Blahhhhh wrote:
Ok - "routinely" is misleading. We all know he's outkicked some of the greatest kickers of all time. I'll name 2 off the top of my head: Ken B and Lagat.
Mo outkicked these guys when they were a far, far cry from being either of the greatest kickers of all time. Look at who else outkicked them in some of the same races: hardly anyone known for their infamous kick.
In 2012, Rupp outkicked Lagat in the US Trials 5000m. Galen has improved, a lot, and he's a world class athlete. But he's hardly anyone would suggest as being one of the greatest kickers of all time. Galen also outkicked KB in London ... As did KB's brother.
KB also outkicked Mo last year.
Last year Mo had to work it to beat Hagos and Isiah in a modest 5000m .... Neither of whom are known for a blazing kick. And Hagos ran a faster last lap than Mo.
IMO, Mo's biggest strength has been becoming a sound tactician .... He beat Gebremeskel in London purely on tactics, and he beat Hagos the same way last year. Doping doesn't, iirc, make athletes smarter.