Please consider signing petition asking Louis Luchini to Remove Himself from Olympic consideration

rojo this is disgraceful.

Michael Bautista wrote:

done

First off your a tool, and im never going to God D@mn website

secondly it doesnt matter who we send there isnt a cold chance in hell of us getting on the podiom.

Louis deserves the experiance as much as anyone( That is a WHOLE HELL OF ALOT MORE than anyone signing this dumb thing). so good luck louis

rojo,

Why insert youself in this way? Your efforts would be better spent in advocating a change in this convoluted qualifying process. Louis is NOT the problem, and you of all people should understand this. Senseless move, chap.

If Wejo had made the olympic marathon team and then ran poorly, would you have started a petition to force him to withdraw? Did you start a petition to force him to withdraw from the Pan Am games, knowing he was injured? I didn\'t think so. Please withdraw your petition. Thanks.

Rojo, I've got to tell you, this is the dumbest thing you've ever done (I hope).

The objective of the qualifying process isn't to speculate about who might or might not make the A standards over the next three weeks. The objective is to have a fair and logical process that will ensure the maximum number of participants in the Games.

Let's just say we put the Wejo rule in effect. Lets say that in the 5000 we five B qualifiers and none of them finish in the top four in a slow tactical race in the Olympic Trials. Do we then nominate FOUR non-qualifiers, thereby risking not sending anyone at all? NFW!

Going back to your original thesis, OF COURSE IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT B QUALIFIERS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT MAKING THE A MARK THAN NON-QUALIFIERS!

You've hitched your wagon to the wrong pony.

1) In order to be selected for the team one must have an "A" standard. The nominees are the first four "A" qualifiers at the trials. Got that?

(draw a line in the sand here)

------------------------------------

2) If one does not have an "A" standard then they are hoping to invoke the Grateful Dead Clause*. The next "B" qualifiers are then nominated until the four nominees are filled. Got it?

(draw another line in the sand here)

------------------------------------

3) If one has neither the "A" nor the "B" qualifier, then they are hoping to invoke the Powerball Clause**. If the B qualifiers do not fill the four nominations then the non-qualifiers are nominated in order of finish at the Trials.

Perhaps we can start a petition to take down the petition :)

What do you think, Michael Bautista? Here would be his answer:

"I disagree"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on abortion:

"It's fair"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on George Bush:

"He's cool"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on legalizing drugs:

"Bad idea"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Rojo that is pathetic...totally uncalled for...worry about your own damn business...and using la mongie as an example of sportsmanship is like comparing apples and oranges...once again people on letsrun assume they understand cycling because of lance's great run in the tour since his cancer comeback...mind your Ps and Qs Rojo

Professor Griff wrote:

Perhaps we can start a petition to take down the petition :)

What do you think, Michael Bautista? Here would be his answer:

"I disagree"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on abortion:

"It's fair"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on George Bush:

"He's cool"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Michael Bautista's deep insight on legalizing drugs:

"Bad idea"

** By the way, visit my website! King of the Mile! Shalane is hot!"

Hilarious...and sadly so true.

malmo wrote:

Let's just say we put the Wejo rule in effect.

Edit "Rojo rule"

Who the f^ck is RoJo or anyone to tell Luchini to give up his spot for consideration? Did RoJo bust his @ss all year to run the qualifying times?

That petition is probably the most pathetic item ever posted on this board. I'm embarrassed to be associated with this website if we are going to have such ignorance by our "moderators."

RoJo, please remove the petition. Luchini has worked awfully hard for years now for someone to completely insult him on an international website. You know what, maybe WeJo should have given up his Olympic Trial spot to someone else, or hell, Marla Runyan, give up your spot because you are disabled.

Just ridiculous.

No way would I sign that...I was stunned to read that

ramzi wrote:

Bolota wont get the A standard anyway, what do you guys know, Luchini's peak for the trails might failed and will come in the next couple of weeks instead, you have to consider that and give him more chances.

