Should there be a new Olympic trials for 2021?

I think it should stay as it is, they earned it. I realize they may not be the fastest three by next year, but they may not be the fastest three next month either, or in June, or in July.

The race on February 29th was the qualifying race, and they got the job done.

No.

However USATF could make it so athletes have to hit the Olympic standard again within the standard qualifying period to be eligible.

Excellent question, indeed.

I think there should be a new OT ‘Thon and then have the qualifying 3 from both races arm wrestle for a spot on the team. The women qualifiers should mud wrestle.

No one cares about the marathon. I dont know how anyone could watch a 2 hour borefest of people running. They could scrap the whole race as far as I'm concerned. Anything over a 5 k is brutal for TV.

Yes. Use it as an opportunity to get rid off the East African mercenaries.

There are really two issues here. One is whether the marathon qualifiers should be allowed to compete in Tokyo in 2021.

The other is whether the trials, scheduled for June, should be delayed one year.

I think the answer to the second question is yes. But for the marathoners, the situation is more complicated. Sure, they earned their spots, but what if one of them is showing a lack of fitness in 2021 and there's some new marathon talent on the scene who's clearly better?

They earned their spots wrote:

I think it should stay as it is, they earned it. I realize they may not be the fastest three by next year, but they may not be the fastest three next month either, or in June, or in July.

The race on February 29th was the qualifying race, and they got the job done.

It's a tough call and your point is a good one. But if we decide to go this route you probably should make them all "demonstrate fitness" again. Defining that will take some thinking but maybe they just need to run below a certain time. We probably also need to see what the IOC comes up with for qualifying procedures and standards.

If the June track and field trials were to be delayed to 2021, that would argue in favor of a new marathon trials. Delaying the track and field trials to 2021 would avoid fielding what would be last year's best team. That principle would hang like a cloud over the current marathon team. They would be showing up for Tokyo as last year's best American marathoners, which would be awkward when compared to the track qualifiers, especially if there are other marathoners arguably better in 2021. Odds are that there will be.

Those that qualified are on the team, even if the race is held next year.

Arguments for better future runners is irrelevant. The current qualifiers earned their spot and right to be named Olympians based on the conditions given to them. Medals aren't more important than doing the right thing by people. The medals tally board started in a cafeteria in the Olympic village when the Soviets rejoined the Olympic family was a cold war move to begin with and against the spirit of the Olympic movement. What happened to the 1980 team was deplorable as well. Put yourself in their shoes if you can even try imagining what that might be like.

987984 wrote:

Yes. Use it as an opportunity to get rid off the East African mercenaries.

Anyone who agrees with the re-run is just as racist as this person.

No. I could see inviting the top ten finishers to demonstrate fitness at a half marathon a few months ahead of the games. Set a standard (1:02 for the men, 1:11 for the women) and if the top three get under, they keep their spots.

World Athletics and the IOC could also help by allowing nations fielding teams of three "A" qualifiers to select two additional athletes based on 2021 performances. As an example, Des Linden and Molly Huddle go under 2:20 at Houston or Boston in 2021, then USATF can select them for the five person squad.

Living in the Past wrote:

If the June track and field trials were to be delayed to 2021, that would argue in favor of a new marathon trials. Delaying the track and field trials to 2021 would avoid fielding what would be last year's best team. That principle would hang like a cloud over the current marathon team. They would be showing up for Tokyo as last year's best American marathoners, which would be awkward when compared to the track qualifiers, especially if there are other marathoners arguably better in 2021. Odds are that there will be.

I expect that's how it will likely shake out and that's a shame for this year's qualifiers. If there's a re-run there needs to be something done for this year's qualifiers. And while I don't think it will happen, I would not be opposed to keeping them in the team if they were able to show they're about as fit as they were at the trial.

But what if one them fails to "demonstrate fitness" or to reach some last-minute qualifying standard in 2021? Who replaces that 2020 qualifier? Would it be the fourth-place finisher from 2020? The winner of a 2021 trials marathon?

Unless the athlete is sick/injured AND gives up their spot, it's theirs. The qualifiers will maintain/improve their fitness because they want that opportunity to compete, not participate.

If one gives up their spot, then it would be appropriate to appoint the best prepared as proven through a combination of the trials race results and current tests. If advertised this way, I think it would be perceived most acceptable.

You need to re-run the the marathon trials. In addition, you need to extend the qualifying period in case anyone can run a Fall marathon and get a qualifying time. Everyone who qualified for the 2020 trials gets an automatic bid.

I think the varying answers given show that it depends upon how you view the Olympic team. Is it an individual honor that you earn or a chance to represent and strengthen a team so only the best should be included?

If you believe it is an earned honor then you stick with the 2020 top three. If you think it is sending the best at the time you rerun the trials, require a fitness show, or some other direction to assure the best at the time go if it is not those from 18 months prior.

Living in the Past wrote:

But what if one them fails to "demonstrate fitness" or to reach some last-minute qualifying standard in 2021? Who replaces that 2020 qualifier? Would it be the fourth-place finisher from 2020? The winner of a 2021 trials marathon?

Another good question. I would think that if the plan is to go with the qualifiers from this year's race as long as they've demonstrated fitness you would not run another trial so yes, I'd think you'd send the next top placer who shows that they're still in form.

No. Those who were ready when you were supposed to be ready deserve their shot. This gives procrastinators a longer time to build base and prepare. It's not fair.