The men’s 100 meters is THE glamour event at almost any track and field competition. The dragsters of track and field, they cover the length of a football field in some 9.x seconds! Hence the winner of each year’s Major is dubbed “The World’s Fastest Human”. As if the normal expectations for this race aren’t enough, this year’s rendition in Berlin is taking on EPIC proportions. Consider that this race will feature: • The two most recent global champions, Tyson Gay (’07, Osaka) and Usain Bolt (’08, Beijing). Both will be in attendance and both are seemingly at the top of their games. • The two most recent Athletes of…

This time of year everyone looks back on their favorite moments from World Championships past. Reading various articles all over I’ve come across the standard fare. The Tokyo 100 meter final and long jump. Jonathon Edwards’ 60 foot triple jump and several other WOW moments from the championships. But in a quarter century there have been many many memorable moments. So many that a whole host of them have been pushed back into the darkness of our consciousness. So, instead of doing another Top Ten list of highlights, I decided to put together 10 moments that I feel shouldn’t be forgotten. So without further adieu here (in chronological order) are…

Mixed in with the competition, every major championship has its share of stories running in the background. Every event has its share of back stories – athletes looking to over come odds, rebound from adversity, emerge in their event, or simply trying to make their mark. Berlin will be no exception. Following are ten US stories that I think will shape events in Berlin. 10. Jeremy Wariner – THE top quarter miler this decade, Wariner found himself #2 in 2008 after leading the way and winning everything in sight from 2004 thru 2007. Many attributed Wariner’s “decline” last year to a highly publicized break from coach Clyde Hart. A break…

The most glamorous event on the World Championships stage just might be the Men’s 100 meters. Along with winning the gold medal comes the coveted title of “The World’s Fastest Human”. 100 meter champions often become the “rock stars” of the sport and household names. Jesse Owens, Jim Hines, Valeri Borzov, Carl Lewis, Maurice Greene, Tyson Gay, and Usain Bolt all became household names via championship victories in the 100 meters. But while the gold medalists of this most prestigious event have gone on to fame and fortune, the silver medalists have not been nearly as fortunate. Instead of being the launching pad to the top of the podium, 2nd…

As we head to Berlin I am reminded that earlier this year USATF CEO Doug Logan set a goal of 30 medals in London. This after our 24 medal showing in Beijing. Ever since that goal was set I’ve been asking myself, and others, if that is a realistic goal? When looking at our teams on average it’s clear that, in spite of what were characterized as “down” performances in Beijing, the sprints and hurdles routinely carry the day when it comes to winning medals in major championships. On average we can count on at least one medal in the 100, 200, 400, short hurdles, 400 hurdles, and both relays…

With two weeks until Worlds and no other meets to look forward to, my mind is now fixated on the World Championships and Berlin. The World Championships have been a staple in Europe since its’ inception in 1983. So far eleven renditions of the meet have been held and all but three of those have been on the European continent – the other three were held in Japan (twice) and Canada. The thing that I find most interesting is that not once has the event been hosted by the United States. In the twenty six years that the World Championships have been in existence the US has hosted two Olympic…

Stockholm closed out the first half of the European Circuit in fine style. Several potential medal contenders competed and gave us some indication of how they might perform in Berlin. Among them: Jeremy Wariner (US), 400 meters. Wariner won handily in Stockholm. But the time (44.83) and the manner in which he won the race (laid back and kicking in the end) didn’t give me pause to believe he can beat Lashawn Merritt. Allyson Felix (US), 200 meters. Felix gave the kind of performance we saw from her when she won World gold in 2005 and 2007. Fast on the turn, she lead into the straight and easily outdistanced the…