mean Chepkoech is necessarily that woman.
I used to use a similar argument for men. I knew Weldon ran 28 flat clean. I knew he was far from the most talented white dude so I could easily see the biggest white dude running a minute faster and maybe an African another 30 seconds faster than that.