At least the Olys were cancelled in 1916, 1949, 1944 for good reason.
They cancelled the OG in 1949? I didn't even know there were OG's that year. I know that 1916 and 1944 were cancelled and for all intents and purposes the 1940 games were cancelled. Not sure about 1949.
Bjorklund was one of those elite U.S. distance runners negatively impacted by that boycott.
No he wasn't. Greg Fredericks was the person who was most impacted by Carters asinine boycott.
Not saying you are incorrect Malmo but I understand that Garry chose not to run the US Marathon Trials in May due to the boycott and then he ran 2:10 to win Gramdma’s Marathon in June. So he would have had a shot at making the team in the marathon but I take your point.
Not saying you are incorrect Malmo but I understand that Garry chose not to run the US Marathon Trials in May due to the boycott and then he ran 2:10 to win Gramdma’s Marathon in June. So he would have had a shot at making the team in the marathon but I take your point.
Greg Fredericks is perhaps the most overlooked distance runner in American history. Compare his record to all of the over-hyped road runners of the era.
Fredericks won three National titles: the 1972 AAU 10k (in which he set the AR, 28:08), the 1975 AAU XC title, and the 1976 AAU indoor three mile.
Five times runner-up at 5000m.
That 10,000m AR was the 12th fastest in World history at the time.
If it weren't for the likes of three no-names -- Steve Prefontaine, Marty Liquori and Craig Virgin -- Fredericks would have had EIGHT National titles over a period of ten years!
1980 Olympic Trials 10,000 2nd to Virgin (fastest 10k in the world) 1978 AAU 5000 2nd to Liquori (#2 ranked 5k in the world) 1977 AAU 5000 2nd to Liquori (#1 ranked 5k in the world) 1976 AAU indoor 3 mile 1st (2nd to Nyambui) 1975 AAU Cross Country 1st 1975 AAU 5000 5th to Liquori 1974 AAU Cross Country 4th to John Ngeno (Ted Casteneda 3rd National Champ) 1972 NCAA Cross Country 4th to Pre 1972 AAU 10000 1st (American record, 8th All-time World) 1972 NCAA 5000 2nd to Pre (#4 ranked 5k in the world) 1971 NCAA 3 mile 2nd to Pre (#10 ranked 5k in the world) 1970 NCAA 3 mile 5th to Pre
Greg ran 4:20.1 and 9:27.0 in high school
1980 Olympic Trials 1. 27:45.61 Craig Virgin 2. 28:03.14 Greg Fredericks 3. 28:10.42 Alberto Salazar 4. 28:12.85 Jeff Wells 5. 28:12.99 Mike Buhman 6. 28:19.56 Tom Wysocki
1978 AAU 5000m 1. 13:40.2 Marty Liquori 2. 13:41.0 Greg Fredericks 3. 13:41.0 Matt Centrowitz 4. 13:42.9 Ralph King 5. 13:43.1 Randy Melancon
1977 AAU 5000m 1. 13:41.6 Marty Liquori 2. 13:42.9 Greg Fredericks 3. 13:43.6 Randy Melancon 4. 13:44.4 Ralph King 5. 13:45.4 Paul Geis
1976 AAU indoor 3 mile 1. 13:15.0 Suleiman Nyambui Tanzania 2. 13:15.0 Greg Federicks PPC 3. 13:15.6 Ted Castaneda Col TC 4. 13:16.4 Frank Shorter FTC 5. 13:19.8 Ron Martin GBR 6. 13:27.0 Paul Stemmer Penn State
1975 AAU Cross Country 1. 28:57 Greg Fredericks 2. 28:58 John Gregorio 3. 28:58 Garry Bjorklund 4. 28:59 Glen Herold
1974 AAU Cross Country 1. John Ngeno 2. Neil Cusack 3. Ted Casteneda (National Champion) 4. Greg Fredericks
1972 AAU 10000m 1. 28:08.0 Greg Fredericks, AR, #12 all-time World! 2. 28:12.0 Frank Shorter 3. 28:12.6 Tom Laris 4. 28:13.4 Jack Bacheler 5. 28:30.0 Jeff Galloway 6. 28:32.8 Juan Martinez (MEX)
1972 NCAA 5000 1. 13:31.4 Steve Prefontaine #2 all-time US 2. 13:34.0 Greg Fredericks #4 all-time US 3. 13:43.4 John Hartnett 4. 13:45.8 Glenn Herold 5. 13:48.3 Mike Keough
1971 NCAA 3 mile 1. 13:20.1 Steve Prefontaine 2. 13:28.0 Greg Fredericks 3. 13:31.6 Len Hilton
Nov 23 1970 NCAA Cross Country 1. 28:00 Steve Prefontaine Oregon 2. 28:08 Donal Walsh Villanova 3. 28:10 Don Kardong Stanford 4. 28:12 Greg Fredericks Penn State
1970 NCAA 3 mile 1. 13:22.0 Steve Prefontaine 2. 13:25.5 Garry Bjorklund 3. 13:27.8 Dick Buerkle 4. 13:28.0 Don Kardong 5. 13:30.0 Greg Fredericks
Well of course you have a connection with Greg Fredericks. Yes he was a very good runner but the other poster was simply saying that the boycott impacted Garry Bjorklund, which was arguably true. Now with Fredericks it is seems obviously the case as he would have competed in Moscow in 1980 if not for the boycott. Both of them could have been impacted by the boycott of course, although with Bjorklund there is some conjecture involved as to his prospects of making the team in the marathon, which seemed pretty good at the time, but who knows. I would concur though that Fredericks is a bit under the radar considering how good he was.
