Mick Byrne on USATF Not Filling 5000m Field: "Someone in USA Track and Field is not doing their job, it's that simple."

This thread, especially the last four posts, takes this issue up:http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5246136

As long as the little guys are the only ones complaining, they will continue to get sh*t on.

Wow. Why wouldn't they fill the field? They are only running 11 in the 5k, and these kids whose programs spent money to get them out there and compete, will not get the chance to run at a meet they have been peaking for.

I've had friends on the bubble that flew out there in hopes of competing, only to end up 1st or 2nd out. Yet these guys have the times they need and it sounds like someone just isn't doing the paperwork to place them in what was supposed to be a 16 or 18 man field.

Really sad stuff.

It was Gerry Lindgren who was responsible for a major sea change. What we need is someone like Salazar speaking up about the need to have uniform clear-cut standards for the distance runners and accountability among the officials. The story Mick Byrne tells about his treatment would be funny if it weren't abhorrent.

Montesquieu wrote:

It was Gerry Lindgren who was responsible for a major sea change. What we need is someone like Salazar speaking up about the need to have uniform clear-cut standards for the distance runners and accountability among the officials. The story Mick Byrne tells about his treatment would be funny if it weren't abhorrent.

why would sal care one bit? his athletes get in....

agree with him, that's either incompetence or apathy or both, very poor reflection on the USATF.

Because I assume Salazar cares about the overall health of the sport in the US.

uh_no wrote:

Montesquieu wrote:

It was Gerry Lindgren who was responsible for a major sea change. What we need is someone like Salazar speaking up about the need to have uniform clear-cut standards for the distance runners and accountability among the officials. The story Mick Byrne tells about his treatment would be funny if it weren't abhorrent.

why would sal care one bit? his athletes get in....

who cares... they aren't any good anyway.

The fact that people not even at the meet and on message boards know athletes have scratched and the USATF is either ignorant or doesn't care is sad. As many pointed out, poor reflection on the USATF and not good for developing the strongest team possible. It is very sad as deserving runners are getting bypassed. It takes months/years to get to the point to be able to be capable of making the meet and then to be treated this way is silly. For the USATF be so dismissive of the athletes is really just pathetic, given it is the runners dedication that is bringing distance running success back to the US. They should be supporting and nurturing them to ensure that people want to make that commitment.

You're right--13:30, not good. Really? That's 4:20 for three miles in a row. That's good.

so.... wrote:

who cares... they aren't any good anyway.

Well I emailed Ed Gorman to let him know that I didn't think he was doing a very good job as a champion of the sport. Why don't y'all do the same even if it is after the fact.

Ed Gorman is either lazy or incompetent or is there another reason?

This situation is ridiculous. 50% of the field scratched, completely predictably given the races prior to the 5000m. Who are the responsible people at the USATF? Maybe this is due to set rules and regulation, or maybe it's due to ineptitude, but with 50% of the field playing DNS games, Maverick and Joe deserve to run!

Read more:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5250064#ixzz2X4wJSs8R

Montesquieu wrote:

It was Gerry Lindgren who was responsible for a major sea change. What we need is someone like Salazar speaking up about the need to have uniform clear-cut standards for the distance runners and accountability among the officials. The story Mick Byrne tells about his treatment would be funny if it weren't abhorrent.

Salazar is one of the guys making sure those athletes don't get in. He loves the rules in place right now.

runner xl wrote:

Salazar is one of the guys making sure those athletes don't get in. He loves the rules in place right now.

It's all about Rupp.

Seems like this happens every year. Nike and USATF.... Too much influence.

Salazar's athlete Luke Puskedra was number 2 on the list, based on time trying to get in the race so don't pull that "Salazar doesn't care crap!"

why are you here?

The USATF should have made this a Turkey Trot and let everyone into the race. Some college guy would have won.