US has shot to medal in every men's mid-d/distance event at WChamps - has this ever been the case before?

A Duck wrote:

But wasn't their something akin to a world champs called The World Cup of track and field??

The World Cup was the precursor to the World Championships. 77, 79, 81. Both 77 and 81 had potential medalists in all events 800-10000.

The 10,000 has been the real wrench in the gears over the years. I don't think we've ever had a legitimate shot at a medal in the world 10k.

I honestly believe its not outside the realm of possibility for both Rupp and Ritz to medal this year. I think the odds of either one of them getting a medal is pretty slim, so therefore both of them getting a medal is incredibly slim, but I do think its possible.

Steeple Fan wrote:

The 10,000 has been the real wrench in the gears over the years. I don't think we've ever had a legitimate shot at a medal in the world 10k.

Yeah, both Craig Virgin and Bruce Bickford have been the early top 10000 runner in the world in the 80s. Virgin taking 2 WC XC Golds. No chance of a medal there?

Steeple Fan wrote:

The 10,000 has been the real wrench in the gears over the years. I don't think we've ever had a legitimate shot at a medal in the world 10k.

I honestly believe its not outside the realm of possibility for both Rupp and Ritz to medal this year. I think the odds of either one of them getting a medal is pretty slim, so therefore both of them getting a medal is incredibly slim, but I do think its possible.

Rupp's got a pretty decent shot to medal. Ritz has a near zero shot. There is zero chance that they both medal as it would require Ritz to beat every single African entrant. Aint gonna happen - not in a trillion tries.

And just who exactly from the 1500m has a shot to medal?

That's right.

No. At least two people on this list are known for running fast times but performing badly at championship meets -- Gray and Maree. Diemer and Marsh were past their prime by the late '80s, as was Scott. The 10k guys were never medal threats.The only legitimate medal threat was the guy who actually medaled -- Spivey.

Dingler wrote:

1987 Maybe

800 - Johnny Gray

1500 - Jim Spivey, Steve Scott

Steeple - Brian Diemer, Henry Marsh

5000 - Sydney Maree

10,000 - Steve Plasencia, Ed Eystone

Gray ended up DFL in first round but was top 7 in 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Spivey won bronze and Scott made the final. Diemer was 4th and Marsh 6th in Steeple. Maree was only 11th but finshed 5th at Olympics next year. The 10k is the biggest stretch. Plasencia was 8th, but every WC championships after this was dominated by east africans, so honestly this was the best shot an American had at a medal until Rupp came along (Todd Williams maybe?).

Rupp had a shot to medal in the 10k in 2011. He was with the lead group until about 600 to go. He was 7 seconds out of bronze. Then of course he medaled a year later. Symmonds was 5th in the 800 and close to bronze.

Considering that the US actually won medals at 1500 and 5k that year. Only missing a contender in the steeplechase.

This whole story is that the US added a 3000SC contender in 2 years thanks to Jager.

Actually, Jager has to face 4 Kenyans plus the strong French steeplechasers. Maybe his chances to medal aren't that strong.

From TWTW:

"In total, there have been 13 world championships and the US has medalled a total of nine times total in the five men’s mid and distance events.

Percentage of Times US Wins A Mid/Distance Medal At Worlds

1500: 38.5% (5/13) – Matthew Centrowiz (bronze 2011), Bernard Lagat (bronze 2009, gold 2007), Jim Spivey (bronze 1987), Steve Scott (silver 1983).

5000: 23.1 (3/13) – Bernard Lagat (gold 2007, silver 2009, silver 2011)

800: 7.7 % (1/13) – Rich Kenah (brone 1997)

10,000: 0.0% (0/13)

Steeple: 0.0 % (0/13)

Overall: 13.8% (9/65)"

Just so you all know, depending on how you look at it, the history of US distance running at the World Champs is far worse than the 9/65 mentioned in TWTW. Of those Nine medals, Bernard Lagat has accounted for FIVE of them.

So, only 5 guys have medaled, and 4 of them only once.

The reason I point this out, is because for the USA to have legitimate medal contenders in every mid-d/distance event is astonishing.

serious and seriouser? wrote:Yeah, both Craig Virgin and Bruce Bickford have been the early top 10000 runner in the world in the 80s. Virgin taking 2 WC XC Golds. No chance of a medal there?

Well, when you consider that neither of those men ever competed in the 10000m at the world championships, I'd say no, neither of them ever had a shot at a medal at the 10000m at the world championships.

It sucks so much didn't get that bronze medal in 2007. He deserved it.

Please tell me more about how much harder you old timers had it back in the day. I wake up at 5am everyday for work. I am hardly impressed that you woke up at 5am to watch a marathon.

coach d wrote:

Not bad at all, but I'm not sure Frank met Rojo's standard of a shot at a medal in the 10000. Of course, everyone in the final has a shot at a medal, but everyone knew that Frank's real shot was in the marathon.

.

No one had Shorter figured for a medal in the marathon either.

Smashing Pumpkins wrote:

No one had Shorter figured for a medal in the marathon either.

Yep. No one had the number one ranked guy in 1971 as a medal contender in 1972.

ignorant turd wrote:

From TWTW:

"In total, there have been 13 world championships and the US has medalled a total of nine times total in the five men’s mid and distance events.

Percentage of Times US Wins A Mid/Distance Medal At Worlds

1500: 38.5% (5/13) – Matthew Centrowiz (bronze 2011), Bernard Lagat (bronze 2009, gold 2007), Jim Spivey (bronze 1987), Steve Scott (silver 1983).

5000: 23.1 (3/13) – Bernard Lagat (gold 2007, silver 2009, silver 2011)

800: 7.7 % (1/13) – Rich Kenah (brone 1997)

10,000: 0.0% (0/13)

Steeple: 0.0 % (0/13)

Overall: 13.8% (9/65)"

Mark Everett's bronze in Tokyo was missed in this list.