Nuguse DNS / Engels Doesn't Replace Him

If usoc/usatf was aware of the injury could they have brought another runner just in case he couldn't go?

Guys Engles doesn't deserve a chance to go. He lost at the trails fair and square and it wasn't even close. In the last month he has had terrible results and probably hasn't been training at a high level. So now you want to send him on a 15+ hour flight with a 16 hour time difference on 48 hours notice just to get embarrassed by other runners? He just got smacked in the US some "B" level 1500 level runners. Get over it. Yared did nothing wrong. He tried his best to make it to the line. You think he wanted to lose out on his dream?

"Running politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low."

I really hope that Notre Dame's cross country season didn't play in to this decision. This coach is obsessed with xc, but this is the OLYMPICS!

I agree. But just want to point out again that Nuguse is not an Olympian. I would have taken the starting line and got introduced if I was him. Run 100 and pull out. This is most likely his only chance. The odds are so slim to make multiple teams.

hshaja wrote:

Phil Ken Sebben wrote:

Nuguse the Patriot…

wtf is this supposed to mean? the kid went all the way to tokyo to give it a go and try and live his dream. it was probably one of the hardest decisions of his life to pull out and have that dream taken away. you people are actually delusional thinking a dude is personally trying to sabotage engels. it’s the freaking olympics, obviously nuguse wanted to run and did everything he could to get to the line healthy. sometimes things dont break your way and the kid is probably devastated

This

Stop wrote:

Guys Engles doesn't deserve a chance to go. He lost at the trails fair and square and it wasn't even close. In the last month he has had terrible results and probably hasn't been training at a high level. So now you want to send him on a 15+ hour flight with a 16 hour time difference on 48 hours notice just to get embarrassed by other runners? He just got smacked in the US some "B" level 1500 level runners. Get over it. Yared did nothing wrong. He tried his best to make it to the line. You think he wanted to lose out on his dream?

The strain wouldn’t have happened 48 hours ago, likely more than a week.

But either way, yes that is exactly what should have happened. I guarantee if you called Engels and said “hey this is last minute, but there is a small chance Nuguse won’t start. Are you willing to fly to Tokyo just in case?”

He would running to the airport with nothing but the clothes he was wearing to make that flight.

Want to know who had a worse chance to qualify than a jet lagged, tired and unprepared Engles? Nuguse, who didn’t even toe the line.

You guys are ridiculous. Why would he lie about this?

If he had jogged 3 strides and dropped out, or limped through the race and gotten worked, he would’ve been CRUCIFIED on here. How quickly we forget Brazier.

Free_the_thigh wrote:

I guarantee if you called Engels and said “hey this is last minute, but there is a small chance Nuguse won’t start. Are you willing to fly to Tokyo just in case?”

He would running to the airport with nothing but the clothes he was wearing to make that flight.

Want to know who had a worse chance to qualify than a jet lagged, tired and unprepared Engles? Nuguse, who didn’t even toe the line.

So what's the point? Neither Nuguse nor Engels would have made it to the final. Nuguse has earned his spot and hoped for the best with his injury. On the other hand Engels would have made an embarassement of himself since he obviously would have been jet lagged, tired and unprepared. This is sports, stuff like this happens. Be happy with Hocker and Centro advancing!

People defending Nuguse are missing the point.

Yes, Nuguse didn’t have to preemptively abandon his start. He could wait right before the start and scratch, he could even toe the line, take one step and then walk off the track because things felt wrong.

But what he shouldn’t have done is stayed quite about the injury once he knew there was a chance he might not be able to start. It should have been made clear to the us team he might not be able to start so that an alternate could be found.

Even if not engles, I’m sure there is another American in Tokyo who would be interested in standing by in case Nuguse scratches to attempt a double.

Engels finished .5 seconds behind Nuguse in the trials. I don’t think he had a good chance of advancing, but even jet lagged and tired I wouldn’t rule it out.

Lots of runners have stories of toeing the line and not feeling great, but then running a fantastic race.

Free_the_thigh wrote:

Even if not engles, I’m sure there is another American in Tokyo who would be interested in standing by in case Nuguse scratches to attempt a double.

Feel free to list them. Make sure they were through Tokyo Olympics COVID protocols.

is there any info out on how long nuguse has known yet? if not, all the speculation is moot.

John Macardle wrote:

You guys are ridiculous. Why would he lie about this?

If he had jogged 3 strides and dropped out, or limped through the race and gotten worked, he would’ve been CRUCIFIED on here. How quickly we forget Brazier.

Yeah, also this. In this scenario the was no way to make everybody happy. I'm sure, Nuguse hoped till the last minute, that he will be able to run himself.

Sopa de SabadelI wrote:

John Macardle wrote:

You guys are ridiculous. Why would he lie about this?

If he had jogged 3 strides and dropped out, or limped through the race and gotten worked, he would’ve been CRUCIFIED on here. How quickly we forget Brazier.

Yeah, also this. In this scenario the was no way to make everybody happy. I'm sure, Nuguse hoped till the last minute, that he will be able to run himself.

Lol what?

Of course there is. You give Engels the call and let him know he may be able to run and have him at the track on standby.

I'm not convinced that anyone can get to Tokyo and through the COVID testing with notice of "a few days". You had to get multiple tests before even getting on the plane to Tokyo.

But then again, some of you d bags are saying that Nuguse is lying so you can make up any fantasy scenario you want to criticize him.

Don’t get hurt sitting that fence.

surveysays wrote:

I'm not convinced that anyone can get to Tokyo and through the COVID testing with notice of "a few days". You had to get multiple tests before even getting on the plane to Tokyo.

But then again, some of you d bags are saying that Nuguse is lying so you can make up any fantasy scenario you want to criticize him.

There was planet of time to get Engels to Tokyo. Sam Kendricks tested positive for COVID on July 28 and they got Matt Ludwig to Tokyo in time to compete in the preliminary rounds on July 30. Unless of course Nuguse injured himself the day of competition.