| Jim Crow |
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As usual usatf drops the ball, yet again. Fred tells us they're considering the possibility and yet people on the MLDR and WLDR executive committees say they know nothing about this possibility. Glenn, Fred, Elizabeth "the best set of volunteers this sport has had"? This is a joke right???? This new scenario makes trials standards useless and yet as is usually the case, these masterminds spent countless hours coming up with the new standards. Of course, they didn't let their committees, or anyone else for that matter, in on their little "secret" until well after it had been decided. Same with Glenn's appointment. We get told ti will be announced shortly but the parties involved aren't allowed to tell us who it is!!!! What are we in a f***ing cold war here? Are the Chinese and the Russians shaking in their boots over our marathon selection policy? These clowns take themselves far too seriously. |
| Fred Finke |
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Bump. I would like to keep both sides informed on the decision/evaluation making process. It is strange, as dynamics of each message/post change with time. BTW, actually as to the last trials, I paid my own way, so sorry that was just a invalid (although a good try) shot. I wanted to make sure that if I was the division chair, that I would have an idea of the process. As for do I have a voice, yes I do although only as a mediator. As for the vote, only if I person has to recuse themseleves in case of a conflict of interest (which is likely). As for the picture, doubtful (considering my facial configuration, probably a good thing). Fred Finke, Chair LDR division |
| Fred Finke |
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[quote]Fred Finke wrote: As for the vote, only if I person has to recuse themseleves in case of a conflict of interest (which is likely). /quote] That should read: As for the vote, only if a person has to recuse themseleves in case of a conflict of interest (which is likely). |
| Wait A Sec |
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Great, so apparently the chief "pro" for sticking with the current system is to encourage OT tourists. |
| Ray |
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Having been involved in the selection process, I can tell you that there are many considerations and in the past, it hasn't left USATF with many choices. For example, in 2000, Columbia was the only event that had an appropriate bid for the women. There wasn't any other choice. In any case, if there is a possibility of the scenario mentioned here, the LDR leaders need to let the athletes know NOW! Many are preparing for a fall marathon and will target Twin Cities as the first qualifier. If qualifying times are not needed, it may change the plans of more than a few runners. |
| Randy Miyazaki |
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hey fred, i'll see you in Helsinki. ...randy Randy Miyazaki Minister of Political Re-Education http://TrackAndFieldPhoto.com |
| Former B rate marathoner |
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I was a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier. It was the greatest experience of my life. It was a bigger deal for me than my marriage or even the birth of my son. I have remained a loyal member of USATF for just that life memory. I have been asked to discuss my experience with the local Kiwanis, High School, and even over lunch with the mayor. I was named to the High School Hall of Fame and was honored at the halftime of my college (a small D2 school) football game. I generously send money each and every year to a not for profit group that supports my interests in what I often refer to as "OUR SPORT". If this 3 race scenario comes to be, I will feel that the current administration has slapped myself and all others that came before me, and my brethren, in the face. I will NEVER send another dime to support "THEIR SPORT", as I will forever feel like an outsider. Please don't allow the attitudes of a few and the greed of a few more get in the way of all of the positives in the sport. |
| Glory Daze |
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WHY? |
| Former B rate marathoner |
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I should have pointed out that I have never visited this site before and was only made aware of it through a group of friends that share my opinion. Although I have no right to speak on their behalf. They are far more accomplished runners than myself and are planning there own strategy on how to combat this scenario. I tend to feel that we have the fairest system in the World at selecting our Olympians and that this proposal is simply a financial decision. I read each and every one of these posts before commenting. I find it amusing that anyone would try to pass this system off as providing greater exposure. It is even more interesting when JIM G (an editor at Running Times) says that this will provide less exposure. He may be the only person on this entire thread that is qualified to comment on how the media will handle this. I also find it strange that KEVIN HANSON is opposed to it. He and his brother have done more to ressurect marathoning in the US than anyone since Frank Shorter. It is easy to see why they are against it, they understand the mentality of a marathoner, and that is what has been missing over my entire career. When I had an opportunity to talk about marathoning with Bill Rodgers, I realized what my generation was missing. A passion for the sport. The Hansons have this, and they have found a way to instill this in their athletes. JIM G and KEVIN HANSON understand me. Our decision makers don't or they wouldn't have ever even entertained this ridiculous proposal. |
| Glory Daze |
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A true passion for the sport exists regardless of how high or low the backdoor to the Olympic Trials might happen to be set. |
| Still running |
