Jearl Miles-Clark Left Off 4 x 400 Relay

Well said. That bumbling organization needs a total cleaning-out. It would be one thing if Jearl wasn't fit or fast enough for the relay pool. But she's obviously ready to go and ready to give her best for the USA. And she has the experience--she could've really helped the younger girls with their jitters. Plus she's a solid baton passer. I hope the national media gets wind of this. Let's just say age-ism is not a nice thing in the workplace OR on the world athletics stage!

I can't think of another athlete on that team over there in Athens who is more worthy than Jearl to be on that relay. I am tired of people's personal agendas. Put the best and most experienced on the team. Jearl is 37 years old and made the 800 final and has run great 400 times this year. USATF cannot afford to lose fans just to appease Brooks Johnson. Why does that guy have so much power, anyway?

Way to go, USATF. Way to show your appreciation for one of the finest and upstanding U.S. athletes to ever grace the world T & F stage.

Jearl, thanks for your many wonderful contributions to USA Track and Field. This is no way for a classy lady and fine athlete to go out. You deserved better!

I am very disappointed in the staff for making such a shallow and insulting decision and statement regarding Jearl. Who without a doubt is one of the most decorated 400m of ALL times. I will not discuss you her many accomplishment. I will say she has anchored or been on over 12 championship teams an run 48-49 on those teams.

Sue, Brooks, and Jill Geer should be striped of all USA team related responsibilities due to their public statement :"SHe is too old and we wanted to give the younger girls a chance." First of all you can not impede someones success because of age if they are qualified per the labor laws. Secondly, Jearl should be given the nod even if she was the slowest leg by .1 for all she has done. Sue Humphrey should be ashamed of herself. For years she wanted to be in head positions and had to fight for it and she wanted to be pro women and the minute she gets in a postion to make a decision she puts her tail between her legs and let Brooks( a man) take over. She should remember that it was supposed to be her experience:-) that landed her this postion anyway. Brooks should remember it was his experience, loud month, and wild antics that landed his experience. So experience counts for them but not for others. By the why what has he done or produced as a coach. I can name several younger coaches who have coached more NCAA athletes, won more titles and coached more Olympians. Moreover, what is Brooks doing making calls. He is a relay coordinator not a USA 2004 track Coach. These coaches have made a mockery out of the selection process. Jearl will probably handle this graciously but anyone who knows the sport knows that her 1:57.2 equates to at least 49.5 flat and 49 or faster on the relay. I will watch the team and I my hope is that all of the girls in the finals are drug free. It seems it is ok to use drugs and run fast but be to older and run fast that is a crime.

Jearl has always conducted herself with grace and I am sure she will root for her teammates. This is a travesty, though. USATF is going to be in hot water if indeed they made those public comments about her being "too old."

Don't they realize that most of the people who watch and support track and field are runners in their 30s and 40s?

All they care about is selling their $85 backpacks on their Web site. Meanwhile they discard one of the best athletes they've ever had, who's clean and respectable and hardworking, simply because she happens to be 37 years old.

It's a disgrace--and USATF doesn't need any more disgrace.

How the hell did Brooks Johnson get involved in the decision process? And I know that Sue Humphrey coaches high school high jump, but what sprint experience does she really have?? What does sprint coach have to say about the decision, since that is his job? Does he agree? If he has any integrity, he would know that Jearl Miles-Clark deserved a spot in that relay pool. The politics that have occurred in this decision process must be stopped, or the future integrity of the USATF is at stake!!

What a terrible shock to hear that Mrs. Jearl Miles-Clark is not in the 4x400--this must be a mistake!

I've had the honor to witness Jearl train for several years and have found her to be one of the most reliable track athletes in our country. I have always felt that we have overlooked her as she's represented us several times in not only the Olympics, but in numerous World Championships as well.

Having made it to this pinnacle in her career, a veteran Olympian finishing, she deserves a spot on the 4x400 relay team more than any other.

She has paved the way for many 400 & 800 meter runners to come after her by her clean sportmanship and devotion to this country time and time again in representing us on the world stage.

Though this might fall on deaf ears, if you're reading this, please research and remember Jearl Miles-Clark as the awesome athlete she is and always has been for more years than most in her events of the 400 & 800m.

To leave Jearl off is like leaving Mia Hamm off of the US Olympic Soccer Team. Come on, guys, who has proven herself more? Not just over the past years but even now Jearl continues to show the world she's as strong as ever. Not only is it clear that Jearl has the ability and experience to lead this 4x400 team to another gold, but she deserves it as a storybook ending to an incredible career. To leave her off would be a crime and a complete disrespect to her and everyone that has ever put their heart and soul into achieving a dream. It is proposterous and shameful.