I agree. It's a moot point. Neither of them will get the A.

Some possibilities:

1. The whole thing is a send-up, and someone is getting a chuckle.

2. Rojo sees he made a mistake, and he's simply considering the right way to rectify it.

3. Rojo continues to believe he's right, and he has said all he's going to say on it.

Regardless, the hysterical screeds of some are a bit over the top. If he's wrong, he's wrong. The more measured responsed are beneficial, and if they're aimed at having Rojo reconsider, they might work. The adolescent girl tantrums are a bit much.

I signed it.

I think we all agree that Bolota wiped the floor with Luchini. If I were to every qualify for the Olympics (which would never happen, but still), I wouldn't want to limp in, having gotten my ass handed to me.

I would have wanted to earn it.

If nothing else, I'm happy this petition exists so that it will contribute to the controversy surrounding these stupid A and B standards.

If there's enough of a shitstorm surrounding the process, maybe they'll change it.

This is pretty funny.My roommate who is out here with us, told Rojo he as an idiot last night. I read the petition and said there was no way in hell I'd put it up. The phone has been ringing with friends of ours telling Rojo he's an idiot.But at the same time, all Rojo is doing is expressing his opinion that Louis has no shot of hitting the "a" standard and thus if Louiis believs this too should do the honorable thing and give up his spot so Bolota can give it a shot. Everyone is acting like he hates loui luchini, but it's just Robert's opinion that Louis should think about giving up his spot. (actually as I write this I realize that is not what Rojo said and why most of you are upset. Rojo didn't say "louis should think about givign up his spot", he basically said "louis should give up his spot." I just told this to my brother and he acknowledged that the wording is too strong.If Louis doesn't have plans to go to Europe for example, do you think he should give up his spot? I don't agree with Rojo's petition mainly because of the wording but think the reaction is pretty funny.Now some comments from others

Let's just say we put the Wejo rule in effect. Lets say that in the 5000 we five B qualifiers and none of them finish in the top four in a slow tactical race in the Olympic Trials. Do we then nominate FOUR non-qualifiers, thereby risking not sending anyone at all? NFW!

1) It's not my rule. I didn't sign the petition. Although i understand what Robert is saying I would have toned it down a bit and worded it differently. If I had written a petition, I would have said, "louis if you're thinking of not going to Europe or thinking you'r season is over, please contact USATF and give up your spot."

My main problem with the petition is the wording "Mr. Luchini, we know that in your heart you probably think you somehow could pull off a miracle and hit the A standard but we as fans of the sport think you need to think with your head and not your heart."

I read that and yelled at Robert, "on a website whose slogan is "where your dreams become reality" you're telling a guy to think with his head and not his heart?" Robert said this wasn't what he was trying to do but that Louis should just think whether he really thinks he has a shot at the the "a" standard and if deep down doesn't think he has a shot should give up his spot. (Rojo says he put in the sentences about no hard feelings, etc, but his words otherwise don't match 100% what he told me)

However, Louis luchini is a tough competitor. He's done great at nationals the last 2 years. And a competitor most likely isn't going to think he has no shot at hitting the "A" standard. The only way I would see louis thinking this would be if he came in injured, having terrible workouts or something, and then was like "well that's it, I'm not getting any faster this year." But an athlete is controlled by his mind. If louis thinks in the back of his head he doesn't have a shot, then i personally should give up his spot. But I doubt he feels that way (For example last year prior to nationals, I was only in the field because of a petition. I had only run 28:5? for 10k. Some coach called me and was asking how I got in the meet as he was trying to get his athlete in the field. We both had run within 1 second of each other. He said, "well it's not like either one of you has a shot to do anything in the meet, but it will be a good experience." Well I was offended because in my mind I was thinking I had a shot to do something at the meet and I ended up doing well and getting 4th. But at the same time, I see how he thought what he did and maybe in different circumstances if I didn't think my season was on the upside, I would agree with him, but it would be a very remote possibity because you have to believe in yourself tio be successful.

