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

obv this wasn't olympic level competition but I got 4th place in the WPIAL (western PA) 3200 ~20 years ago, and the guy in 3rd declined his spot to focus on the 1600 (top 3 go). i did the same so the 5th place guy got to go and was super happy.

In this scenario we knew our chances were better in the 1600 and didn't want to add in the qualifiers which could fatigue us. 3rd place guy ended up winning the 1600 at states actually so was def smart for him.

I dunno what the olympic schedule was like or their chances etc, but seems like a reasonable request. worst thing is they can say no, which they did. who cares

Idk...I kind of have a problem with it.

I get it from a business standpoint, I just don't get it from an athlete-pride standpoint. You have to earn your spots. If someone opts out then great, but emailing, guilting and groveling? not into that. I don't mind that Abbey ran the the Olympics, but there's no record that she asked anyone for a slot after finishing 5th.

If what the other poster said was true about her coming off an injury or was sick there shouldn't be any pride issue. I mean Fleshman probably wasn't actually better than them anyway so in that sense it seems a bit weird to ask but if Jakob, Kipchoge or Bekele bombed qualifiers after getting the flu or something there'd be likely some negotiating somewhere to get them a spot...

Fleshman went to Stanford. They think they are entitled to the world.

They only thing interesting to me about this story is that some event organizer offered a 3200 and 1600 that long ago. I hadn't yet heard of anyone race, train for, or mention either of those 20 years ago. There was a time during which 100% of runners, coaches, and meet directors would have given you a blank stare if you mentioned either. I imagine that period includes the 20th century and, I guessed, quite a bit of the 21st. When did these distances start to be considered valid racing events?

What an incredibly awkward thing to do. I have second hand embarrassment for her. Also, if it's true that later she didn't want Kara to join Oiselle? Omg.
I wonder what the email said and how Kara and shalane took it:

"Hey guys, i know that i didnt qualify, but i was wondering if you would consider giving up your spot for me? Because what "i" believe is that "i" (not you, who qualified) will be best for the job. Basically, i dont think the results were right, and..yeah i think im better than you. So..what do you think? Could i have that spot?"
Wtaf.

I see Illinois (IHSA) started running these events in 1980, Pennsylvania (PIAA) in 1979, Connecticut (CIAC) in 1985, to name a few. So it's been a while.

The reason I’ve never liked Desi is because of her London antics.

Do you feel the same way about Ryan Hall? He did exactly. Like EXACTLY the same thing in the marathon, at that Olympics.

haha I didn't even realize these weren't common events, they were the main events in PA which is obv a pretty big state. agree it's not a very interesting story, this main story (which i also don't find interesting) reminded me of it. cheers

I appreciate that it takes some chutzpa to make an ask like this, but I also think it's totally fine. Either athlete may have been on the fence about doubling, so why not ask and maybe get a spot.

If you don't ask you won't get much in life.

It might be different if she thought she deserved to go, or if she thought they were obligated to give up a spot - but simply asking? No big deal.

If I had a shot at the Olympics, I would definitely take it.

And I think Lisa was 3rd in the swimming trials in 1980 as well when only top 2 go

It wasn't exactly the same. Desi could barely run at all and 100% knew she wasn't going to be competitive. She didn't make it to 5K. Hall wasn't 100% and gave it a go and it didn't work out. He made it about to the half if I recall correctly.

1972 US Olympic Track & Field trials

In the marathon, Frank Shorter and Kenny Moore crossed the finish line together with both timed at 2:15:57. Officials gave the win to Moore. Racing for the third and final spot were Jeff Galloway and Jack Bacheler, both teammates with Shorter at the Florida Track Club. At the line, Galloway slowed and let Bacheler finish third, yet both were credited with a time of 2:20:29.

Earlier in the week (yes, track events and marathon were contested at the same meet) Galloway had already made the team at 10,000, finishing 2nd behind Shorter. Bacheler finished fourth behind Jon Anderson (no, not the ESPN host who competed in the high jump at Arkansas) in the 10,000 but was DQ for a bumping incident with Andereson.

The three training partners were able to go to Munich.

i actually agree.

Everyone on here saying it's classless and that they'd never do that is lying. If that was your only shot to be an olympian, you wouldn't ask you would BEG.

It's annoying when people claim moral superiority online. If you were so high and mighty, you'd be volunteering at the homeless shelter and not posting on the message board.

either way, they each only qualified for one event right? much tougher for someone to give up their only olympic spot vs one of two spots to focus on their better event, as in the scenario in OP.

I thought Anderson jumped for Missouri?

You sir, are correct.

Thanks for not using the Forum to call me out.