Nico Young is a Distance God and he wants to run The TEN next weekend and the 10,000 at USAs

Why should he go pro? College kids are pros now. He can stay in school, take online classes next year when it is not an Olympic or WC year and still make a poop load of cha ching. I would assume he's staying in Mike Smith's camp anyway. As we approach 2028 for the games in LA and he could become one of the faces of USA Track and Field....more NCAA titles, records, etc. would be better marketing for him anyway.

What happens if three or fewer Americans get the Olympic standard? In this case, wouldn't the Olympic Trials results be irrelevant? In other words, if only three American men run under 27 minutes, won't those three be selected for the US team regardless of the Trials results?

Does any American currently have the standard?

I think they still have to go to the Trials and finish the race. But I am under the same impression you are if USATF doesn't allow chasing the standard between Trials and Games. Then, whoever has the standard is on the team.

If they do allow chasing, it's more complicated. Then, the top 3 are provisionally selected IF they get the standard later (up until WA deadline, whenever that is). If those 3 don't go 27:00 later, I think the team is whoever has the standard if there are 3 or fewer with it.

That's how I understand it but hopefully someone can clarify this situation. And I don't think anyone has it now. I also don't think Nico can get it. 5k seems to be his best event and he has the standard.

How much elegibility does he have left? Just like a BYU runner, he's subject to the same rules that Eyestone can't get around. 4 seasons of each. Does he have just one outdoor season left?

I think he’s equally good at 10000 and 10000m and with 6 days rest after the 10, doubling at the trials is doable.Based on his recent performances, 27:00 is very possible for him.

if no American has the 10000m standard yet, I think Nico should do The Ten. If (a) he gets the standard and (b) no more than two other Americans get the standard, then it sounds like Nico is guaranteed a slot on the Olympic team. I like his chances.

Road 10k and track 10000m? Mentally you'd think the 10k would be preferable, especially if he'd be in a stacked East African field

Whoops. Meant 5000 and 10000m.

Thought that's what you meant. Not sure that's the case. I suspect better at 5000. We just don't know how well suited to the longer event he is yet. I think Fisher is the opposite, as is Monson. They're favorites for the 10k team in my mind. Kelati and Klecker too. They seem to me to be more slow-twitch and aerobically gifted vs. fast-twitch and anaerobic. But what do my guesses mean? I don't know....

Maybe Young's physiologically perfect for the 10. We could find out soon. At any rate, 27 flat is a very tall order.

100+ this!

Also when it’s someone’s first name as in God Shammgod.

27:00 flat is right in line with 13:00 flat. You do have the complications of it not being run often, weather matters a ton, and pacing is a b@tch…

it is funny cause 3 years ago everyone was saying the 10k was too short and he was a marathoner. Now we are worried it is too long….