It seems ridiculous to ban Symmonds, except that in the recent past he has in fact threatened to advertise sponsors illegally in races and even seems to be a legal risk, in so far as he is very intent on forcing the issue and may well sue to allow sponsorship, like pioneers in the 1970s.
Clearly there was a concern that Symmonds might bring Paris Hilton to the London DL.
Quite a sensible precaution in that case.
Ridiculous. The athletes really need to form a union like other sports have, as right now it seems like they're getting hosed.
Umm, then athletes need to email endUSATF@consultant.com otherwise, they deserve what they are getting.
Jurgis Rudkus wrote:
He may have issues with all the publicity stunts Symmonds goes through (e.g. The tattoo thing) and thought it may be a distraction. Would have loved to see him race Kaki and the Poles though.
By the way, is it just me or does "Kaki and the Poles" sound like a doo-wop band name?
It sounds like a pole dancing ensemble.
ventolin^3 wrote:
trollism wrote:Guessing this must be an important time to disappear prior to the Olympics for the Kenyan/Ethiopian team.moron
this is an important time for any serious runner to disappear
anyone with any pretensions to gold shoud have disappeared 2/52 ago & be in a training camp rather than wasting energy/loss of training in this meaningless meet
Normally I might agree with you. However this is a chance for athletes to get familiar with the warm up track, the wait room, and in general the environs of the game.
That could be a small advantage to the athlete.
Evidently this dolt Stewart doesn't like athletes that call attention to themselves.
WTF?
Let Ian Stewart know what you think of his actions: his email address is: istewart@uka.org.uk
jsquire wrote:
Ghoralsh wrote:suburbanxcore wrote:
Lolo tweeted saying she has been shut out of the London DL as well, and Solinsky said his whole group is on their blocked list.
Wait, what? This is ridiculous.
If I can hazard a guess, it's that one of the hurdlers who beat Jones at the Trials can barely contain her loathing of Jones and used some sort of connections to keep Lolo out.
I've also heard that Schumacher's athletes are not welcome. Again I can only guess, but I figure it's antipathy between them and AlSal's group -- and in Britain right now, Mo gets what Mo wants.
You do realize Salazar HIRED Schumacher, right?
It is more likely Solinksy's drop out and hissy fit made him and his group persona non grata.
This meet is pretty boring and I usually love watching Diamond League meets. Paris was much more exciting. The Brits can learn a thing or two from the French.
Lolo tweeted something about a headband she wore for a race, IAAF told her to stop and she did, but that's why Steward banned her. I've seen pictures of her in a Red Bull headband, could that be it? Anyone have any more details?
green lantern wrote:
For those of you wondering why I am not racing in tomorrow's London Diamond League 800m: I was told by the meet director, Ian Stewart, that I am "a liability" and that I am not allowed to race in any of his meetings. Apparently, he told the same thing to Lolo Jones, one of the most popular athletes in the world of Athletics. People like Mr. Stewart have very antiquated ideas about how the sport of Track and Field should be governed and are holding our sport back. Fortunately, most meet directors do not share his myopic opinions. Therefore, instead of racing at cold, rainy Crystal Palace (London), I will be racing on one of the fastest tracks in one of the most beautiful places in the world on July 20th. MONACO 800m!!!
^Credits to Symmonds FB
Kudos to Nick Symmonds for having the courage to speak up and let this out to the world. It may seem like a small thing, but to OUT this meet director for actually calling Nick and Lolo Jones "liabilities" is like shining a huge flashlight on the low class behavior of Ian Stewart. With some luck the story will get picked up by the London tabloids and Stewart will be rightfully raked over the coals.
It is truly a sad state of an affairs when someone rises up from the ranks of athlete, to then lord their opinions and unfairness over other athletes.
As much as I want to see Elijah Greer improve...by getting more experience...I'd rather see Symmonds in the race.
Stewart, in these actions, appears like a small minded little tyrant.
Hopefully someone with the stomach for a fight, like Phil Hersh will pick on this story. And some of the British tabloids.
