Cheptegei calls out Mo Farah for skipping World Half: "It's quite really ridiculous that he's not in the field."

Nice. Maybe that will fire up Mo for Oly Nattys 2021. Mo beat Gebs hour wr after their tussle.

THE NEW GOAT IS IN TOWN. WHERE YOU AT MO!!!???

you love to see it

Here's some more from the press event from David Monti.

https://www.letsrun.com/news/2020/10/239014/

Not really ridiculous. Mo Farah isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore, nor has he won the worlds half. I think he finished third one year (2016?). Aside from the Great North Run, I don't think Farah has been dominant at this distance or has any reason to think he could win it.

And he's old and rich.. he can do what he wants now. Cheptegei will understand this in 15 years.

I'm sure that Cheptegei's reasoning is that if Farah is going to consider contending in the 10K next year and is coming off a one hour track record, then he should be toeing the line at the World Half.

You want trash talk and a rivalry? There is no real rivalry as Cheptegei is in his absolute prime and Mo Farah is not. If this was Mo Farah 5 years ago then maybe it could happen, but either way Cheptegei is not Mo Farah’s manager so although he can say what he wants, the only one who is ridiculous is Cheptegei for trying to manage Mo’s career by implicitly dictating where he should compete.

Rojo just doesn’t like Mo Farah. What else is new. Next

Love it. Get it right bloody round him Joshua lad!! Can't wait to Mo get his arse handed to him in Tokyo.

1) No, we don't need more "trash talk" in the world. Grownups emulating belligerent teen and 20-something athletes. Nope. It's called being a grown up. And the idea of sportsmanship shouldn't be quaint.

2) Yes, it would be VERY nice if "professional runners" actually "professionally raced" more than a small handful of times per year. I'm sure that at least some of the time it's perfectly rational from the athlete's perspective (and I'm sure that it's been discussed plenty on this board). But from the fan's perspective, it's just ridiculous. Imagine a prominent US professional sport franchise trying to maintain interest in it's team when it's going to play a 4-game season spread out over 12 months.

He should call out about 90% of most track and field athletes. How many don’t run an indoor schedule? How many say “I’m in a training block” and can’t run a race? You can’t really develop a rivalry if you never compete.

1) Its not trash talk. Hes calling it as it is.

2) Farah is not his rival.

GrownUps wrote:

1) No, we don't need more "trash talk" in the world. Grownups emulating belligerent teen and 20-something athletes. Nope. It's called being a grown up. And the idea of sportsmanship shouldn't be quaint.

2) Yes, it would be VERY nice if "professional runners" actually "professionally raced" more than a small handful of times per year. I'm sure that at least some of the time it's perfectly rational from the athlete's perspective (and I'm sure that it's been discussed plenty on this board). But from the fan's perspective, it's just ridiculous. Imagine a prominent US professional sport franchise trying to maintain interest in it's team when it's going to play a 4-game season spread out over 12 months.

For the first time, I just wondered if professional distance runners ever have awkward conversations with acquaitances and family members, like:

- "Oh, you're professional runner. Cool. Very impressive. Do you have to run races a lot?"

- "Well, you know, a half a dozen or so per year, something like that."

- "Oh....OK (....Thinking: "But you JUST told me that it's you're JOB !!!")

I don't mean to be too douchy. And yes, I would have killed to have a fraction of the talent of a pro runner.

Mo holds a press conference to respond:

“Not talking about the Olympic Games”

“Not talking about the World Championships”

“Not talking about the Marathon”

“We’re talking about the World Half Marathon Championships.”

I doubt that conversation takes place. Most people are surprised to learn that there are ANY competitive races in between the Olympics.

Because this is an individual sport and the athlete has the last call if he wants to run and when he wants to run. Your analogy is horrible. Football is a team sport , Brady has a boss: His coach. Farah is essentially an independent contractor.

malmo wrote:

1) Its not trash talk. Hes calling it as it is.

2) Farah is not his rival.

Yeah it really make sure no sense to create hype involving these two, as Farah is probably 2 years from retirement at age 37, and Farah’s achievements are largely in the rear view mirror. Mo Farah has essentially no chance to defeat Joshua at 5000m, 10000m and half marathon. You have to really be a fool to be excited to watch those two clash next year, as the outcome is not in doubt if Joshua is healthy. IF Mo was 30 years old, then it could potentially be an amazing race between them, but reality will not permit this.

Its not a regular job, it is more like a business. Mo happens to be an independent contractor and can pick and chose his races. A very simple concept.

not how it works ever wrote:

GrownUps wrote:

For the first time, I just wondered if professional distance runners ever have awkward conversations with acquaitances and family members, like:

- "Oh, you're professional runner. Cool. Very impressive. Do you have to run races a lot?"

- "Well, you know, a half a dozen or so per year, something like that."

- "Oh....OK (....Thinking: "But you JUST told me that it's you're JOB !!!")

I don't mean to be too douchy. And yes, I would have killed to have a fraction of the talent of a pro runner.

I doubt that conversation takes place. Most people are surprised to learn that there are ANY competitive races in between the Olympics.

On the one hand, touche.

On the other (username), yes, professional runners do sometimes talk to people....so perfectly plausible.