That's a good point. Blanks is amazing (Parker Wolfe too). Habtom Samuel is certainly on the level of many pros as well. The difference is that we already know how Jakob would do in a 5000m race against the best in the world. He is the double gold medalist.
Jakob's rivals are the same guys who specialize in the 5km and 10km. Jakob is not only "on the level with" the elite pros, he routinely beats them in the most important meets (Worlds and Olympics).
If it were up to me, I would take some of the billions of dollars that are floating around in sports these days and may it worth-while for EVERYONE to go to World Cross. I would love to see the best of the best racing cross like we saw in previous eras.
p.s. We talk about "Grand Slam" track and are referring to four new, made-up meets. I wish we had a real grand slam. Do you think anyone could win all four of these events in one year?
- Cross Country Worlds (10km)
- Indoor Worlds (3000m)
- World Championships or Olympics (1500m)
- Diamond League Championship (5000m)
If so, he/she would be the greatest runner hands down. This should be the goal of the distance running community. How about $10,000,000 to the first runner who wins those four events in one year.