Listers: The comments floating around my house after the marathon echoed those below. All said below is true and noteworthy. Plus, this was an athlete who had to suffer during the months after the trials the resentment of the running community (including sponsors apparently: does she have one?) that she was somehow not the right person to represent the United States. She earned the the right and then proved her ability to perform well in the big race. As far as I am concerned, I hope that she keeps running because I'll bet there's more in the tank yet. Cheers, Steve Podgajny ============================================================================ ======== >Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 20:03:32 -0600 >From: Tony Banovich <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: t-and-f: Credit where credit is due > >I'll be honest. First, I didn't have time to read all the posts during the >Oly frenzy. Second, I didn't stomach to read the ad naseum posts that were >part of the typical overkill of singular, inane topics. So, maybe someone >made mention of this and I missed it. And, if I did, and I'm restating an >already posted item, I apologize. > >That being said, I think it's time that we recognize one of our 3 distance >runners who actually lived up to, if not exceeded, the expectations (the >first 2 are Meb and Abdi). The third being Chris Clark. She of "isn't >that the one who screwed us out of 2 marathoners in the Olympics" >fame. She of "here's the second coming of Jenny Spangeler" >speculation. She of the "she's not from the inside of the running circle >so let's not pay her her due" regime. > >So what did she do. A 2-minute P.R. One of only 3 women in the last 2 >years + that was able to meet or exceed the "A" standard. Put up the big >performance on the day that it counted and didn't shrivel away to a 2:45 >and say "Well the big goal really was to make the team. I was just happy >to be able to come and enjoy the experience." > >I think that Chris did us proud. Of course I'm a bit biased. I live in >her hometown. I know her parents and sister's family. Why wouldn't I root >for the local girl. But here's a woman who found a way to mix and master >all of her family and professional obligations; and, at the same time, have >the best performances of her life on the 2 biggest stages. > >Way to go Chris. > >Tony >Tony Banovich >Billings, Montana > >------------------------------
