I was taken aback when reading the TFN Editorial for January, as it stated that the writer saw no way that there would ever be a “True” World Championships. It seems, among other reasons given, that the thought is the various member nations would never vote for a “True” World Championships because it would shut many out of the competition Read More...
The CHill Zone of T&F: Conway's View From the Finish Line
Is London 2017 a Game Changer?
Nov 15th, 2011
4:48 pm PST
4:48 pm PST
This week the IAAF announcedthat London will be host to the 2017 edition of the World Track and Field Championships. Interestingly enough, they will follow Beijing who will host in 2015, just as they follow Beijing as host of the Olympic Games (2008). So the question I’m asking myself today is: does this change the dynamics of bidding to host the World Championships? Or phrased another way, will we see more pairings of the Games’ host following up by playing host to the World Championships – a “legacy” to further the use of stadia built in the construction of the Olympic facilities? I actually rather like the idea, if that indeed is a “trend” going forward Read More...
Daegu 2011 – The Felix Double
Sep 7th, 2011
5:15 am PDT
5:15 am PDT
One of the big news items heading into this year’s World Championships was the attempt by Allyson Felix to become the first woman to win a 200/400 sprint double at Worlds. The feat had been accomplished twice previously in the Olympics – by Valerie Brisco in 1984 and by Marie Jose Perec in 1996. But, as I outlined in a previous post, the others may have had a slightly easier time than Felix, as this year’s 200 field was potentially stronger than either Brisco or Perec had to face Read More...
Worlds Day 9 – Bolt & Taylor Close Out in Style…
Sep 4th, 2011
4:50 am PDT
4:50 am PDT
Following the semis for the men and women’s 4x1’s, the finals got underway with the men’s 5000 meters. It became yet another championship race – which means they spent some 4200 meters warming up for a showdown between kickers. What made the race exciting is that this time it was not a set up for a showdown between Kenya and Ethiopia, because the U Read More...
Worlds Day Eight – Pearson & Bolt Shine
Sep 3rd, 2011
4:54 am PDT
4:54 am PDT
Friday it was the field events that were sizzling. Today that heat went back to the track as we had some stellar track performances headed by Sally Pearson and Usain Bolt who put down some outstanding times in a meet that has been devoid of fast times. It got started with the men’s 1500 meters Read More...
Worlds Day Seven – The Field Stars
Sep 2nd, 2011
6:10 am PDT
6:10 am PDT
There were a couple of great races on the track but the real action took place on the field today. In the women’s javelin, Maria Abakumova (RUS) heaved a tremendous 71.25m/233’ 9” in the 2nd round to take a stranglehold on the competition. The mark took over the yearly lead, was a national record, and improved her #3 all time position Read More...
Worlds Day Six – USA Day (Sort Of)
Sep 1st, 2011
7:31 am PDT
7:31 am PDT
With three gold medals in five finals, one would have to say that it was a very good day for the United States. But in one event it was a good news, bad news day that left me a bit sad in spite of the gold medal. That event was the final of the women’s 1500, where the field lined up twelve women of fairly equal ability Read More...
World Championships – Intermission
Aug 31st, 2011
5:44 am PDT
5:44 am PDT
Wow. We’re already half way through the World Championships, and so far we’ve had a bit of everything. Some controversy; exciting competitions; and lots of young people stepping up! I know that the controversies are dominating most conversations – the Bolt & Robles DQ’s – but to me the most exciting thing to come out of the first few days has been the number of new/young champions that have been crowned Read More...
Worlds Day Four – New Stars Crowned
Aug 30th, 2011
6:40 am PDT
6:40 am PDT
Just as the opening day was clearly the day of the Kenyans, today was the day for new stars of the sport to get crowned! As we saw several new faces take on some old ones and emerge victorious. The most exciting event of the day was the last event of the day as the men’s 400 meter runners took to the track Read More...
Worlds Day Three – Montsho Derails the Double
Aug 29th, 2011
7:37 am PDT
7:37 am PDT
On day three of the championships head to head competition finally took center stage. It wasn’t about World Records, as none were in any imminent danger, but rather stirring competition that brought the focus back where it belongs – on the sports’ outstanding athletes! After a couple of semifinal races (I’ll talk about the men’s 400 in a bit) the first final on the track was the women’s 400 meters Read More...