Who Doesn't Have the "A" Standard...and Why?

Pretty sure Kara is running at Stanford this weekend. No? Id have to check

you can get the standard at the trials. I'm pretty sure both athletes are capable.

I don't get it. Why do Lagat and Goucher's WC medals from last year not count?

Mr. Unattached wrote:you can get the standard at the trials. I'm pretty sure both athletes are capable.

And if the race is tactical in any way, you're screwed because the window to get the "A" ends when you cross the finish line. That's taking a huge chance on your spot on the Olympic team.

korviev wrote:

I don't get it. Why do Lagat and Goucher's WC medals from last year not count?

Because it's a time standard.

Zat0pek wrote:

Mr. Unattached wrote:you can get the standard at the trials. I'm pretty sure both athletes are capable.

And if the race is tactical in any way, you're screwed because the window to get the "A" ends when you cross the finish line. That's taking a huge chance on your spot on the Olympic team.

Goucher is a WC bronze medalist. She should be able to make sure it is not tactical and get the standard.

haha, YO wrote:Goucher is a WC bronze medalist. She should be able to make sure it is not tactical and get the standard.

And if there are 25-30mph winds when the Trials 10,000 is run? If Goucher has an off day or is sick?

haha, YO wrote:Goucher is a WC bronze medalist. She should be able to make sure it is not tactical and get the standard.

Great point. Why bother having a "Plan B" for the most important event in the sport?

Is this true??

quote -

Seems completely clear to me (seriously), that BBBAAA would result in AAA going.

I read it to say, in essence, "no B athlete will displace an A athlete, regardless of OT order of finish."

End quote.

If three B qualified athletes place 1-3 and then three A qualified athletes place 4-6, the A qualified athletes go?

What a crock!

It seems to me that if they allow you to compete at the trials, then the top 3 should go to the Olympics. This A & B standard BS should only be used for allocating funds at the trials. (And I'm not a fan of that either...)

While we want to send our best team, we SHOULD send those who earned it on that day.

Perhaps Kara Goucher and Lagat are aware of this--they are entered in the 10K and 5K, respectively, at this weekend's Stanford meet. Goucher said in her most recent Flotrack interview that she is running at Stanford solely for the "A" standard and will not go with the leaders. Lagat has requested a fast pace for the 5K.

Jossi wrote:

Perhaps Kara Goucher and Lagat are aware of this--they are entered in the 10K and 5K, respectively, at this weekend's Stanford meet. Goucher said in her most recent Flotrack interview that she is running at Stanford solely for the "A" standard and will not go with the leaders. Lagat has requested a fast pace for the 5K.

You beat me to it:

No doubt the rabbits will be set on the "A" pace, and I am green with envy of anyone within a four hour drive Palo Alto.

As an aside, Mottram in the 10,000 should be interesting.

Interested Party wrote:

If three B qualified athletes place 1-3 and then three A qualified athletes place 4-6, the A qualified athletes go?

What a crock!

It seems to me that if they allow you to compete at the trials, then the top 3 should go to the Olympics. This A & B standard BS should only be used for allocating funds at the trials. (And I'm not a fan of that either...)

While we want to send our best team, we SHOULD send those who earned it on that day.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the A and B standards are established by the OG, no? And you don't get to send three B's--only one B (and then no A's).

So in the scenario you posit, either the Trials winner (only) goes--one entrant in the event--or the three A's all get to go.

I'm not necessarily disputing that the slots should go to those who "earned it on that day." Looks like the USOC has opted to fill as many slots as possible, however.

Interested Party wrote:

Is this true??

quote -

Seems completely clear to me (seriously), that BBBAAA would result in AAA going.

I read it to say, in essence, "no B athlete will displace an A athlete, regardless of OT order of finish."

End quote.

If three B qualified athletes place 1-3 and then three A qualified athletes place 4-6, the A qualified athletes go?

What a crock!

It seems to me that if they allow you to compete at the trials, then the top 3 should go to the Olympics. This A & B standard BS should only be used for allocating funds at the trials. (And I'm not a fan of that either...)

While we want to send our best team, we SHOULD send those who earned it on that day.

This is how it's always been.

Jossi wrote:

Goucher said in her most recent Flotrack interview that she is running at Stanford solely for the "A" standard and will not go with the leaders.

That is because she is aware that Flanigan is going after the american record.

present wrote:

So in the scenario you posit, either the Trials winner (only) goes--one entrant in the event--or the three A's all get to go.

So, which is it? Given that scenario, BBBAAA, Who goes?

Just the 1st B athlete

OR

The three A's?

Or is this not known in advance?

I can't seem to distinguish what the rule states. Thanks in advance.

this was a good point, but obviously goucher and lagat were aware of it and ready to get the standard. lagat's focus last year was obviously world's and he must have already had the 5k standard from 2006. I figure that he'll run 13:15-18 or whatever it takes to win and get the A standard, but it would be cool if he goes for a fast time by his standards.

It's about 2 months out from the trials, 3 from the games? Do we think Lagat is in top form, or is he still building. Heck, what is "building" for this guy? Anyone think he might go after Bobby's record?

I definitely think Lagat is capable of the record, but I highly doubt he could do it 3 months out from the games...

I think this sums it up. If no one in the field has an "A" then only the first finisher in the top 3 with a "B" goes. Otherwise only people with an "A" can go regardless if people with a "B" finish in the top 3.

If this is right... man, who comes up with this crap?

I'll stop after this, but c'mon...

If you beat the A standard guys and only have a B standard because you're peaking correctly, where's the harm in that? It shows me that that athlete is ready to go, unlike, say, an athlete who earned the A time 6 months ago and is racing/throwing/jumping poorly as of late...