I am not sure I'd be quite so critical. I wonder whether part of the equation here is in their contracts. Is it possible Abdi and Hall were influenced by contractual incentives to go to the start line whether they were ready or not.
Ryan Hall is open to criticism on other grounds:he thinks God is his coach, doctor, training partner and trainer. It's not working. Get a real coach and a doctor used to working with world class distance runners. Get some great athletes to work with. Ask Jesus if you can move to Portland.
I suppose there will be another chat thread elsewhere, but I can't closewithout paying tribute to Meb. This man should be well past his prime. His PR is three minutes slower than many of these guys. And yet, there he is again, as always, further up in the results than anyone expected. Silver medal in 2004, first, second and fourth place finishes at NYC, now this. Bravo, Meb !