To me it looks like Latimer contradicts himself in regards to the new qualification standard for the Olympic Trials Marathon.
Quote from interview #1:
"That’s simple. To pick the best U.S. runners for the Olympics, and to give them a chance to run their best in the Olympics. I know there’s a counter argument about Trials qualifying. I know there are some people who think we should let in a lot of 2:30 runners in the hope that they’ll be inspired to run 2:12 in a few years. But that’s ridiculous. Anyone who studies the sport knows that things don’t happen that way..."
http://racingnews.runnersworld.com/2010/03/a-brief-chat-with-guy-morse-and-glenn-latimer.html
Quote from interview #2:
"After college I played semi-pro soccer, coached a top level of high school soccer, and ran for fun, and played cricket and basketball. A year after I came to the USA, we arranged for the semi-pro soccer team to come over here on a tour. Warming up for a match in Camp Randall in Madison, WI, I tore my cartilage in my knee. After surgery I decided to quit soccer and to start running again. I ran my first marathon in 1980 in 3:20, and then improved over the next two years to 2:23:41. I also ran 31:44 for 10K and 51:47 for 10 miles. Nothing earth shattering, but I knew how to train to maximize by limited ability."
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_1/glenn-latimer-new-usatf-m.shtml
It would seem to me that judging from his own experience, where he improved from 3:20 to 2:23, it would be feasible for someone who has run 2:30 to be 'inspired enough' to run 2:12 eventually. I don't think it's extremely likely that a 2:30 guy would eventually make the team, but you never know. Taking this into consideration, I would think he would be more inclined to include the 2:30 guys, knowing perfectly well the improvements he made.
Thoughts?