USATF accidentally gives Craig Leons Pan Am spot to Tyler McCandless. Should TrackTy give up slot?

this is how wrote:

I am surprised though if Craig did not reach out at all to USATF after his 2:14 at Houston. Let this be a lesson to other athletes to be proactive on issues like this.

15 runners ran a faster time in that window per the IAAF website.

On the other hand, the IAAF website lists Craig Leon with a time of 2:14:13 for the Houston marathon.

faktchek wrote:

http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/2015-Pan-American-Games/Selection-Procedures.aspx

Athletes must have completed and submitted Attachment B as a condition of selection. Until Craig confirms he submitted the required paperwork this is a non-issue. As a side note there are Canadian athletes griping about selection who failed to fill out the required paperwork (Fawn Dorr).

Obviously this is not Tylers fault in any way, so ease up on the vitriol.

Ironically Fawn and Tyler are both Penn State alums.

faktchek wrote:

http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/2015-Pan-American-Games/Selection-Procedures.aspx

Athletes must have completed and submitted Attachment B as a condition of selection. Until Craig confirms he submitted the required paperwork this is a non-issue. As a side note there are Canadian athletes griping about selection who failed to fill out the required paperwork (Fawn Dorr).

Obviously this is not Tylers fault in any way, so ease up on the vitriol.

Funny that both Tyler and Fawn are Penn State alums.

Funny and ironic you say?

So as someone who was contacted (and declined - didn't fit overall cycle plans) for the marathon spot at the Pan Am Games this summer, the order of communication as an athlete was to wait for someone to reach out to you.

This was an incident of human error on the side of USATF (wouldn't you guys have loved it if Tyler was sponsored by Nike and the pitch forks could have been hoisted). They didn't have Craig's name on the list of marathon times they used to contact people and thus he was skipped.

The biggest issue is that it was discovered only recently (because the team was publicly released only a few days ago) and it is most likely too late to change from either the perspective of the USOC (who I believe can overrule USATF as it's a USOC event) or the Pan Am Games. Normally the rosters for these types of things have a due date and can't be changed afterwards.

In regards to legal action, it would appear that Craig's situation is similar to that of the the mountain biker who was left off the olympic team. Pursuing legal action could also have negative ramification with USATF, including but not limited, to negative consideration to any future teams that have a discretion component.

Not a good situation all the way around and it's even worse due to the fact these games occur on a four year cycle.

Presuming it was USATF's fault, then the question is whether, at this juncture, anything can be done to correct the error. Is it too late due to some deadline? If not, then it is a no-brainer. Craig should be subbed in for Tyler. Craig earned it and Tyler did not. That being said, with Hightower and her boobs (not her real boobs!) in charge at USATF, no doubt Ty will be running at Pan-Am and Craig will be left wondering, like many of us, how did USATF get into this mess and will Track & Field in this country ever have an honest, transparent and professionally-run National Organization?

Info wrote:

...The biggest issue is that it was discovered only recently (because the team was publicly released only a few days ago) and it is most likely too late to change from either the perspective of the USOC (who I believe can overrule USATF as it's a USOC event) or the Pan Am Games. Normally the rosters for these types of things have a due date and can't be changed afterwards.

In regards to legal action, it would appear that Craig's situation is similar to that of the the mountain biker who was left off the olympic team. Pursuing legal action could also have negative ramification with USATF, including but not limited, to negative consideration to any future teams that have a discretion component.

Not a good situation all the way around and it's even worse due to the fact these games occur on a four year cycle.

No it's not too late. The marathon is at the end of the Games. PASO is responsible for the PanAm Games, meaning the IOC/USOC is involved. This is a legal matter, whereas the USOC is both working on behalf of the athlete and ensuring the National Governing Body (USATF) is complying with their selection procedures set forth. This isn't just USATF trying to resolve a situation on their own (which we know in the past has usually not been pretty).

would be interesting to get shannon butler's perspective on this.

Looks like Craig will either get paid or get a spot.

It's a lifelong dream for many runners to wear the National singlet. Will Craig get the uniform kit he deserves or will Tyler put on a "fake" one. Hopefully what's right and honorable takes place.

