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Wrong Path for World Athletics
I’ve been observing the conversations this week regarding how World Athletics keeps attempting to change track and field. And two things have hit me. First thing is that WA really doesn’t understand the issues facing the sport and the athletes. Leadership is completely out of touch with its own sport. The second thing is that their view of “improvement” is to take the human element out of track and field! The latest “suggestion” is to change the long jump. Create a jump zone to replace the take off board. Then use some type of laser system to measure from whatever point the jumper took off. That would require a very…
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The Trouble with Track and Field
Once again we get a proposal from World Athletics to change the sport. The most recent “change” was to call indoor track, short track! A change that most consider both “dumb” and meaningless. I am one of these people. What was the point? What does it mean for the sport? Change for the sake of change? That’s what it seems like. Now, I understand what the leadership of our sport “thinks” they’re doing. Or at least is attempting to do. I’ve just come to the conclusion that they have NO idea what they’re doing, or how to accomplish their goals! So, I’m going to give my thoughts, because frankly they…
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Is Noah the US Sprint GOAT?
The New Balance Invitational was everything that was advertised. Great distance running. Some exciting field events. And some electric sprints and hurdles. Grant Holloway continued his decade long 60H winning streak. Gabby Thomas dominated over 300m, in spite of being slightly under the weather. And Mikiah Brisco looked good in her 60m win. The talk of Boston however, was the scintillating 6.44sec 60m run by Noah Lyles. Hot talk because it lowered his PB from last year’s 6.51, which in turn begged the question – how fast can Noah run in the 100m? A major conversation given that last year’s improvement to 6.51 resulted in Noah’s first World title in…
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Women’s 200m Outlook, 2024
As with the men’s version of this race, some of history’s fastest women are currently competing. Though not quite as deep as the men as only ten of the top thirty all time are competing right now. However among them are three of the top four! Including a two time Olympic champion and a two time World champion. That said, trying to determine the Paris medalists may not be as simple as some might think. It’s a small pool, but a strong pool. Let’s take a look at the principles and you’ll begin to understand. Shericka Jackson, Jamaica, 21.41 – After failing to make the Olympic final in Tokyo, Shericka…
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World Athletics and the Athlete of the Year
It’s the end of the year and that time we call, awards time. Nothing out of the ordinary, as we’ve been doing this for decades. Choosing the Best of the Year in a myriad of topics, including sports, entertainment, books and other subjects. It’s basically a celebration of the many things that we love. And as much as someone or something, it’s an opportunity to single out the best of the best. It’s a celebration of all that were selected to contend for these awards and to discuss, compare, and celebrate ALL of their accomplishments. Which is why I am bamboozled by the recent announcement of the World Athletics choice…
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Men’s 200m Outlook, 2024
So, with the 100m in the books, as well as a discussion on the relay, let’s take a look at the 200m. I’ll start by saying that we have the fastest/deepest group that the event has ever seen! Three of the six fastest ever (four of ten) are currently competing. With ten of the top twenty all time running on the track this year. This is incredible depth. The list of current competitors includes seven national record holders and the World U20 record holder. It also includes the defending Olympic champion and the last three World champions – who all happen to be the same individual. As a matter of…
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The 4×1, Third Leg
Since I’ve given my 100m thoughts, I’m going to jump to the relay before discussing the deuce. Mostly because we’ve had so much failure in this event and I want to get my thoughts out there early. I was talking about the US relays recently with a coach friend and we agreed that it’s really not that difficult to put a squad together – or to coach it. So let me share my thoughts on relay construction. I’m going to start by saying that there is no “standard” way to put a 4×1 together. It depends on who YOU have available. I say this because so many people have this…
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Women’s 100m Outlook, 2024
I’ve given my opinion on the men’s 100m, so it’s time to do the same for the women. I’ll start by saying that there are fewer women currently competing in the top thirty all time performance list than the men. BUT five of the top ten fastest women ever are currently competing! The women are not as deep overall, but have better depth on the top end. The women’s WR of 10.49 has been on the books since 1988! And for all these decades it’s appeared to be unapproachable – until recently, as there has been an explosion of performance post Covid. Elaine Thompson Herah (10.54), Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce…
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Men’s 100m Outlook, 2024
The annual post season “break” is almost over. That period of time after the final meet of the year when elite athletes go on vacations, rest, and recharge their batteries. Anywhere from a few weeks for some, to a couple of months for others. Recovery from the wars of the season, before beginning preparation for the next season, which in this case will be an Olympic year! Ah yes, the Olympics. One of the grandest sporting spectacles on the planet. And as crazy as it sounds, we’re less than 300 days away from the big event! This is why I want to start looking ahead to what I feel will…
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Time for a Worlds Revision
The World Championships have concluded and everyone is already looking forward to Paris 2024! Because that is the event that EVERYONE puts stock into. So much so, that several high level athletes bypassed this year’s World Championships in favor of preparation for the Olympics. You see, in the days leading up to Worlds, much of the buzz was not about the impending matchups but discussions about who wasn’t going to compete. As many of the world’s top athletes declared out of Budapest for various reasons. There were those that were out due to suspensions. Primarily from the Athletes Integrity Unit, for either whereabouts violations or use of prohibited substances. This…