What’s the big deal about the “Olympic Trials” ....

1) Trials are the only distance race an american can win (unless it is ran at pedestrian pace like 1500m 2016)

2) The marathon US olympic trial standard is so low that people who are nowhere near good enough to make the olympic can have the feeling to be part of the experience.

The race is CALLED The Olympic Trials, so they talk about running in it. Is this really a problem for you? The 32nd (or whatever) qualifier for the 100 at the Trials has no chance of making the team either. But he made it to the Trials. It's an achievement.

Think About It wrote:

This is an honest question - why do people talk about running “the Olympic trials” as though they actually have a chance of making the Olympics? Is the USA the only country that picks their team this way? It seems much ado about nothing .....

I don't think the trials are fair.

To me they are very unfair.

The odds of any given runner running their absolute best times in a 2 week window on any given year especially during the trials is rare.

Athletes should be given up to a full year to reach a trial standard.

There should be more heats at the Olympics.

Make the Olympic games a 3 month sport.

Give everyone a fair chance at qualifying.

matt_london_413 wrote:

Think About It wrote:

This is an honest question - why do people talk about running “the Olympic trials” as though they actually have a chance of making the Olympics? Is the USA the only country that picks their team this way? It seems much ado about nothing .....

I don't think the trials are fair.

To me they are very unfair.

The odds of any given runner running their absolute best times in a 2 week window on any given year especially during the trials is rare.

Athletes should be given up to a full year to reach a trial standard.

There should be more heats at the Olympics.

Make the Olympic games a 3 month sport.

Give everyone a fair chance at qualifying.

I bet Mat London could qualify to the Olympics in like the 254lb sled-squat-by-a-bald-old-man-without-wrapped-knees competition. He's made tons of low quality vids about that.

Wassa big deal about being one of the best athletes in the country.. yeah man.. I don't get it. Buncha losers if ya ax me.

I get to compete for varsity.

I qualified to run at conference.

I'm going to state.

I'm going to run on a college team.

I scored at conference.

I qualified for regionals.

I'm going to nationals.

I made the Olympic trials.

I made the Olympic team.

I won a gold medal.

All those are cool things. Just because you're unlikely to do the next thing doesn't mean the previous one isn't something to be happy about.

Might as well say what's the big deal about making the Olympic team if you're not going to win a medal.

Good post. I love watching the trials.

The % of qualifiers that make the track and field and marathon standard is a tremendous acheivement. The athletes are not nearly compensated for this achievement like other professional sports i.e. NFL football as an example. Even the players who make it as a wildcard team and have no chance at making th Super Bowl are given a bonus check. So yes it is a big deal. And if you have ever attempt the dedication and time commitment needed to perform at this high level, you could realize this question is insulting...

This is the actual only shot us marathoners have to make the Olympic squad whether your a big named Nike athlete or some hobby jogger.

This is literally where dreams could become reality.

I'm not even American and I'll be watching. Exciting stuff.

Maybe you need more timing thinking.

Think About It wrote:

This is an honest question - why do people talk about running “the Olympic trials” as though they actually have a chance of making the Olympics? Is the USA the only country that picks their team this way? It seems much ado about nothing .....

not sure, what are your PRs? If you're asking this question you are better off just focusing on getting that BQ.

I’m not sure why the Olympic marathon trials inspire such vitriol from so many posters (not just OP but generally seen over the boards these past few months). I suspect it’s more of the regular trend of negativity towards successful people or those aiming towards a goal.

A number of years ago I ran in the Canadian Olympic track and field trials. I even made the final. I was a ways off the Olympic qualifying standard. It was still a cool experience and something I’m proud of.

It’s the hardest marathon to qualify for in the US. It’s a great chance for competition. It’s something to be proud of. I don’t see the issue.

Seems like a terrific goal to aspire to. Awesome accomplishment to make it into that race.

Think About It wrote:

This is an honest question - why do people talk about running “the Olympic trials” as though they actually have a chance of making the Olympics? Is the USA the only country that picks their team this way? It seems much ado about nothing .....

…..Really dude? It's an amazing accomplishment to be at that starting line and I'm sure every one of those runners will remember this race for the rest of their lives. No matter what order they finish in, they each know how hard they trained to reach this point and that is what athletics is all about --setting ambitious goals and then doing everything you can to reach them.

I'll be there watching in person and I can't wait to see what happens!!

NotPC wrote:

Wassa big deal about being one of the best athletes in the country.. yeah man.. I don't get it. Buncha losers if ya ax me.

I suppose this is kind of my point - you’re not necessarily one of the best athletes in the country ....

It’s really not insulting - it’s factual.

Think About It wrote:

NotPC wrote:

Wassa big deal about being one of the best athletes in the country.. yeah man.. I don't get it. Buncha losers if ya ax me.

I suppose this is kind of my point - you’re not necessarily one of the best athletes in the country ....

It’s really not insulting - it’s factual.

Uhhh... yes you are. A sub 2:19 marathoner instantly makes you one of the best athletes in the country. ~250 men qualified for the trials out of 165 million american males. That puts them in the top 0.00016% of marathon runners. Thats almost 1 in a million. Please explain how that isn't one of the best athletes in the country

Think About It wrote:

This is an honest question - why do people talk about running “the Olympic trials” as though they actually have a chance of making the Olympics? Is the USA the only country that picks their team this way? It seems much ado about nothing .....

Why do people talk about running “in the Olympics ” as though they actually have a chance of getting a medal?

elephino wrote:

I get to compete for varsity.

I qualified to run at conference.

I'm going to state.

I'm going to run on a college team.

I scored at conference.

I qualified for regionals.

I'm going to nationals.

I made the Olympic trials.

I made the Olympic team.

I won a gold medal.

All those are cool things. Just because you're unlikely to do the next thing doesn't mean the previous one isn't something to be happy about.

Might as well say what's the big deal about making the Olympic team if you're not going to win a medal.

Kind of the point again - Go ahead and do these fantastic things - brilliant personal achievement but do you need to make out you’re somehow better than everyone else?

Think About It wrote:

elephino wrote:

I get to compete for varsity.

I qualified to run at conference.

I'm going to state.

I'm going to run on a college team.

I scored at conference.

I qualified for regionals.

I'm going to nationals.

I made the Olympic trials.

I made the Olympic team.

I won a gold medal.

All those are cool things. Just because you're unlikely to do the next thing doesn't mean the previous one isn't something to be happy about.

Might as well say what's the big deal about making the Olympic team if you're not going to win a medal.

Kind of the point again - Go ahead and do these fantastic things - brilliant personal achievement but do you need to make out you’re somehow better than everyone else?

But people who make the trials are better than everyone else. They are the 250 fastest marathoners out of 330 million people in their country

By definition of going to the trials you are better than anyone who didn't go to the trials.

I feel like a lot of people who go to the trials are very humble people and don't lord it over others. Those that are not and can't back this up with times usually have a few words dedicated to them on other threads.