Ritz does Texas Two-Step?

thevoice wrote:

Can someone please sit Ritz down and instruct him on how to deal with the media? ....

"The team wasn't going to be as good as in the past," said Ritzenhein. "My heart wasn't in it to race there."

In other words, I won't be on a team with "less" talented runners. I can't be on a team of "lesser" runners, my heart wouldn't be in it.

What does that mean anyway: "my heart wasn't in it..." This kid is not incredibly bright is he?

What's wrong with that? He was committed until he realized the team was decimated with dropouts. Since the spots were filled with lesser runners his heart wouldn't have been in it. Nothing wrong with that is there?

You don't think that borders on insulting to the other Americans who are on the team (whoever they may be)?

No offense, but if your "heart" is affected by who is on your team, and not by what you yourself can achieve at the world level, your "hearts" priorities are skewed.

He continues to make stupid comments to the media. I'm sure he means well, but it comes off a bit naive.

Why would that be an insult? Those replacement runners know their place in the scheme of things. It's only because the studs dropping that they can make the team in the first place.

Why is it that some of you feel that every action is an insult? Are you really that shallow?

I think the comments that Ritz made about his World Championship team say a lot about his professionalism. If he really was a true professional, he would be proud to represent the U.S. at the World Championships, and he would do the best he could do regardless of how strong or weak the team might be.

This is incredibly funny since the loser came in 3rd! It would be one thing if he destroyed the field by a couple of minutes, but he came in 3rd. What a loser - he is trashing the sport.

Somebody help me with this, when was the last time that he won a race?

thevoice wrote:

Can someone please sit Ritz down and instruct him on how to deal with the media? ....

"The team wasn't going to be as good as in the past," said Ritzenhein. "My heart wasn't in it to race there."

In other words, I won't be on a team with "less" talented runners. I can't be on a team of "lesser" runners, my heart wouldn't be in it.

What does that mean anyway: "my heart wasn't in it..." This kid is not incredibly bright is he?

I man if i had struggled my ass into the top 20 against abunch of yuppies on there turf...at altitude..and then heard someone say

"I won't be on a team with "less" talented runners. I can't be on a team of "lesser" runners, my heart wouldn't be in it."....

Im not sure id take that so well..thats kinda cheap on his part...more so when you think that he probably knew way before us that none of those guys were going.

Madein__82 wrote:

"I won't be on a team with "less" talented runners. I can't be on a team of "lesser" runners, my heart wouldn't be in it."....

The sentiment may have been the same, but Ritz never spoke those words. That they were the previous poster's interpretation of Ritz's remarks, not a quote.

another teammate wrote:

I think the comments that Ritz made about his World Championship team say a lot about his professionalism. If he really was a true professional, he would be proud to represent the U.S. at the World Championships, and he would do the best he could do regardless of how strong or weak the team might be.

Well, if he were a true professional, wouldn't representing his sponsor be first and foremost in his mind, and representing the US would come behind that? Maybe Nike said, "Look, we think we can sell more shoes and shirts if you run at the 8k US Champs in the US and win it, than if you run in the World XC Champs and come in 10th."

Maybe another thing Nike said is, "Maybe if all the top runners were going, we'd have a chance at the podium, but now we have none. So since we have no shot at the podium, let's use your sponsorship in the 8k US Champs."

And maybe Nike has no input at all, but maybe the same thoughts are going on inside Ritz's head and he knows that the more marketable he is in America, the more likely he is to continue to get sponsorship dollars. So being a true professional, he has to make the best decisions with that in mind.

maybe he is a a$$ bag?

This idea that Ritz should be representing the US because it is the 'right thing to do' seems a little silly. It is like expecting a politician to do the 'public good' while he is in office. The system just isnt set up to get the outcome you think should happen. Ritz is just being self interested, and who can blame him. He obviously has a lot more knowledge on the subject of what HIS goals are for his career and life.

While I think it is fair to have an opinion on the subject, and saying you feel disappointed that he is not going, I really don't see the need for ripping on him. (ie. I am disappointed my mother didn't make me cookies today vs. My mother is worthless and lazy because she didnt make me cookies today.)

Right on Sideburns...Ritz has to do what he deems best for himself.

Being in competition in the World CC meet seems like the noble thing to do, but Ritz is responsible to pay his own bills and how he does it is his own business.

Some Americans will rip him regardless if he is patriotic and represents the USA. Some people rip soldiers every day for being patriotic and for doing service for their country. Serving in the war and running Word CC are different in regards to safety but similar regarding representing your country.

I have a hard time believing that by accepting a position on the World Cross Country team in Kenya, in front of a WORLD audience, on a WORLD stage that Nike would consider that BAD for business. Last time I checked, you don't need your teammates to place high individually. Last time I checked, you either compete well or you make excuses and don't. It seems Dathan (perhaps) was a bit uncertain about his fitness (he did after all get beaten pretty handily), even a little uncertain about the travel, etc. - so he opted out, bowed down to NYRR again (because they DO have him by the balls), choosing a safe 8k road race in central park (because "I like how the field is shaping up" ???)

But who cares? WHO CARES ABOUT DATHAN RITZENHEIN? There are better runners in the US. Hall will break 2:10 at London in his debut. He's a better runner than Ritz. Always has been, and will continue to prove it. Webb has done more in his professional career. Peter Gilmore is better. Brian Sell is better. Alan Culpepper is better, has been better, and always will be better than Dathan Ritzenhein. Goucher is better. Broe is better (when he's healthy and he will be). Tegenkamp is better - way better. I even think Fam is better. The US is so much better than this guy, so much to look forward to that doesn't depend on whether or not Dathan decides to represent the United States in the World Cross Championships.

Because when it comes down to it, what matters is what you do on the biggest stages in the world (World Champs, Olympics, NYC marathon/London/Boston) and that defines your career and determines how great you were - Not whether or not you win the NYC 8k in 22:24. (And there is no chance he breaks 22, not on that course, and not ever)