Joe Klecker in Trouble?

Pretty sure that (just like the US had 2 spots in the marathon before trials) there are 3 locked spots now in the 10,000, so 1,2,3 at trials are going, that simple.

Glad you are so sure of that...

I like Klecker but do agree with others he has probably maximized his ability on the track. I would think after Paris he would shift his focus to the roads, which I think will suit him better.

What if OAC goes after Grant and buys out his contract?

per usual, the top three will be those who can kick off a slow pace.

It's rare to see someone take a universality place in the 10k. It's usually in one of the sprints.

I mean this is how it always is

However, watching Grant solo that 12:50 5k this winter makes me think he is gonna crank it down earlier this year.

Is Paul chelimo gonna go for the 10? His time from last year doesn’t roll over right?

One of the only mistakes Dathan has made is not encouraging him to move to the roads earlier. This would be the perfect time for it; Rupp is out of the picture, there's a big group of 2:08-2:10 men but nobody clear of the field. A 12:54 guy with his endurance should be knocking on 2:05, not enough for a medal perhaps but better than the rest of the US. He could also be picking up a lot more money, and making a name for himself in the mainstream. At this point it looks like he'll start making the transition in time for the 2028 Olympic cycle, but by then who knows what the field will look like. Fisher will be 31 at that point, and also likely eyeing a move to the roads. Mantz, while probably less talented, will have a significant headstart and be hitting the peak of his marathon career. Plenty of time for a new talent to appear. There's a good chance Klecker will be the outside man looking in again in 2028.

On is selling a remarkable number of shoes here in EU, but I'm not sure they'd be that bold as long as they got other athletes with high US visibility already on their roster. Compared to the major brands they are one or two rungs down the $$$ ladder. Trying to recruit for potential and trying to score is much cheaper and less risky.

Why would you say Klecker is “more talented” than Mantz? Mantz has run everything from a 3:37 1500, 2x ncaa xc champ, ncaa 10k 2nd, 5th over 10k at the 2020 trials, and recent Olympic trials marathon winner. I’d say that they’re both very, very good and very, very comparable.

A lot can happen in 3 months. Look at Nico Youngs progression in the last 3 months. We will see

Mantz: 7:41 3000, 13:10 5000, 27:25 10000
Klecker: 7:34, 12:54, 27:07

Again I say steeplechase now and marathon next cycle. I'd say marathon now but the marathon team is already set, so steeplechase is an option that should be considered.

When you've live in a nation where a 26:33 guy failed to make a team in the 10000 and the 5000 looks even more stacked (a 3:32 guy couldn't make the team in a kick), it's natural that some of that talent should gravitate towards the relatively weaker steeple field. Klecker could be that guy.

Before Solinsky suddenly broke 27 and 13, there was serious talk earlier in that same year that he was moving to the steeplechase. His shock sub 27 ended that. On the flip side of that, Jager, who had already made a 5000m team, surprisingly moved to the steeple and proved to be super talented for it, and never looked back.

I got downvoted for this a couple days ago but it really isn't a stupid idea.

Never forget the Ian Dobson's of the world that post good marks, lay low and stick to a plan while the internet forgets and devotes finger-count team spots to others in the headlines.

It's one race that matters. He is capable of the standard before or after.

Really don’t think there’s any big mistake? He’s made a team every year. This year if he doesn’t maybe you call that out, but 2025-2026 is the logical time as it is. He’ll be 28-29 and can do World Half in San Diego and/or the home World XC in January 2026. From there get big money to debut in a domestic Marathon and/or go for a big AR in the half. Same thing for Monson.

Actually, I take my comment back entirely. Just looked it up, and it's not even an option. Apologies for the digression!

"In terms of Universality Places, any NOC that has no male or female qualified athlete or relay team will be allowed to enter their best ranked male or best ranked female athlete in either the 100m, 800m or marathon."

olympics.com

How to qualify for athletics at Paris 2024. The Olympics qualification system explained

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One of the sports that featured at the Ancient Olympic Games, athletics has been a mainstay of the modern Olympic programme since the revival of the Games at Athens 1896. The Paris 2024 athletics programme will see a total of...

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I think that Nico Young has a great chance of taking a spot for the Olympics. I don't see Klecker making it this year.

I see Klecker running a 2:11 at New York this fall.

Let me know when Klecker wins a diamond league or comes 6th at worlds and world xc