[quote]Alex S. wrote:
Problems with my post:
2. Incapacity (let me finish)
I thought Deena made a decision that she shouldn't have, years ago. As I recall, (correct me if I am wrong) some time before the Olympics, she knew she had a stress fracture, or one in the making (something she was familiar with, in her career, as I recall). She chose to start the Olympic Marathon, and dropped out quite early in the race.
That was no good for anyone. Not good for Deena, not good for the USA, not good for the person who might have taken her place. It wasn't good for spectators, who also participate in the Olympics, for what it has historically meant.
Of course, talented athletes can will themselves to remarkable performances, but there are some exceptions to what can be overcome. Injury, or incapacity. Aliphine's potential may be incredible, but it may not be able to be realized by the Tokyo Olympics.
Aliphine has two build-ups: adapting to new motherhood, and trying to build up to worldclass marathon shape. That's one more obstacle than Des, or the next standby. If Aliphine ran a shorter distance, I think it would be a smaller hurdle to overcome...
3. But She Earned It
This can't be argued. But what did Aliphine earn? She earned the honor to represent and bring honor her nation, and she earned a place above her peers, to compete in the next few months in Tokyo, on a course which was later changed...
If Aliphine has found herself out of contention to medal a year later, the gracious, sporting, and "patriotic" approach would be to let another athlete take her place.
BUT IS SHE REALLyY OUT OF CONTENTION, can she even make her own case on the race course? I don't know, but it seems like she almost must be out of the running, on some basic rationales.
You are kind of showing your ass here.
First, you are speaking about one person that you KNOW of who competed at the Olympics hurt. To open your eyes a bit, there are lots and lots of athletes that limp to the start of the Games. Like, it's not rare. AT ALL. It's super noble and all that you believe the athlete should altruistically give up their spot, but that doesn't happen--and the reason why it doesn't happen has to do with financials. THEY ARE TIED TOGETHER. But you are sweet.
Second, you are ASSUMING here in FEB. That she won't be ready in Aug. That's a long time. Quite a crystal ball you have. Could you predict for us all what the outcome of the marathon will be too so that we can bet on it--or is that against the rules of time travel?