Has anybody kept track of how many times a man has completed a triathlon so he could touch a woman's body?

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Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

I was ready to support giving this guy a lifetime ban after reading the blog post and seeing the pictures, but after reading her actual statement and looking at the pictures in that context, I think she shares the at least some of the blame and maybe all of the blame for this incident. So depending on what was actually sent to the race director makes a difference here, if he got one story I see him DQ the guy. Or maybe the director is just taking the safest course of action and DQed the guy, instead of risking an uproar.

I would also not trust that original blog post. It says that she was running in the other direction, turned to wave to her family, and then was hit. But, it appears the actual story is that cut across to the other side of the course to kiss her family and get a watch, then backed into the course without looking. At the very least the blogger does not have the whole story, so I would not trust what he said was sent to USAT.

then why did you post the URL to the image saying that was the instance it occurred? no one is justifying the actions, we are saying that we can't judge him based on the information(lack of)

you're right im sure he made a conscious decision to assault her. that's what everyone is thinking at the end of their race. "hey everything has gone great so far.... now if i can only find someone to assault before the finish line..." she was moving sideways in the running lane when he had tunnel vision most likely

ook then, how do you really feel about this?

As I said before, I stumbled upon the video before it was taken down and before I even saw the guys blog post. What I saw was a guy who had 10 feet to make a decision to go around her, he chose not too and punched hard enough to knock her to the ground and start crying. To think she deserves to be DQ'd just as the guy was is ridiculous. Time penalty, yes, DQ not even close. Again, I have the benefit of seeing the video. According to the comments with the video, it was sent, by multiple viewers, to the USAT. If the guy was DQ'd, then you know the video made it to somebody's computer screen.

The guy's name should be dragged through the mud because he's a POS. He calls it a push, she calls it a punch. The end result was her hitting the pavement. Why kind of man does this to a woman?

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The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

I am basing the DQ comment on what she said. She admitted to significantly interfered with another racer. Maybe she should just receive a penalty? Really whatever the rules say the penalty for blocking an opponent is. I just assume it is DQ.

I am basing my opinions of this guy on the still photo. My opinion is the photo shows clear malice. Perhaps you disagree. I think it is perfectly fine for reasonable people to disagree, don't you?

It makes me sad to see the number of men here that think it's okay for a man to hit or push a woman. Ever. I prefer chivalry,integrity, and honor. And I bet your mothers do, too.

~~ kate

Nailed it, IMO. The curiously withheld video would no doubt clarify, but someone who collides unaware will flinch to defend themselves. Someone who collides with not enough time to move will most likely try to "absorb" the collision with their arms, in a manner that in no way resembles a punch, stiff-arm, or shove. Clearly, HE WILLFULLY HIT HER.

She admitted her cluelessness, which is worth a whole lot of credit to me. No word from Mr. Blake Cullen.

Hopefully they can both learn something, but it seems unlikely in the latter case.

JMHO, but Mr. Cullen ought not to be surprised if the universe continues to find less and less subtle ways to let him know that he's not at its center.

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Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

All I've got to say..is that if I witnessed my wife get "punched" during a race and she's crying in front of me, I'd be making damn sure that the perpetrator would be crying as well...

His hand is clearly open in the photo.

Agreed.
There should be ZERO tolerance for physical violencet. I really hope USAT and WTC do the right thing and ban him or else he will do it again, these types always do.

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"Though she be but little, she is fierce" ~Shakespeare | Powered by HD Coaching | 2014 Wattie Ink Triathlon Team | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Oh please. Nobody has said it's okay for a man to hit or push a woman, Kate. If it was 100% clear that's what happened here, then the guy would have zero defenders.

But what happened is not 100% clear.

Wow, if you can't prevent yourself from punching somebody because you're near the finish line, then you have very very serious mental issues as well as anger management issues. I hear they are doing wonderful things at mental institutions. Maybe time you take a look.

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The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

You can prevaricate all you want to. His arm is out, his hand is open, and she has been hit. This is wrong.

~~ kate

Spoiler alert. You probably don't want to tune into next week's episode of The Ultimate Fighter. It looks like they are going to feature plenty of male vs female MMA. When the two are willing participants, would you still say "never okay"?

You are leaping to conclusions and failing to consider alternate explanations. He may have maliciously punched this woman, or he may have done all he could to soften an unavoidable collision, or anything in between.

She has been hit because she backed into his line of travel. That is about as much as we can reasonably conclude. All the rest is pure speculation, and biased against the guy, sadly.

You win, Mister Cool Hypothetical. It's okay if there's consent. :) I stand corrected.

~~ k

So you are saying that it is possible 100% of time to avoid someone walking backwards across the racecourse without looking?

I know for a fact that my husband would have gone down himself before he would have pushed a woman. That's all I'm saying.

~~ kate

It is absolutely fine to disagree. I guess I just like to have more facts before I go judging people's intent.

Ok, thanks for making it clear that your solution to a woman doing something dangerous and irresponsible is for a man to risk severe physical harm.

What can I tell you? He's a Marine. Semper fi, bro. :)

~~ kate

So hard to read anything into that exact picture, video is needed for sure.. seems like a dick move for sure with all that space..

But... why is she so concerned with him not being punished to severely, seems odd, no ?

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Holy cow man...you've written this and several other similar comments. I think you're the one with the agenda here.

A dude running 8.5mph can't sidestep to avoid a woman walking backwards in a 2-lane road? I'd even give him 10mph for a final kick, and I'm still not sympathetic to his plight.

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