If we think of KF's coaching as it relates to Olympic T&F, I think he would always make the finals in his event, but never the podium.
It was an awesome Olympiad on the track, and there were so many examples of athletes having to make the decision to go for glory, or to play it safe. Going for glory sometimes worked out: see Cole Hocker committing to a pace he wasn't sure he could maintain because he knew it was the only way to win. Sometimes it didn't: for example Jakob Ingebrigtsen trying to blister the field to avoid getting outkicked by Kerr (and not placing), Femke Bol trying to run the 1st 200m with McLaughlin-Levrone because it was her only hope of beating her and missing out on silver, or Elle St. Pierre committing to a pace that her legs just couldn't match and dropping in the pack.
I have no doubt that KF's approach has helped to maximize our number of wins over the last 2 decades. But sometimes it would be nice to know we went for it, consequences be damned. Here is Elle St. Pierre's post about her Olympic experience:
A lesson I learned early in my track career is that I’d rather risk it all going for the big goals than to have regrets later about giving myself a shot.
The pace went out FAST and I committed. Unfortunately my legs just didn’t have what it took the last 300 meters or so. Sure I probably could have placed higher if i didn’t run a 59 first lap, but I find peace in knowing that I went for it! The art of racing is finding the balance between being brave enough to give yourself a shot and not biting off more than you can chew.
Some of my best races have been the result of committing to whatever fast pace the lead pack makes, just not this time. It stung a bit, but I feel better knowing I gave it my all in my preparations and knowing that I left it all on the track. It was a journey just even getting there and the finishing results are not taking away from the absolute amazing Olympic experience I had in Paris.
Standing on that Olympic final line (for the second time in my career) is something I am incredibly proud of and remembering those few moments of rubbing elbows with the world’s best is the most supreme souvenir.
Shoutout to my USA teammates @emily_mac7 and @nikkihiltz , you both represented our country so well, it was an amazing trip to Paris with you. I have so much respect for you and all of my 1500m competitors.
Congrats to @faithkipyegon the absolute GOAT. @jessicaahull on a well deserved silver!! So happy for you! And @georgiabelltheduathlete on bronze, what a remarkable race!
It was an awesome Olympiad on the track, and there were so many examples of athletes having to make the decision to go for glory, or to play it safe. Going for glory sometimes worked out: see Cole Hocker committing to a pace he wasn't sure he could maintain because he knew it was the only way to win. Sometimes it didn't: for example Jakob Ingebrigtsen trying to blister the field to avoid getting outkicked by Kerr (and not placing), Femke Bol trying to run the 1st 200m with McLaughlin-Levrone because it was her only hope of beating her and missing out on silver, or Elle St. Pierre committing to a pace that her legs just couldn't match and dropping in the pack.
I have no doubt that KF's approach has helped to maximize our number of wins over the last 2 decades. But sometimes it would be nice to know we went for it, consequences be damned. Here is Elle St. Pierre's post about her Olympic experience:
A lesson I learned early in my track career is that I’d rather risk it all going for the big goals than to have regrets later about giving myself a shot.
The pace went out FAST and I committed. Unfortunately my legs just didn’t have what it took the last 300 meters or so. Sure I probably could have placed higher if i didn’t run a 59 first lap, but I find peace in knowing that I went for it! The art of racing is finding the balance between being brave enough to give yourself a shot and not biting off more than you can chew.
Some of my best races have been the result of committing to whatever fast pace the lead pack makes, just not this time. It stung a bit, but I feel better knowing I gave it my all in my preparations and knowing that I left it all on the track. It was a journey just even getting there and the finishing results are not taking away from the absolute amazing Olympic experience I had in Paris.
Standing on that Olympic final line (for the second time in my career) is something I am incredibly proud of and remembering those few moments of rubbing elbows with the world’s best is the most supreme souvenir.
Shoutout to my USA teammates @emily_mac7 and @nikkihiltz , you both represented our country so well, it was an amazing trip to Paris with you. I have so much respect for you and all of my 1500m competitors.
Congrats to @faithkipyegon the absolute GOAT. @jessicaahull on a well deserved silver!! So happy for you! And @georgiabelltheduathlete on bronze, what a remarkable race!
