Cam Levins nowhere to be seen on final lap

But coach d said Levins would outkick everyone if the pace was slow...

Synthroid wrote:

Dennis Reynolds wrote:

Fair enough. Rupp is only offered those advantages because he is very talented AND willing to put in the hard work.

This is true. Rupp deserves every ounce of that medal and every dollar it gets him. In all honesty, I'd like to see a system where coaches like Salazar work with kids from the age of 14. Until that's a reality, however, that guy who finds a way to get it done at the age of 21-22 trumps the kid who had the silver platter from 8th grade on. Imagine a gymnast who made an all around final without being part of the machine. She'd be the darling of the world.

At age 14 Hicham El Guerrouj began training at the national training center in Rabat (is that how you spell it?). I imagine he had similar advantages Rupp has had. A team of coaches, trainers, nutritionists, etc., to produce the best possible line-up of athletes. And with great results: 3:26, 3:43, etc.. I remember reading an article about him where it was said that everything, food, housing, was taken care of for him. I mean, he was bros with the freakin King of Morocco! All he had to do was train. That was it. Imagine if the only thing for you to concentrate on IN YOUR LIFE was running? You might get pretty good!

Unfortunately though there will always be the suspicion of drugs, which unfortunately takes attention away from the tremendous support system he had throughout his athletic career. I still believe he was clean, because he is such an inspiration. I think if we could have had an inside look at the advantages he had from Morocco, popular opinion might be swayed.

Cam did about as good as I was expecting, some people went overboard with his NCAA performances.