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 of the gold medal 4×1 squad in Beijing, so girl (only 23) had some experience brings her. Even more experienced is Antonina Krivoshapka who took over the WL in the 400 with her 49.16 PR. That improved her ’09 best from 49.29 – the same season she took bronze in Berlin. Fifth last year in Daegu in spite of running “only” 49.92 all year, I think it’s a safe bet she will have something to say in London. By the way, Yulia Guschina equaled Sanya R-Ross’s 49.28 SB in 2nd, with Tatyana Firova @ 49.72 in 3rd – they could be ready to bring the heat in the 4×4. For a minute there it was starting to look like Europe wasn’t going to be a player in the women’s sprints. Shocking given the history of the continent. If the Russian’s hold up under the stress of London – there are those times when Nationals and Majors just don’t match up for them – we could see sub 49 in the women’s quarter.

In the field the Russians were even better – women AND men. In the high jump Anna Chicherova took the WL at 2.03m/6’8” while Ivan Ukhov did the same with his outdoor PR 2.39m/7’10”. Not unexpected for either athlete, since they are annually among the worl’d best jumpers, and I expect both to be in the gold medal hunt in London. Ditto for hammer thrower Tatyana Lysenko with her NR setting WL of 78.51m/257’7 – #2 all time – and setting her up nicely for a Games battle with WR holder Betty Heidler (GER).

Also this weekend in Illinois, Christian Cantwell hit a huge 22.31m/73’2.5″ put – the longest throw in the world since Reese Hoffa threw 22.43m/73’7” in March of 2007! And at the same meet Jenn Suhr vaulted 4.81m/15’9 to take the WL in the pole vault. we’ve not seen a lot of the world’s top female vaulters this year – Suhr, Murer, Isinbayeva, et al – so it’s going to be interesting when they all get together in London.

Up so early I did watch some of the World Junior Championships as it started today! That 100 is going to be something by the time they get to the finals. Tyreek Hill (US), Adam Gemili (GBR), Aaron Earnest (US), Jazeel Murphy (JAM), and Odeen Skeen (JAM) all looked good this morning. If the wind will turn around and hold ‘steady’ I have no doubt it should take under 10.10 to win this one!

Speaking of speed, I’ll be talking about the Olympic relays later today, and will take an overall look at the medals in all events shortly. So much to talk about and time is running down!