Many of the greats step away before getting beat by lesser athletes. I believe that Galen wants to be remembered as the unbeatable American. Most fans hate watching a declining athlete. You can live off your past if you step away on top.
Many of the greats step away before getting beat by lesser athletes. I believe that Galen wants to be remembered as the unbeatable American. Most fans hate watching a declining athlete. You can live off your past if you step away on top.
Way too late for that to be the case but, yes, he’s done.
I am glad to know, though slightly bemused, that someone misses Rupp. My effort to get behind him throughout his career brought me to a realization about what it means for me to root for someone--achievement alone is not enough to develop a fondness for an athlete. Obviously, this is relevant to nobody but me, and I wish Rupp all the best, but I don't find myself getting excited by the prospect of his return. I have followed this sport for nearly 50-years, and over the years I have found it irresistible to find camaraderie with just about every athlete who developed a profile in the sport. The tribe of track and field is pretty collegial and respectful. Most of the competitors are decent eggs and supportive of each other. That is a generalization, to be sure, but it is my personal experience. But I rarely saw collegiality in Rupp. He didn't appear to see it as his job to be liked, and he was under no obligation to make that effort. He had other priorities. His choice. But that didn't endear him to fans or his fellow competitors, as far as I can tell. But, obviously he does have his fans. Fair enough.
I am glad to know, though slightly bemused, that someone misses Rupp. My effort to get behind him throughout his career brought me to a realization about what it means for me to root for someone--achievement alone is not enough to develop a fondness for an athlete. Obviously, this is relevant to nobody but me, and I wish Rupp all the best, but I don't find myself getting excited by the prospect of his return. I have followed this sport for nearly 50-years, and over the years I have found it irresistible to find camaraderie with just about every athlete who developed a profile in the sport. The tribe of track and field is pretty collegial and respectful. Most of the competitors are decent eggs and supportive of each other. That is a generalization, to be sure, but it is my personal experience. But I rarely saw collegiality in Rupp. He didn't appear to see it as his job to be liked, and he was under no obligation to make that effort. He had other priorities. His choice. But that didn't endear him to fans or his fellow competitors, as far as I can tell. But, obviously he does have his fans. Fair enough.
Not everyone is the the smiley, happy jester you long for and thank god for that.
I am glad to know, though slightly bemused, that someone misses Rupp. My effort to get behind him throughout his career brought me to a realization about what it means for me to root for someone--achievement alone is not enough to develop a fondness for an athlete. Obviously, this is relevant to nobody but me, and I wish Rupp all the best, but I don't find myself getting excited by the prospect of his return. I have followed this sport for nearly 50-years, and over the years I have found it irresistible to find camaraderie with just about every athlete who developed a profile in the sport. The tribe of track and field is pretty collegial and respectful. Most of the competitors are decent eggs and supportive of each other. That is a generalization, to be sure, but it is my personal experience. But I rarely saw collegiality in Rupp. He didn't appear to see it as his job to be liked, and he was under no obligation to make that effort. He had other priorities. His choice. But that didn't endear him to fans or his fellow competitors, as far as I can tell. But, obviously he does have his fans. Fair enough.
Not everyone is the the smiley, happy jester you long for and thank god for that.
Many of the greats step away before getting beat by lesser athletes. I believe that Galen wants to be remembered as the unbeatable American. Most fans hate watching a declining athlete. You can live off your past if you step away on top.
But what kind of job does he have outside of his nike appearances at the high school events?
Not everyone is the the smiley, happy jester you long for and thank god for that.
Because those are the only two options?
You seem to think he owes you something. As entertaining as it may seem, he (was) a runner not an entertainer or social media dipstick. His value was earned by the times he ran not accumulated fanboi numbers. He owes you nothing so go pound sand.
You seem to think he owes you something. As entertaining as it may seem, he (was) a runner not an entertainer or social media dipstick. His value was earned by the times he ran not accumulated fanboi numbers. He owes you nothing so go pound sand.
Did I say he owes me something? Where did I say that? I didn't even "seem" to say that. I merely said that I found nothing worth rooting for in his personality. One can wish someone well while simultaneously admitting that one doesn't like them. I hope he is a happy father, husband, runner. But within the context of a sport that I love he is a zero. I will go so far as to say I don't especially like the guy, but I also wish him the best. Embracing contradiction is sometimes part of being a human.
Rupp was one of the first runners I've ever looked up to growing up and I've been a fan of him ever since. Not sure why he's so universally disliked. Yeah he had a sketchy past but honestly as long as he delivers on the world stage does it matter? We don't KNOW he's done anything and even if he has so is the comp and not just running but in literally every sport. People here act like if pros didn't dope they would be the ones making world and Olympic teams but drugs aren't gonna turn your 15:30-14:30 5k into a 12:50 5k.