Amerikano wrote:
Info - USATF has already made some favorable rulings for fast Nike athletes, i.e. letting Chris Derrick into the meet at 27 and allowing Gil Roberts DQ to be turned around to allow him into the finals. If there wasn't the blantant favoritisms already being shown, I would say it should not make a difference and agree with you.
Walker being one of the top ranked guys shouldn't have anything to do with the ruling, but it does have something to do with the positions coming off the rail.
Johnson was tucked on the inside of lane 1, with Walker in the great position in lane 2. Murphy knew he needed to pass, ran wide along with Jock. Engles was just hoping things opened up, but tactically was in a very bad spot with 100m to go. I do think their level of abilities had something to do with how things played out.
Johnson did move out to lane 2, which caused all the switching around. I'd say Walker reacted to that move, and Engles was back to being trapped inside. Walker actually had room to move in, then Engles tried to move around and clipped Walker.
My take on the call: Engles was given a pass because he actually fell. Without the fall, Engles doesn't move on. With 100m to go, Walker was ahead and had better position... it is funny how the faster guy would be ahead with 60m to go..