Falmouth, Ma.- Given that there’s any wider interest remaining in athletics (track & field in the USA) now that an IAAF whistle blower has shown the sport to be deeply corrupted and filled with line erasers and out right cheats, the question is how best to contour its future as the IAAF World Championships harken in Bejing, China and the governing body votes in a new president?

“Football, for some reason, when you get popped for drugs you get a couple games penalty,” said Hawi Keflezighi, brother/agent of Meb, the 2014 Boston Marathon champion. “But it doesn’t change anyone’s endorsement deals. It’s like in running the same rules don’t apply.”

I was speaking with Hawi at the NB Falmouth Road Race press conference, as Meb will compete Sunday in the  43rd edition of the great American road race. Representatives like Hawi have to go into the market to champion their athletes where the biggest difficulty, he says, is the public perception that everyone is dirty. Continue reading →