MacLean just signed a new contract with Adidas. Unless its heavily performance based, I can't imagine its for only a year. Have to wonder about the coaching switch to Benson though. We will see if she bounces back for outdoors.
Just from today I say step forward Ollie Hoare, Shane Cohen, Heather MacLean, and Isaiah Jewett. Anyone else I missed so far?
Jakob.
Will not medal again at 1500m outdoors.
Will not win gold any 5000m as long Hocker is in the race.
We will see. He may end up being fresh late in the season when these indoor speed demons are fried. I do think he should do something before June - maybe a couple road races for overdistance.
From your list I think Maclean is totally fine, Jewett is historically a streaky racer, and Cohen I think got his contract and stardom from a great 2-4 week stretch.
Ollie on the other hand... Not sure. I feel like every race I've watched of his over the last two years he looks like he doesnt belong. He's swimming with 400m+ to go and On's got him signed through the next cycle. I hope he bounces back, but I think he'll need a coaching change to totally reset his belief system.
I feel this could be the beginning of Yared's regression. When there's not a real championship to look forward to, that drive and desire to grind each day gets tougher to pull from (and he's stated that he already has a timeline for his retirement)
Hate to say it, but every time I listen to the Coffee Club pod I want to believe Olli's assurances that training is going well and he's about to have his break, and every time he looks absolutely washed.
I know he's under contract through 2028, but I imagine it's a very performance-based contract... Really hope something motivates him to follow Morgan's example, step away from OAC, and do what's best for him. Super talented, great personality for the sport, but such a disappointment lately.