LetsRun vets know exactly what I mean. Galen was the most if not easily one of the most polarizing American distance athletes 10 years ago on these boards—even after his incredible performances at the London Olympics, he was far from universally loved. Whole accounts on LRC were dedicated to denigrating him, and he had equally feverous supporters. Still draws those impassioned supporters and the naysayers (maybe in slightly different ratios) and lots of posters in between, after running 1:04 in 2023. What an incredible period of being relevant in a sport
When Muhammad Ali was in his prime as many people (or more) hated him as liked him.
He said that he was controversial and people watched to cheer against him and for him.
But he was popular and made money.
There are a lot of runners who fall into that category on letsrun. Rupp is the fastest of them and may be the best or close to one of the best Americans ever.
His haters HATE that. They hate that has had a very successful career.
If you let the letsrun board get to you it;s tough to be a top American runner:
If you win you're on drugs or the field was weak (even in the Olympics and Worlds).
If you lose you suck.
If you have a bad race you should hang them up.
Basically you can't win with the losers who hate to see anyone achieve any level of success.
I don't see anyone of them singled out except that Richardson is the only sprinter and person of color. So it has to be her.
One could single every one out, for example Salazar as the only coach, and the only one double banned.
But the list was about "most polarizing figures" here, so I'd discard Houlihan first who has only a tiny amount of supporters left here after her doping ban and comical burrito excuse, whereas Rupp and Cain for example have lots of supporters and "naysayers".
I don't see anyone of them singled out except that Richardson is the only sprinter and person of color. So it has to be her.
One could single every one out, for example Salazar as the only coach, and the only one double banned.
But the list was about "most polarizing figures" here, so I'd discard Houlihan first who has only a tiny amount of supporters left here after her doping ban and comical burrito excuse, whereas Rupp and Cain for example have lots of supporters and "naysayers".
Ahhhh yes, that makes sense. I don't know how many supporters Salazar has.
It's funny, he's my age and I remember when he was young and famous thinking- he and I would never be friends. LOL
Rupp's times and medals were, sadly, never really the focal point of his fame on these boards. He was a product of Alberto's (successful but weird) science project and nobody here really wanted anything to do with that. Rupp, who is certainly a nice person as an individual, was not cut out to be a media star or an effective social media "influencer." That meant the public side of his career has always be awkward.
I never had anything against Rupp but I would agree that despite his times, he is one of the least inspiring athletes to ever come through our system. I mean that factually (as measured by his lack of fans), not as an opinion. Few people wanted to "be like Rupp" even if his times and medals were awesome.
p.s. I respect him for his "let my running do the talking" approach but that didn't always work in terms of public relations because people were not in love with the narrative arc that was his career.
Kind of surprised they never made more of an effort in the public relations stuff. Given the massive long term plans and control along with Nikes marketing chops.
Well, you know. Any personal endeavor on Rupp, Salzar, Nike Oregon Project, allegations of doping, etc...
Galen Rupp is as of 2023 by second to none, the Greatest American Distance Runner this country has produced thus far. (Now I'm not saying Grant Fisher isn't good, he's still active and hasn't accomplished as much as Galen yet). Now I'm a huge Chris Solinsky fan and will be until the end of sports. But, Galen has accomplished much more and even demolished my beloved Idol's American 10k record.
Galen's PBs have a strong range that hasn't been touched by Bernard Lagat, Chris Solinsky, Bob Kennedy, etc...
3:50.92 Indoor Mile
7:30.16 Indoor 3K
12:58.90 5000m
26:44.36 10,000m
59:47 Half Marathon
2:06:07 Marathon
Now I know The Americans have yet to produce a Wunderkind on the Roads that can run Sub-59 Half/Sub-2:04 Marathon. But, Galen being 1 of three Americans to ever go Sub 1 in the Half. and Is within 30 seconds of Khalid Khannouchi's American Record from 2002. Means Rupp certainly has earned his spot on the roads. He got bronze medal on his Second Marathon and Silver Medal to Mo Farah in the 10,000m. His Indoor Mile rivaled Lagat and Matthew Centrowitz at the time.
Anyone's personal feelings aside, He gets crap because of his middle-class background, association with Salazar, but he did all these feats before the Shoe Revolution. And he's never tested Positive for a drug. All's to say Galen is amazing and deserves it all.
100% - Also what I admire about Rupp is ability to race and race tactics in general.
Unlike BTC guys, who just hug the rail and go for splits, Rupp rubs, steps on heals, moves to lane three to pass, surges in the middle and has a burning desire to podium.
The haters are going to hate but he is the best distance runner the US has ever produced.
That’s some LetsRun level reading comprehension right there.
Nowhere in my post did I state or insinuate shock. I’m just appreciating a phenomenon that’s been occurring on these boards for years. The interesting thing to me is not that he’s still talked about (your misinterpretation of my post), but rather the way that people still talk and debate about him.
oh so you're surprised an athlete that was polarizing, it still polarizing. got it, makes much more sense.
I remember the final lap of the 2012 Olympic 10,000m like it was yesterday... jumping up and down screaming as Galen took down all but one of the world's best.
I was in a hotel where the fire alarm started to go off with 2 or 3 laps to go - the rest of my family evacuated as smoke started to come in under the door but I stayed…I figured I was on the ground floor so I’d take my chances hopping out a window worst case. It ended up just being a fire in somebody’s microwave and it was totally worth it to watch Galen hang in there!
Rupp's times and medals were, sadly, never really the focal point of his fame on these boards. He was a product of Alberto's (successful but weird) science project and nobody here really wanted anything to do with that. Rupp, who is certainly a nice person as an individual, was not cut out to be a media star or an effective social media "influencer." That meant the public side of his career has always be awkward.
I never had anything against Rupp but I would agree that despite his times, he is one of the least inspiring athletes to ever come through our system. I mean that factually (as measured by his lack of fans), not as an opinion. Few people wanted to "be like Rupp" even if his times and medals were awesome.
p.s. I respect him for his "let my running do the talking" approach but that didn't always work in terms of public relations because people were not in love with the narrative arc that was his career.
You must not have seen the video of the post race after Galen’s 3:50 mile in Boston.
I feel like most of letsrun is at least okay with Rupp nowadays. He was a bit eccentric when he was younger, but he has backed it all up with results. He just ended up way better than anyone would have imagined. Winning Olympic medals? Being a serious threat in the world marathon majors? Nobody saw that coming other than Rupp. He is the rare case of a hype train who far exceeded expectations.