I think that craig should just go for the $$$. figure a competent atty should be able to hose usatf for at least $200k, of which 50% should come out of seigels paycheck, and 50% out of whatever slush money they use to pay hightower.

some facts I looked up wrote:

this is how wrote:

I am surprised though if Craig did not reach out at all to USATF after his 2:14 at Houston. Let this be a lesson to other athletes to be proactive on issues like this.

15 runners ran a faster time in that window per the IAAF website.

On the other hand, the IAAF website lists Craig Leon with a time of 2:14:13 for the Houston marathon.

http://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/road-running/marathon/outdoor/men/senior/2015

So we are saying that of the top 15 marathoners, 14 declined the invitation and 1 accepted? Then Craig should have been offered the #2 spot due to having the 16th fastest time? He was skipped over and then it fell to Tyler with the 17th (or slower) time?

I still say go with Tyler. He has the more deserving social media presence.

What if Tyler just turned down his spot? Would it then go to Craig, or would there just be an empty spot with the US only sending one marathoner?

If so, I'd hate to be in Tyler's position--choose between the honorable, fair move and living your dream, albeit one that you didn't rightly come by. I really have no idea what I'd do in that situation.

It'd be small consolation, but maybe Craig could still get paid whatever stipend he'd get by being on the team and get a USA singlet mailed to him. Or, yeah, just sue for six figures.

USATF is more of a joke than even the NFL main office. Every time I try to take track and road running seriously as an organized sport, I'm reminded of why I shouldn't even bother. Stuff like the NB Twilight meets outside Boston or that meet Nick Willis organized in Ann Arbor are where it's at. At least those are fun.

The important thing for you keyboard warriors to remember is this:

Tyler did nothing wrong.

If it's true that USATF contacted each runner individually (and not vice versa), then Tyler merely accepted what was offered to him by USATF. Unless he asked specifically about Craig, he would have to assume that Craig declained the invitation to Pam Ams, like the other 15 or so runners who said no.

Again, assuming there was no declaration process that Craig didn't participate in (and from the poster above, it sounds like there wasn't one), this is all USATF's doing. While Tyler is put in the unenviable position of "taking" someone else's spot, he simply said yes to a once in a lifetime experience for a 2:15 guy.

Should he give the spot to Craig? I don't know. It seems like it would be the honorable thing, but again he had no way of knowing Craig hadn't declined. I think it's up to USATF to compensate Craig in some way, but I'm not convinced that Tyler is obligated to give up his spot.

Is anyone really bashing Tyler here? Everyone knows USATF royally screwed up and Tyler is in a no-win situation.

Yeah, I haven't really read much in this thread that sounds as if people are against Tyler. He's been put in a ridiculous spot. And to answer a previous post, it looks as if USATF indeed does not have an understanding that it might be a good idea to have an Excel database with the top 100 or so fastest times from all USATF-sanctioned marathons. Hope they learn from this.

They have the complete list of athletes who have qualified for the Olympic trails in the marathon, didn't they use that? http://www.usatf.org/Sports/Road-Running/OlympicTeamTrials/2016QualifyingStandards/Eligible-List.aspx

database wrote:

They have the complete list of athletes who have qualified for the Olympic trails in the marathon, didn't they use that?

http://www.usatf.org/Sports/Road-Running/OlympicTeamTrials/2016QualifyingStandards/Eligible-List.aspx

The time period for the Olympic trials qualifying differs from the time period for Pan Am. As can be seen on that list, Craig Leon's time is 2:13:53. That time falls outside the qualifying window for Pan Am.

Reading this I am a little confused here. Why is Craig making an issue a week before the race, its not like they can put you on the team and that you are marathon race ready. This is a USOC event so theres paper work that had to be filled out.

Why if you wanted to be on the team were you not emailing USATF back in jan all the time to express your interest to be on the team, and also find out how the selection process works. IF you get no response keep emailing or, go higher up and cc others at USATF until you get a answer.

Also the way people think the answers is to voice everything via social media need to rethink that. Everyone see you bashing others, and you dont think people in the running industry dont notice. Be respectful and call USATF and discuss your concerns with them. You treat them like an adult they will do the same for you