Bjorklund was one of those elite U.S. distance runners negatively impacted by that boycott.
No he wasn't. Greg Fredericks was the person who was most impacted by Carters asinine boycott.
Unnnie wrote: "...the other poster was simply saying that the boycott impacted Garry Bjorklund, which was arguably true."
That is correct. My point was that Bjorklund was one of several elite U.S. Distance runners negatively impacted by that boycott. I wasn't suggesting BJ was the most, but simply one of many - and I agree, Fredericks was another.
Thanks for the select racing results for Fredericks, certainly overlooked during that era. Popular culture has made Pre the "King" of running during that era. While Pre certainly was one of the best, other U.S. distance runners were better (i.e. Shorter) or arguably better (i.e. list your "favorites...).
Different topic, but related to Bjorklund since he is from that mid 70s to mid 80s era. A number of the U.S. athletes missed out on competing in the 1980 Olympics due to the boycott. The World Champs didn't start until 1983 so the Olympics every 4 years was an even bigger deal then - and to miss a 4-year cycle and go 8 years between could be a career buster.
Bjorklund was one of those elite U.S. distance runners negatively impacted by that boycott. Based on some of his road/marathon results, he may have been in top shape during that 1978-82 window. Would he have medaled in 1980 Moscow? Who knows. But he had gained significant enough experience from the 1976 Montreal Olympics and subsequent racing in the late 70s he was arguably a strong contender to do so.
Your post is a good post for an obituary. Garry B. has crossed over into the world of crime. Your obit post doesn't help. He left his criminal defense attorneys not much to work with. Garry B's attorneys cannot argue Breathalyzer was functioning slightly outside of manufactures stated Standard Deviation. Garry B. has to check himself into rehab a.s.a.p. then have his attorneys beg for leniency. Stuff above is not going to help. Arguing in court that Garry B while in college always came up a little short when race Stevie P. will not help. Judge will ask: Who is Stevie P? Oh! That guy!
You missed the point of this post in the very first sentence. "Different topic, ...."
And no, this would NOT be a good post for an obituary. It is a comment on one topic (1980 boycott and 1 runner), not a review/celebration of a person's life.
If you want to comment on what I said about Bjorklund and the pending DUI, read/comment on that post.
I correctly read your post. You, Malmo and others are doing a scope shift on this thread. You, Malmo and others are changing Garry B's drinking problem and his criminal case thread into a discussion on 1980 Olympics or personal tidbits about Garry B that are irrelevant to the facts. You, Malmo and others should start your own Garry B., 1980 Olympic thread or Garry B. versus Frank Shorter or Garry B. versus AlSal or Garry B. versus S. Prefontaine thread.
A. If you or Malmo or others are advising Garry B. to fight the case, offer a narrative for Garry B. to beat the charge. I would like to read it.
B. If you or Malmo do not have a decent argument for Garry B. to beat the charge, tell Garry B. to check himself into rehab a.s.a.p.
I correctly read your post. You, Malmo and others are doing a scope shift on this thread. You, Malmo and others are changing Garry B's drinking problem and his criminal case thread into a discussion on 1980 Olympics or personal tidbits about Garry B that are irrelevant to the facts. You, Malmo and others should start your own Garry B., 1980 Olympic thread or Garry B. versus Frank Shorter or Garry B. versus AlSal or Garry B. versus S. Prefontaine thread.
A. If you or Malmo or others are advising Garry B. to fight the case, offer a narrative for Garry B. to beat the charge. I would like to read it.
B. If you or Malmo do not have a decent argument for Garry B. to beat the charge, tell Garry B. to check himself into rehab a.s.a.p.