I hope Symmonds is able to medal at the game, lending more cache to his name, so that perhaps he can become a leader for an athletics athletes union. Things need to change, the biggest scam after the NCAA is the IAAF and the Olympic Movement, networks of people making serious money off of the athletes. It's like any establishment, they don't want to see change because it threatens their bottom line.
Ian Stewart is a pig, plain and simple. The gall to tell Nick and Lolo they are "liabilities," the man ought to know better the sacrifices these people make to make it in a niche sport with few chances to make a living.
lanin wrote:
Lolo tweeted something about a headband she wore for a race, IAAF told her to stop and she did, but that's why Steward banned her. I've seen pictures of her in a Red Bull headband, could that be it? Anyone have any more details?
Like this?
http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/u-s-sprinter-lolo-jones-slideshow/Wake Up wrote:
It is more likely Solinksy's drop out and hissy fit made him and his group persona non grata.
So in your mind, it makes sense to ban an entire training group because one athlete drops out of a race?
right
Joe Pa wrote:
He uses Twitter. That makes him a liability.
A Duck wrote:
Kudos to Nick Symmonds for having the courage to speak up and let this out to the world. It may seem like a small thing, but to OUT this meet director for actually calling Nick and Lolo Jones "liabilities" is like shining a huge flashlight on the low class behavior of Ian Stewart. With some luck the story will get picked up by the London tabloids and Stewart will be rightfully raked over the coals.
It is truly a sad state of an affairs when someone rises up from the ranks of athlete, to then lord their opinions and unfairness over other athletes.
As much as I want to see Elijah Greer improve...by getting more experience...I'd rather see Symmonds in the race.
Stewart, in these actions, appears like a small minded little tyrant.
Hopefully someone with the stomach for a fight, like Phil Hersh will pick on this story. And some of the British tabloids.
I hope Symmonds is able to medal at the game, lending more cache to his name, so that perhaps he can become a leader for an athletics athletes union. Things need to change, the biggest scam after the NCAA is the IAAF and the Olympic Movement, networks of people making serious money off of the athletes. It's like any establishment, they don't want to see change because it threatens their bottom line.
Ian Stewart is a pig, plain and simple. The gall to tell Nick and Lolo they are "liabilities," the man ought to know better the sacrifices these people make to make it in a niche sport with few chances to make a living.
At this point I wish I could cast my vote for Nick (or Lolo or Nick and Lolo) as the USA Flagbearer. The media would then be under pressure to explain to people why. Letsrun should attempt to start a write-in campaign.
Much more likely certain folks wanted other guys in
1:47's gets a lane in this?
A guy who can barely break 1;46.5 right now
wouldn't ya think?
They hardly kept them out
Are we going to let that ringworm Stewart get away with this?
A Duck wrote:
Ian Stewart is a pig, plain and simple. The gall to tell Nick and Lolo they are "liabilities," the man ought to know better the sacrifices these people make to make it in a niche sport with few chances to make a living.
Did you forget that Stewart's best years were in the amateur era? He received no monetary awards for his Olympic medal or his Commonwealth and World Cross Country titles.
I like the fact that athletes that try to make it ABOUT THEM have consequences. I appreciate Ian Stewart for not allowing this Meet to become a side show. Both Lolo and Nick need to know that your actions have reprecussions. Welcome out of the world where spoiled brats have a stage. This is way overdue.
daddy big bucks wrote:
I like the fact that athletes that try to make it ABOUT THEM have consequences. I appreciate Ian Stewart for not allowing this Meet to become a side show. Both Lolo and Nick need to know that your actions have reprecussions. Welcome out of the world where spoiled brats have a stage. This is way overdue.
You're a fawking moron.
This is a niche sport and the more positive attention athletes can bring to it, CLEAN athletes, the better.
Their being penalized for having Personalities and Original Thoughts, both things you cannot be accused of possessing.
One can only shudder in horror at what you must be like in real life, some old angry, negative shtbag who can't stand it that others have achieve things and don't think Exactly like them.
May you die a lonely and painful death, you total nob.