Drummond is Out!

[Guest]

The crybaby left. Don't know whether it was forced or voluntary!

[MJR]

Re: Drummond is Out!

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) _ American sprinter Jon Drummond pulled out of the World Championships on Tuesday rather than being forced out because of his track protest.

Drummond, who threw a tantrum after being disqualified from Sunday's 100-meter quarterfinals for a false start, announced his decision as world track officials threatened to kick him out of the championships for ``bringing the sport into disrepute.''

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

NEWS: DRUMMOND SAID: "During Sunday's 100 metres quarter-finals I felt very strongly that I was disqualified from the race unfairly and I protested my disqualification. I honestly believe I did not false start. It was never my intention to harm the sport in any way or to inconvenience my fellow competitors or the fans. Today I announce that I am withdrawing from the world championships and the remainder of the 2003 track season. My spirit is broken because it has always been my desire to provide entertainment for the fans."

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: Drummond is Out!

if Jon did this to save USATF from dealing with an awkward situation, and if he couples/coupled it with some sort of apology, more power to him.

But if he just left town in a huff, then, hasta la vista, baby, with emphasis on the last word.

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: Drummond is Out!

and now I have seen Jon's statement. Well enough said, Jon.

Let's all move on.

[Randy Treadway]

Re: Drummond is Out!

USATF still owes a report to IAAF on their investigation and what if any disciplany action they intend to impose.

If Jon says he's taking off the rest of the season, and they announce a suspension for basically the same time period, then I say the whole thing was 'arranged' over the last 24 hours.

Otherwise, if USATF does nothing, Drummond could change his mind overnight, show up back in the 'camp', and demand to be let on the relay.

[Randy Treadway]

Re: Drummond is Out!

>It was never my intention to harm the sport in
>any way or to inconvenience my fellow
>competitors or the fans.

Is THAT the apology some of you thought Drummond would issue?

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

"I announce that I am withdrawing from the world championships and the remainder of the 2003 track season."

Jon, do all of us who respect the sport a favor and withdraw from the 2004 season as well.

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

Jon, do all of us who respect the
>sport a favor and withdraw from the 2004 season
>as well.

Oh will you please shut the fuck up? Like you're too good to watch an athlete get pissed off, and you can't even post your name! High and mighty dumbfuck

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

Brian, as evidenced by your limited vocabulary you sound as intelligent as Drummand. It's easy to understand why you'd be sticking up for the guy.

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

What is really pissing me off about most of your reactions is that after one understandably emotive incident, you all seem to forget that Jon Drummmond is a great athlete and, for the most part, has always been one of the classier acts in sports. He shows none of the cockyness that is so characteristic of top sprinters, he doesn't flap his gums like an idiot about running 9.6 and other far-out accomplishments, and he definitely is doesn't have a case of pro athelte megalomania. He even answers fan emails from his personal address! Cut the cat some slack and stop ripping on his character and his supposed lack of respect for his country.

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

The reason people are not cutting the guy any slack is because this is NOT a one-time occurance. Drummand has a history, the prime example being his and his 400-meter-relay teammates "performance" at the Olympics. His excuse for acting like an idiot? "I didn't know how to act. I've never won a gold medal before."

If indeed the Worlds had been his first outburst, the reaction from track fans wouldn't have been nearly as intense.

(By the way, thank you for the upgrade in vocabulary.)

[Brian Gates]

Re: Drummond is Out!

>Brian, as evidenced by your limited vocabulary
>you sound as intelligent as Drummand. It's easy
>to understand why you'd be sticking up for the
>guy.

First of all, my use of the word "fuck" is not indicative of a limited vocabulary. I simply use such vernacular to emphasize how irritated I am by your sentiments. Secondly, you are wrong to chalk up Drummond's tantrum to a lack of intelligence, and that kind of surmise just confirms what I already knew about you - that you pass judgement without knowing anything about Jon Drummond.

[Guest]

Re: Drummond is Out!

So, Drummond celebrates excessively and apologizes sincerely. Then, several years later, he feels he is unfairly charged with a false start and, knowing that the race will go on without him, protests thinking it is his best chance of getting to race. Considering all the entertainment he brings to track, the fact that he persists amongst the top after all these years, his obvious respect for the fans, don't you think he could be forgiven for two unfortunate outbursts?

[Brian Gates]

Re: Drummond is Out!

>The reason people are not cutting the guy any
>slack is because this is NOT a one-time
>occurance. Drummand has a history, the prime
>example being his and his 400-meter-relay
>teammates "performance" at the Olympics. His
>excuse for acting like an idiot? "I didn't know
>how to act. I've never won a gold medal
>before."

If indeed the Worlds had been his
>first outburst, the reaction from track fans
>wouldn't have been nearly as intense.

The "prime" example being his behavior after the Sydney 4x1? Will you please be so kind as to mention all the other examples of poor conduct by Jon Drummond that you find to be slightly less significant than the "prime" example from Sydney? Or is that the really ONLY example? Look, if you want criticize JD's tantrum in Paris, fine- but leave it at that. He is not a bad person, he is not immature, and he doesn't deserve to be ostracized by track fans over this.