You are correct, I should have begun a new thread for this topic (1980 Boycott). It was unintentional on my part. To you and other thread readers, please accept my apology.
As for the topic at hand (DUI), I don't have anything more to say than what I posted in the original.
To restate: It appears BJ made a serious mistake. I make no excuses for him and he needs to be accountable for what has occurred.
Unless one of us has inside details we don't know whether this was an anomaly or a pattern of behavior. Regardless, lets do what we can to help people who have been negatively impacted in these situations and to protect innocent lives in the future by those making poor decisions - and help the poor decision-makers mend their own lives.
Outside of that, there isn't much for me to be gained by further discussing someone's mistake. Perhaps for others there is benefit; no judgement from me. Best wishes.
Original Post on topic for reference: Definitely a sad, sad story to read about BJ. Truly one of the kindest and most humble of the top U.S. runners of his time. We all have flaws, we all make mistakes. For most of us those flaws and mistakes are not made widely known or publicized, as is the case in this instance. While no excuse for what BJ allegedly did, we ought to remember each of us is far from perfect before casting the stone and judging. We don't know if BJ is addicted or if this was an anomaly. Regardless, lets be in his corner to support him - and perhaps more importantly - lets be in the corner of the people in our lives where we have contact and can help. Support does not mean the actions are condoned, but that we help that individual in whatever way we can to move past the challenge, learn, and not repeat (and make restitution as necessary).
We don't know if BJ is addicted or if this was an anomaly. Regardless, lets be in his corner to support him - and perhaps more importantly - lets be in the corner of the people in our lives where we have contact and can help. Support does not mean the actions are condoned, but that we help that individual in whatever way we can to move past the challenge, learn, and not repeat (and make restitution as necessary).
Your comments are wishful thinking, at best. A mistake is putting on mismatched socks or turning left when you should have gone right. This wasn't simply a mistake. He made a massive error in judgment and it's a mark on his character. He got behind the wheel with that level of BA because he conditioned himself to that point, period. He's been enabled enough thus far, it's time to call out bad behavior not sugarcoat it because of extraneous reasons. He'll need trained professionals for support to get past this to a brighter future, not babying attitudes from random strangers on a message board.
We don't know if BJ is addicted or if this was an anomaly. Regardless, lets be in his corner to support him - and perhaps more importantly - lets be in the corner of the people in our lives where we have contact and can help. Support does not mean the actions are condoned, but that we help that individual in whatever way we can to move past the challenge, learn, and not repeat (and make restitution as necessary).
Your comments are wishful thinking, at best. A mistake is putting on mismatched socks or turning left when you should have gone right. This wasn't simply a mistake. He made a massive error in judgment and it's a mark on his character. He got behind the wheel with that level of BA because he conditioned himself to that point, period. He's been enabled enough thus far, it's time to call out bad behavior not sugarcoat it because of extraneous reasons. He'll need trained professionals for support to get past this to a brighter future, not babying attitudes from random strangers on a message board.
You are correct, some of my statements are wishful thinking, and why not? Shouldn't we wish, hope (call it whatever you want) for the best?
To be clear - I did not downplay what has allegedly occurred. I called it a "serious mistake" and you have labeled it "...a massive error in judgment.." To me, that is semantics.
I would agree this is likely a mark on his character, but to what degree I don't know nor am I one to judge. And unless any of us are the judge or have verifiable facts we can present here, our opinions are pure conjecture.
And unless any of us are the judge or have verifiable facts we can present here, our opinions are pure conjecture.
Golly! Is that something that could possibly happen on the LRCMB?
A conscious decision to endanger others needlessly is not at all on the same level with a typo or leaving the toilet seat up. It’s perverse to suggest otherwise.
And unless any of us are the judge or have verifiable facts we can present here, our opinions are pure conjecture.
Golly! Is that something that could possibly happen on the LRCMB?
A conscious decision to endanger others needlessly is not at all on the same level with a typo or leaving the toilet seat up. It’s perverse to suggest otherwise.
With your sarcasm and twisting words to create a different idea than was conveyed (i.e. at no point did I equate this incident as being equal to a typo or leaving the toilet seat up) it appears you simply want to carry on contentious instead of meaningful conversation.
MINNEAPOLIS — One of the Northland's most famous and accomplished runners of all time Garry Bjorklund, 71, was convicted for gross misdemeanor driving while intoxicated Wednesday and was placed on probation for three years, following a crash that involved him driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic.
According to a criminal complaint, police were called to an Eden Prairie collision at about 6 p.m. Aug. 8. There, officers found a Ford facing west in an eastbound lane of traffic. The report said Bjorklund was standing with his hands on the hood of the vehicle, which had collided with a Tesla on the scene.
