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Relay Chatter – The 4×4’s
Ok, now that everyone thinks I’m crazy – because I believe the 4×1 is winnable by the US men – let’s talk about the really fun relay, the 4×4. First off I have to say that I hope the World Championships puts this event back where it belongs on the schedule – as the closing event! Yes we got a WR out of the 4×1 in Daegu but it usually takes a WR in the shorter relay to bring the excitement that nearly every 4×4 brings each time out. The best way ever to end a track meet – and that’s how we should end our championships. What makes the…
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Relay Chatter – The 4×1’s
Relays are fun, exciting and frankly if it were up to me we would have more than just four of them in the Olympics – or Worlds. We need some sort of global world relay gathering. Maybe replace the outdated World Cup with such an event. Something more exciting that would get the world’s best together in a different and exciting fashion – and I’m talking about the field events as well. A quadrennial event that’s truly “team” oriented, and takes into account all of the various talented athletes the sport has to offer. Don’t get me wrong I love the speed events, but I’d love to see Rudisha, Uceny,…
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On The Fly Update
Like I said in my last post, things are happening fast, with the Games literally around the corner. Had surgery earlier today (gall bladder removal) and as I lay here at 3:00am unable to sleep it’s me and the tablet and track and field catching up on a few things I missed this weekend. Let’s start with the Russian champs which rank up there with the US, Kenya, and Jamaican meets for Games’ impact. Especially on the women’s side where we finally get some Europeans everything serious sprint consideration. Let’s start with Aleksandra Fedoriva’s PR 22.19 victory in the 200 – moving get into US/Jamaica territory! Fedoriva was a member…
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Post Trials Notes and Paris
Everything is happening fast a furious now, and I’ve been a bit under the weather and trying to get caught up. So with the Diamond League already back under way,a few thoughts on Paris and where everyone is at this point with only weeks to go to London. First topic Usain Bolt. In spite of some amazing performances being turned in from several athletes, "what’s wrong with Bolt" seems to be leading the conversation. I wish we could focus on who IS performing at a high level – that’s the problem when your marketing is so narrowly focused on one individual When that individual isn’t running well, you don’t think…
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No Excuse for What Happened to Tarmoh
I’ve hesitated on saying anything about "Dead Heat Gate" not because I don’t have an opinion but because I’ve felt there were far to many opinions out there already. But the more I read, the more I’m angered that the villain in all this comes back to Tarmoh. Don’t get me wrong, personally I say a warrior competes. That’s what you live for. It’s what you train for. And when something as precious as a championship berth is on the line at any level – high school, collegiate local regional, and definitely the Olympics – you do what you gotta do. Wrap up a muscle; beg for a lane; plead…
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The Team is Set, How Do We Look?
Four years ago we had a poor performance in Beijing – one of our poorest ever. But as we prepare for London in approximately 30 days, we could be sending out best squad ever to a Major championship event. Yes, we have some events where we are just not up to standard, but overall this team is as strong, if not stronger, than any team I can remember – and I remember a lot of teams. I have to say that I’m very excited about the team that came together in Eugene. Let’s take a look at this squad. Sprints We have the second fastest man AND woman of all…
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Trials Final Weekend
After over a week of action, the Trials wrapped things up in nice style this weekend. There were only 2 finals on the track on Saturday, but 5 on Sunday. With 2 field finals each day. One would almost think they could have had single day “finale” and did it up right for the fans. Still there was some great action over the final two days. There were only four finals on Saturday, but they were something else. In the field we got what we expected in triple jump with Christian Taylor and Will Claye setting the pace. They did it early with Taylor hitting 17.32m/57’10.25” and Claye 17.55m/57’7” in…