Lauren Fleshman sent emails to Kara and Shalane asking them if they'd maybe want to

The questions should be, "Did you offer them $$$ for a spot, if so how much? Did they ask for $$$ if you didn't offer it first? If so, how did the haggling go before it broke down?"

Your thread title and your post left me VERY disappointed.

Same.

Also, doesn't hurt to ask.

I don't know, I don't really think it's fair to ask. Either you qualify or you don't. I'm not sure I'd want to compete knowing someone gave up their spot for me.

I remember this all playing out when I was in Portland in 2012. It was not unusual to see Lauren or Kara at events/functions in town, and versions of this story were told often. I think a lot of it had to do with Lauren getting fourth while coming back from injury. Essentially, she was implying that her spotty buildup was the only reason that she didn’t qualify, and the women in front of her should realize that and give her the spot because she would be the best representative on the US team.

Are we sure this wasn't done somewhat in jest? Like a congratulatory email with a joke from Lauren about being ready to hop in if they decide not to double? I can't imagine she'd actually expect either of them to give up a spot because of an email request.

Yeah, I guess we don't know the full story at all.

Yea, she tells the story in her book. She admits to feeling pretty unhinged after the trials which is why she emailed them. She also admits that she was mad at both shalane & kara for a long time for not giving up their Olympic spot to her and when Kara wanted to join oiselle Lauren was initially not on board Bc she still held resentment towards kara.
funny bc in 2008, shalane medaled in the 10k and I remember her admitting to the press that getting psyched for the 5k after already medaling in the 10 was really tough and she had some regrets about doubling

Like others, you had my mind racing with the title and am very disappointed.

This is so pathetic though. This is the Olympics. Either make the team or don’t and quietly go cry in your own self pity. Asking someone that beat you to give up their sport because they qualified for other events is just so embarrassing and pathetic. Puts the people that earned the spot in a bad situation too. Not trying to go over board but this says a lot about anyone that would actually go through with sending an email asking others to give up their Olympic spot. I’m sure everything is everyone else’s fault in her mind. It’s not her fault for not being that good

I don't get it. She didn't even finish 4th. Slattery was 4th, Fleshman 5th. BOTH of them would have had to give up their spots. And Goucher, Rhines, and Flanagan were on another level that year. They crushed the field in the final three laps. Race is below from Ari Lambie's youtube page. Lambie finished 6th.

I’ll take it a step further. you should be able to enter as many events as you want at the trials. However you should only be allowed to compete in 1 event.... unless you have a world ranking and a legitimate shot to medal ( like Coe or Ovett)

Can you imagine how Lisa Weidenbach felt? 4th in 1984, 4th in 1988, 4th in 1992. I doubt she ever asked for a spot on the team.

Yes Lauren placed 5th but slattery didn’t have the time qualifier so I guess Lauren saw herself as 4th. Her emailing kara & shalane isn’t something she’s proud of and she doesn’t defend the behavior in the book

Deer Lauren,

Can you please send me the money you were given for Picky Bars? I wasn't good enough to invent them myself, but I still want that money and believe that I deserve it. Besides, you have other money from all your other successful dealings,

Thank you in advance.

LA chics like LF are under so much pressure from their parents to get into the Olympics it borders on child abuse.and should be investigated by authorities.

Was not aware Fleshman did this. Was never much of a fan, kinda neutral towards her, but asking someone to give up an Olympic spot they earned is pretty classless. She should be ashamed of it and hopefully realized how selfish it was of her to do so.

It's really nice to hear from someone who has actually read the book. Thank you. I think I'm actually interested in reading it now.