The USATF rule here is the problem. No one thought of this circumstance really. But we've got a guy with an "a" or "b" in the top 3. So he's going to the Games no matter what. Thus unless someone else hits the "a" no one else is going. Thus, (unless you really want to take into account riley getting hurt in the next month), I think the guys with the best shot of hitting the A are the guys who finished high at nationals, Bolota and Matt Lane, and they should be on the list.

And an even bigger travesty is this concept of having to put down 4 names now instead of leaving it open until the deadline. Not sure if this a USOC or IOC rule but this is utter laziness and i don't see the point of it. How tough is it for some pencil pusher to finalize an Olympic team from say a list of 10 names instead of 4 names? It just involves putting the names in a database and then on the final day highlighting the top 3. Each country should be able to wait until the deadline to send its best olympic team and we can't do that here.

[quote] I certainly hope "rojo" isn't as presumptuous as to think he is anyone who has the right to ask a competitor to...]

This is the part I find most amusing. Of course Rojo has the right to ask anyone to do anything he wants. This is America. We all have the right to ask anyone to do whatever we want.

Everyone is acting like Rojo went out and did some vile act. All he did was express his opinion. Most of you don't agree with it, but all it is an opinion. He doesn't dislike Louis Luchini, I'm pretty sure he likes him. But in today's age where people are reluctant to express an opinion, I'm glad rojo was willing to stand up. He knew from the reaction of my roommate and even myself, that he'd get a hostile reaction from some but who cares.

I wonder if Louis finds it funny

I can't believe that so many people are so angry but at the same time I am pleased to see that people are signing the petition.

I agree with with many of my critics and have posted a reply now:

http://www.letsrun.com/2004/luchini.php

Full column below.

Well my online petition asking Louis Luchini to consider removing himself from Olympic consideration has created quite a stir.

Let me try to clarify a few points and address the critics. I'm not sure if many of them read the whole actual petition because I

clearly stated that I think Louis has a great future and he was well within his rights not to give up his spot. No hard feelings either

way, just please consider it.

(I mean in Australia a guy who made the team in one event gave up his spot. This is a far cry from that).

You can read Wejo's views on the petition here.

1) The petition isn't anti Louis Luchini at all.

Most people seem to be outraged as they are viewing the petition as a personal attack on Louis. It was never meant to be

anything of the sort. I think he's a very promising runner. I can still remember way back in 2000 when my brother went from

29:50 to 28:30 in one year, seeing Luchini on the US 10k list at 28:54 as a freshman in college and just being amazed. I

remember thinking, "That's amazing. I shouldn't be too impressed with Weldon a freshman in college can almost beat him."

2) I agree in principal with people who in principal say the petition should address USATF and not Louis Luchini as

the problem I have is with the nominating process and not Mr. Luchini..

Yes, people are correct when they say the problem I have is with USATF's nominating rules and not Louis Luchini. I'll even

agree that it's not exactly pleasant for me to start a petition directed at an individual person. Call it whatever you want - a bit of a

cheap shot - but I could think of no other recourse. I knew damn well that there is absolutely no way USATF was going

to change the rules after the fact and thus that's why I didn't address USATF in the petition (but I plan on contacting

them before 2008). Thus the only way to try to remedy this situation would be to address Louis.

All I'm trying to do is to get Louis to think about the situation a little bit. For all I know, he's not even planning on

chasing the A standard. If he doesn't think he's got a legitimate shot, then he should let Bolota have a crack at it,

and I started the petition to get him to at least think about. I said in the petition that he clearly doesn't have to do it,

but in my view it would be an incredible gesture on his part.

3) The tone of the petition isn't exactly what I wanted at the beginning. I'm not demanding that he give up his spot,

I'm asking that he consider doing it.

I realize that some people are very angry because the petition is written very directly and the wording is a bit too strong at the

beginning. I don't think there would be this outrage if I asked him to "think about giving up his spot" which is really all I want

instead of demanding that he give up his spot in the beginning.

