USATF Changes Qualifyig Sandards for World Cross

Again, I really hope this is a rumor. But if not, how could the powers at be think this is what its members want. This isn't their organization to do with what they will, they are suppossed to represent us as we would like to be represented. And I think we would all be represented in a very American way. Which would be to give everyone their fair shake. Not to play favorites and only help those on top. You go to the race and run as hard as you can, and hopefully you're one of the first 9 to be willing to represent your country. And that opportunity is not taken away from you by some tyrrant. If a runner doesn't go to world's it should be either by their choice or their inability to run well enough at the qualifying race, not by some power hungry a$$.

This is the USA, and everyone should have a fair chance to reach their dreams. Through hard work and dedication. This opportunity should not be limited by someone in a position of power changing and narrowing that window of opportunity. Especially when the people in positon of power wasted the peoples money to take a vacation in Hawaii, under the vail of calling it a convention. We need to management!

If you look at the USATF site, the link to selection procedures isn't working... that's not a good sign.

http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/USAXCChampionships/athleteInfo/teamProcessing.asp

The qualifying procedures were not in place before the qualifying window for the 2008 Omlympic Marathon trials either. We know how that turned out.

Do you mean the 2007 Trials? This is a joke.

I say that you should contact Michael Scott. He is the one guy that is an honest man without an agenda. He could give you a straight answer.

That's what she said.

I don't agree with the decision and if they are changing it, should be addressed ASAP for 2009 and not 08

that being said I can see how the USATF doesn't want to foot the bill to send runners who finish 17th-20th because the entire 7-10 bail...but again..its something that needs to be address well ahead of time for 09

Simple solution. IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON COMPETING IN WORLDS, DON'T COME TO THE TRIALS.

The marathon trials that were for the 2008 Olympics, yes.

That's still better than in Canada.

Last year, Athletics Canada didn't send a senior men or women's team, even though both teams were self-funded and there were interested athletes.

This year, I have heard that Athletics Canada hasn't even confirmed whether senior teams will be going. Even though it's fully self-funded, they won't make the decision to send the teams or not until after the NACAC championships (two or three weeks before Worlds).

It would be awesome if Athletics Canada sent as many as six people from the senior teams and it would be even better if there was some notice in advance.

Why is this the fault of USATF? Athletes like Culpepper and Ritz and Goucher and Torres all hurt other athletes by running in the trials and not Worlds. I hope that if Hall and the others that step on the starting line in San Diego, that they plan on going to Worlds. If not, then they are stabbing another athlete in the back. No one is forcing them to run in San Diego.

wow. i wonder what the USATF of 1890 would think of the USATF of today....

checkout how old the CC championships are:

http://www.usatf.org/statistics/champions/USAXC/men.asp

"By no later than February 20, 2008, athletes must state their intent to participate at the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships to the team leaders. If no statement of intent is made to the team leaders by February 20, 2008, then the alternate will be offered the position."

I would hope that this passage indicates that they will work down the list of finishers to fill the entire team.

Are there any good XC races in the US this time of year for those athletes? Face it the US is a ne race season..nationals/trials and then a few go on to worlds. What the US need is a XC series just like Europe.

Referencing my earlier comment - Hardt (ASU) was denied or dissuaded from running Mombasa 2007. Should she be given a FREE berth on the 2008 team for Edinburgh?

Last year USATF pulled the biggest scam ever. They sent out warning after warning about how dangerous things were in Mombasa. WHY? Because it was going to be an expensive trip. Their well conceived plan was successful. They had several athletes pull out and didn't have to take full teams. The womens juniors were the most effected. The athletes that traveled said that it was all a scam. Mombasa was safer than New York City.

USATF SUX wrote:

Last year USATF pulled the biggest scam ever. They sent out warning after warning about how dangerous things were in Mombasa. WHY? Because it was going to be an expensive trip. Their well conceived plan was successful. They had several athletes pull out and didn't have to take full teams. The womens juniors were the most effected. The athletes that traveled said that it was all a scam. Mombasa was safer than New York City.

That's pretty incendiary (sp) stuff.

Pat Porter won EIGHT straight! Was he that good or did other athletes skip?

that good, none of this bs like there is now.was cool to see eyestone, curp bickford, porter, etc. all banging heads in the same race.

just a runner wrote:

Pat Porter won EIGHT straight! Was he that good or did other athletes skip?