Geb Retires!?!?!?!

xcrunner000

11-07-2010, 04:58 PM

very sad:(

http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/237408-2010-ing-new-york-city-marathon/363913-haile-gebrselassie-announces-retirement-after-nyc

http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=58676.html

okko

11-07-2010, 06:32 PM

this is such a sad end to such a great career. i hope he reconsiders.

Cicero

11-07-2010, 06:48 PM

this is such a sad end to such a great career. i hope he reconsiders.

Even if he does reconsider, could he ever really be the same after admitting it's time to quit? This story brought a tear to my eye. Even his critics have to admit that he's had one of the most successful running careers of all time.

okko

11-07-2010, 06:52 PM

Even if he does reconsider, could he ever really be the same after admitting it's time to quit? This story brought a tear to my eye. Even his critics have to admit that he's had one of the most successful running careers of all time.

yeah, i don't really see how he could not retire after what he said today. but it didn't help anything that the reporter asking questions was being incredibly disrespectful of his decision and insinuating that it was somehow irrational and non-definitive.

Cocakula

11-07-2010, 07:19 PM

This is so sad. I love Geb, I don't want him to go out like this! :(

Peristalsis

11-07-2010, 09:58 PM

Chance he'll pull a Brett Favre? 75% that's what I say.

oricfan

11-07-2010, 10:20 PM

Chance he'll pull a Brett Favre? 75% that's what I say.

Maybe. If what he is saying is true that he'd not given prior thought to retiring, but the dropping out today convinced him it was time, I think he might have been well-advised to sit on that thought for a few days until the emotions simmer down. Orthostice said on another thread that A. he likely is older than he is officially listed as and B. he's clearly lost a step or two from his prime. I suspect he's right on both fronts. It would not be an ignoble thing to choose to walk away. I just hope it's not purely driven by the emotion of today.

DonnieDarko

11-07-2010, 11:18 PM

Wow, this is on the front page of CNN.com under the "Latest News" category.

CoryC

11-08-2010, 01:18 AM

Maybe. If what he is saying is true that he'd not given prior thought to retiring, but the dropping out today convinced him it was time, I think he might have been well-advised to sit on that thought for a few days until the emotions simmer down. Orthostice said on another thread that A. he likely is older than he is officially listed as and B. he's clearly lost a step or two from his prime. I suspect he's right on both fronts. It would not be an ignoble thing to choose to walk away. I just hope it's not purely driven by the emotion of today.

The age thing is most likely true. My coach has been to rural Kenya (I know Geb is Ethiopian, but I think this applies to many countries) and he said that when asked their age, Kenyans tend to say "'I'm roughly X". This makes sense when you consider that there isn't always a birth certificate made when you're born on a farm in the middle of the countryside.

The Saint

11-08-2010, 02:32 AM

Zat0pek

11-08-2010, 08:06 AM

This is no surprise. Geb's simply acknowledging the obvious, that his aging body is working against him. It happens to every athlete. I doubt this was a spur-of-the-moment decision after a DNF. At his age, it has to have been in the back of his mind.

Adjectives are insufficient to describe Geb's career. I'd love to sit down over a couple of beers with the guy.

MedialMeniscus

11-08-2010, 08:31 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV4QwaqPBRs

HAILE GEBRSELASSIE: First of all, thank you to be here today. Well, I'm a little bit disappointed. Disappointed to myself. I knew this when I arrived here in New York. I told, you know, this is not that serious - I thought this was not that serious.
Okay, well, whatever it is, things happened I cannot change. One thing that I want to tell you today here in front of you I'm a little bit unhappy. When I announced this, maybe everybody becomes a little bit shocked. I myself I don't want to complain anymore after this, which means it's better to stop here.
I did really very hard training to win this race. It didn't work. Each time I don't come with - if it's a problem like this and to complain again and again, it's bad for my - all of you support me. Especially thank you to Mary. She bring me here to see New York, and that's why I did very hard training. After this, I know I have no discussion with my manager, with anybody, but I discuss with myself. That's why it's better to stop here.
I never think about to retire. But for the first time, this is the day. Let me stop and do other work after this. Let me do other job. Let me give a chance for the youngsters. Of course, I am giving a chance for the youngsters. Will I miss the race? It's hard to me, hard because, you know, I want to thank all of you.

Q. Haile, you're not running anymore, you're retiring right now?
HAILE GEBRSELASSIE: Yes.

Q. Is it just that you feel your body can't take it at this high level anymore? What do you think it is?
HAILE GEBRSELASSIE: You know, how many times I complain? Before I came in this competition, I had really very hard training. Better to stop here.

