Will Ben Blankenship get DQd?

I've spoken to Avila. He said that he does not think there should be a DQ at all. He said if anything he thought he might have been at fault. It's near the 2/3rd mark of this interview:

https://youtu.be/gQ_ZiZ1mlJg

Avila said that he thought Centro and Ben didn't want the pace going fast so Blankenship was trying to speed up to hold Avila off. He said that he kind of cut in anyway and Ben gave him a shove forward.

He said if anything he thought it was his error.

THat being said, it does seem that protest will be filed by the Manzano camp. The results went final so they have what 30 minutes to file a protest.

Yes, they both drifted.

But Blankenship drifted to force Manzano wide.

Manzano drifted to get around a drifting Blankenship who was not attempting to pass anyone at the time.

Closed Fisted wrote:

disgraceful_admin wrote:

Almost impossible to discern, and if this is the case, keep in mind that these are split second reactions/reflexes. It takes a lot longer to push with an open palm - or as you would probably prefer, to gently caress the competitor in front - as it does to regain balance with the back of the hand.

Sorry, but a closed fist is not a normal running move. It is not impossible to discern for the judge who put up the yellow flag. For you yes, impossible.

This isn't some f'ed up disco you went to 60 years ago, this is the USA Men's 1500m Trials Finals. He made the team and did nothing illegal.

Blankenship interview here

Speaks about shove at 3:30 mark. Said that Avila tried to move out and knew one of them had to move. Said that if anything, the shove helped Avila.

https://youtu.be/1rGne0lqvu4

Star wrote:

Yes, they both drifted.

But Blankenship drifted to force Manzano wide.

Manzano drifted to get around a drifting Blankenship who was not attempting to pass anyone at the time.

As a Manzano fan, and it is hard not to be, I wanted to see what you are describing, but did not. Watch their feet. Manzano actually seems to drift a little more than Blankenship as he is fatiguing. If you and I do not see it the same, it would be tough to DQ either.

Jonathan Gault wrote:

Blankenship interview here

Speaks about shove at 3:30 mark. Said that Avila tried to move out and knew one of them had to move. Said that if anything, the shove helped Avila.

https://youtu.be/1rGne0lqvu4

Then he should be DQed for unfairly aiding another runner. BB sounds guilty.

I've already said that I do not think there should be a DQ.

This happens in racing.

But by the letter of the rule this could qualify as a DQ.

You need to hold your line unless you are attempting to pass someone.

Ben was not attempting to pass anyone.

Leo was.

That's why Leo has a true reason to drift.

Liptood wrote:

Really? Then over 1/2 dozen athletes would have been DQ'ed in the trials. Did you watch ALL of the races? Force them to change their stride? Please, get a brain.

Star wrote:

You don't need contact to impede someone.

Just force them to change their stride.

Yes this is the rule, it is to prevent the drift to lane 8 or the quick cut in front to stop the athlete moving way faster from continuing.

And folks on here complain about NBA and soccer guys diving!!Have any of you actually ever been in a competitive race? Ever race indoors? Jesus H C - this was a tap dance compared to most races.

Blankenslugger wrote:

Ask anyone in the stands if they think he's worthy of a DQ. I heard them gasp in between the babbling NBC commentators when he punched Avila from behind. The blocking of Manzano was another dickmove. Get rid of that guy.

Star wrote:

That's why Leo has a true reason to drift.

Not into another runner.

I watched a fourth time. Blankenship drifts from outside of lane 1 to inside of lane 2 and Manzano drifts from outside of lane 2 to inside of lane 2. This happens pretty much at the same time. I agree with you -- No call.

There are lots of rules, like going 5 over the speed limit. The rule that you speak of is hogwash, period. If he had drifted over significantly, like a solid lane (he did not from where he came off the turn), then it might apply. Here it DOES NOT. Good luck in your logic/comprehension 101 class.

The joke is on us wrote:

Liptood wrote:

Really? Then over 1/2 dozen athletes would have been DQ'ed in the trials. Did you watch ALL of the races? Force them to change their stride? Please, get a brain.

Yes this is the rule, it is to prevent the drift to lane 8 or the quick cut in front to stop the athlete moving way faster from continuing.

As one of the women (maybe Martinez?) said earlier in the trials, "everyone runs wide off the final curve". No DQ for that. I really like Avila for his back story of dropping out of track and then working his way back, but he consistently has run around 3:41 1500M/ 3:59mi all year and did not vary from that in his OT races, even with the "pushing."

If anyone was going to get dq'd it would be Avila. And it was so early in the race no one cared.

All the rest was normal racing.

Blankenship, Andrews and Centro are at the awards ceremony. No DQ.

Apparently there were two yellow flags in the race. The Jury Of Appeals has yet to an issue a ruling. I assume the issues in question are the Avila / Blankenship contact early in the race and then the Blankenship/Manzano battle for third down the final 100.

Wow. Guy just said his friend is handing out the medals but they won't let him do it as the Jury is meeting.

atthetrialsletsgo wrote:

Blankenship, Andrews and Centro are at the awards ceremony. No DQ.

That's what it should be.

All appreciation to Leonel Manzano for once again stepping up in a USA final.

Think about great runners like Spivey, Holman and Webb failing to make top three in their primes.

(All three did make it least one team but failed in their peak years)

unbiased track fan wrote:

As one of the women (maybe Martinez?) said earlier in the trials, "everyone runs wide off the final curve". No DQ for that. I really like Avila for his back story of dropping out of track and then working his way back, but he consistently has run around 3:41 1500M/ 3:59mi all year and did not vary from that in his OT races, even with the "pushing."

Very true. Andrews and Centro finished in lane 2.

OK. It's now official. "The 1500 results stand".

The protest by the Manzano camp (we assume) has been denied.

That means a punch in the back is an acceptable racing technique as long as you don't make it obvious.