Since you are an independent woman, Parker, buck the trend and don’t get a ridiculous Olympic-ring tattoo. What more can say, “Yes, I am an elitist tool, in my own mind.” 🙄
Valby is polarizing. She'll have her fans, but she'll also have a large group that finds her irritating. Despite her extreme talent, she comes across as shallow and fake. She reminds me of the stereotypical mean girl from high school, who has her clique of friends but is nasty to everyone else. Of course, when others are watching (or in this case, cameras), she puts on a fake smile and pretends to be a sweetheart.
Problem with that take is it seems like everyone she’s around on a regular basis loves her…teammates (current or past), coaches, media who take the time to get to know her, etc. If you can provide evidence to prove otherwise, I’ll listen.
I gotta be honest, I don't really care about parker valby. Maybe when she wins a medal or something I'll start paying attention. The only reason you "people" talk about her so much is because she's am*rican.
Valby is polarizing. She'll have her fans, but she'll also have a large group that finds her irritating. Despite her extreme talent, she comes across as shallow and fake. She reminds me of the stereotypical mean girl from high school, who has her clique of friends but is nasty to everyone else. Of course, when others are watching (or in this case, cameras), she puts on a fake smile and pretends to be a sweetheart.
Except the ‘nasty’ part. Thank goodness she just naturally doesn’t come across as that ‘mean girl, nasty”, as much as you want to invent it, ASSume it, or project it.
Good for her. Journalists are some of the worst people in society.
A professional athlete depends on a public reputation. There is no reputation without the media or no one would have heard of her. She bites the hand that feeds her.
It's pathetic how grown men feel the need to get on the internet trash a successful 22 year old kid. She's the best runner, time wise anyway, in NCAA history and just made an Olympic team. She is also known for pushing the pace from the gun, something that most of you same miserable dbags tear other runners down for not doing. She has a sense of humor and is sarcastic with the reporters. Oh, wow, she's a terrible person. So many losers post on this site, it's ridiculous. No wonder the sport isn't more popular.
Good for her. Journalists are some of the worst people in society.
A professional athlete depends on a public reputation. There is no reputation without the media or no one would have heard of her. She bites the hand that feeds her.
You were a professional journalist, weren't you? 😏
Walk us through the moment that you broke the race open?
When did you know that you were going to make the team?
Did you ever think that you could make it to Paris?
Now that you are going to Paris, are you excited?
Imagine hearing these same trite questions being screamed at you in the mixed zone by dozens of reporters, blog writers, etc. It is silly and it is kind of stupid. Sports journalist has to be the easiest job in the world because most just ask the questions above. There are great columnists along with some truly amazing writers and story tellers that cover the sport. Sadly, 90% of those that cover sports are hacks that ask the same half dozen questions ad infinitum and how many times has Parker heard them?
Keep slurping up your bland pablum like good little consumers. Keep hating on anyone with a personality or the audacity to speak their mind or offer up a spicy comment. Oh, and keep on wondering why our sport doesn't get any bigger when all that most of our stars can utter is, "I felt good today. I'm happy to be racing well. All praise to God!" before walking away. That really captures the public's imagination!
So you don't want us asking those basic questions?
Look I agree with the sentiment that for the most part what is asked and said in a post-race interviews isn't that interesting, but still the basics still need to be asked.
And the problem with asking more detailed questions is you often don't get a response. At NCAA indoors, I asked her about some serious bruising on her legs. I got back a sarcastic response about it being a bunch of tattos and many didn't realize she was being sarcastic.
But i love interviewing Parker as it's not your standard interview and you have no idea what type of response you are going to get back but I disagree with you criticizing the asking of basic questions.
I also disagree with your belief - which many have - that if we just tell the athletes stories our sport will be super popular. When I watch soccer or the NFL or whatever, what draws me in is the action. I barely care what the players say afterwards as for the most part I know what they are going to say just like I do in track.
PS. Along these, lines Weldon and Jon are occasionally worried about "losing access" to athletes and I laugh and say we don't need to have access to athletes for LRC to be successful as if an athlete is smart they'll just stick to their talking points in interviews. And if they do say something amazing to someone else, we can always react to it.
WE are the ones, me included, that write that the questions she's asked are often stupid.
"How much did you want to make the Olympic team?"
She was asked that after the 5,000. As I asked at the time, would that journalist ever ask that of a man who came in 4th in the 100 meters? Never.
No one cares who came 4th in the men's 100m. But it doesn't matter where Valby finishes, or what she does, this board is obsessed with her - and more than any other US female runner. She is also not a little interested in herself. That is why she attracts that kind of attention and those kinds of questions.
WE are the ones, me included, that write that the questions she's asked are often stupid.
"How much did you want to make the Olympic team?"
She was asked that after the 5,000. As I asked at the time, would that journalist ever ask that of a man who came in 4th in the 100 meters? Never.
No one cares who came 4th in the men's 100m. But it doesn't matter where Valby finishes, or what she does, this board is obsessed with her - and more than any other US female runner. She is also not a little interested in herself. That is why she attracts that kind of attention and those kinds of questions.
A professional athlete depends on a public reputation. There is no reputation without the media or no one would have heard of her. She bites the hand that feeds her.
You were a professional journalist, weren't you? 😏
Well said, Kobbs.
Without the work of journalists none of you would have heard of her or know what she does. Her career depends on them.
No one cares who came 4th in the men's 100m. But it doesn't matter where Valby finishes, or what she does, this board is obsessed with her - and more than any other US female runner. She is also not a little interested in herself. That is why she attracts that kind of attention and those kinds of questions.
You are also obsessed with her.
Hardly. I comment on a wide variety of threads, many of which have nothing to do with running - or her. Her fans are without doubt obsessed with her. They are easy targets.
Hardly. I comment on a wide variety of threads, many of which have nothing to do with running - or her. Her fans are without doubt obsessed with her. They are easy targets.
Why do you target them? If anyone still had any doubt that you have no life and you just thrive on being an ass...