Hocker needs a 3:40 race to guarantee selection

JBaller33 wrote:

No, the problem is that the world rankings system give more points to BS European continental tour meets than to any NCAA race, no matter how good the runners in those NCAA meets are.

This is what everyone is missing - the world rankings are just that - WORLD rankings. If Hocker isn’t within the quota - and he currently isn’t - he can’t be selected. His performance is only part of the equation - of other runners worldwide in the next few days out in superior performances they can push him further down the list.

As of today , he cannot be selected.

Other than an Olympic qualifier, it’s hard to definitely say any time is a guarantee - unless you know not one other 1500m runner in the world is not going to run in the next few days.

portsea57 wrote:

Well, if Hocker wins, or is in the first three, and does not go to the Olympics, then something is very wrong! It's the same old story of the people who run the sport don't live in the real world. Fans want to see the best. and if anything interfers with that happening it must be sorted out! And, I could sort it in out now!

He has a PB of 3.35.35 - do you think that’s enough to be so adamant about an Olympic team berth? He’s ranked 10th in the USA. He hasn’t run a qualifier - that is the current real world.

Run a qualifier in the final and he deserves a place. Run fast enough to be higher in the rankings and you deserve the right to be considered.

Serious question - what are your reasons for saying all he has to do is be in the top three in one race and he deserves an Olympic berth?

[quote]runnint wrote:

Well,

the fix is to just get the time.

Clearly the talent in the field to do it. He has to do something because a sit a kick approach and he will be sitting at home kicking himself for not making it clear cut.[/quote

I know it's going to be 110* But there are guys who have to have a fast time to go.

They might as well at least set up the race for the standard.

I'm kind of surprised that Hocker didn't go for it:

1. After NCAA's before the trials

2. In the rounds- the semi shocked me that he ran so slow.

Get real! Sport is a business! Sport is entertainment! Having Hocker at the Olympics would be a big plus! For example, on these pages, he is one of the most talked about athletes on the planet, And, if he won the trials, would you still say that he shouldn't be allowed to go to the Olympics, because if you did, that would be very weird. BTW, his best mile time equates to 3mins 33sec something

With 3 guys who absolutely need the standard and have zero shot at making it in with their world ranking , I just can’t see a scenario where It goes slower than 3:40. The last 2 Olympic trials were won in 3:35/3:34 because there were guys who didn’t have the standard that wanted to go for the Olympic dream.

I’m not sure he’s the most talked about athlete on the planet. That’s probably a soccer player to be fair.

Saying he would be a plus is fine - I’m just asking why you say that? Why is he a bigger plus than any other 3.35 runner.

His mike time is not his 1500 time - his 1500m time is the time he runs 1500m in. Conversions are fine for discussions but you can’t use that for selections.

And yes - if he wins the trials in a time that places him outside the world rankings quota then he can’t be selected. Thems the rules! So saying something that’s actually within the rules isn’t weird at all.

This is so dumb…why doesn’t his 3:50 mile count for anything? That converts to like 3:32.

Eyes are looking Goodr wrote:

This is so dumb…why doesn’t his 3:50 mile count for anything? That converts to like 3:32.

I suppose every other athlete in every other event in every other country have managed to gain selection by following the rules so it’s hard to want to change things for one athlete in one country - especially one athlete who is ranked 10th in that country.

Also I don’t think the mile is run in too many countries as a competitive elite event outside of the USA. Maybe if some of his mile runs had been 1500m he might have hit the standard? And then all of this would be moot.

What’s really stupid is that the most informed people in track and field are on this board and nobody can really figure out whether he is ranked high enough right now.

Shouldn’t it be as easy as looking at a ranking?

portsea57 wrote:

Think About It wrote:

I’m not sure he’s the most talked about athlete on the planet. That’s probably a soccer player to be fair.

Saying he would be a plus is fine - I’m just asking why you say that? Why is he a bigger plus than any other 3.35 runner.

His mike time is not his 1500 time - his 1500m time is the time he runs 1500m in. Conversions are fine for discussions but you can’t use that for selections.

And yes - if he wins the trials in a time that places him outside the world rankings quota then he can’t be selected. Thems the rules! So saying something that’s actually within the rules isn’t weird at all.

