Mortal but still incredible: Masters fall at the Eugene Olympic Trials

Bernard was a 1500 guy, remember. Dave Albo took all these great shots.

Bernard ran 10K, but he was a 1500 guy, remember. Dave Albo took all these great shots.

Bernard Lagat is human after all. So are Amy Acuff, Adam Nelson and Reese Hoffa. But Olympic champ Stephanie Brown Trafton advanced to the Olympic Trials discus finals at 36 while AR holder Gia Lewis-Smallwood, another W35, was a DNS in Eugene. In Friday’s 10K final, after bravely going with eventual winner Galen Rupp, Kip Lagat quit the race after about 20 minutes. Said the Sacramento Bee: “He wasn’t injured, he wasn’t suffering from heat exhaustion. Instead, he bowed out because, at 41, strategy becomes important, and the four-time Olympian made a calculated decision to save his body for his final shot at an Olympic berth in the 5,000.” Kip said: “I’m a guy who looks forward, and I’m gonna come back and run the 5,000 and qualify. That’s what I promised my son.”

Reese has seen his last Trials.

Reese has seen his last Trials.

Amy tied for 16th in the high jump prelims at 1.79 meters (5-10 1/2) and won’t have a shot at her sixth Games. But consider how she would have done at Lyon worlds. Last year, the W40 winner was Ayamba Akim of Great Britain at 1.67 (5-5 3/4).

At 40, Adam had one good throw in the shot – then five fouls. He was ninth at 20.22 (66-4¼). At Lyon, the M40 winner was Jean-Pierre Horbaty of France, who went a “puny” 16.04 (52-7 1/2).

Reese at 38 was fifth at 20.38 (66-10½). At Lyon, the M35 winner was Coatia’s Dubravko Brdovcak at 16.99 (55-9).

And just FYI: Stephanie’s throw of 60.79 (199-5) happens to beat the listed American record of 54.52 (178-10). It should be an automatic record (even though Gia has gone farther).

Adam was wild around the ring. He's always had a foul habit.

Adam was wild in the ring. He’s long had a foul habit.

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July 1, 2016

2 Responses

  1. B J DUHON - July 2, 2016

    STILL HOLD YOUR HEADS UP HIGH O.G.’s. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR WORLD CLASS CAREERS !!!!!! YOU ARE A LASTING EXAMPLE FOR THE NEW YOUNGSTERS TO MODEL AFTER.

  2. Arnie Pollinger - July 4, 2016

    I see Lagat won his 5000 semifinal, and looked strong.

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