This is from an old thread, but it's fairly applicable to this situation:
"I can't believe it's been going on for this long and still goes on. I posted this yesterday-
First let's rewind to last year. Thomas Morgan (ZAP) was on the bubble to get in. They let their designated number in, 24, but then inexplicably added some dude named Ghebrey who was 3 spots behind Thomas and Matt Gabrielson who had run 13:55 (Thomas ran 13:39). WTF?
John Chaplin, head of the selection committee, said (direct quote) "I am the head of this committee and I can do what I want." Wow. Last year's world cross was in kenya in March and a ton of athletes were backing out due to extreme weather, threat of violence and other reasons. They begged Matt to go and finally made the deal that if he went he'd get an auto entry to USAs for the 5k. Matt's excuse, a legit one, not to go was it hurting his outdoor season so they told him he'd qualify regardless. I don't even know if 13:55 is the USATF B standard, but they let him in anyway. So after a huge stink Thomas, Steven Haas and a 3rd athlete whom I can't remember (those skipped in favor of Ghebrey) got in. As far as I know their was never an explanation as to why Ghebrey got in. I am not blaming Matt for this, but come on. Why would they make that deal?
Now, on to this year. Leading up the 5k final Alberto knew that The Gooch needed to be top3 and get the A standard. No small feat. He approached John Chaplin, who btw is paid by Nike as a "consultant", "if Adam doesn't feel good in the 5k and has to drop out will he be allowed to run the 10k?" John agreed. I'm sure some money changed hands. During the tv coverage of the 5k Ed Eyestone said "Adam's coach told me if he isn't on pace to hit the A standard he will drop out to rest for the 10k." He wasn't and he did. It was no secret why he was dropping out. So then out of nowehere Adam is added to the 10k even though he is 33rd on a list that takes 24 and nobody knows why. Athletes 25-32 are pissed and looking for answers.
This thing only got resolved because a lawsuit came up. Thank you Jon Little. The coaches of athletes 25-32 were asked if they'd agree to go to court on Thursday. All did. USATF prez Bill Roe got wind and called Chaplin "this shit is not happening for the 2nd year in a row. Click." He doesn't want a hearing. Athletes 25-32 are in. Thats still BS. None of them, nor Goucher, should be in. But damnit if The Gooch gets in they all get in.
Anybody know who Greg Myer is? Sure you do. In 1988 he was at the tail end of his career and qualified for the 10k at the trials. Declaration was by phone cause Al Gore hadnt invented the internet yet. So for 2 days Myer tried to get through but the phone was busy. Eventually he hopped on a plane to the meet and tried to pay his 100 bucks in person. Chaplin "nope, you're a day too late." He wasn't let in. Instead they let the 25th guy in who coincidentally ran for Washington State, where Chaplin was the coach. Someone from USATF told Meyer that Chaplin took the phone off the hook for the last 36 hours. Meyer quit the sport.
What about the 5k this year? Why the f*** wasn't Bak let into the 5k final? Two of alberto's athletes run the prelim for fun and keep two other athletes out of the final? Are you f***ing serious? There is a rule saying they wont let someone else in if a finalist scratches. Bullf***ingshit. What if Galen Rupp was the first guy out? They'd bend that rule because "I am the selection committee, I can do what I want." Ryan Bak is Christian Smith. He had a shot to make the team. In that final anything can happen. But, he actually didn't have a shot. That sucks. After Rohantinsky scratched another athlete was denied a spot. I actually don't even know who, but two athletes were left out.
USATF needs to get rid of the old bastards running shit. They cheat like crazy.
Ever hear of Chris Estwanik? Finished 2nd at the indoor 3000m a few years back and made the world team. He had the world A standard from a meet at UW on an oversized track. He got his box of gear and it was like Christmas in March. The day before he left Gags got a call "sorry we overlooked something. Chris ran his qualifier on an oversized track and we dont allow that. Steve Slattery is already on a plane to worlds." They never showed Gags the rule. Also, it's not a World Champs rule, supposedly just a USATF rule. Btw, Alberto was Slattery's coach that year.
Estwanik ran a few outdoor races, was in the best shape of his life (PR'd at Oracle (3:37?)) and the week of USAs quit. he couldn't do it. After what happened that winter he didn't see a point.
What about Teter getting into the final? I read a quote from Teter after the race saying she wasnt going to protest because she had no grounds for a protest. However, when you know the right people you always have a shot! As soon as Teter went down Lannana went to the rescue. He went right to the clerks and didn't file a protest, but just told them what happened and got her into the final. By the time the coach of one of the other fallen athletes got over to the table to file a protest Teter was already listed among the finalists. This was moments after the race. This guy didnt even have to file, he just told them his athlete and they moved her over. Have you seen the race? There was no foul. Shit happens. Similar to 2000 in the O trials 5000 when Jonathon Riley lost his shoe and was advanced to the final. His coach? Vin Lannana.
In 2003 Joe Driscoll was 25th (it's happened to him a few times). They listed the athletes as qualified or not qualified on usatf.org. Joe had a "not qualified" listed. His coach was told "absolutely 100% he isn't in. He didnt qualify." Fair enough. James Carney was 26th. he flew out anyway. He got out there and his former college coach, 1 million year old Harry Groves, talked to some people and got him in. Groves knows everyone and apparently spoke to Chaplin and they let him in. Meanwhile Joe was in North Carolina mopping floors.
In a sport where everything is black and white this is unexceptable. In track and field you either run X or you don't. You either finish in the top 3 or you don't. How does this shit keep happening?
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