Bobby Kersee's latest self-awareness fail

Honestly I feel like its kind of naive to think they are mostly upset about getting their "plans thrown off."

At that level, SML can go anywhere and enter into any meet without a problem. Fixing their training plan is the least of their problems.

It most likely has to due with the fact SML (and possible Kersee) are losing out on a ton of money that they believe was promised to them through SML competing & winning.

Meh.....this thread is a boring nonstory.....of course he's upset the meet got canceled. We all are. Next......

Maybe Kersee had plans for Athing Mu to participate as a challenger in LA. ... I can't see SML butt hurt about cash. It's probably more of principle thing. MJ really f'd up. He had enough money to complete four meets ($30m). He messed over so many athletes who prob chose GST over Diamond because of the money.

i would not pay a dime to people that don't race and don't pay any attention to their fans.

abusive grifters

I have a message from 2023: it wants its SML criticisms back.

Only track clubs are good at putting on track meets. You set the money aside and they will produce a tight meet with no waiting between events for peanuts. Once you go the profit-making direction, it cannot work unless you have either a rabid fan base--which Europe seems to have--or you need transcendent stars like Jim Ryun and Steve Prefontaine, who bring out the non-track fan.

I slightly disagree with this. As much as I loathe Kersee and his dubious past (and present?) methods, an athletes programme is planned to the day. The LA GST meet was perfect for them; her home town, no flight needed, no disruption to training or her base location, it would likely have been her last competition before entering a block of training before the Nationals.

Now, she has to find another meet, on another day, and potentially in another country and on another continent. Sure, programmes are adpated and tweaked throughout the year as standard (injury, last minute illness, whatever...) but don't underestimate the impact it has.

I agree though that there are plenty of meetings worldwide for her to choose from that would love to have her there....if they can afford her. A DL meet would make sense, especially Monaco, but Kersee is a perfectionist and he will want to ensure she is fully prepared if she has to face Paulino & Naser on another day, after a flight, or even Bol if she chooses the 400mh. Similarly I am sure he is p*ssed re the money.

It's better for the sport that the US' top athletes are forced to compete in DL instead of those domestic mickey mouse meets.

you need to stop watching fox news if you think there's even the slightest possibility that it's related to protests

She literally gave away $100k.

Kersee and SML changed their entire schedule this year to earn $$$ from GST. Even for perfectionist Kersee, at the end of the day, money is the difference-maker.

I doubt we will see SML in any other meets before USAs. To your point, a large part of it will have to do with the fact that Diamond League’s can’t afford her. So, everything runs around money. Yes, plans are important, but it is obviously primarily about money.

If SML needs to race, she will race. That woman is bank, and she's very financially responsible and conservative. Money will not determine whether she enters a race she feels she needs. SML will run Diamond if she needs to, for training or qualifying.

Lack of "self-awareness" I think is implied because he's allowed to pull his athletes last minute and kill meets for fans, promotors, and the meet, but when the opposite thing happens to him he starts complaining out loud about it.

LOL!!! It is a single track meet. Oh wait, Kersee's athletes have 2-4 meet seasons so yes it is a major shock!!! Maybe Kersee may want to file a lawsuit for damages! There are no meets available anywhere to compete in!!! LOL!!!

A couple things:

Coach K has a right to be upset and disappointed; a lot goes into knowing when, where, what events and even who you will be running against. Btw, he does seem to be angry towards a person or GST, just the fact that LA and the competition was almost a perfect setup for him.

GST cancellation is not about money for SML and perhaps BK as well, Syd has several sponsor/endorsements deal that total over $1 million aside from what she makes from running. For Syd and a small select group of athletes, that make more money from their name than from running.

When people state they are not a fan of BK, I get that; while he does get along with athletes but that is about it. With that said, in terms of coaching, he is and always has been at the pinnacle and shown more deference on this board.

Then why hasn’t she run a DL since 2019? It’s because a) she doesn’t need DLs to tune-up, and b) DLs don’t pay enough money.

BUT, Michael Johnson proved enough money would convince SML to race, and race often.

I honestly can’t believe everyone thinks these people are oblivious to money and dont care about getting more of it…

Have to wonder will the DL black ball the racers that were the big supporters of GST and bad mouthing DL

Welcome them back most likely