Mick Byrne on USATF Not Filling 5000m Field: "Someone in USA Track and Field is not doing their job, it's that simple."

The first problem is the USATF not having a very simple system to get alternates into scratched races that you can find at low level high school meets. Its not that difficult.

Dingler wrote:

The first problem is with the athletes. Why the hell did Jager and Huling declare for the 5k when the steeple was half an hour earlier?

The second problem is with USATF. The initial field was only 18 and more than half were doubling back from the 10k (Rupp, Ritz, Derrick, True), steeple (Jager, Huling) or 1500 (Leer, Lomong, Heath). How did they not expect that at least half these guys would not show up. And they had more than 24 hour notice that Rupp, Ritz, Derrick, Lomong made the team in their other event (and Jager,Huling were locks and Leer said he wasn't running).

Very easy answer and the problem is not Jäger or Huling. The steeple first round was NOT 30 mins before the 5k. If either fell or didn't qualify or got DQ'd, they had the 5k and Jäger would have had a legit shot at 3rd and Huling might have as well.

What is his email? Only way to change it is to let him know FANS are upset

What is his email? Only way to change it is to let him know FANS are upset

It's awful that standby guys ready to run don't get to.

They also need a penalty for declaring and not lining up.

Maybe all results for the meet for them should be disqualified.

You people act like a bunch of immature children. Huling and Jager didn't opt out because "something" could have happened in the Steeple. Others may have waited until a couple hours before the race...to "see how they felt". You can't blame the athletes and you can't blame the USATF officials....that is, unless you believe that "no rules whatsoever" is a reasonable rule. Life isn't simple, but children don't get that until they grow up. Grow up LR posters!!!

C.P. wrote:

The first problem is the USATF not having a very simple system to get alternates into scratched races that you can find at low level high school meets. Its not that difficult.

But they're stupid; they don't know how to do this.

Badass Jerkimer wrote:

Huling and Jager didn't opt out because "something" could have happened in the Steeple.

Um, what? They opted out because something didn't happen in the steeple.

The reason athletes double declare is if for some reason they get knocked down, shoe gets kicked off etc. and they don't make the team in their main event they have a second shot.

This stuff shouldn't and doesn't need to happen...if we on the boards can predict that there will be a bunch of scratches someone getting paid in USATF should damn well know.

Also as far as Nike...they have a HUGE say in what goes on so much that they decide everything down to what the athletes can and cannot put on their jersey. At one point athletes wanted to put their club team name or sponsor on their uniform and Nike had a fit. If Nike cares about American distance running they can fix this with one phone call. My guess is they won't because unless one of their guys is ousted they and Alberto could care less.

These types of things are reasons that people outside of ex track athletes could care less about USA track and field. It's a damn shame...it really is.

And by the way...it's sad that only Mick has the guts to call people out while everyone else could care less. Where was Joe's coach? Joe, you should have transferred to Wisconsin man...you're from Milwaukee brother:-)

That's what Mrr82 said...twice.

Plus there was no central place to monitor who had scratched. Athletes who scratched were still listed on the start lists at 15-20 mins to the event.

1. Can't declare in more than one event without IAAF "B" in both events.2. Can't declare in more than one event without IAAF "A" in one event.3. Can't chase "A" or "B" in any event (after the USATFs) if you scratch in any event.

* wrote:

It's awful that standby guys ready to run don't get to.

They also need a penalty for declaring and not lining up.

Maybe all results for the meet for them should be disqualified.

In the Olympics if an athlete declares, he must show and give an honest effort.

We saw this with Makhloufi jogging the 800 prelims last year.

He was DQed from the 1500 for not trying.

He appealed and won the appeal, then won the 1500.

But at least they made him go through hoops.

You can't just disrespect the event you have been given a chance to compete in over others.

I don't blame the athletes for playing all angles within the rules, I blame the rules.

Make them run the events they have declared in, even if they jog it.

My guess is they would rather not declare then jog it most times.

The games that the USATF plays with field selection has been going on for a long time. I give all credit to the only coach in the NCAA to have enough backbone to publically call out the specific USATF people who screw things up for people on the bubble and disrespect the athletes who they make their living from. MICK BYRNE my hat's off to you! You made a gutsy move. It's clear that you put the athletes first and the good-ole-boy network where it needs to go.

Let a guy in off the list when a guy scratches. This isn't 1904. It's pretty easy to contact people these days.

Is Gorman smart enough to realize how stupid he looks?

E-mails and direct phone numbers for the USATF organization

http://www.usatf.org/about/directory/index_org.asp

If you have a problem with the system, KINDLY voice your opinion to the decision makers.

They're not watching flo track and they're not reading letsrun. Leave a message if they don't answer and force them to address this issue.

Dingler wrote:

Very easy answer and the problem is not Jäger or Huling. The steeple first round was NOT 30 mins before the 5k. If either fell or didn't qualify or got DQ'd, they had the 5k and Jäger would have had a legit shot at 3rd and Huling might have as well.

Ok, well that makes sense on their part. But USATF had almost 48 hours notice that both had qualified for the steeple final and in all likelihood would not be doubling back for the 5k. So why didn't they let Darling and Stilin (who were already at the meet) run?

The USATF championships were this year to select the team to go to Moscow for the World Championships. Neither of those athletes would have made the team. USATF could have stuck 30 guys out on the track if they were concerned about participation. But that isn't the point. The point is to have the best fight it out to make the team.

@rulez man

You clearly missed the point. They acknowledged that they probably wouldn't have made the team under any scenario but these are two of the best American-born collegians and the national championships would be their showcase to try and gain sponsors. Also these are the types of races they need to build experience as they are the future of USA Track and Field. When Rio comes around is it more likely that Lagat still makes the 5k team or some younger athlete rises through the ranks to represent USA on the greatest scale in Track and Field?