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To you Americans who continue to get on this man s back - Alan Webb - in these forum stages: do not be so harsh on this athlete.
He is trying the best he knows how, and receiving the best training and racing opportunities which fit his long-term fitness level. He will have some great days, and a lot of hard, I-dont-like-this-training type of days. He - nor David Krummenacker - will be able to run their potential every meet year-in and year-out. IF THEY DO: How long will they last on the scene? Said Aouita crushed everyone nearly every time he raced from 1984-1990. But he raced himself out. Then Morceli stepped up and out after all of his sub-3.30s. El G is in a one-person dominating class, and his own body is able to withstand the pressure of running 3.26-3.29 on a consistent yearly basis. Yet even he, in all his consistent glory, has backed off the racing schedule over the past two seasons.
Hope in your hearts that your own athletes in your country will do well, and that they will someday be near the top in their events, so that the entire world will have more competition, want to look at the USA in a positive light, and look forward to competing against your athletes.
Right now, some of you as fans are dampening the atmosphere of good will and good fortune which surrounds athletics. Some athletes will have very bad days - even weeks, months and seasons. But they try, continue trying, and sometimes make it to a high level.
Has your Bob Kennedy given up hope of ever running under 13.00 again for 5000 meters?
If you were given up for crap when you hit a lull in your PR event - let s say two or three years where you didn t PR or win nationals, did America (or in case you were not no. 1, your family or friends) get all over your back and call you washed up? Or a loser?
When Said Aouita raced valiantly against Morceli at the world championships - despite having his best years behind him - did you get on Aouitas back with all of your friends around? Or are you using this forum as a chance to bark and scream because the forum itself provides you a chance to be heard?
Alan Webb is a human being. He is an athlete. We have all competed (I take that for granted) at some level, and know how much work we put into our events - and still were not the best in our countries - or the world. But we tried, and continue trying.
Your emphasis in America is completely wrong; you bark at those who show promise early but do not fulfill your own expectations. Do not forget that the athletes you sponsor now with your cheering and good-will, are the athletes who tomorrow, despite their race results, will be thankful for your support, and gracious in a time of apparent defeat.
He is trying the best he knows how, and receiving the best training and racing opportunities which fit his long-term fitness level. He will have some great days, and a lot of hard, I-dont-like-this-training type of days. He - nor David Krummenacker - will be able to run their potential every meet year-in and year-out. IF THEY DO: How long will they last on the scene? Said Aouita crushed everyone nearly every time he raced from 1984-1990. But he raced himself out. Then Morceli stepped up and out after all of his sub-3.30s. El G is in a one-person dominating class, and his own body is able to withstand the pressure of running 3.26-3.29 on a consistent yearly basis. Yet even he, in all his consistent glory, has backed off the racing schedule over the past two seasons.
Hope in your hearts that your own athletes in your country will do well, and that they will someday be near the top in their events, so that the entire world will have more competition, want to look at the USA in a positive light, and look forward to competing against your athletes.
Right now, some of you as fans are dampening the atmosphere of good will and good fortune which surrounds athletics. Some athletes will have very bad days - even weeks, months and seasons. But they try, continue trying, and sometimes make it to a high level.
Has your Bob Kennedy given up hope of ever running under 13.00 again for 5000 meters?
If you were given up for crap when you hit a lull in your PR event - let s say two or three years where you didn t PR or win nationals, did America (or in case you were not no. 1, your family or friends) get all over your back and call you washed up? Or a loser?
When Said Aouita raced valiantly against Morceli at the world championships - despite having his best years behind him - did you get on Aouitas back with all of your friends around? Or are you using this forum as a chance to bark and scream because the forum itself provides you a chance to be heard?
Alan Webb is a human being. He is an athlete. We have all competed (I take that for granted) at some level, and know how much work we put into our events - and still were not the best in our countries - or the world. But we tried, and continue trying.
Your emphasis in America is completely wrong; you bark at those who show promise early but do not fulfill your own expectations. Do not forget that the athletes you sponsor now with your cheering and good-will, are the athletes who tomorrow, despite their race results, will be thankful for your support, and gracious in a time of apparent defeat.
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