douglas burke wrote:
lagat has a chance at a medal in the 5 or 10k in london 2012.
flanagan has a chance in the marathon.
lagat is the best chance we have at 5k, 10k or the marathon.
Lagat will be done on the world scene this year. He simply doesn't have it in him anymore. He's too old. His performances have leveled off and have been declining since his 3:26 10 years ago.
In 2012 it will take a sub 12:50 5ker with blazing finishes just to win a medal.
Lagat will not run the 10k.
Could he still break 3:50 in the mile this year? Of course. Could he still break 13 in the 5k? Of course. But the era when those standards made you competitive for a medal are gone especially when you're 35 going on 36.
This isn't the 110 hurdles, the Long jump, or some women's event where a 40 y/o woman can be competitive.
The Olympic level of the 5k is the most competitive area in Track and Field, just as competitive as the men's 100m or 1500. Every year new names, some new Kenyan or someone else.