Dodging the best competition in the world, Kenya. &
Dodging the best competition in the country, Ryan Hall at GateRiver.
Dodging the best competition in the world, Kenya. &
Dodging the best competition in the country, Ryan Hall at GateRiver.
Is it Ritz's decision? When it's all said and done, it should be his decision. But is it? I don't want to hear the financial argument, that's crap. He gets $250,000 a year as a base contract to run for Nike. His career decisions should not be based (entirely) on financial considerations.
The bottom line here is simply - Ritz is afraid to compete in Kenya against the greatest x-country runners in the world. Now, if that doesn't say something about his character as an athlete (he's probably a great guy), then I don't know what does. Or, if it doesn't comment on him, it speaks volumes about the company surrounding him.
Trident wrote:
He gets $250,000 a year as a base contract to run for Nike.
Bullshit.
Trident wrote:
Is it Ritz's decision? When it's all said and done, it should be his decision. But is it? I don't want to hear the financial argument, that's crap. He gets $250,000 a year as a base contract to run for Nike. His career decisions should not be based (entirely) on financial considerations.
The bottom line here is simply - Ritz is afraid to compete in Kenya against the greatest x-country runners in the world. Now, if that doesn't say something about his character as an athlete (he's probably a great guy), then I don't know what does. Or, if it doesn't comment on him, it speaks volumes about the company surrounding him.
A. Bekele won't be in Mombasa. Bekele was in Edinburgh, along with Kipchoge, Tadesse, Gebremariam. Ritzenhein was in Edinburgh, racing against THE greatest cross country runner ever.
B. Your opinion is valid because of your obvious objectivity. No axe to grind there. Unclench the chocolate starfish mate!
I raed he signed a 5 year 1 million dollar deal, so his base is closer to 200k. But that is still plenty to live off of and not have to race based on $$$$
Track Fan wrote:
I raed he signed a 5 year 1 million dollar deal, so his base is closer to 200k. But that is still plenty to live off of and not have to race based on $$$$
I heard the same thing about Webb. Perhaps you are juxtaposing the two.
using the argument that bekele won't be in mombasa doesn't work here. comparing bekele to ritz (and goucher, culpepper, torres, etc.) is a joke. bekele's record speaks for itself, while the u.s. guys, imho, could use a little more international experience.
the africans will travel the world to compete, but our guys are afraid of a trip to kenya to compete against the best. something just doesn't add up.
Sean Middleton wrote:
Track Fan wrote:I raed he signed a 5 year 1 million dollar deal, so his base is closer to 200k. But that is still plenty to live off of and not have to race based on $$$$
I heard the same thing about Webb. Perhaps you are juxtaposing the two.
Webb may have a similar deal, but Dathan gets over 200k/year, and that's a fact.
I thought Webb made 100k a year, either way, Im sure Webb gets more than Ritz from Nike. Webb is a bigger money machine in the track world with all the hype around him.
frustrated cross fan wrote:
using the argument that bekele won't be in mombasa doesn't work here. comparing bekele to ritz (and goucher, culpepper, torres, etc.) is a joke. bekele's record speaks for itself, while the u.s. guys, imho, could use a little more international experience.
the africans will travel the world to compete, but our guys are afraid of a trip to kenya to compete against the best. something just doesn't add up.
I believe the man's point was that Ritz ran against the best (Bekele and co. at Edinburgh) already once this season, so the accusations towards him of dodging the top guys aren't exactly strong accusations.
crunk! wrote:
frustrated cross fan wrote:using the argument that bekele won't be in mombasa doesn't work here. comparing bekele to ritz (and goucher, culpepper, torres, etc.) is a joke. bekele's record speaks for itself, while the u.s. guys, imho, could use a little more international experience.
the africans will travel the world to compete, but our guys are afraid of a trip to kenya to compete against the best. something just doesn't add up.
I believe the man's point was that Ritz ran against the best (Bekele and co. at Edinburgh) already once this season, so the accusations towards him of dodging the top guys aren't exactly strong accusations.
Thank you crunk!
understood, but the post began with, "bekele won't be in mombasa." it's irrelevant to his point that ritz already raced bekele in scotland. again, imho, our top guys, who are professing a desire to compete with the best in the world, should look at world cross as an opportune time to face many of the world's best athletes and gain valuable experience that may help them down the road.
having never come close to making a national team or reaching the level that would have given me the opportunity to pick and choose my races, i, of course, can't fully begin to understand their situations and my opinions are not intended to be harsh. my apologies if that's the case. however, i am still disappointed that our top runners are not more interested in representing the u.s. at world cross.
$250k for Webb, right out of college
Edinburgh, though loaded with tier A athletes, is NOT the World Cross Country Championships - the spotlight shines brighter on that stage. Edinburgh was just a small stepping-stone for most in that race, as it appeared to be for Dathan.
Two simple questions:
1. Why race the National Trials meet, if not planning on attending the World meet?
2. How many time in a US professionals career - especially a xcountry specialists career - does one have the opportunity to compete at the world level in Kenya?
What an opportunity! In my opinion, Ritz has made a poor decision.
Trident wrote:
Webb may have a similar deal, but Dathan gets over 200k/year, and that's a fact.
Bullshit.
First hall and meb opt out of usa naitonals. Now the hype king ritz himself (2nd at ntls, obviously legit) wont go to worlds? All this talk about America's distance resurgance doesnt do much if we cant put together a true national team. I was always under the impression we sent to worlds the best we have to offer. At the moment is seems we hhave half of what we are capiable of displaying on a worlds stage. That seems f*cked for those guys to ditch the rest of the team.
best of luck to Culpepper, Torres, Goucher, and company. I only hoped they could be accompanied by equals or better.
Huh, say that again? wrote:
Trident wrote:Webb may have a similar deal, but Dathan gets over 200k/year, and that's a fact.
Bullshit.
ok. thank you RITZ for denying YOUR 200k salary
*rolls eyes.
freely associated runner wrote:
best of luck to Culpepper, Torres, Goucher, and company. I only hoped they could be accompanied by equals or better.
Interesting statement considering none of the three you mentioned are going to Mombasa. Culpepper and Goucher made this known before the race.
So who is on the team now?
I feel stupid not running the U.S. cross championships. With all the people not going to Kenya all I would have had to do was finish and maybe my name would have come up to be sent over to represent my country.
Oh, wait I have a community 5k I don't want to miss...
trident wrote:
Two simple questions:
1. Why race the National Trials meet, if not planning on attending the World meet?
2. How many time in a US professionals career - especially a xcountry specialists career - does one have the opportunity to compete at the world level in Kenya?
What an opportunity! In my opinion, Ritz has made a poor decision.
Well, why have a USATF National Champs in a non WC year?