Although the 1980 Olympics boycott is a very good answer too, I was personally much more disappointed by Jim Ryun's fall in Munich. I grew up in Wichita, though, and was 15 years old at the time, so I am probably a bit biased...
He posted the MRIs of his completely ruptured hamstring because people were saying that. Who fakes an injury in the last race of his career while chasing a medal in the anchor leg of the WCs? He intentionally gave his teammates a DNF and then faked MRIs? Different kind of disappointment here.
When Galen Rupp was chasing the AR in the 10k and was switching up locations between OR and Stanford dues to weather. Salazar wanted "perfected" conditions.... It was weeks long build up the included a 5k tune up in Berkeley of all places..... Then he goes out there and gets absolutely TROUNCED by Chris Solinsky who was a near nobody and ended up breaking 27. Still love that.... and the call made on flotrack. look it up, well worth the watch
I'm confused. Where was the disappointment?
It was for Galen? frick I don't even know now that you put it that way
Molly Huddle after Tokyo- losing her mind, seeking a "TUE", and becoming completely irrelevant.
Huddle at 2015 World Championships. Prematurely celebrated and threw away her only chance at a global medal. This was three years after making the same mistake at the USA XC championships.
When Galen Rupp was chasing the AR in the 10k and was switching up locations between OR and Stanford dues to weather. Salazar wanted "perfected" conditions.... It was weeks long build up the included a 5k tune up in Berkeley of all places..... Then he goes out there and gets absolutely TROUNCED by Chris Solinsky who was a near nobody and ended up breaking 27. Still love that.... and the call made on flotrack. look it up, well worth the watch
How was Solinsky a “near nobody”?? He was a Foot Locker champion who tied Ritz for greatest margin of victory in history, 2x NCAA champ, and world championships finalist the year before.
In no particular order: Jordan Hasay Drew Hunter Sammy Wanjiru's death Pre's death Bekele missing WR by 2secs
Honourable mentions: Farah's Marathon career Julien Wanders, if he doesn't sort his overtraining out Kipchoge not targeting a HM after he ran 2:01 & 1:59
I generally like Morgan McDonald, but from the guy who won so many titles and made beating Fisher look easy, I expected far greater success as a pro :/
He got unlucky with his ankle injury last year + covid this year, but he finally got back to PR shape a couple weeks ago. I think he'll break 13 next year, but it's hard to say if he'll get to Fisher's level just because of how good Fisher has gotten.
No disrespect to McDonald but he almost certainly will not reach Fishers level. He is 7th fastest all time at 10K and 12th fastest at 5K, nobody born outside of East Africa has ever been faster.
McDonald could have a fantastic career (and i think he will), and never reach that. Hope to see him, Ollie, and Stewy mixing it up at World XC on home soil next year