I said at the end of the petition that he doesn't have to do it but it would be a great gesture if he did and I wish that same tone

appeared at the top of the petition. I mean my last two paragraphs state:

We ask that you do the same - be a true sportsman and acknowledge the fine performance of one of your rivals and let him have a shot at the

Olympic Games (The only reason why perhaps you shouldn't do as we are asking is if you really think you are in awesome shape but are just an

awful hot weather runner otherwise we can't think of why you'd think you'd have a shot of hitting the A this year).

Thank you for your consideration. No hard feelings either way. You have a great future, but please give it some thought.

Thus if you read the whole petition, I think you'd see that I'm willing to let him give it a crack if he truly honestly believes he's got

a legitimate shot at it. I just want him to think about things and consider giving up his spot.

4) Lastly, let me clarify my actual belief as to how the nominating position should work. (I agree with Malmo for the

most part)

USATF should list all A qualifiers first, then the order of finish should be honored assuming that one of the 4 people on the list at

least has a B standard. If none of the 4 have the B, then the first person with the B should be named (to insure that we send at

least 1 person) and then the next 3 finishers.

There is no reason to have more than one B qualifier on the list (and thus people are right when in saying that it would be great in

my world view if Torres also should step aside. In hindsight, if I'd added his name, there wouldn't be an outcry as it wouldn't be

viewed as a personal attack).

I honestly can't believe people are against the petition to such a degree. I assume 90% would support having the nominating

process as the way I describe it in the paragraph above, and thus would be willing to sign my petition asking Louis to consider it

(which is the tone at the end). It's what our American Olympic Trials process has always been about - let the performances at

the Trials select the team. The top 3 go regardless of reputation.

I think it's sad that people are viewing this as a personal attack on Louis. The rules aren't great. It's not Louis fault that the

nominating process sucks and he clearly doesn't have to step aside. But what's wrong with me asking that he do it? Everyone

has a right to voice their opinion.

I'm voicing mine.

wejo wrote:

[quote] I certainly hope "rojo" isn't as presumptuous as to think he is anyone who has the right to ask a competitor to...]

This is the part I find most amusing. Of course Rojo has the right to ask anyone to do anything he wants. This is America. We all have the right to ask anyone to do whatever we want.

Everyone is acting like Rojo went out and did some vile act. All he did was express his opinion. Most of you don't agree with it, but all it is an opinion. He doesn't dislike Louis Luchini, I'm pretty sure he likes him. But in today's age where people are reluctant to express an opinion, I'm glad rojo was willing to stand up. He knew from the reaction of my roommate and even myself, that he'd get a hostile reaction from some but who cares.

Yes, it is only an opinion, but maybe Rojo should've just called up Louie and told him what he thought instead of basically calling him a delusional has-been on an international forum.

I mean, seriously, what else are such phrases as,

"earned the B standard way back in April, but it's the right thing to do as it's clear that you are way past your peak",

and

"one would be crazy to think you've got a legitimate shot of running the Olympic A standard in Europe over the next few weeks",

and

"we know that in your heart you probably think you somehow could pull off a miracle and hit the A standard but we as fans of the sport think you need to think with your head and not your heart. You hit your peak 3 months ago and aren't running great right now",

and

"The only reason why perhaps you shouldn't do as we are asking is if you really think you are in awesome shape but are just an awful hot weather runner otherwise we can't think of why you'd think you'd have a shot of hitting the A this year."

supposed to mean?

Rojo,

I don't like the rules and think common sense wise, Bolota should be in the 4-man field, as great weight SHOULD be placed on the trials and not some time trial. However, Bolota didn't even get a B-Standard all season. I could sympathize if he had the B and not the A, but he's not even on the radar for a modest olympic pace.

The bigger issue BY FAR is Jonathon Riley possibly staying home. He finished 2nd, ahead of Bolota and has the A-Standard.