Q. Did you have any idea coming into this race, and if you had gotten through it fine, would you still be making the same decision or is this just because of what happened out there today in the 16th mile?
HAILE GEBRSELASSIE: No, no, no, no. I knew this problem. I mean what happened yesterday when the doctor came to me to bring me to an MRI. They said there is a kind of fluid inside. Why this happen. Thank you.

Q. Did you start feeling bad on the flight? Is that what happened? Were you in a bad position?
HAILE GEBRSELASSIE: No complaints, really. It's better not to complain anymore.

xcrunna

11-08-2010, 08:46 AM

It sounds like he was tired of his body failing him, and then having to make excuses in the aftermath. I think that's what he means by "complain". The way he won in 2000 against Tergat, you can understand how it frustrates him so much to have to make excuses after his body lets him down. A great career, but he has an incredible almost two decade run of success to look back on and perhaps the best season of all time (1998) for a distance runner.

okko

11-08-2010, 10:01 AM

The age thing is most likely true. My coach has been to rural Kenya (I know Geb is Ethiopian, but I think this applies to many countries) and he said that when asked their age, Kenyans tend to say "'I'm roughly X". This makes sense when you consider that there isn't always a birth certificate made when you're born on a farm in the middle of the countryside.

Not to mention Geb was active as a junior and age cheating is rampant at that level.

BLAH BLAH IRRELEVANT SPECULATION AND GENERALIZATIONS BLAH BLAH. Who gives a sh*t? The greatest distance runner in the history of the world is retiring, and all you can think to say is how he might actually be a different age than he says? really? does this matter at all?

orthostice

11-08-2010, 11:07 AM

Chance he'll pull a Brett Favre? 75% that's what I say.

Interesting comparison.
Which is more sad?

The best distance runner ever slows down a bit, gets a bit dinged up, and decides to call it a career while he still has some dignity?

OR

He lashes himself on, a la Favre or Michael Jordan, and embarrasses himself, tarnishing a fantastic career?

CoryC

11-08-2010, 01:49 PM

BLAH BLAH IRRELEVANT SPECULATION AND GENERALIZATIONS BLAH BLAH. Who gives a sh*t? The greatest distance runner in the history of the world is retiring, and all you can think to say is how he might actually be a different age than he says? really? does this matter at all?

I'm not worried about his age just for the sake of his age, and I'm well aware that he is possibly the greatest distance runner of all time (although I think Bekele will take that title eventually). I'm talking about it because if you're a few years older than he thinks he is and he's considered to be 37, then he could very well be in his early 40's already, and I don't care how talented you are, you're not going to keep dropping sub 2:06's in your 40's

Ray Ray

11-08-2010, 11:28 PM

usnspecialist

11-09-2010, 02:14 AM

Interesting comparison.
Which is more sad?

The best distance runner ever slows down a bit, gets a bit dinged up, and decides to call it a career while he still has some dignity?

OR

He lashes himself on, a la Favre or Michael Jordan, and embarrasses himself, tarnishing a fantastic career?

MJ coming back from the first retirement was a great decision, not so much the 2nd time around....

I can only imagine the embarrassment Favre is feeling after his career high 446 yard game from yesterday... time to throw in the towel.

i forgot passing yards were a great measure of how good a QB is doing. By passer rating (a much better tool) this is favre's worst season since 2005. Having more INT's than TD's is probably not a good thing either. I think most the hatred/annoyance with favre is that he basically sandbags an entire team and waits for them to come begging at his front door (literally). Green bay was smart to get rid of him when they did.

Crystazul

11-09-2010, 11:17 AM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ihEug7rZv9KNQr6LMJhjcUKVL2NQ?docId=N0255131289318929378A

xcrunna

11-09-2010, 01:04 PM

I can only imagine the embarrassment Favre is feeling after his career high 446 yard game from yesterday... time to throw in the towel.
Since coming back, Favre has further exposed himself as a complete egomaniac as well as a pretty indefensible horndog. As a football player, had he retired the first time he would not be remembered primarily for reckless interceptions at the worst possible moments as he will be now barring some type of miracle this year. I don't think there's any question that in the eyes of most observers his legacy has been tarnished.

Geb can come back and it won't negatively affect his legacy because running is an individual sport and very few athletes quit at the height of their powers anyway. Besides, he's competing on the roads and not the track, which preserves that part of his career as it is.

okko

11-09-2010, 01:33 PM

Since coming back, Favre has further exposed himself as a complete egomaniac as well as a pretty indefensible horndog. As a football player, had he retired the first time he would not be remembered primarily for reckless interceptions at the worst possible moments as he will be now barring some type of miracle this year. I don't think there's any question that in the eyes of most observers his legacy has been tarnished.

