Eric Gillis left off Canadian Olympic Team

wow, has this strand turned into total fack-fest.

Not only are the Guelph guys cocky as Mo Greene, I say Sully for sure doesn't make the final, he doesn't have the tools anymore, and hasn't really been in contention for over a decade...but WTF. The dude keeps doing what he has to, and has made damn good career out of staying just fit enough to be near the top. And he's a damn good guy to boot.

Long Live Sully--I Say London 2012!

So, Asterix, buddy...

What do you think the average Canadian politican, business leader, community leader, joe public, etc., would say...

1) Canada should only send those very few who will challenge for the medals, or close, and lead our kids and their kids to not even try, unless you're pretty damn sure of succeeding. After all, it's embarrassing to watch those wearing the Maple Leaf not winning. Of course, this will lead to us only competing in a small number of sports that will mostly be limited to a small number of countries.

or

2) Canada's National Sport Policy should be as inclusive as possible, within International Guidelines where appropriate or necessary. Our thinking is that the more Canadians that have hope and are inspired to be the best they can be, even if they are not the very best in the World, the better our country will be.

martin goulet is a JERK--trust me

GILLIS NO rationale to take him

I know Martin Goulet very well, and I have always found him to be a good and honourable gentleman. As for Gillis, he is the National Champion and a clear Rising Star (28:52 to 28:07 in one year), and he should have been selected on June 5th, after the 10K. Trials.

turku wrote:

What do you think the average Canadian politican, business leader, community leader, joe public, etc., would say...

I think you are looking at things a little too simplistically (which you likely are thinking with respect to me).

When asked explicitly, most average guy/gal on the street probably would like to see more Canadians.

But what their unstated perceptions (and associated feelings towards the related sponsors) are likely rather different.

When it comes down to marketing, it's not what they say, but what they end up doing (or not doing) that the money folks care about. Whether we like it or not, there is, for most ignorant spectators, a negative feeling associated with seeing someone being outclassed.

Is that negative feeling a bigger factor than the lack of feeling in not having any representation? I certainly don't know, but it looks like the decision makers controlling the funds do.

fluffer wrote:

If this is true...

You were a sad excuse for a marathoner and a pathetic excuse for a human being...

Wow, fluffer, you're quite a prick. I have no idea who "*****" is, but I'm pretty sure it's not journeyman. You start your post with "If this is true..." and then continue with a totally irrelevant personal attack, whether the identification was true or not.

Clearly, "******" is a complete moron. But you've shown you're right down there with him.

Miss Parry,Not sure what you grudge is against Mr. Goulet. I'm pretty sure he has done nothing to you personally.

papaya dulce wrote:

martin goulet is a JERK--trust me

GILLIS NO rationale to take him

Looks like Gillis knew all along he was on the bubble. He put himself in a situation to "potentially" be on the team and asked his readers to keep their fingers crossed knowing it could go either way. This is a direct quote from his blog after the 10k:

"National 10,000m Champs were last night and the goal was to win. It would be the final piece needed to meet Athletics Canada ‘rising star’ criteria. I was fortunate to achieve this goal and put myself in a position to potentially represent Canada in Beijing. The team will officially be announced July 7th following the Canadian Olympic trials in Windsor July 4-6. Keep you’re fingers cross my name will be on the list!"

let him on the team !!!!!

Gillis tried to get into another fast 10k but "that didn't pan out" so he ran a flat, fast road race in 29:33 instead. He ran a couple 10k's this year and one was just under the "B" standard. I don't think a 28 year old should be too shocked that he wasn't considered a rising star. He knew he was on the bubble and that the committee would evaluate every race he ran this season. None of his 1500's or 5k's were all that great. I know nothing in the rising star criteria says anything about running a fast 5k but it's subjective and they want to see a great season with some fast times late in the season.

Marketing!! are you kidding, the whole program is old and tired, it's a marketing nightmare. It's a make work project at best for a bunch of old men. Somebody breath some life into it-- or have they made it so nobody really cares anymore. I know I don't, the Americans have a way more exciting team and lots of exciting things happening. I'm a female runner from Canada but my runner friends and I are already planning to get together to watch the womens 10 and 5 and we're cheering for the American girls because they've inspired us. I don't even know who's running for Canada.

Megan Metcalfe in the 5000 she's from Edmonton

Fact: Mr Goulet is a Prick, and this is from personal experience.

Oh how brave you are with your drive by shootings. Put your name to this, and explain further. Get some balls.

Lets talk about shitty performances, yes Gillis' time is good but not great, lets lokk at the 4x100 relay team, none of these guys should be going, look at them to come last in the first heat, real good use of resources to send these clowns. Lets send 6 ass hats to the games to suck beyond belief and them be able to go home and say look at me I am an olympian. The sports equivelant of the guys who ride the pine all season while their team wins the world series or the cup. Yes these guys really deserve to be there. What the F#ck are we doing sending a 4x100 relay team anyway.

I don't see u posting your name Dick hole, why don'y u grow some balls, pussy

Mid Coast wrote:

I don't see u posting your name Dick hole, why don'y u grow some balls, pussy

THATS MY FOCKING NAME. IS YOURS MID COAST? I DIDN'T ASSASSINATE GOULET, YOU DID.

C'mon guys. None of this has anything to do with Martin Goulet, and I know him better than anyone on this board, I'm sure.

As for the relay, I think we should always send all the relay teams, and I'm a distance guy, not a sprint guy. And I would send them for the "kids", the next generation, most of whom love relays, more than any other part of our sport. And all the up-and-coming potentially very good sprinters will have extra motivation to continue and excel. Of course, I also believe we should be sending 3 marathoners men and 3 marathoners women to all the International events, with IAAF standard of course.

what is sending a relay team every time saying to younger kids other than all I have to be is top six in canada and I get a free ride to the big show, that makes a lot of sense.