A recent comparison of Carl Lewis v Usain Bolt by Michael Johnson - and the ensuing online discussion - has prompted this post. In part because I disagree with Michael, and in part by the direction of the online discussions themselves. I'll start by saying that for me, the conversation is about a comparison of the two athletes, NOT a discussion of which is the GOAT Read More...
The CHill Zone of T&F: Conway's View From the Finish Line
Surprise – 2017 World Championships
Aug 22nd, 2017
1:28 pm PDT
1:28 pm PDT
If you thought you knew what was going to happen in London - you were wrong. The one thing that everyone had right, is that this is the last we will see of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah on the World Championships track. How those stories would end proved to be a community event, as opposed to solo writing, as some other athletes had their say Read More...
Who Wins the London 100?
Aug 2nd, 2017
7:46 pm PDT
7:46 pm PDT
Personally I think the men's 400 presents the matchup of the meet. For the millions watching this year's World Championships however, most will be tuned in on Saturday to see if Usain Bolt can win one final 100 title before exiting, stage left. Entering the stadium, this is a very interesting race. For starters, Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin - who between them have won every Olympic title in the new millennium except '00 - have both been sub par this season Read More...
Can the US Return After a Decade?
Jul 15th, 2017
2:39 pm PDT
2:39 pm PDT
Ten years. A decade. A lot can happen in 10 years. Ten years ago, the iPhone made its debut - now no one can remember how we lived WITHOUT smartphones. Blackberry and Nokia ruled the cell phone world, and if you were really cool you owned a Razr! Young people today can't remember either of those names with a market dominated by iPhones and Galaxy's Read More...
What Can van Niekerk Do?
Jul 9th, 2017
1:46 pm PDT
1:46 pm PDT
I recently saw the question posed on the internet, "Can van Niekerk break the world record in the 200 meters?" To wit the response from most was a loud, "NO". That tends to be the response when talk of a long standing record arises. Longevity tends to breed the notion that a mark is invincible Read More...
Does Track and Field Need to Change?
Sep 18th, 2016
3:06 pm PDT
3:06 pm PDT
Recently I saw an article asking whether or not we need to delete events from track and field - and if so which ones. The author said that we have to do this to increase the popularity of the sport. Among the reasons given was the attention span of the general public, and that meets are too long. An example that was given was the fact that track and field during the Olympics takes a little over a week to run! It's not the first article I've seen on the subject - all with similar reasons given Read More...
Post Rio Notes
Aug 26th, 2016
6:07 am PDT
6:07 am PDT
The Rio Olympics are in the books. In spite of all the "worries" heading into the meet, it was the competition that ultimately (always does) stood out! Such is the nature of track and field - when we get our best together, the sport shines brightly. I've commented on most of the events during the course of the meet Read More...
Rio Opening Weekend – 43.03 WR!
Aug 15th, 2016
1:22 pm PDT
1:22 pm PDT
Finally, we got Olympic track and field! And despite all the negatives coming in, the athletes didn't disappoint. Proving my constant point - there's NOTHING that needs to be changed about track and field other than getting the best athletes on the track (and field). THAT is the challenge of the sport’s leaders – not trying to reinvent meets! With only three days in the books we've already seen two World Records and a plethora of national records Read More...
How Will London’s Defending Champions Fare?
Aug 2nd, 2016
6:49 pm PDT
6:49 pm PDT
Heading into Rio will be several individuals that closed the deal and won gold in London. It's been four long years since the national anthem played for these individuals. They will come to Rio 26th dreams of repeating that success. Who will be able to close the deal again four years later? Here's my guess at how these London champions will do in Rio Read More...
Let The Games Begin!
Jul 27th, 2016
7:49 pm PDT
7:49 pm PDT
The Trials were just over, yet here we are with the Games literally days to count down! These Games already feel different. Maybe it's the fact that venues are STILL under construction. Maybe it's the Zika virus that has so many afraid to go. Perhaps even the status of injured athletes like Christian Taylor, Allyson Felix, and Usain Bolt - what level will they be ready for in a few short weeks? Whatever it is, somehow CHANGE seems to be in the air! Expect the unexpected Read More...