Geb can come back and it won't negatively affect his legacy because running is an individual sport and very few athletes quit at the height of their powers anyway. Besides, he's competing on the roads and not the track, which preserves that part of his career as it is.

lol. no. Favre has actually put together some of his best seasons in the period since his first "retirement." he has always been prone to "reckless interceptions" at inopportune moments, and he has actually done better in that regard as his career has dragged on (with two glaring exceptions that have been inflated far beyond their actual significance). as a football player, his legend and legacy have only grown since he first retired. the only legacy that has been tarnished is his reputation as a decent person, which has been pretty much destroyed. but only uninformed observers equate his shortcomings as a person in recent years with (imagined/exaggerated) shortcomings on the field.

xcrunna

11-09-2010, 03:08 PM

lol. no. Favre has actually put together some of his best seasons in the period since his first "retirement." he has always been prone to "reckless interceptions" at inopportune moments, and he has actually done better in that regard as his career has dragged on (with two glaring exceptions that have been inflated far beyond their actual significance).
We can agree to disagree on this one. Maybe that's how it should be for objective observers, but that's not how I think it is for the masses. The "two glaring exceptions" are all most everyone talks about and whenever I talk to anyone they overshadow the good moments of his post-first retirement. I thought he had a great year last year etc., but the Brett Favre "reckless interceptions at worst possible moment" rep has only grown fair or not and cynicism about his constant injuries has grown, too.

okko

11-09-2010, 06:34 PM

We can agree to disagree on this one. Maybe that's how it should be for objective observers, but that's not how I think it is for the masses. The "two glaring exceptions" are all most everyone talks about and whenever I talk to anyone they overshadow the good moments of his post-first retirement. I thought he had a great year last year etc., but the Brett Favre "reckless interceptions at worst possible moment" rep has only grown fair or not and cynicism about his constant injuries has grown, too.

well my point was simply that the people who only acknowledge the negatives are uninformed and blowing things grossly out of proportion. you are certainly correct in concluding that "the masses" are uninformed and prone to blowing things grossly out of proportion. but Favre continues to be a hell of a quarterback although it is starting to get to the point where no one wants to even acknowledge that fact because they are so desperate for his abrasive personality to be out of the league for good.

orthostice

11-10-2010, 10:14 AM

(with two glaring exceptions that have been inflated far beyond their actual significance)

I'm not sure how you can blow two game-changing interceptions in the NFC Championship game out of proportion.

DirtyRobe

11-10-2010, 03:37 PM

Watching that video brought tears to my eyes :(

Picc5455

11-15-2010, 10:49 AM

He isnt done look at his twitter. If i could i would post it but im on my phone in class.

Picc5455

11-15-2010, 11:10 AM

HaileGebr Haile Gebrselassie
by tandfn
First I want to thank you for all your support and great responses. After a few days on the countryside I could take some decisions

HaileGebr Haile Gebrselassie
by tandfn
Running is in my blood and I decided to continue competing. My announcement in New York was my first reaction after a disappointing race.

HaileGebr Haile Gebrselassie
by tandfn
When my knee is better again I will start focussing on my next race. Thank you again for all your support!

xcrunner000

11-15-2010, 11:29 AM

as expected he mad a decision mostly off of emotion he will be making his return soon
http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=58725.html

orthostice

11-15-2010, 11:46 AM

A farewell tour to pick up some more generous appearance fees.
Performances will continue to decline.

The Saint

11-15-2010, 12:18 PM

http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/brett-favre-vikings-packers.jpg

:(

xcrunna

11-15-2010, 12:39 PM

http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/brett-favre-vikings-packers.jpg

:(
We're not there yet. If he is not selected to run for Ethiopia in 2011-2012 after waffling on his commitment until May and skipping some training camp functions, then proceeds to gets Kenyan citizenship and compete for them in London 2012 after an uneasy year of running for the USA....

oricfan

11-15-2010, 01:58 PM

A farewell tour to pick up some more generous appearance fees.
Performances will continue to decline.

How do folks feel about that? In every sport, athletes hang on significantly past their athletic primes. Jim Brown or Barry Sanders are talked about endlessly BECAUSE they walked away at their peak. There seem to be various reasons for this: money, ego, love of competition, love of the relational environment of the sport, inability to be away from the lights, noise, attention, etc..

Is Geb somehow lessened as a man or runner if he stays around when he's now ONLY a 2:07 or so? Not saying you, orthostice are drawing that conclusion. I'm just asking generally.

