Breaking News: USATF flips order of 5k/10ks at Olympic Trials. Why did they do this and who is it benefitting?

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

This was done to insure that Galen Rupp could get his afternoon nap at home and then make the 30 minute flight to Eugene on one of Nike's corporate jets. He will enjoy a late afternoon snack at Track Town Pizza, win the race, and then depart Eugene airport at 9:00 PM to make it home before his typical bedtime. Clearly, this is the work of one A. Salazar pulling the strings from exile. Muwhahahahahaha!

is he really attempting to make the 10k team? I assumed he was all-in on the marathon this time.

I like it. If you're going to run the 5/10 double at the olympics, prove yourself in the trials.

Jerry will have his kids ready, no matter what the schedule is. My understanding is even if someone has a preference, he runs the show and tells them what event they're running. I think whoever wants to run a couple of events within the confines of the schedule will be very ready to do it.

But yeah this favors the "specialists" so to speak.

Most likely USATF effed up, but what else is new?

Sorry, but since you were testy in your response you get it back -- first off, if you're a US/NCAA track and field fan, you know at least half of those names, if not more. Second, the average time of an NFL game is over 3 hours.

I actually agree with your premise that a 4:17 1500m athlete shouldn't be at the trials, that they certainly won't move the fan meter at all, and that track meets are too long. Just try not to be such a d*ckhead next time.

[quote]Bower Man wrote:

Who does not have it easy is Shelby Houlihan. 1500 - 5k double is out.

Up until now, we always presumed she would run the 1500 then double back in the 5k at the Trials but stick with the 1500 at the Olympics. Not anymore. Now, regardless of whether she runs the 1500 or 5k at the Trials, her only backup event is the 10k.

Might we see her try to pull a Sifan Hassan and do the 1500 - 10k double at the Trials then both or one or the other at the Olympics? /quote]

Shelby is still a favorite to make the team in both events (1500/5000) regardless of this scheduling change. She's that strong.

Bowerman Track Club

The most likely reason Houlihan doubles at Nationals is to pick up national championship bonuses in her contract. If she wins two events she gets twice the bonus. She does this indoors as well. She's not seriously going to double at a major championship -- she never has. Houlihan will likely run only the 1500 at the Trials and if she makes the team, the Olympics. Don't believe she's ever raced a 5,000 against top competition like Hassan, Klosterhalfen, Obiri.

Agree with above comment that Shelby will focus on the 1500 at the trials (and not try the 1500 - 5k double). Especially with Hassan appearing to focus on te 5k-10k double for Tokyo, Shelby would arguably be the bronze medal favorite in the Oly 1500.

Another option for a "back up" event that seems more reasonable for her is the 800. The new schedule makes it very easy to double back in the 800 for the W1500 competitors. Shelby, I believe, has the sub-2 Oly 800 standard from a race back in 2019. And, remember, her social media handle remains "Shelbo800."

There are several 1500 women who would call the 800 their next-best event so the revised schedule works perfect for them if they need to resort to their Plan B event.

He’s on the sauce!!!

You’re an idiot if you think none of those names are recognizable. In fact, I recognized every last one of those names. Is it because Colleen Quigley isn’t on the list? Maybe you actually don’t watch the sport at all. It’s true, a lot of those names won’t be in the list when top runners begin running their main event (i.e. Shelby Houlihan) but don’t discredit these names. They will be household names before yours ever will be. Myself and everyone in Eugene would love to watch an underdog mix it up with the big names. Remember when Hasay did that? It’s exciting. It’s boring to see the same runners all the time. Maybe one of these up and comers will shine if they get a chance in the big leagues.

There are no Black Helicopters circling the Compound.

Whichever way you put it, SOMEone will feel put upon.

Putting them in the same order as the Olympics is the obvious way to go.

End of story.

avnlkkn wrote:

Bowerman Track Club

Please let us all know how this benefits BTC, genius.

titsmcgee wrote:

Sorry, but since you were testy in your response you get it back -- first off, if you're a US/NCAA track and field fan, you know at least half of those names, if not more. Second, the average time of an NFL game is over 3 hours.

I actually agree with your premise that a 4:17 1500m athlete shouldn't be at the trials, that they certainly won't move the fan meter at all, and that track meets are too long. Just try not to be such a d*ckhead next time.

Not sure where I was testy, and that would’ve been the intent, but I suppose that’s unavoidable in internet interactions.

I recognize Rainsberger and Conley, although the latter more because of her accomplishments in the 5k/10k rather than the 1500. None of the others ring a bell. I may not be as hard core a fan as you or a few others are, but definitely more of a fan than 99% of the population.

NFL games run closer to 2 hours than 3, but that’s beside the point. Even at three hours, they are more compact than track meets.

Keep digging, rojo.

Eventually you'll find George Soros back there behind the curtain with his hands on the levers.

agree--it helps a lot of the 5k/10k athletes but it makes it really hard for Shelby H. as Rojo mentions---though the Olympic schedule flipped the 5k and 10k the trials should mimic it; someone like Purrier would be another potential 5k/1500m doubler prior to this change--1500 m only now?

How much money do you stand to lose on your prediction that Jenny Simpson will fail to make the Olympic team?

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

This was done to insure that Galen Rupp could get his afternoon nap at home and then make the 30 minute flight to Eugene on one of Nike's corporate jets. He will enjoy a late afternoon snack at Track Town Pizza, win the race, and then depart Eugene airport at 9:00 PM to make it home before his typical bedtime. Clearly, this is the work of one A. Salazar pulling the strings from exile. Muwhahahahahaha!

No damn way that Rupp's "typical bedtime" is after 9.

Rojo's Incel Army Marches In Alphaflys wrote:

Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:

This was done to insure that Galen Rupp could get his afternoon nap at home and then make the 30 minute flight to Eugene on one of Nike's corporate jets. He will enjoy a late afternoon snack at Track Town Pizza, win the race, and then depart Eugene airport at 9:00 PM to make it home before his typical bedtime. Clearly, this is the work of one A. Salazar pulling the strings from exile. Muwhahahahahaha!

No damn way that Rupp's "typical bedtime" is after 9.

according to inside sources rupp goes to bed at 7:30 and will run at 4AM, that way he does not have to run around all the hobby joggers along the trails.

hoy-yes wrote:

Most likely USATF effed up, but what else is new?

Right, same ol' USATF. Nothing to see here, despite the Chicken Little claims.

In 1972 and 1976 when I ran the marathon in the Trials they ran following the Olympic Schedule with the marathon at the end starting and finishing on the track at Haywood Field. It was wonderful to watch all the races for two weeks then race. Now the marathon trials seem like a top road race but not like the Olympics. In 72 the women's trials were elsewhere and in 76 there was no women's marathon or 10,000. But having the marathon as part of the track trials added greatly to the festivities and the original intent of the Olympics. Of course there is the worry that our marathoners would not have time to recover.