At the University of Oregon, a gray-haired old man just stepped out of the car when he saw a blond man walking over.
"Coach Logan, long time no see! I'm Smart, do you remember me?" the blond man said while extending his right hand to the white-haired old man.
"You are the reporter, I remember you." The white-haired old man shook hands with the other person symbolically, and then asked: "Do you have anything to do with me?"
"I heard that the Athletics Association has sent you an invitation, hoping that you can serve as the head coach of this national track and field team. I want to know about this situation." Reporter Smart said.
Coach Logan, a white-haired old man, closed the car door and said, "Then let's talk while walking."
The two walked forward side by side, and only heard Coach Logan reply: "I did receive an invitation from the Athletics Association. They hope that I can succeed Sebastian and become the head coach of the national team and lead the national team. Participate in this Olympics."
"Did you agree?" the reporter asked immediately.
"No. I refused." Coach Logan smiled and shook his head.
"Why? Being able to become the head coach of the national team should be a very good thing, right?" the reporter then asked.
"Indeed, it is a great honor to be the head coach of the national team. I think many coaches are looking forward to leading the world's strongest track and field team to the Olympics, including me." Coach Logan changed his voice and continued. : "But I am already old. I am 73 years old this year. I am really unable to lead the entire national team with more than 150 athletes. If I were 20 years younger, I would gladly accept this invitation. of."
"I remember that more than 20 years ago, you were the head coach of the national track and field team." The reporter said with a smile.
"Yes, so many years have passed. I have served as the assistant coach of the national team for one term, the deputy head coach of the national team for two terms, and the head coach of the national team for two terms. I have served the U.S. National Track and Field Team for a full twenty years. Years. I have deep feelings for the national team. But time is not forgiving! Now I really can’t keep up with my energy. As the head coach of the track and field team in college, I can still cope with it, but the national team If it's a team, forget it." Logan shook his head again.
…
After sending the reporters away, Coach Logan showed a contemptuous smile on his face.
His assistant came over and asked softly: "Coach, I still don't understand why you rejected the invitation from the Athletics Association."
"What do you think?" Logan asked.
"It's definitely not because of your health. Others don't know your physical condition, but I know that you are still very active. With your current body and energy, there is absolutely no problem in becoming the head coach of the national team." The assistant replied.
"Yes, in terms of physical strength and energy, I do have no problem. But the current US national team is a hot potato, and I don't want to get myself into so much trouble." Coach Logan replied.
"I don't quite understand what you mean. Haven't our U.S. track and field team always been the strongest in the world?" the assistant said.
Coach Logan pointed to the chair next to him, motioned for his assistant to sit down, and then continued: "There are 154 athletes in this national track and field team, and 73 are involved in the latest doping scandal. It's almost halfway. But who can guarantee that the remaining half of the athletes will be innocent? And if there are 73 people missing, 73 more athletes must be selected from the substitute athletes, but who can Can we guarantee that all the athletes who come on the bench are innocent?"
"So this national team is destined to be short of major generals. Most of our athletes may just be second-rate athletes who have just reached the Olympic A standard. If we send such people to participate in the Olympics, how can we compete with those powerful opponents? I'm afraid they won't even be able to compete in the finals. You can't even get in! If my judgment is correct, this will be the weakest national team in the history of our United States. Leading such a national team to compete in the Olympics, failure is doomed."
When Coach Logan said this, he sighed: "I have been an assistant coach of the national team for one term, an associate head coach of the national team for two terms, and the head coach of the national team for two terms. For me, I have achieved a lot. I have enough honors, why should I lead a team that is destined to fail to participate in a competition, and it is a competition of the level of the Olympics, I don’t want my reputation to be ruined in one day!”
…
USATF. Chief Operating Officer Frey stared at the form in his hand, his expression extremely solemn.
"In recent days, we have received a total of 27 applications to withdraw from the national team. Adding in the 73 athletes who were previously found to have used illegal drugs, we have lost a total of 100 people, which means that our national team only has 54 players left. An athlete." Frey's tone was very low, sounding even more desperate.
"It seems that the impact of this doping scandal has completely exceeded our expectations. The 27 people who applied to withdraw must have withdrawn voluntarily because they were worried about being detected by the International Anti-Doping Organization." CEO of the Athletics Association His despair was no less than that of Frey, and he then asked: "What about the situation of the substitute athletes?"
Frey looked at another form and then reported: "In the first batch, we sent a total of 73 letters to replace the 73 people who were found to have used illegal drugs, but only 23 people agreed to join the national team. , the remaining 50 people either refused or did not reply within the stipulated time. Counting these 23 people, we now have a total of 77 people, and we still have more than 70 gaps to fill."
"In the past, everyone rushed to join the national team, but now that banned drugs are strictly enforced, none of them will come." Williams showed a sarcastic smile on his face, and then continued, "Then according to the rankings in the original selection , please continue to postpone it.”
Frey hesitated for a few seconds before finally speaking: "In some events, there are only eight people in the finals of the trials. If it continues, people may have to be selected from the contestants eliminated in the semi-finals of the trials."
"This is the only way it's going to happen, and there's nothing we can do about it," Williams replied.
Frey put down the form in his hand and asked: "How is the coach's problem? Has Coach Logan agreed to coach?"
Williams shook his head: "No, he refused. Not only him, but the well-known coaches we invited also rejected us. Too many capable players were involved in this doping scandal. Among them, the strength of this national team is too poor, and they are definitely not willing to take over this mess."
"It's disgusting. In normal times, they all work hard to be the head coach of the national team, but now when they are needed most, they all hide!" Frey looked angry, and then he continued: "There are only two days until the next national team training camp, and we still can't find a coach. Should we postpone the training camp for a few days?"
"I'm afraid not. The notice for the training camp was sent out very early." Williams rubbed his temples melancholy and continued: "I plan to let Rivers take over the position of head coach temporarily. He also signed up for the national team before. The selection of the team’s head coach, but I didn’t even get into the interview.”
"Rivers? Is he too young? And his qualifications are not very sufficient. Can he do it?" Frey obviously dislikes this coach named Rivers.
Williams spread his hands helplessly: "As you said, the next national team training is only for two days. In such a short time, Rivers is our only choice."