Kudos Stanford grad! There is a certain thing called doing your "time" and earning the right to be placed in a leadership position, but not only because of the experince on the track but also the talent that backs up that experience. I would guess that anyone of those who critisize the support for Jearl would feel different if it were they in this position. I am also not a member of the clark family. Congratulations to the girls who did represent the USA on that team, their talent is not in question nor do i feel that they had a hand in all of this, they did what they were asked to do, run and that they did.
Jearl needs to keep her head held up very high, she is a woman of great strength within, a commitment to excellence not only for herself but for those around her. She has set a wonderful example for those who will come behind her and a standard of which few will achieve. She is a woman of whom I embrace with great respect. We live in a time of society when commitment means very little, respect means very little as most people do not even respect themselves. Jearl carries more wisdom, experience and knowledge about track and field than most coaches, athletes, and so called sports writers. Only when those who are quick to judge her for her "age" have traveled the foots steps of a five time Olympian, been there for all the 2 a day work outs, injuries, the ice baths, endless therapy & stretching, the triumph of victory and the disappointment of defeat and still have the passion and love of her sport when so many others have quit along the way, can they even attempt to speak about something they truly know nothing about. To have Honor is not to have something you wear around your neck on display. Honor is something you earn thru perseverance, weathering the storms of challenges, injuries, and let downs. It is an honor to be chosen to be part of a relay "team." Jearl has shown up on every occasion that such honor has been given to her. She is a woman of conviction and love of her sport, if for some reason she in any way felt she could not have run that race she would have had the grace to respectfully decline, but she never had that chance to speak for herself. So we who stand beside her and support her have a voice to support and encourage. We live in a time when we give more rights to cheaters, criminals, liars, and those who will stab a brother in the back without a second thought. We don't live by morals and standards of the highest esteem because we have allowed the bar to lowered a little more each and every year. Lastly, those who have chosen to use this little message board to view their "personal" opinions of the Clark Family need to be very cautious of their judgement. It amazes me that we are so quick to add criticism to a family who has provided several elite athletes to USA track and field. They have dedicated their lives to careers in this industry both in collegic and professional track and field and did it thru hard work and a dedication to have a standard that will stand the test of time.