It’s here. Two days until the start of the WorldChampionships. – which means it’s time to make my final predictions for U. S.medal hopes in Daegu.
On the one hand, this list looks very good, as it contains apotential of 31 medals – one more than the stated goal of 30 for London. At second glance, however, this medal countis highly dependent on multiple medals in several events – specifically thesprints and hurdles. If we fall to just one medal per multiple medal events,we’re looking at 25 medals – a much more realistic expectation. Then there isalways the specter of injuries, fatigue, and underperformance – and dare I say,bobbled batons.
That said however, I believe in every name that is on thislist – 30 medals IS possible, but athletes have to bring their “A” Games.
U.S MedalPrediction List for Daegu
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1.
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Walter Dix
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100
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2.
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Justin Gatlin
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100
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3.
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Carmelita Jeter
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100
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4.
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Marshevet Myers
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100
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5.
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Walter Dix
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200
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6.
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Carmelita Jeter
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200
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7.
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Allyson Felix
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200
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8.
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LaShawn Merritt
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400
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9.
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Allyson Felix
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400
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10.
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Sanya Richards Ross
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400
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11.
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Morgan Uceny
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1500
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12.
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Bernard Lagat
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5000
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13.
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Shalane Flanagan
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10,000
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14.
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Jason Richardson
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110 Hurdles
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15.
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Danielle Carruthers
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100 Hurdles
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16.
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Dawn Harper
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100 Hurdles
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17.
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Angelo Taylor
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400 Hurdles
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18.
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Bershawn Jackson
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400 Hurdles
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19.
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Lashinda Demus
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400 Hurdles
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20.
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Kimmons – Gatlin – Patton – Dix
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Men’s 4×1 Relay
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21.
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Barber – Felix – Myers – Jeter
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Women’s 4×1 Relay
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22.
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McQuay – Taylor – Berry – Merritt
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Men’s 4×4 Relay
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23.
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McCorory – Felix – Demus – Richards
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Women’s 4×4 Relay
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24.
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Brittney Reese
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Long Jump
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25.
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Christian Taylor
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Triple Jump
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26.
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Jesse Williams
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High Jump
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27.
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Jenn Suhr
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Pole Vault
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28.
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Kibwe Johnson
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Hammer
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29.
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Christian Cantwell
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Shot Put
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30.
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Reece Hoffa
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Shot Put
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31.
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Tre Hardee
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Decathlon
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No Ashton Eaton? He is probably going to beat Hardee
I thought a lot about Eaton .. It came down to the fact that he's awesome in the speed events, and needs work on the others .. In a meet with no pressure he's a lock to place high .. In a meet like Worlds, there's no room for error and usual one event that trips someone up ..
I hope I'm wrong ..
Still cant get over no Oliver. Richardson is on a roll, but man, its hard to just shoot Oliver down off 2 meets.
Another tough call for me … Not so much just the two meets .. Combination of his history and the competition .. His style works well against most athletes, but in close quarters, which this is going to be, a hit or clipped hurdle is deadly .. That's what's done him in in the past .. Liu and Dayron aren't going to hit any .. And if he runs like he has the last two meets neither will Richardson …
I have friends in Daegu and word from the practice track is that all three American hurdlers are looking really good in practice …