It is difficult for me to express the depth of my dissapointment in the decision made by Brook Johnson and Coach Humphrey in leaving Jearl Mile-Clark off the 4x400 relay team. I have had the honor and pleasure of being coached and mentord by JJ and Jearl. Jearl is a true leader by the way she competes with desire and grace. Her actions day in and day out, her competitive spirit, and her drive to be successful are qualities we all should cherish and reward! I would think that having Jearl compete with some of our younger athletes would be the greatest benefit to those athletes and USA Track and Field.

Why is it ok that we celebrate sending the Fab Five of soccer out with a gold medal, but we cannot honor Jearl in the same manner? It is disgraceful and disrespectful to Jearl Miles-Clark.

Jearl deserves to lead the Americans to a medal.

Amen. Leaving her off is SO WRONG. Where are their heads? Jearl deserves to be on that relay. Perhaps there's time to get her on it for the final? In any case, this is ridiculous and it's time to clean house at the USATF.

wiseass (mrs.) wrote:

they'll pay the price and lose to the russians because they're inexperienced.

watch.

How can ANY American quartermiler be inexperienced at running a 4 x 400?

That's just assinine.

DougC wrote:

This really is a shame... I emailed Masback and Humphrey just so they know how track fans feel about the decision.

A fan of USA track who wanted the US to have a shot at winning would want the four best Americans on that team. JMC isn't one of those.

Yes, leaving off an experienced, proven, fast relay runner who has helped win two gold medals and a silver for the U.S. -- in favor of a couple inexperienced rookies -- makes PERFECT sense. Right.

They could have easily put her on the team in the qualifying round. To them, she didn't even merit that--being named to the relay pool. No one is saying she was definitely top four, but top six? Without a question. It not only would've helped the team in qualifying, it also would've been a wonderful gesture and send-off for an athlete who has done USATF proud for nearly two decades.

Jearl Rocks wrote:

Yes, leaving off an experienced, proven, fast relay runner who has helped win two gold medals and a silver for the U.S. -- in favor of a couple inexperienced rookies -- makes PERFECT sense. Right.

Inexperienced? Any guesses as to how many 4 x 400's those rookies have run during their career. How inexperienced was Sanya Richards last year?

Dopes.

How many OLYMPIC 4 x 400s have all of them run? It's the world's biggest stage. I don't question that we have talent in the 400. I question leaving off this particular athlete who proved with her 1:57 800 a few days ago that she is fit and ready to go -- and she's as tough as they come.

Richard Neer wrote:

A fan of USA track who wanted the US to have a shot at winning would want the four best Americans on that team. JMC isn't one of those.

I respectfully disagree. JMC is one of our 4 best 400 meter relay runners. Judging who is best is not just a matter of looking at PRs... international relay experience also should be taken into account as well as how fast the aforementioned JMC has run on those relays. Head to head competition with the other US relay members should also be taken into consideration.

Regardless of what Humphrey says, Jearl deserves a spot on the relay team. The Olympics is supposed to represent the best athletes the participating countries have. Jearl certainly is one of the USA's best. Humphrey is the one who should be left off.

I agree wholeheartedly with DougC. Dropping JMC from the relay is inexcusabale. She epitomizes the best in track with her experience and sportsmanship. Oh, and she's still friggin' fast too.

She deserves better.

Well perhaps it will be a DNF for a dropped baton in the 4x400 as in the 4X100

What a poor decision, and more than that, a classless way to justify it. "...need fresher legs...??" - need we remind you that those not-so-fresh legs have the accomplishment of 2 Olympic gold medals thus far? In a sport full of younger people, Jearl has consistently dominated the field and always given a solid performance when placed in an individual event and on a relay team. Consistency is what counts. If you can hands-down depend on an athlete to produce medal-winning results every time, age is not relevant.

Age has not seemed to matter in any other sport; track and field should be no different.

I have also had the privelege of training on the same track under JJ, Jearl and Hazel Clark. You are not going to find a more committed team of people. Jearl's dedication to the sport has not waivered in the 5 Olympics she has competed in. With this being her last, what kind of a message are you sending to the American track-following public, as well as the world, by saying that no matter the work or sweat put into training to be the best of your field, age is what really counts.

Gee, it would be awful if the USATF reviewed Humphrey and Brooks' credentials and resume and decided it would be better to bring in "fresh legs."