Jeneba Tarmoh, who got third place together with Allyson Felix in a 3000 frames per second photo finish, decided to not concede the third spot on the Olympic team in the 100m to Felix rather than face her in a run-off. Apparently she is protesting something.
What exactly is it? What are you protesting Jeneba? Are you protesting that you did not run as fast as you needed to so you could get the spot fair and square? Are you protesting that Allyson ran faster than she should have? What makes you so entitled? What do we Americans really owe you?
For someone like me who has spent half her life trying to get good at a sport I love, your tantrum is an insult. After all this work, I only ever wish that I could be at the Junior Nationals. Olympics are so far away that I dare not even dream. So many nights I have gone to bed wondering what the words “Junior Nationals” would feel like on my cap always thinking if only I swam a 1000 extra yards. If only it hurt a little bit more I could be closer to my goal. And you………….
You have the genetic lottery. You have the gift of speed. You have the training. You probably walked on to your middle school field the first time and beat everyone there. You most likely had your Junior National cut before you turned 15. You! You have the temerity to refuse to even try for the greatest honor an athlete can ever have because you are not “at peace” with an official’s call. Shame on you.
Fine. Have it your way. A few weeks from now none of us will even remember your name much less care about why you dropped out. We will be too busy screaming at the top of our lungs for the entire 11 seconds, cheering for Allyson Felix.
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Kerry Lauerman
Joan Walsh
Salon.com
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