Bekele--speak for yourself.

KB is right - if there wasn't the $, why should he waste his time running? He comes from one of the poorest countries in the world.

Why do Kenyans run a marathon in 2:10-14, make $10-20k, and stop? They are done - mission accomplished, time to get on w/ life.

Swede. wrote:

When one of Sweden´s top runners was at a training camp in S:t Moritz last year he spoke to a couple of Quatar runners. When he told them that he had an ordinary job besides running they looked at him like he was some kind of nutcase. "If you have a job, why do you run?"

Absolutely GD right....why waste your time and energy for something that will deliver bloody f@#kall remuneratively?

Athletes from developed countries have the LUXURY of options.

Ethiopia is a semi-failed state, despite being the 3rd largest US military aid recipient after Israel and Columbia. It could all go up in a puff of smoke. If KB was faced w/ the choice of 1) running races for laughs and some shoes or 2) working as much as he could to make as much $ as possible, and keep as much of it as possible outside the country, which do you think he'd do?

Go to a seriously f@#king poor country, meet some people, and see how they live. It will open your eyes.

WOW. LRC .... is this lousy discussion really a front page item??? Why the hell would you link a discussion between idiots about non-issue on your front page???

Completely idiotic on your part, I'd say.

What does Usain Bolt run for? Why did Sanya Richards try so hard for her second jackpot share? Isinbaeva lives in Monte Carlo--what do you think she vaults for? You can point at Ron Artest signing for $10 million less than he could have gotten from someone other than the Lakers (it's what they could offer) because he wants a championship so badly.

But true professional athletes compete for championships and money. Period. That's how their values are judged. Maybe US long distance runners don't talk in these terms because they're not good enough to compete for much of either--and maybe they need to adjust their motivations.

I'm not trying to pick on Ritz but look at Ritz saying something like my future lies in the marathon...right after he became the third fastest 5000 of the year to that point. A Kenyan, I think, would be talking about what he needed to do to catch the guys in front of him....so he can make more money.

Coach D in 100% right on today. Also, white runners need speed to win does meets. Stop the, I don't train fast, but I will love to be faster. Hey black guys, stop doing speed work. We slow white guys, need to get up and do some speed drills.

You're an imbecile. He doesn't claim to speak for all runners, although you claim that he does. To make such a malinformed and easily refutable claim reveals that you are not too bright and careless in your use of language.

So white lightning, stick to what you do best... trolling.

Bekele has won world titles, records, and Olympic medals. He's won world cross more times than Armstrong has won the tour. It must be monotonous counting the time between losses in years. It must be dull to toy with the world's best, waiting for the day that someone can possibly cover your move for victory at any point in the race. It must be frustrating leading every race while many of the most talented athletes on earth cower in submission over your shoulder.

If nobody, including the OP, can pose a challenge to break the monotonous stream of victories, then why should we disparage him for seeking amusement elsewhere?

Bekele has been there and done that. Is age the only thing that can possibly stop him?

bekele would still race even if he didnt make zero or alot of money. its his life

I'm surprised no one asked him what his 5k pr is yet

You are an idiot, not for believing that Bekele is clean, or even for thinking that this quote doesn't raise any suspicions, but for thinking that anyone with any other opinion on the matter, however well supported, is an idiot. You sound like the morons on every political and religious thread that cannot understand someone else ever starting with different assumptions than they do. I wish your kind would jump off a bridge or move to a totalitarian state so no one would have to deal with you in any public discourse.

On the other note, did I ever tell you I was absolutely sure the people I know aren't doping? No. That would be impossible without being one of them. Did I not share information that would show I was very, very qualified to know if they were doping, but which would narrow who I was down to about 40 possible people? Yes.

Bekele has a crap load of wins, I am sure without the money, they would start to get old to me as well.

Bekele is obviously seeing running as a JOB and NOT a passion. His job IS running.

One question for the OP: Would you carry out your daily job without salary?

I think That said it all!!!

Yeah well rant all you want. I don't even know why I bother sometimes. You're "personal" opinion is meaningless. Try seeing things from his perspective. As it has been said before; 20 gold medals. Where's the motivation? Hell, at least with money he can go back home and start investing in some projects in Ethiopia. I get mad because people on this board are so quick to judge other distance runners without knowing where they're coming from. And of course accusing them of using peds. Makes you all sound bitter.