Ritz and Emily Sisson took part in a NYC half marathon press conference today.
Details here:
Ritz and Emily Sisson took part in a NYC half marathon press conference today.
Details here:
Thanks for this. Can't wait to see Ritz back at it.
He answered none of your questions.
If you guys were actually journalists, you would've pressed.
Dembele Dembele wrote:
He answered none of your questions.
If you guys were actually journalists, you would've pressed.
Tough guy, anonymous poster alert!
Good interview, good to hear he's healthy. Hopefully this will be a good stepping stone for future races. I'm sure whatever he runs here won't be anything incredible, but if he can stay healthy I'm sure he has a handful of solid marathons left in him.
Sisson needs to reschedule the wedding, not the marathon!
Dembele Dembele wrote:
He answered none of your questions.
If you guys were actually journalists, you would've pressed.
Ha. We literally are the only people in the world to ask questions like this. Have been so for 15 + years. That being said, when I hung up I did sort of say to myself, "He didn't answer. I should have asked him, 'So do you think you took more than 50 m/l of L-Carnitine?" So yes I could have kept on but this was NYRR teleconference.
His answer would have been at most along the lines of. "I've always tried to do the right thing, was assured everything was legit and no sanctions have been made."
I mean come on, please name one time in history that a journalist got anyone whether it's a politician, criminal or doper to confess by tough questions. I don't think it's ever happened.
You think I follow up with something narrow Ritz is going to go like, "Uh. Uh. Rojo you got me. Amazing question. Yeah, the Al Sal and Dr. B were shady as hell. That's why I left and had to lawyer up and that's why I refused to wear the NOP singlet in Boston when I left. Dr. B gave me too much L-Carnitine without me knowing it, probably rubbed that andro all over Rupp as well. Oh wait now I'm going to get sued and Nike is going to come after me for violating my contract so uh I take that back."
Well said, rojo. Ritz still is under the influence of Nike Charm School, and know how to do interviews and not incriminate himself or Nike.
Do not understand the Sisson statement at all. Is she planning on taking an entire month off of training to get married? No reason she can't make her debut at New York in early November.
The best takeaway is that Ritz is happy and healthy. Where are Hall and Webb? Ritz is the last of the big three standing.
Love Ritz Love Hansons wrote:
The best takeaway is that Ritz is happy and healthy.
Agreed. Who will be faster at Boston. Ritz or Kawauchi?
I read the interview and thought these are exactly the kind of tough questions that you need to ask Paula.
More pre-race hype by Ritz. I expect a 62 minute performance than a DNF at the Marathon, followed by excuses. Hoping for better results but not likely to happen
rojo wrote:
I mean come on, please name one time in history that a journalist got anyone whether it's a politician, criminal or doper to confess by tough questions. I don't think it's ever happened.
You think I follow up with something narrow Ritz is going to go like, "Uh. Uh. Rojo you got me. Amazing question. Yeah, the Al Sal and Dr. B were shady as hell. That's why I left and had to lawyer up and that's why I refused to wear the NOP singlet in Boston when I left. Dr. B gave me too much L-Carnitine without me knowing it, probably rubbed that andro all over Rupp as well. Oh wait now I'm going to get sued and Nike is going to come after me for violating my contract so uh I take that back."
The point isn't to force a confession, it's to make him uncomfortable and get people who read the interview, other people on the call, etc. to confront uncomfortable issues, especially in the context of this being Ritzenhein, who seems to be a pleasant and popular guy on the circuit.
Your question should've been something along the lines of, "you seem to be expressing some regret and saying that you wish you had made different decisions at that point in your career. Given your off-label use of prescription drugs and your use of L-carnitine in a manner that may have violated anti-doping rules, how should we view your performances during your time with the Oregon Project? Do you feel that your performances while using those substances were honorable performances?" Then when he dances around the question and starts talking about how happy he is to be with the Hansons, etc you say, "Mr. Ritzenhein, can you please answer my question with a yes or a no. Do you feel that racing while using these substances was honorable?" You keep pressing.
running commenter wrote:
Dembele Dembele wrote:
He answered none of your questions.
