Bekele: done?

i fear that many people will not realize you are playing a role there, archetypical letsrunner

It sure seems to be ruining Tadesse's track season this year. . . oh wait.

His father is 82?!?

in the words of the terminator... "(he'll) be back."

Bekele really only seemed unbeatable for a season or so, except for XC. He never completed the gold/gold double (not that it's easy) in the 5k/10k and despite having both WR's was beat in several Golden League meets, a WC race, an Olympic race, indoor meets, etc.

For someone who once seemed so destined to be the king of the distance world, he has seemed increasingly vulnerable/human the last few years.

destined to be king? i think he's held that throne for about four years now. michael jordan got beat once in awhile but everyone knew damn well he was the best player in the league. same goes with kenensia.

5000 Metres wrote:

You think that these guys are so focused and tough, but they arent half as tough as the American runners. They cant phathom anyone beating them or not feeling good. He comes off like a wuss.

Nobody can phathom it. Nobody can phathom anything.

Bekele has so much potential still, it's a shame if this is how it ends for him.

On a side note, I just realized I have the same birthday as Bekele. That is so going to be my pick up line next time I'm at the bar. :p

"time heals all things"

i might not use those words, but I do agree he went into a "lions den' so to speak-with people booing, and I heard spiting (true/or not)...he showed class. The guy has done everything on track/xc give him a break-he'll come back. But NO LAP COUNTER!!! seems like a set up. The American contigent would have gotten a great look at Kenya and a trip to the world is a trip to the worlds-you dont know for sure you'll make it back...too bad. At least Ritz had an excuse-even though he said he wasnt going. But CulP, and the rest? sad.

Has it ever occurred to anyone here that this article might be some scandalous bull spit?

slowkid wrote:

His father is 82?!?

He is 82 in Ethiopian years. In Ethiopia, being 82 really means that you're about 43 "Western" years old.

He is done!

he is on the start list at the hengelo meet on saturday in the 2 mile, and i also read he will run the 2 mile at the prefontaine classic on june 10th so we will see. also when he say he feels out of it, it's all relative, for him a 1255 for 5k may be disapointing, but someone else would be overjoyed.

Yeah he's done, he will probably come back and run some crap time like 13:02 and quit the sport!

Tell me you guys don't really believe this...yes he failed in Kenya but being done because of one race- I don't think so. He may even lose once or twice during this track season but he is HARDLY done!

Yeah, let the dude take 6 months off- olympics are next year and you don't want to have to waste time next year just trying to get back in shape. I think it would be noble of him and his coach's if they were to let him take the season off, maybe run a couple races just to break up the training, but really- he can either lose total confidence in struggling to perform at a high level through the summer months, or he can renew his strength and energy by taking the season off, perhaps dealing with possibly still present mourning feelings of his wife, which is understood- it's only been like 3 years(no i'm not being sarcastic). it would be a real loss to the world to not have his competitive drive in years to come(he's only 25 right?)- to not have what he brings to the sport. it's understandable- great athletes go through rough periods where their bodies may just need rest. i know seb coe needed it once, as he got a viral infection of some kind that ruined the shape he was in from having to rest, but i imagine their may be other athletes in the past who've just needed breaks from training, or at least a significant change in their training.

Give him a break. His fiance died last year. This may have a lot to due with that.

I say Operation Puerto is closing in