With Penn in the rear view mirror it’s now time for things to start truly heating up. The Diamond League will debut in just about 2 weeks time in Doha, Qatar on May 14th. But the sprints will get a head start as several top sprinters will take to the track this weekend in Kingston Jamaica. While many were on the track at Penn stretching out in various relay events, this time the action will take place in individual events, as the season now begins in earnest. Kingston will give us out first look at both Tyson Gay (US) and Usain Bolt (JAM) in the same venue – although in…

Once again we have had a doping issue arise in the sport of track and field. And I agree with those who say that doping is a major PR problem for the sport. I disagree, however, as to why doping is such a PR nightmare. While most would contend that it is the announcements of the positive tests that is the problem, I believe that the real problem is that positive tests are the ONLY thing we hear about when it comes to doping! The story that ISN’T told is that, to my knowledge, we test our athletes more than any other sport in the world! We have in competition…

As excited as I was that Penn was finally here, I feel somewhat let down now that it’s over. Yes, there was a Bolt sighting. And yes there were huge crowds. But there were several things that I found disappointing. There were highlights. The Tennessee Lady Vols picked up where they left off last year winning three titles this year taking the 4 x 800, 4 x 1500 and distance medley relays. A tough feat to achieve at any meet, let alone Penn. The men’s distance medley relay had one of the closest finishes of the meet as American’s David Torrance (4:00.47) and Leonel Manzano (4:00.04) gave serious chase after…

Once again we get the report of another positive drug test. This time it’s Lashawn Merritt who according to his press release inadvertently used a product that contained DHEA. While it depresses me that, yet again, we have an individual testing positive in this sport it’s more depressing that this is a situation that clearly could have been avoided with a little knowledge. Judging from the reports, this is a matter where Mr. Merritt clearly wasn’t using a product to improve his performance on the track. However, with the sport having a policy of strict liability when it comes to substances that one puts into their body, it is imperative…

The Penn Relays are on tap this weekend, and while the focus is on the return of Usain Bolt to Penn and the USA v World events the collegiate competition could be the most exciting with high powered programs from Florida, Oregon, LSU, Florida Sate and Texas A&M on hand. The whole concept of “USA v World” is great in theory but has not lived up to that billing. For the most part it has been a showcase for US squads as we’ve dominated most of the events over the years. Recently it has become “USA v Jamaica” in the 4×1, but historically neither country has put its best team…

USATF CEO Doug Logan has set a goal of 30 medals at the London Olympic Games. A mark we have yet to achieve in any Games or World Championships to date. Most recently we won 23 medals in track and field at the Beijing Games and 22 medals at last year’s World Championships in Berlin. So in the past two global championships we have been at about three quarters of goal. The question is where do we pick up the other seven or eight medals? Not as easy as it might sound when you consider that there are approximately 200 other countries with the same thought in mind – to…

Calvin Smith started things with his 44.81 WL in Florida, but several athletes put up world leaders and outstanding marks yesterday as the season began to hit it’s traditional stride heading into Penn Relays weekend! As I thought it might, the Kansas Relays produced a world leader in the 100 and the year’s first sub10. It wasn’t by previous world leader Churandy Martina however as the Kansas 100 went to Ivory Williams (US) in a near PR 9.95. Williams had an outstanding indoor season and seems to be continuing the pace outdoors. Also sprinting well in Kansas was super vet Veronica Campbell Brown who scorched the track for a 22.32…

Tyson Gay started this season the same way he started last season, with a 400 PR at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic at the University of Florida. Running in his “training” event Gay went toe to toe with US Olympic relay team member Calvin Smith and World 400 finalist Renny Quow with stellar results as he and Smith set new PR’s. Calvin Smith took the win in a world leading 44.81. Smith’s PR was also a collegiate leader giving Florida another collegiate sprint leader (Teammate Jeff Demps leads the 100 at 10.11). Right with Smith at the wire, however, was former 100/200 World Champion (Osaka “07) Tyson Gay with his…

I confirmed with Florida Head Coach Mike Holloway this morning that Tyson Gay will be opening his season tomorrow in Florida running the 400 meters at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville. Tyson opened similarly last year when he ran a 400 in Arizona (46.34) then ran another in Texas scooting 45.57. Tomorrow Tyson will get a good test as he will be competing against NCAA indoor finalists Tony McQuay (FL) & Calvin Smith (FL) as well as Beijing finalist Reny Quow (TRI). Gay had surgery on last year’s groin injury, and from what I’ve heard has been training well. So tomorrow should give us a good view of…

Each weekend things seem to be getting a bit more exciting. This weekend we have a couple of solid relay meets and one of those collegiate rarities – a hot dual meet – as Oregon hosts UCLA. Of all the collegiate programs out there, Oregon seems to be the one that is most “old school” in its philosophy. Their schedule seems to have more “head to head” type match ups where they are taking on other high level programs as opposed to spending a lot of time at invitationals prior to the end of season run of conference/regionals/nationals. Last week they took on the high powered Texas A&M program in…