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Why does Fred have to keep telling us that he paid for the trip "out my own pocket!!!" He must have DEEP pockets, as he seems to do a lot of traveling. Come on Fred, fess-up!!! You won the lottery, or Estes or Teddy is taking care of you. |
| Sick Puppy |
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I disagree with you as I would like to see the 3 race scenario. I want to see it for a different reason than our governing body. The reason that I want to see it is because it will permanatly remove all of those folks involved from USATF forever. As witnessed by this thread. 1. The public outcry will be phenomenal. 2. It will produce less public interest. 3. These nimrods think the big 3 can save them. 4. The lawsuits will scare the shit out of USATF and will not be directed at the big 3. USATF will spend whatever additional dollars are earned, fighting in the courts. 5. It will hurt development. 6. USA will have worse results in the Olympic Marathon in 2008, than they did in 2004 (no matter what qualifying measure they use). But this will be blamed on the new system. 7. If an american doesn't win one of the three majors, it will set back even further the public perception of American Marathoners. Perception leads to advertising dollars. 8. If any one of these marathons go to an american ONLY field, they will run into the legal battles that Twin Cities did last year. So why do I want this system to pass? Because it will force USATF to begin doing business as a proffesional organization and not some group of good ole boys with their own agenda. I will now sit back and enjoy. |
| Miles and MIiles and Miles |
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If you refer back to the post by Miles and Miles you will learn something that he did as well. You are speaking to something that you have no clue about. |
| Andy Hass |
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If only one city can put together a satisfactory bid for the Trials, then this should tell the USATF that something is seriously wrong with what they require of cities to host this event. This is the Olympic Marathon Trials, NOT the Super Bowl. |
| Miles and Miles |
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Does only one city put together a Super Bowl bid? I can see what your saying (costs too much), but not the best example. |
| This is a joke, right? |
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Does anyone besides me find this to statement to be incredibly sad and pathetic? Please tell me this was a joke post. |
| Manhattan Dude |
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The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Marathon are not considered be valuable sports properties, hence the lack of bidders. Their lack of value is driven by the knowledge that these races will not be televised nationally, and certainly not live. Sponsors don't want to support sports properties for which there is no national television coverage. Television rights fees drives all the major sports. NBC Universal owns the television rights to all U.S.O.C. properties. In 2004 they did not think it worth the expense to televise either the men's or women's Marathon Trials. Other broadcasters were welcome to purchase the rights, but NBC either kept the price very high or no other broadcasters stepped forward to make the purchase. As such, a total of about 25 people (those who could fit into the lead press truck) saw these races wire-to-wire. Even the reporters in the press room in Birmingham couldn't see the race. This, my friends, is the fundamental problem with the current system. The Trials are beloved by coaches and athletes, but wholly unloved by the people in the business of sport who make the sponsorship and television decisions. On the other hand, the Big-3 Marathons are very valuable sports properties, receiving millions of dollars in direct sponsorship and television rights fees. Boston, Chicago and New York all have live local television (seen in three of the nation's biggest television markets) while Boston and New York have both national and international television coverage (Boston live both international and national and New York live international and taped national). In fact, the marathon in New York is the most-watched foot race on the planet in terms of both live spectators and television viewers. Would U.S. athletes competing for Olympic team berths get more, or less, media attention vs. the current Trials system if they were running at in one of the Big 3 marathons? It's not even arguable that they would. The decision which has to be made is this: is the extra promotion worth the trade-off of losing the stand-alone Trials and all that it means, and has meant, to U.S. athletes. It's a tough call... Manhattan Dude |
| bakersfield |
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well it sounds like something the hansons would support
Does anyone besides me find this to statement to be incredibly sad and pathetic? Please tell me this was a joke post.[/quote] |
| ray |
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USATF is charged with finding the fairest way to get our best team to Beijing. I was part of a group that closely questioned many of our top distance runners in 2000. There was not a clear cut consensus on what was important to THEM! At first it was a 3 person team, then it was money, then it was fast course. Eventually, they reversed direction and said the trial should mimic the Olympic competition. Bottom line, you are never going to make everybody happy, and there is always going to be somebody out there who will bitch louder and longer than the others. The athletes themselves need to get involved in the selection process and in the administration of usatf. You will not be turned away. They need your help. I believe that the e mail that was recently sent to me by Glenn Latimer has assured me that the trials will not be a three part system, so the points made by many of you are moot. |
| Under cover |
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The fact is that this thread is probably 10 people who keep posting under multiple names. And you are on of them! |