The steeple?? LMAO!! Anyone that thinks Lagat couldn't beat the likes of Jager, Huling, Alcorn or Olinger is oblivious to the sport of running. He could beat them right now with zero training. This is a man who has ran 3:26.3 for the 1500 and 12:53 for the 5k. Im guessing he could drop an American Record steeple right now with no training. He is a different class runner than any of the steeplers, and it would show.
In the 10k right now, Rupp would undoubtedly beat him in any sort of fast race (ex. 27:00 or under.) Any slower and i think Lagat takes it. In his prime, IMO, if he would have trained for the 5k/10k his personal bests would be close to the greats (sub 12:42-43 in the 5k and sub 26:30 in the 10k.) Think about it. Who else had his pure speed and ability to build great endurance?? Very, very few. He's running 12:50's at age 37. Jesus.
In the 1500, he still makes the team. He may not win because his speed is on the decline, but it's damn near impossible to see him not hanging on for top 3. He's the second best ever in this event, behind only the king of the mile himself.
All in all, Lagat could make top 3 at any distance he chose, from 1500 to marathon, and probably the 800 too back in the day. It sucks that we'll never know what he was truly capable of in the longer distances, because he spent so much time focusing on the 1500. Same with El G.
BTW, Lagat will win Olympic Gold in London. No one will deny him of his last shot. No one.