Articles

qualifying standards

qualifying standards

March 15, 2019

Our Worst Fears Realized: USATF WILL NOT Honor Top-Three Finish at The US Olympic Trials Unless You Have The Standard

This is one of the darkest days in history for US distance fans. We emailed USATF to make sure they would be honoring the IAAF world rankings so those top 3 at the Olympic Trials could go to the Olympics - they told us they would not. That means Olympic silver medallist Paul Chelimo wouldn’t have made the 2016 team, nor would Jared Ward and three other Olympic finalists including Bernard Lagat who won the most thrilling race was the Trials. Some US Olympic Trials races may now be totally meaningless.
May 22, 2016

Fast 1500s At Windsor Open: NZ's Hamish Carson Misses Olympic Standard Again With 3:36.65; Canada's World 800 Silver Medalist Melissa Bishop Wins In 4:09

Carson came close again after only missing by .05 last week. Nick Willis was on rabbit duty again with Nate Brannen, Lee Emanuel and Will Leer all in the field. Bishop's race was a solid solo PB. *MB: NICK Willis super fit: video
January 27, 2016

Four More Years: Mike Cassidy Misses Olympic Trials Qualifier, But Finds Victory In The Journey As He Looks On To 2020

Cassidy qualified for the 2012 OT, but fighting back from chronic injury issues saw him come up short for 2016 as he ran 2:21:20 in Houston. Here, he shares that experience and whether you're an OT qualifier, a fellow near misser or a 4-hour marathoner, if you've ever shot for a goal, you'll find meaning in what he says. *LRC Archives: The Time of My Life: Staten Island Native Mike Cassidy Shares His Experience Finishing The NYC Marathon Hand-In-Hand With His Hero Meb Keflezighi Cassidy's essay after the 2013 NYC Marathon generated more than 12,000 Facebook "likes" and is still one of the most popular articles posted on LRC.
December 10, 2015

73 Americans Pick Up Olympic Standards As IAAF Eases Standards In 17 Events; Should USATF Change The Marathon Trials Standard Accordingly?

Leo Manzano now has the standard but the bigger news is 25 US marathoners now have the Olympic standard but won't even be at the Trials as the US standard is more stringent. Should USATF let them in? Update: USATF may be required to change them due an arbitration ruling. *MB: 25 Americans now have the Olympic standard in marathon but won't be at the Trials. Should USATF let them in?