This is ridiculous. People criticize our best athletes as if we've voted them in office and they're letting us down. They have earned their keep as our best, and are trying to compete with the world's best. They may or may not have faster PR's than athletes of other countries, but they've still become faster than the rest of their countrymen, and are not deserving of your criticism, at least not because you don't think their best is good enough. I get that we analyze our athletes of all sports, and are critical of their performances regularly. But I don't regularly see analysts criticizing athletes who have just had a best-in-their lifetime performance because it wasn't as good as someone else's.
You are rightfully being called out because you are critical of the wrong people. Don't hate on Ward and Fauble for running 2:09, hate on yourself for not even being close enough to contribute to the USA's quest to compete on the international level.
What's even more ridiculous is these guys just improved upon their marks, making them more competitive on the international level, but the criticism keeps coming regardless. Unbelievable.
Damn good job to Scott Fauble and Jared Ward[/quote]
Agree with this. Its a great start for the US getting ready to step up now that the IAAF has made it tougher. I liked how Kibet wasn't afraid to run for the win and if he keeps working, he'll join the sub 2:10 club. Nice to see Ritz finish a marathon again though he struggled in the second half. With the 2020 Olympic standard at 2:11:30, it would be great to see as many Americans as possible hit it.