LetsRun.com
As for the rest of the Olympic qualification, USA Track and Field has refused multiple requests to confirm their statement that they made to us one week ago that they will not honor a top 3 finish at the Trials if three other people at the Trials have the standard - a statement that sent shivers through most of the US distance running community. Here is all of they've been willing to say despite repeated requests for confirmation.
"As you can imagine, this is all evolving in real time. We, along with our committee members and coaches, are working together toward a solution that is best for the sport and everyone involved.
"USATF plans to appeal to the IAAF to make the OT Marathon a gold label event and/or lessen the standards."
That third sentence is good news.
As for the track and field trials, we think USATF's refusal to confirm their statement from last week is actually good news as it may mean they misspoke. USA Track and Field's central office honestly may not have the authority to decide how team is selected as Jeff Porter, chair of the USATF Athletes Advisory Committee, explained.
"The selection procedures are decided with the athletes, the [USATF] Long Distance Running community, [among others]," Porter said. "At this point, the selection procedures for 2020 haven’t been finalized. We haven’t really got into that at this point. I’m not going to speak for the communications department at all. When I read what was on LetsRun, I was confused. Because those procedures aren’t done."
Full details and analysis here: