But Geb has always been about being a legend like Yifter. He's always been motivated by records and such. While certainly not an arrogant man, he wants to do things others haven't done, and he wants to make history. How many times have we heard that from him?
I'm not questioning Jon's reliability. I'm just processing this in light of what we know of Haile the athlete. Mere months away from the OG, he's run the marathon faster than a human ever has, and he's in great shape. Why now?
bekeselassie wrote:But Geb has always been about being a legend like Yifter. He's always been motivated by records and such. While certainly not an arrogant man, he wants to do things others haven't done, and he wants to make history. How many times have we heard that from him?
I'm not questioning Jon's reliability. I'm just processing this in light of what we know of Haile the athlete. Mere months away from the OG, he's run the marathon faster than a human ever has, and he's in great shape. Why now?
I agree Bek, it makes no sense to anyone who has read Gebs words. The only thing i can think of is Bek droping out of the heat at world x and the thought of Geb running an Olympic effort in a 100 degree smog alert doesnt sound fun.
Jon wrote:There are rumours in Ethiopia suggesting Haile might retire after the Dubai marathon. Don't know how reliable they are...
How could someone of Haile's mentality not want to contest the Games this year?
One word "Pollution". From all reports Beijing doesn't sound very condusive for distance runners, let alone the marathon. And for someone who has had two legendary wins in the Olympics, would he want to risk a DNF?
I'm guessing that 08 will really be a home field advantage for the Chinese in the marathon.
the rumor i heard most recently was that geb wants to compete at least through the 2012 olympics in london, and he may run the 10k in the beijing olympics INSTEAD of the marathon.
source, article in todays runnersweb.
doug091463 wrote:the rumor i heard most recently was that geb wants to compete at least through the 2012 olympics in london, and he may run the 10k in the beijing olympics INSTEAD of the marathon. source, article in todays runnersweb.
No chance. Geb is smarter than that. As great as he is, he knows he can't beat Bekele. And Geb won't run for silver. To win 2 10K golds and a marathon gold would make him truly unique as an Olympian.
Geb will run the Olympic marathon. There's absolutely nothing else for him to accomplish except this one thing.