Salazar apologizes to Lomong; will you folks please start focusing on the real problem: USATF?

You are...

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Couldn't agree more! I kind of like it to corrupt cronies on wall street, laughing their way to the bank as they try and start fights between gays, evangelical christians, poor, and middle class, distracting all of us from the real issues that are destroying this nation.

Stick, you are such a douche. Hardloper brought up a valid point. You fools only speculate on what was said, because of the outcome, then ignore that the panel said closeups that were made available changed their decision. All because you hate Salazar. Learn to let your personal feelings not cloud judgement. Wait for the facts to come out.

Stick with eharmony wrote:

Lol hardloper is such a stupid fanboy, grow up dude

official Nike press release wrote:

We, the Company, gave coach Salazar a $100,000 bonus for apologizing to Lomong. Incentives do work.

For tax purposes, we will offer Salazar $100,000 in June 2014 to apologize to Ms. Grunewald, $100,000 in October 2014 if he apologizes to Mr. Grunewald, $100,000 in January 2015 if he apologizes to Mr. Bumbalough, and $50 in April 2015 if he apologizes to Jerry Schumacher.

We consider the issue now closed.

Dude, give up already. You've tried this same joke in two dozen threads. Clearly, no one thinks it's funny. Time to give it a rest.

Do we have a real credible source? Not that propaganda mouthpiece cited called Oregonlive that only prints issued garbage from Nike Beaverton Public Relations.

Make us laugh harder please! wrote:

Do we have a real credible source? Not that propaganda mouthpiece cited called Oregonlive that only prints issued garbage from Nike Beaverton Public Relations.

I am aware of no creditable source. This appears to be mostly hearsay and speculation proffered by people with a certain bias or agenda.

An actual running-related thread from JHA! That's about the last thing I expected to see. Still short on logic per usual, but baby steps and all...

Yeah, blame the cops not the criminals.

A thief broke into my house and stole my stereo.

The cops were very slow to react and let him get away.

I didn't have a real problem with the thief because he was just doing his job, to steal things.

But the cops were incompetent so I am more upset at them.

Later, the thief came back and left an apology note.

After hearing all the info during the course of the week, I think there are a couple of issues.

1. USATF's primary sponsorship by Nike. I don't think Nike truly influenced USATF per se during the protest process. If it did, it is more of a consequence of point 2 below. However, the primary financial backing of Nike undermines athletes and fans faith in the USATF processes. The perception of impropriety can be a significant hurdle. As a metaphor, if anyone is aware of conflict of interest laws for public officials, many of them try to avoid not actual conflicts, but the appearance of conflicts. The goal of such laws are more geared not just to avoiding conflicts, but to avoid undermining public faith in officials and institutions.

2. As Toni Reavis pointed out, the USATF is mostly made up of volunteer staff and officials. While dedicated people, they aren't going to be as intense or thorough about rules and procedures as would be professional staff. This kills the transparency of the USATF and any post-race appeal process. The USATF does not know what to do in the event of tie. The USATF does not know what to do when there is a protest or an appeal. Because they are not professional, they are likely to be persuaded by any vocal and hard-headed coach who yells and screams at them. Most likely, they are thinking "I didn't sign up for this crap" and they will try to appease the coach as readily as possible.

3. In regards to Salazar, I have mixed views. On one hand, I want a coach who values sportsmanship and keeps a level head. Gruenwald did run into Hasay. Personally, I tell my high school runners to go out in lane 2 to make sure there is no contact and you have clear passage. It's not just risking a DQ, but such contact could also trip the passing runner and cost him/her the win. Nonetheless, I'd like to think a level headed coach would realize that Hasay was cooked and would not have gotten Gruenwald. It was not worth making the protest.

That said, I also want a coach who is passionate and a vigorous advocate for their athletes. Remember, Salazar coaches BOTH Rowbury and Hasay. A DQ affects the placing for two of his runners and it affects their bonuses and payouts (as well as his compensation if he has a National Champion or not). It also affects future contract negotiations whether the athlete is a national champion or not. Even if the contact did not affect Hasay, a shrewd coach knows a DQ affects everybody's wallets. And it doesn't rain money in track and field like in other professional sports.

As a comparison, think of baseball and managers arguing with umpires. Hardly every does an umpire change his mind, but a manager will argue to the point of getting ejected. Why? Just for the point of sticking up for his team. It is a show, but it can be important psychologically. It also keeps the athlete out of the fray. Although, I acknowledge that MLB umpires have the benefit of being professional and don't get intimidated by coaches, unlike volunteer USATF personnel.

There are benefits and drawbacks to the type A personality. That personality gets a coach to do everything for their athletes to help them win. It provides the athlete attention, planning, resources, etc. I have to believe it makes a difference for the performances of Farah, Rupp, Cain, Moisier, etc. However, it does have an ugly side, and it showed the past weekend.

