A week ago I was all jazzed because Galen Rupp closed in 53 seconds out-kicking Bernard Lagat for the win in the 5000 meter run at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. I thought then that he would have a shot at getting a medal in London in a month....Now? Maybe in the 10,000m, Galen. In Paris today, Dejen Gebremeskel closed in 54 seconds but ran a world leading time and 36 seconds faster than Rupp did in an admittedly more tactical affair in Eugene. The race in London will surely be tactical too, but it will come down to who puts themselves in the best position with 400m to go. If Rupp or Bernard Lagat or Lopez Lomong do not put themselves in third with a quarter left they are going to be like Bumbalough was last week--sure you can hang on but you sure as hell ain't passing anyone. Enjoy the view from 4th place.
Like I said, Rupp has a better chance in the 10,000m. He and his training partner Dathan Ritzenhein are of the age and experience now that when it is time to race they will be ready. It also does not hurt that they workout with the favorite to take home gold in the 5 or the 10: Mo Farah of Great Britain. It is way too early for me to make any predictions but I will state the obvious that these Olympic Games will be a sight to see for fans of Team USA. I like the chances of Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi, Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan, and Desi Davila in the marathon as well. The success of Team USA would have some nice symmetry since it will have been a little over a decade since the turning point (a race I was very fortunate to witness in person). Almost all of Team USA (at least on the men's side) have Hall, Ritz, and Alan Webb to thank for re-energizing a youth that had drifted to soccer, basketball, and Xbox360.
I still see it being another Olympic cycle before America gets gold in a distance event, but it is time for someone to crack the top three. I guess this is why we run the races...
Happy running everyone.