If you guys were actually journalists, you would've pressed.
Tough guy, anonymous poster alert!
Good interview, good to hear he's healthy. Hopefully this will be a good stepping stone for future races. I'm sure whatever he runs here won't be anything incredible, but if he can stay healthy I'm sure he has a handful of solid marathons left in him.
Sisson needs to reschedule the wedding, not the marathon!
The poster is right. Letsrun didn’t press. I’ve been a real journalist and I can see no pressing on his answers or a complete dodge by the subject.
Two groups dodge the most politicians and athletes.
Many reporters are too concerned with trying to stay on athletes good side to press.
Last of the big 3 standing because he was sitting so often with injuries. Let's see if he has any credible performances going forward.
You don’t really get journalisms AT ALL.
Don’t pat yourself on the back for asking the question. It’s your damn job. You think firefighters ask for Kudos because they responded to a call??? It’s absurd.
It’s not always about getting someone to make a grand confession. And you and your brother wonder why people think you aren’t that intelligent.
rojo wrote:
I mean come on, please name one time in history that a journalist got anyone whether it's a politician, criminal or doper to confess by tough questions. I don't think it's ever happened.
OK:
https://youtu.be/N_0PSZ59Aws?t=55sWho you got?
Top Professional Runners – Men
Wilson Chebet, KEN 59:15
Dathan Ritzenhein, USA 1:00:00
Teshome Mekonen, ETH 1:00:27
Abdi Abdirahman, USA 1:00:29
Shadrack Biwott, USA 1:01:25
Noah Droddy, USA 1:01:48
Soifiane Bouchikhi, BEL 1:03:45
Shogo Ise, JPN 1:03:10
Kei Katanishi, JPN 1:01:58
Chris Thompson, GBR 1:01:00
Ben True, USA Debut
Chris Derrick, USA 1:01:12
Scott Fauble, USA 1:03:06
Matt Llano, USA 1:01:47
Haron Lagat, USA 1:01:00
Tim Ritchie, USA 1:01:23
Top Professional Runners – Women
Mamitu Daska, ETH 1:06:28
Buze Diriba, ETH 1:06:50
Vivian Cheruiyot, KEN 1:07:44
Emily Sisson, USA 1:08:21
Caroline Rotich, KEN 1:08:52
Aliphine Tuliamuk, USA 1:09:16
Betsy Saina, KEN 1:09:17
Karoline Grøvdal, NOR 1:09:41
Madai Perez, MEX 1:09:45
Serena Burla, USA 1:10:08
Desiree Linden, USA 1:10:34
Allie Kieffer, USA 1:10:40
Liz Costello, USA 1:12:35
Roberta Groner, USA 1:14:26
Well said.
Rojo, are there any updates from USADA on the Salazar, Rupp and Farah investigation?
Given the fact that no one , not a single person in the NOP group has been busted by any governing from any type drug use. The UK assertion over the over use of L-Carnitine is almost comical and a little far reaching that will be laughed out of court if it gets there.
The desperation by so many here wanting to be so right about drug use that doesn't hold water and thinking that Ritz has some deep dark secret to be revealed, sorry to burst your bubble, its a pipe dream.
BTW, do you know the number of real journalists that have chased this story from every angle and walked away from it after not being able to find a shred of evidence and credible links to build a story.
Man you are good. I'll hire you for the next call and let you do it. I think there is a natural tendenc to avoid awkward situations in interviews. When I was coaching at Cornell and knew a recruit was not going to come, I would never put him on the spot. Why not? What dod I have to lose. Well the problem is if you area total dick, you lose access to the calls and athletes.
But you are wrong when you say you think the others are going to followup on it. You've got to be kidding. The RRW on flotrack didn't even mention the word l-carnitine in it.