Mary Slaney's drug suspension - 1997 USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships

[@mstrunn]

Excellent video and it explains a lot; the test that Mary took was proven to give several false positive results to several athletes, Mary was taking birth control during this time, Mary's first appeal was denied, however when it became clear that the test was faulty she was reinstated and in 2K3 she was inducted into the HOF, that test is no longer given, however, the damage was done and Mary's name is unfortunately equated to her suspension and no mention of her reinstatement. It's a pity because recently Let'sRun did a contest for the best female distance runner of all time and Mary was not on the ballot, the winner was Deena Kastor, a fine runner but no Mary, I proceeded to send a protest in and was told that anyone with a drug suspension would not be on the ballot, what a shame, ask Brooks Johnson who he thinks is the best, I have asked him and his answer without even thinking was, Mary Decker Slaney.

[@tylerbam7183]

Mary is definitely not the best female distance runner of all time. She does have 2 world titles which is good of course, but no Olympic medals, and only 2 years she was even ranked by Track and Field news as a top 3 runner in either the 1500 or 3000, or any event- 1983 and 1985 where she was #1 in both events. And that has absolutely nothing to do with her drug suspension since those rankings were done long before that.

[@mstrunn]

@@tylerbam7183 You're wrong, she held the American records from 800m to 10K, all of them at one time, was the first to beat the russians not only as a senior but as a junior, in 1985 she was undefeated in 15 races, her longevity speaks for itself, you obviously don't know what you're talking about, too bad you did not live the era and seem to know than the coaches who trained and coached her, there's always one who thinks they know it all.

[@tylerbam7183]

@@mstrunn So based on what is she the best runner ever? World titles, no. World records, no. Olympic medals, no (doesn't even have one). World rankings, no. Longevity? Her longevity is impressive but even there she does not stand out as the best in history. Given your snotty holier than thou attitude I am sure you the god of track and field knowledge so of all people are aware that Sonia O Sullivan, Turenesh Dibaba, Mesarat Defar, Deratru Tulu, Tatiana Kazankina, Maria Mutola, Kelly Holmes, Paula RadCliffe, Ana Quirot, just to name some of the greats in middle and long distance running easily have as much or more longevity than her, in addition to better credentials all around. And unlike you who clearly think your opinion is the only one who matters, I do not think I know it all. That is why I referenced the Track and Field News Rankings which are done by the most knowledgable, unbaised, fair, researched, and qualified people who exist in the sport. Their rankings are praised by everyone from T&F athletes, coaches, writers, ex T&F athletes, fans. And they did not have Decker on top in any event except for 83 and 85, in fact those were the only years she was top 3 in any event. Decker is a great runner, but the best ever, god no, I don't even know if she is the best American distance runner ever, but I agree she is a real contender for that, and is certainly over Kastor.

[@happyjohn1656]

Sad everything that happened to her! :( 11:45 PM 8/13/2020

[@mstrunn]

@@tylerbam7183 She did have WR's, was ranked #1 in the 800 at 17 yrs old, could have made the Olympic team in 72 @ 14 but they said she was too young and Btw, my holier than thou attitude is based on 58 years of experience as a nationally ranked open and master's sprinter and a historian of the sport. Ask Brooks Johnson, do you know mister wise guy who he is? I asked him who he thought was the best middle distance runner and you can guess is answer. I'm going to tell you something once, if you want to debate me bring it on but if you ever attack me again and swear I will report you to YT and do my best to have you deleted, bank on it. I have a right to my opinion based on my experience and I know Mary and some of her friends and I will defend her every time, you don't think highly of her, fine, but many, many people do.

[@cesarcoelho7227]

Salazar always putting athletes in trouble

[@mikenealon4042]

mary=champion

[@michaeldow1592]

What a disastrous career she has had