How come Gidey (or Tsegay) didn't run the Ethiopian Olympic trials? Do they not need to qualify?? I've seen it being suggested that Gidey won't run at the Olympics this year, I hope that's not true.
Tsegay will likely get a bye into the 10,000 if she wants. They can allow her to double and just have Taye/Gebreselama limited to one event. It seems to me Gidey will not be in the Olympics.
Imagine it's late 2019, you start your season by running an insane world record in the 15K (44:20 @14:47 pace). Destroying the women's field and high level male athletes in the process. You continue dominating, setting a World Record in the 5k at 14:06 to cap off your season. The world is amazed, everyone is watching. Many think what you just did was impossible, they call you a cheater, but they also mention that you have the best form they've every seen, you're a super talent, you could change the sport.
Guess what, IT'S NOT ENOUGH. Only a few years later, an athlete nobody has even heard of demolishes the 10k record you set on the track. You've spent the last 4 years of your life dying on the track, using the best doctors you can, improving on your already incredible form, racing against the best. You were supposed to change the sport, but Faith Kipyegon, Sifan Hassan, Beatrice Chebet, and Gudaf Tsegey just cooked you at worlds. AND NOW another random athlete nobody has ever heard of just destroyed your record. Like what do you even do? It's the shoes, it's the drugs, it's the whatever, one thing is for sure, you can't keep up. Nothing is enough.
Honestly, this sport is a circus. I can't help but feel that whatever is happening is nefarious. If it takes being a hyper responder to drugs, 200+ km weeks, and designer drugs/shoes to compete for a 20,000 dollar diamond league appearance fee, it's not a good sign for the sport. Unironically, pay to win, but you're paying with your health and integrity.
Gidey is so hot though. At least she’ll always have that to fall back on. Also still one of the best in the world.
How come Gidey (or Tsegay) didn't run the Ethiopian Olympic trials? Do they not need to qualify?? I've seen it being suggested that Gidey won't run at the Olympics this year, I hope that's not true.
Tsegay will likely get a bye into the 10,000 if she wants. They can allow her to double and just have Taye/Gebreselama limited to one event. It seems to me Gidey will not be in the Olympics.
Gidey most certainly will not be at the Olympics this year. She has advised her management team that she requires a further break from competitive training and running. Over the last 8 months she has been dealing with a coaching split, providing charitable work for the starving and displaced people within Tigray and finally a wedding that was ordained from her childhood years. can you imagine the personal pain and mental suffering Tigrayan athletes go through representing Ethiopia on the world stage whilst that same country rages war against their home province?