People bash Rupp so much that I am starting to LIKE him

I have the same sentiments. With people all worked up over where Rupp got his shirt, or last bottle of gatorade, I'm beginning to like him myself. Would we rather have this talented young American, or would we rather have a bunch of 22-25 year old foreigners on our collegiate teams?

I just hope someone from the USA steps up and starts competing well at the Olympics. The last time a US distance runner did that was Billy Mills and that was over 30 years ago.

Um, ever heard of a guy named Brian Diemer? I seem to remember he did pretty well at the Olympics.

Deena, Meb

Kara worlds = look out Olympics

Overall distance runners from the united states have not performed up to their abilities in the olympics. Call me crazy but I think if Alan Webb gets the crazy out of his head at a major event he could be the next Olympic champion. Rupp is young and is looking like he can do some damage in the future also.

I was with you until you said "Biggest talent in America"

That statement just isn't true. I would call him maybe, "The most trained/developed 20 year old of all time."

His lack of anything resembling foot speed disqualifies him from the "biggest talent in America." I'll go as far as to say it disqualifies him from ever being an international elite. Well, maybe at the marathon.

Agree that he lacks elite footspeed, but he did outkick a pretty good field to win that 3K last weekend... He also looked pretty strong against a just-a-little-bit-stronger McDougal at the cross country championships last year. He'll never have an Andrew Wheating type kick, but it's better than he gets credit for.

I can't go so far as to say I like the guy, but he seems like a good kid, and he's a phenomenal talent. I'd like to see him take a shot at the marathon for 2012, maybe start with a half in '09 or '10.

Killa Mike wrote:

I was with you until you said "Biggest talent in America"

That statement just isn't true. I would call him maybe, "The most trained/developed 20 year old of all time."

His lack of anything resembling foot speed disqualifies him from the "biggest talent in America." I'll go as far as to say it disqualifies him from ever being an international elite. Well, maybe at the marathon.

If he could break the AR and run 27:0something and get top 6 in an olympic or world champs final would you consider him an international elite? I think those are certainly within his reach. Perhaps not this year but he's got time still, probably a lot. If he runs at Hengelo he may just get that much closer to the AR. One thing he has done over the last year is learn how to race much better. He does not have the foot speed to win at the olympics, but he may have enough to have a shot at a medal. Didn't he run around 2:00 for his last 800 in his 27:33?

What would be interesting is too know out of the last decade of world champs and olympics, what have the prs been (as of the respective championships) for the bronze medalists and what kind of last lap were those guys running. That is probably impossible to know, but it would be very helpful. If I were rupp I'd definitely want to know that.

Changing opinion wrote:

I used to dislike Rupp because I was jealous that he was getting so many perks that seem to violate NCAA rules but now people are getting their panties caught in such a bunch that I think they are assholes. I still don't really like him that much but I am willing to defend him just because people are such dicks. My dislike has gone full circle. I dont like that he is a pro running in the NCAA, and agree that he should move on from college, but enough is enough.

Stop pissing in the soup that is the biggest talent in America.

I haven't even noticed anyone posting much on Rupp lately. Is this what's really bothering you?

I was under the impression that Rupp was old news, except to those fanboys like yourself that can't seem to shut up about him.

If Rupp lives up to the hype and produces at the oly trials, then good for him. I won't be holding my breath.