Morgan McDonald goes pro!

Followed the sport long enough to predict this accurately...he will eventually make his way to NIC BIDEAU.

Calling it now. He will follow in Craig Mottram's footsteps.

Starts his own team

Steelmen Elite, semi elite team will be called the coppermen

How is that news? Of course he was going pro.

Him going to Total Sports is a little weird -- Aussies coached by Bideau are also managed by him, so this telling that he likely won't be going the MTC route. Maybe the Beasts made him an offer he couldn't refuse, maybe he wants to stay with Byrne and train with people in Flagstaff? Unsure.

He’ll likely stay in America and train with Bideau at least through 2020.

Ghjkfdhj wrote:

He’ll likely stay in America and train with Bideau at least through 2020.

Dammit. Meant stay with Byrne. Not Bideau.

Well we know it won’t be Under Armor because he would rather wear 4 year old ASICS than anything UA could offer.

I say this as not a Mick fan, but seems like whatever he is doing is working pretty well. So maybe continue with Mick for at least the foreseeable future.

BTC.

He said he's going to relish the chance to sit on Grant's shoulder and then kick past him for entire workouts.

Serious questions here.

What's the rule for a foreigner, like McDonald is, to stay in this country post-collegiate?

And is there no running options in Australia, like the so-called teams in this country? Not that he has to go home, in my mind, I'm just wondering.

The only real Aussie group is the Melbourne Track Club coached by Nic Bideau. Bideau is also the agent for all of his athletes. Since he didn’t sign with Bideau it is assumed that he won’t be training with them.

Justin Rinaldi has a mid-distance group. Luke Mathews and his mom have a small group. The groups in Australia are nothing like the ones in America. America offers significantly better and a greater number of opportunities.

Not sure on how the visa issue will play out since he’s a foreigner. But guys like Mo Ahmed, Matt Hughes, Tom Farrell, Yomif Kejelcha and others in the Nike groups have been able to live in America. Perhaps they have to return home periodically.

Aussie's hate Australia. I've spoken to many over the years, and they just get zero support, the community just doesn't give two legs, and they love training in America where they feel American companies will support them. Remember, Australia has no real wealth. No Fortune 100 companies. Just a big island that seems to export any runner not named Mona.

didn't have any other choice wrote:

How is that news? Of course he was going pro.

Just because it isn’t expected doesn’t make it news. I wanted to get it out officially to LetsRun and I figured that some people would want to speculate on whether he’s going to Melbourne or staying with a group in the US, which is exactly what happened. I’m excited to see him tear it up and hopefully contend on the world stage soon.

P-1 visa. They have to prove that they compete on an international level, sign with a U.S. agent, give a schedule that has some U.S. races on the circuit and work out formalities. Only catch is all your income has to come from track - you can't work sidelines. There's lawyers specializing in this, and the agent typically handles the process. Not cheap, but actually MUCH easier than many other visa forms. Someone like McDonald/Hull will have no issues getting it.

Once you get approved you can train with whatever coach and wherever you want, but are somewhat tied to your agent who is your "representative" for visa issues. Don't have to return home, but can. At least that was the deal ca. 2014 - assume Trump administration didn't change it.

Was this ever in doubt ?

didn't have any other choice wrote:

How is that news? Of course he was going pro.

Agreed lol. Hasn't he mentioned he has a gf in Austin, TX? I would think he will stay in the US and stay under Mick through this Olympic cycle. No guesses after that.

McBucky wrote:

didn't have any other choice wrote:

How is that news? Of course he was going pro.

Agreed lol. Hasn't he mentioned he has a gf in Austin, TX? I would think he will stay in the US and stay under Mick through this Olympic cycle. No guesses after that.

He also said on a recent Aussie podcast that the facilities and support at his American uni were much better than he got in Australia when on the Comm Games team. Presumably he can find something with a similar setup in the US more easily

didn't have any other choice wrote:

How is that news? Of course he was going pro.

Because he ANNOUNCED IT, dude or dudette!

Will he ever run sub 13 and sub 27 is the real question?

My guess is no