Robert could have written "given our byzantine olympic selection process, olympic B qualifiers who do not think they'll be able to reach the A standard should consider standing aside to let others with a better shot try to reach it. Some events where this might be appropriate include the mens 5k.... In that event, Louis Luchini . . ."
Stating an opinion like that is welcome.
Singling out Luchini for a column was a low-class move.
Starting a petition to try to get a person to make an entirely personal decision the way that you think he should is just indefensible.
Petition the government over an issue that concerns you. Petition your school to get a new cross country coach (take note, Cornellians). Petition your Mayor to get the trash collected more often.
Do NOT petition your neighbor to paint his house a certain color. Do NOT petition a guy to date your sister instead of his girlfriend. Do NOT petition a person who is going to the olympics to give up his spot just because you think you know better.
Wejo - what was "presumptuous" was not Rojo having stated an opinion. What was presumptuous was starting a Petition to exert pressure on Luchini to make his decision the way that Robert thought it should be made. That's what petitions do, and it is completely inappropriate for a complete stranger to try to influence such a personal decision.
That it was made so public is just insult to injury.