Rojo media questions - Was Rojo justified in asking Cooper Tearr about super spikes immediately after he won NCAA 5k?

Let’s have a free and open debate. That’s what I love about these boards a ton

No. Also what serious athlete, especially one who has been aiming for a standard all year and just marginally got under it, would give any credit to spikes when asked?

Was just going to post about this. I think its a lame move. The kid just ran his heart out, performance of a lifetime and your going to ask "do you think your time is actually valid" classless at best.

I also thought it was weird when he asked Luis Grijalva why he didn’t wake up and decide to be a woman to compete in the women’s event and win it.

That’s favorite topic #2 ‘round these parts.

The stupid question was embarrassing for the sport. Rojo, has once again, picked a moronic hill to die on. Move on from this discussion. Can you imagine how obnoxious Rojo would have been if he were around when all-weather tracks were introduced? Or when a shepherd invented socks?

Larry Dickman wrote:

The stupid question was embarrassing for the sport. Rojo, has once again, picked a moronic hill to die on. Move on from this discussion. Can you imagine how obnoxious Rojo would have been if he were around when all-weather tracks were introduced? Or when a shepherd invented socks?

Wow, you brought up a ton of points that will make me think a ton

Legit question.

Cooper dodged it.

The Unkle wrote:

Legit question.

Cooper dodged it.

Wow! Okay

rojo is justified to ask whatever question he wishes as a journalist. The athlete can choose to answer, or not. Don't try to constrain rojo!

oldschoollrc wrote:

rojo is justified to ask whatever question he wishes as a journalist. The athlete can choose to answer, or not. Don't try to constrain rojo!

Ok!

oldschoollrc wrote:

rojo is justified to ask whatever question he wishes as a journalist. The athlete can choose to answer, or not. Don't try to constrain rojo!

If Rojo was a journalist maybe this would be true.

He's not.

Yes, as he is a journalist. A journalist's job isn't to "fanboy", but to ask hard-hitting questions.

#ChristianityRocks

No, it's a fully irrational act based on the twins' collective insecurity around their own best performances and perceived athletic legacy.

e h wrote:

To ask a question like that to an athlete is pretty ridiculous, at least save it for a different time. Stop the super spike madness, do people even still care about that?

I don't know why it bothers you - or why it seemed to bother him - when I asked it. I'd just say, "I love my spikes. I have no idea. That's for the scientists to figure out."

I wasn't taking away from his accomplishment. Nearly everyone in the field had accesss to the shoes. I was just asking how much he thought they were worth in terms of time.

The reason why I did it when I did it is there is no "different time" to do it. With Covid, there is zero mixed zone access at the Olympic Trials. He may never be interviewed there.

But in general, the post-race interviews are when jounralists always ask the 'difficult' questions - that's true in lots of sports, and particularly for track as the post-Olympic Trials and Post-Olympic press events are the only times when the mainstream journalists are paying attention as well. So if you ask a good question there, the story may get more legs.

Weldon has done it at the Olympic Trials and Olympics with Justin Gatlin and Carmelita Jeter.

But in general, the reality is it's the best time to ask something like this. It's true in all sports. At all other times, the interviewee is in charge. They can tweet out what they want selectively choose their media availability etc. The only time an athlete can be "forced" to answer a question is post-competition.

I have zero regrets about submitting the question. I did contemplate not starting a thread about his response but then feared you guys would claim I was trying to hide it as it's clear people like the OP think it's bad I did that.

For the very reason that you claim you asked it at this time is why I wouldn't have asked it. Your time is limited and you have few opportunities so you should ask questions about the race and strategy and training and 100 things more important than shoes in a championship race. If you interviewed someone who had just broken the world record using pacers and wavelight, then shoes and those things that contributed to the time would be relevant. Time doesn't matter in a championship. What if they jogged and he won in 14 minutes?

'..(J)ournalists always ask the 'difficult' questions ....'

You can do better Robert.

This was not not a difficult question. It was lame and inappropriately timed.

We expect more from you. Try just little harder next time you are presented with an interview opportunity like this.

It is way past due time to move on from this obsession you seem to have with the reality of the world of T&F. Golf no longer uses hickory shaft clubs. Top racing bikes are no longer made of steel. Tracks are no longer cinder. The shoes are here to stay. Being a Luddite does not change reality.

Totally fair question, given the recent drop in times across the board.

I am not sure what kind of answer he was expecting. "Hmmm, I think about 6, maybe 8 seconds"

Is Rojo actually this dumb to believe the cheaterspike hype or is he just a good IRL troll?