At least it wasn't as bad as Woody Hayes trying to punch out an opposing player in a bowl game.

slopenguinrunner wrote:

1. USATF's primary sponsorship by Nike. I don't think Nike truly influenced USATF per se during the protest process. If it did, it is more of a consequence of point 2 below. However, the primary financial backing of Nike undermines athletes and fans faith in the USATF processes.

Where do you suggest USATF get their funding?

slopenguinrunner wrote:

2. As Toni Reavis pointed out, the USATF is mostly made up of volunteer staff and officials. While dedicated people, they aren't going to be as intense or thorough about rules and procedures as would be professional staff.

Why not?

Huh?? wrote:

Where do you suggest USATF get their funding?

[quote]

Why not?

Regarding funding, I have no idea. I don't think they really should minimize Nike, either. I think the issue is more of an appearance of impropriety as opposed to actual exertion of influence. I think people should just keep in mind and have a little perspective. There is a potential for conflict, but just because the potential is there does not mean it actually exist.

Regarding volunteers or part time help, it is just a simple matter of priorities. If you have a job and family, are you going to miss your kid's little league game to study the rule book and procedures even more? It's possible to be a dedicated volunteer or a part-time employee, but it's not the same as having it be your full time job. It runs along the lines about NFL referees not being full-time employees of the NFL and the quality of officiating in the league; they often have to hold other jobs during the week.

And I would note, I am not saying I have any solutions. I am just trying to bring a bit of reason and identify some of the issues as opposed to just saying NOP uses drugs and this is roid rage and a conspiracy by Nike and the USATF.

As I said in another thread. Track and Field in this country is a mess. When Nike contributes 45% of the budget and a good portion of the rest comes from sanctions, membeships and fees, then who is actually left beyond that? Nobody? And if the company that supports 45% of my daily activities decides it wants to take it's ball and go home? We're dead.

fanboi wrote:

Stick, you are such a douche. Hardloper brought up a valid point. You fools only speculate on what was said, because of the outcome, then ignore that the panel said closeups that were made available changed their decision. All because you hate Salazar. Learn to let your personal feelings not cloud judgement. Wait for the facts to come out.

Stick with eharmony wrote:

Lol hardloper is such a stupid fanboy, grow up dude

Close ups that have not been released. This, after the filming company said there was 'no new evidence' available. USATF's problem right now is lack of transparancy. That causes distrust, especially in situations like this.

Not to mention they still have not explained why Bumbi was DQd. How do you DQ a runner with no explanation? Again, distrust due to a lack of transparancy.

slopenguinrunner wrote:

It runs along the lines about NFL referees not being full-time employees of the NFL and the quality of officiating in the league; they often have to hold other jobs during the week.

So NFL referees, because they are part-time employees are not "going to be as intense or thorough about rules and procedures?" Seriously?

Yes, seriously.

It is an actual debate in the NFL. The former Head of NFL Officiating thinks it should be and notes that the part-time status limits the abilities of the referees.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/31/ex-head-of-officiating-thinks-all-17-nfl-refs-should-be-full-time/

It is common sense. The more time you spend doing something or preparing, the better you are at the given task.

Just google "argument for full time nfl referees" and you get a bunch of articles illustrating this debate.

Hobo2014 wrote:

Josh Hamilton's Addiction wrote:http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2014/02/alberto_salazar_apologizes_and.html#incart_flyout_sports

Seriously, Alberto throwing his weight around might be annoying, and perhaps even corrupt if some of you see it that way. But the fact that USATF can be swayed so easily by Salazar is the real problem. The biggest issue here is USATF, but everyone is more focused on NOP/Salazar/etc. Time to move on from that drama and fix what's really wrong.

It's up to Lomong to accept the apology,not you to decide when it is over. You should apologizes to the message board, then we need to decide if Salazar's explosive rage is a result of mental illness or job stress.

Are you guys 10 years old? Who gives a sh*t about someone getting mad after a race. Grow up, and move on. I love how all theses lame runners are posting on Facebook, twitter, etc.. how Alberto needs to apologize to everyone. For what ? getting heated at another athlete? Do you guys watch other sports? Sports that actually get paid to be on TV. All theses lame pro/ semi pro , runners think they are owed something and the truth is the opposite.

here's a thought experiment...let's say Nike ups and leaves. Say Phil dies or gets sick of his people being badtalked.

Then what?

Good news or bad?

Does Exxon or Intel or the like step in?

would our memberships become more expensive?

I think some company probably would step up, and it would be a good thing. But I am an outsider and not sure.

slopenguinrunner wrote:

Yes, seriously.

It is an actual debate in the NFL. The former Head of NFL Officiating thinks it should be and notes that the part-time status limits the abilities of the referees.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/31/ex-head-of-officiating-thinks-all-17-nfl-refs-should-be-full-time/

It is common sense. The more time you spend doing something or preparing, the better you are at the given task.

Just google "argument for full time nfl referees" and you get a bunch of articles illustrating this debate.

By most accounts, NFL referees are considered to be good at what they do even though they are part-time employees. I think most involved with our sport would say the same about USATF officials. Not perfect mind you, but pretty good.