Personally, I'll use Brett Favre as an example. The first time he retired and unretired I thought, "Good for you. You can still play at a high level. Go for it." But, with each repeated cycle of the same "I'm done, but not really, I just want you to beg me to come back," psychodrama, I've come to see his situation as a bit sad. I think Geb WAS just speaking in the emotion of the day and should have held off on his announcement. Now that he's back, I hope he'll race consistently for however long he wants and when he retires, stick to it.

Ray Ray

11-16-2010, 01:52 PM

How do folks feel about that? In every sport, athletes hang on significantly past their athletic primes. Jim Brown or Barry Sanders are talked about endlessly BECAUSE they walked away at their peak. There seem to be various reasons for this: money, ego, love of competition, love of the relational environment of the sport, inability to be away from the lights, noise, attention, etc..

Is Geb somehow lessened as a man or runner if he stays around when he's now ONLY a 2:07 or so? Not saying you, orthostice are drawing that conclusion. I'm just asking generally.

Personally, I'll use Brett Favre as an example. The first time he retired and unretired I thought, "Good for you. You can still play at a high level. Go for it." But, with each repeated cycle of the same "I'm done, but not really, I just want you to beg me to come back," psychodrama, I've come to see his situation as a bit sad. I think Geb WAS just speaking in the emotion of the day and should have held off on his announcement. Now that he's back, I hope he'll race consistently for however long he wants and when he retires, stick to it.

I'd rather actually continue to test my body to see what I can accomplish rather than be a Barry Sanders and have myself and everyone else talking about how great I was and what I could have done had I kept going, even if the reality turns out to be lower than the expectations that people would have formed. Just my opinion though; I don't think Geb should ever stop; his love for running is unparalleled and any race he enters regardless of how old he is will attract a lot of attention; he will eventually retire from competing for a Major Marathon title but if you're using that frame of reference then Ryan Hall and Ritz have both retired as well.

As far as the Favre/Geb comparison, xcrunna you know very well there is a difference between running for different countries and playing for different teams within the same league. Not that I support Favre in every way but I like watching him play and to me that's all that matters.

runnerman17

11-16-2010, 02:27 PM

Everyone knew that emotion fueled the response. Most people wished he'd wait and show that he thought about this long and hard. That said 3 more marathons max before he retires for good.

orthostice

11-17-2010, 12:02 PM

How do folks feel about that? In every sport, athletes hang on significantly past their athletic primes. Jim Brown or Barry Sanders are talked about endlessly BECAUSE they walked away at their peak. There seem to be various reasons for this: money, ego, love of competition, love of the relational environment of the sport, inability to be away from the lights, noise, attention, etc..

Is Geb somehow lessened as a man or runner if he stays around when he's now ONLY a 2:07 or so? Not saying you, orthostice are drawing that conclusion. I'm just asking generally.

I'm not sure he's "lessened as a man" or anything along those lines, it's just incredibly sad when people define themselves as a runner, or a football player, or an insurance salesman or whatever and can't walk away despite the time clearly being right. I think it's usually because they have failed to develop themselves as individuals outside their particular field and can't see themselves doing anything else. A great counterexample is Robert Smith (NFL, not The Cure) - the dude is clearly bright, has his priorities in the right place (took a year off of football in college as the coaching staff at TOSU wouldn't let him miss practice to take a rigourous course he was especially interested in), and left football for medicine so he could walk when he was 50.

I'd rather actually continue to test my body to see what I can accomplish rather than be a Barry Sanders and have myself and everyone else talking about how great I was and what I could have done had I kept going

If Barry Sanders would've kept playing, he'd be in a wheelchair right now. There's no glory in that.

Ray Ray

11-17-2010, 01:12 PM

If Barry Sanders would've kept playing, he'd be in a wheelchair right now. There's no glory in that.

It's not all about glory for everyone.

sjm1368

11-17-2010, 02:09 PM

It depends why you do the sport.

I see no problem with Geb or anyone else "hanging on" if that's what they love to do and is their passion, then let them keep doing what they enjoy for as long as they can.

The Saint

11-18-2010, 12:29 AM

Its good that Haile's retirement and its aftermath hasn't turned into a total ****-show or anything.

Picc5455

11-18-2010, 09:13 AM

From his Twitter:

HaileGebr Haile Gebrselassie
by tandfn
Did a 90 minutes run this morning, it was great. No pain in my knee and relieved to know that I can continue what I love doing!

HaileGebr Haile Gebrselassie
by tandfn
My next race will be Tokyo marathon in February.

The Saint

11-18-2010, 12:02 PM

http://www.letsrun.com/2010/gebrselassie-newyorktimes-1117.php