I'm afraid this issue seems all too familiar. I think most people are aware of what happened in 2008. But, as a fellow competitor in those Trials, I was disheartened by the lack of consistency. That's the biggest thing. You never know what the USATF will do because they are consistently inconsistent. I actually was so bothered about it I tried emailing Doug Logan. But, nothing will ever change until there's a separation of powers and duties. I mean seriously, how does a professional organization allow executive decisions to be made by 1 individual, for an odd number no less? Harsh reality: Maybe that's because the USATF is not professional, and has no intention of being professional.
I don't think I really believe that the USATF doesn't want to be professional. Believe me, there are a ton of upstanding, honorable people that VOLUNTEER their time to help that organization. But, unfortunately, the momentary decisions of some bring way more notoriety to the organization, than thousands of volunteered hours elsewhere.
Everything about this seems like deja vu. Because it happens every stinking year. Here are the mottos of the NFL and NBA:
NFL: Anything can happen on any given Sunday.
NBA: Where amazing happens.
Now, the concept appears to be that on any given day, an upset can happen. And many times it does. But, it appears to me that USATF is hurting itself by not celebrating these more. The fact that Christian Smith made the Olympic Team as the 30th qualifier should have been celebrated to the nth degree. Because that's what will get the average population to take notice. Nobody's going to tune in to watch the same individuals win everything. Let's face it, if you know the outcome before the race, then where's the drama? But I digress...
The point is, without allowing these individuals into the meet, you remove all chances of a "Christian Smith event" to happen. And thus, you remove any drama from the race. Now, I for one am expecting a lot of drama this weekend. But, then again, I have an active interest in the sport, and would consider myself knowledgeable. The average guy off the street however, will watch cars go around in circles (Nascar), horses go around in circles, and fatties playing cards. You'd be crazy to think that the audience doesn't exist for Track and Field. You just have to connect with them.
And this is clearly not the way to do that...