I was introduced to this message board and thought really hard before added to the comments. I will say as a four time Olympian and having run my best time of 1:57 when I was 38 I am diappointed in Sue's decision to not inclued Jearl the relay pool. Having trained with Jearl for over a decade I never once questioned her commitment, focus , dedication, and team play. As an Olympic athlete I can say if I was told I was going to be in a relay pool and then in the middle of the night the coaches changed and did not tell me until the next day, and talked about this youth, young, age, not in shape and future stuff. I would have handled it differently. That is why Jearl is a class act and has gotten the support of so many people. I will be brief, but I will say I contacted Sue and Jearl should get a public apology if for nothing else than trivalizing her success over 20 years and being the staple to many great relays over the years. I am too close to Jearl and this situation to comment any more about the decision of the USA Womens Olympic Staff and Brooks. I will say there is a time for coaches to move aside, not because they are old,not because they are selfish, or not because they no longer have a pulse on the reality of the sport. A coach should step down when they no longer have the respect of athletes because of age and they can no longer appreciate the comment, focus, hard work , and dedication of someone like Jearl. "I will leave them with this "For it isn't father mother, sister or wife or verdict you must pass, but the verdict that counts most in your life is the one looking back at you in the glass" Can this coaching staff look themselves in the mirror and say Jearl is a has been. More importantly can they tell her to her face. The is as we know in NO.
Joetta Clark Diggs
1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 Olympian @ 800m
2000 Womens' Olympic Team captain