Now That Webb is In They'd Better Let Fam in

I give Fam a 50/50 chance of getting in on appeal.

Webb got in because of his past resume and possibly the fact that he has a current Trials 'A' standard in the 1500m (which demonstrates reasonable current fitness).

Fam also has a strong resume but lacks a current Trials 'A' standard.

I could see this going either way.

It is also a bit more problematic to have an extra guy in the steeple due to the possibility of traffic causing falls.

Webb belongs in the 5000m trials. First off Rupp and Lagat are almost gimme's to make the team baring a freak accident or something. That leaves the third spot open. I would prefer Webb having a shot, given the standard that its always a kicker's race at the Olympic heats 13:30s to low 13:40s. This would give Webb the best chance to make the final besides the other 2 given the fact that he has great speed. Plus he has been getting faster each week, albeit not where he should be. However, if he has a few more weeks to train it will only make him that much more in shape IF he makes the team. The fact of the matter is he is improving faster than anybody else right now because most everybody else is at their top fitness levels already.

Nothing against any of the other runner I just think Webb has the most to offer if he makes the team and that's why he deserves to be in the 5000m.

No cc. Giving the athlete a little bit of discretion is not a bad idea. It might not completely apply to the Webb and Fam questions but it is not a bad idea. Let me spell out the logic. The vast majority of runners run not only their distance but the distance above and the distance below. With Webb, we know he ran both the 800 and 5000 this spring as well as the 1500. Now who knows which race he is ready for better than the athlete and their coach?The trials have nothing to do with truly elite. If this had anything to do with truly elite then only people with the Olympic A standard would be allowed. In the majority of events, people with the A standard are the only ones who can make the team so why let anyone without it run at all?

vhviyftyfyt wrote:Webb got in because of his past resume and possibly the fact that he has a current Trials 'A' standard in the 1500m . . .

He also missed his qualifying race last weekend because his wife was giving birth.

Well the BAA let Allistar Craig in theist Boston marathon without a qualifier.

And they let Kip Litton in too without a LEGIT qualifier.

They should make it really interesting. Something like he has to run in lane 4 the whole time. Or he doesn't hvae to run the first lap, but he has to do 200 squats before he can go.

I havent read through this whole thread, but Fam didnt make the appeal cut-off date. So, this is his own fault. He probably would have made it if he wasnt stupid.

webby wrote:

vhviyftyfyt wrote:Webb got in because of his past resume and possibly the fact that he has a current Trials 'A' standard in the 1500m . . .

He also missed his qualifying race last weekend because his wife was giving birth.

No he didnt'. He just decided not to run. (Maybe he had been given certain assurances).

I read Webb didn't run the Indy 5K, because of the appeal. His agent held him back. Plus, as someone said- Webb has the standard in another event, showing fitness. Fam ran a recent 14:31 and was apparently/possibly tardy with his appeal. I hope he makes it. But Webb was an event switch- different from Fam's lack of fitness.

Fam on FB:

Anthony Famiglietti posted in Im tired of USATF and IAAF crippling our sport.

Anthony Famiglietti 3:05pm Jun 22

My appeal to run the Olympic trials steeple has been denied. Yet somehow they let Alan Webb in the 5k with slowest time in entire field bypassing hard working runners & USATFs own rule system. I think we all know why this has happened. It is up to you to fight to change the sport and stop these inequities once and for all. With me you finally have a voice on this.

I'm a 2 x Olympian in the Steeplechase

Only American in the trials steeplechase this year to make an Olympic or World Championship final.

I ran my qualifying times solo up front in the race.

The field this year is the deepest its been times won't make it this year that have made it before.

I'm only out of the trials be less than a second.

USATF won't even give a reason as to why they denied my appeal but accepted Alan Webbs a week in advance of the 5k field even being declared breaking their own rules.

Alan Webb is a good friend and I'm a fan and always will be, but this is some serious BS.

Call this number at USATF to help reevaluate the appeal or ask why Alan was let in

541-743-2040

ttc wrote:

I read Webb didn't run the Indy 5K, because of the appeal. His agent held him back. Plus, as someone said- Webb has the standard in another event, showing fitness. Fam ran a recent 14:31 and was apparently/possibly tardy with his appeal. I hope he makes it. But Webb was an event switch- different from Fam's lack of fitness.

Webb had a mark showing fitness in the 5000m. It was 13:49. Fam was much, much closer to the A standard in his event than Webb was in his. Neither Fam's 5k mark nor Webbs 1500m mark have any relevance to the petitions.

USATF can be emailed here:

http://www.usatf.org/about/directory/info.asp?parent=&group=Developmental%20Group

I'm glad Webb is in, and I'm disappointed in Fam's reaction.

Fam at his best is a WC finalist - Webb at his best is unbeatable.

balance beam of science wrote:

Fam at his best is a WC finalist - Webb at his best is unbeatable.

Really? How many top level international races has Webb won? I count one.

Webb on the international level.

I quick google search has Max Siegel's home phone number...(317) 288-0848

Wejo,

Webb and fam are 2 totally different situations. Fam did NOT qualify for the 2012 Olympic trials, Webb did. Webb is in the meet and changed events. Fam didn't qualify for the meet, fam didn't qualify for the meet, fam didn't qualify for the meet. What don't you get?

Don't bring up Webb, leave the guy alone. Fam just wants in because he used to be great, who cares who used to be great? Webb is great and qualified for the meet.

Unless Webb finds sub 3:35 speed he is not going to London. He needs that base speed to be competitive in either the 1500 or the 5000. As for Fam if his best time this year is indeed 14:31 he should not even been considered for the trials. That is a NCAA D3 time. Webb should just run the 1500 and hope he still has a 3:35 1500 in the tank. Remember, he ran a 3:35 at the 2004 trials. Webb has a far better chance in the 1500.