Wow! As an Ethiopian, reading through these messages ... no wonder you people ('you' being Americans -- I'm assuming the majority of this board is American) do not produce great runners ... you're one of the most vindictive group of demoralizers I've ever seen. I hope the best of your runners are not reading this. If there's any strength to be garnered from fans, American runners sure don't have it from the american running circles.
In Ethiopia, when one of the good guys (or gals) wins or loses, we give them exactly the same treatment. Even after they retire if the crowd recognizes them, we'll let them know it without intruding too much into their lives
As for drugs ... coming from a dictatorship like Ethiopia where in our non-sports lives people are routinely sent to jail for no apparent reason, or for bogus accusations, we truly appreciate the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I'm for intensive drug testing, but in lack of evidence, I'm always on the side of the athlete. ALWAYS. I don't care who else is doping.
You people have no perspective, but that's cool ... I can't wish you a life under a dicatorship so you can understand and value what it means to not slander at whim. But I hope you'll reconsider. Besides, it must make your life so bitter ... seriously, let it go and enjoy the wonder that some of these runners are. Use them to higher your own expectation of yourself.
Anyway, congratulations to Ritz! You've one habesha fan ... way to go, man! As Haile would say, "Yichalal!"