You must learn to concentrate and read carefully! I said that Hocker is one if the most talked about athletes " on these pages" ( indeed, apart from Jacob, he is the most talked about 1500m runner) ! That's a fact. And, as I live in the UK, you can assume that Hocker is well known all over the English speaking track and field world. Hocker is an unknown factor, and that brings an extra element of excitement to things. Let's be fair, if there was a poll amongst middle-distance running fans regarding who they would most like to see in the Olympic 1500m final, Hocker would be high on that list. Give the fans what they want, or pay the price.. Enough said.

khcglhc wrote:

What’s really stupid is that the most informed people in track and field are on this board and nobody can really figure out whether he is ranked high enough right now.

Shouldn’t it be as easy as looking at a ranking?

He’s not - I don’t think anyone is confused about that.

portsea57 wrote:

portsea57 wrote:

You must learn to concentrate and read carefully! I said that Hocker is one if the most talked about athletes " on these pages" ( indeed, apart from Jacob, he is the most talked about 1500m runner) ! That's a fact. And, as I live in the UK, you can assume that Hocker is well known all over the English speaking track and field world. Hocker is an unknown factor, and that brings an extra element of excitement to things. Let's be fair, if there was a poll amongst middle-distance running fans regarding who they would most like to see in the Olympic 1500m final, Hocker would be high on that list. Give the fans what they want, or pay the price.. Enough said.

Maybe that could be the selection process for 2024 - the fans pick the competitors!

runnint wrote:

Well,

the fix is to just get the time.

Clearly the talent in the field to do it. He has to do something because a sit a kick approach and he will be sitting at home kicking himself for not making it clear cut.

It is forecast to be 110 F.

Lenny Leonard wrote:

On principle, if he doesn’t run under 3:35, I say we leave him off the team.

I agree with you a standard is a standard. If you remember back to 2000 only Rod Dehaven got to run the Olympic Marathon because we completely sucked as a marathon country back then much like today.

Think About It wrote:

Eyes are looking Goodr wrote:

This is so dumb…why doesn’t his 3:50 mile count for anything? That converts to like 3:32.

I suppose every other athlete in every other event in every other country have managed to gain selection by following the rules so it’s hard to want to change things for one athlete in one country - especially one athlete who is ranked 10th in that country.

Also I don’t think the mile is run in too many countries as a competitive elite event outside of the USA. Maybe if some of his mile runs had been 1500m he might have hit the standard? And then all of this would be moot.

Same reason I'm not on the sub 4 Mile list because they don't convert an indoor 1000m or outdoor 1500m and just let you have it. A standard is a standard. The olympics has athletes in the 1500m that can run sub 3:35 in training and if Hocker can't run one he doesn't belong. I do believe he will get a short window to get the mark after the Trials which should not be hard for him.

He doesn't have the standard. Like some others, I don't understand why there are not some concersions for.events that are close. The mile to 1500 or 60 to 100 are 2 that come to mind.

Think About It wrote:

portsea57 wrote:

You must learn to concentrate and read carefully! I said that Hocker is one if the most talked about athletes " on these pages" ( indeed, apart from Jacob, he is the most talked about 1500m runner) ! That's a fact. And, as I live in the UK, you can assume that Hocker is well known all over the English speaking track and field world. Hocker is an unknown factor, and that brings an extra element of excitement to things. Let's be fair, if there was a poll amongst middle-distance running fans regarding who they would most like to see in the Olympic 1500m final, Hocker would be high on that list. Give the fans what they want, or pay the price.. Enough said.

Maybe that could be the selection process for 2024 - the fans pick the competitors!

Silly comment. We are talking about one of the best 1500m runners in America...therefore in the world. And, the Olympic Games organisers must take on board that sport is a form of entertainment. and make sure things are set up in such a way that the fans - who pay for the sport - are presented with the best possible line ups in each event. For example, there should be a lot more use of "wild cards" to ensure the Olympics does reflect "the best" of what is out there.

Weather won’t cooperate for a fast time.

Hocker wins for sure and he’s going to the Olympics.

Predicting winning time around 3:38-3:40.