"Meredith usually runs three to four races," Toner said. "[Five] is an unusual number of races. It will not happen again this season."

As a youngster under Thompson's tutelage, Rainey ran for the Atoms Track Club in Brooklyn, N.Y., for four years. She gave up the sport when she turned 14.

But in December of 1986, she walked onto the Harvard track team and was an instant success. She already holds school records in three sprints: the 55, 200, and 400-meter dashes.

Rainey's success continued into this year. Two weeks ago, she qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 400-meter run with a time of 54.57.

Thompson said Rainey has the potential to qualify for the Olympic trials.

"She is capable of making the Olympic trials," Thompson said, "but she will never make it if her coach runs her like this."

"If this kind of thing happened at Nebraska, everyone would say how crazy it is," said Thompson. "Why should it be any different at Harvard? This kind of thing is not supposed to come out of Harvard. We all look at Harvard differently. The thrust of a Harvard education is fulfilling one's potential, academically and athletically. It's abuse."

"I appreciate Freddie's concern for me," Rainey said. "His motivation is because he's concerned for me. He probably knows of situations where runners are overworked, but that's not applicable in this situation."