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Is Marcell Jacobs Injury-Prone? Yes. However That’s the Wrong Question
The Olympic champion’s recurring injuries aren’t evidence that he’s fragile. They illustrate the razor-thin margin between elite sprint performance and the body’s ability to tolerate it. At the ’26 European Championships, the headliner in the men’s 100m was defending champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy, holder of the 9.80 European record set during his 2021 Tokyo Olympic triumph. After an effortless semifinal win, securing another title seemed like a formality. Then, roughly 40 meters into the race, Jacobs pulled up with an injury – reigniting debate over whether he is simply too fragile to sustain elite sprinting. The Injury Prone Label When Jacobs first appeared in the Tokyo Olympics, I was…
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2025 Men’s 100m Preview
It’s about a week after Christmas. Two days before the New Year. Which means we’re about to get more track and field! It’s only been a few months, but Paris seems so far away. Of course, indoors is a tad different. Half the track size. Shortened straight away races. But for true fans of the sport, we’re looking forward to the journey to Tokyo and the World outdoor championships. While I’m looking forward to literally every event to see if we can get anything close to the full excellence of Paris, I’m really looking forward to the men’s 100m. Always one of the most anticipated events of any competition, the…
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Men’s 100m Outlook, 2024
The annual post season “break” is almost over. That period of time after the final meet of the year when elite athletes go on vacations, rest, and recharge their batteries. Anywhere from a few weeks for some, to a couple of months for others. Recovery from the wars of the season, before beginning preparation for the next season, which in this case will be an Olympic year! Ah yes, the Olympics. One of the grandest sporting spectacles on the planet. And as crazy as it sounds, we’re less than 300 days away from the big event! This is why I want to start looking ahead to what I feel will…
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NCAA Regionals and Pre
Well that was one Hell of a weekend. Basically three high level meets, since the NCAA treats the first two rounds of its National Championships as two separate meets. Thoughts on that in another post. Either way, this past weekend was hot hot hot. In spite of two of the competitions having inclement weather! That’s how good the sport is right now – sizzling hot. So, where do I begin with my highlights? Let’s go with the West Regional. Looking at the distribution of talent between the two Regionals, the East “seems” deeper. Watching the competition however, and the results at the top end of both regions, I say a…
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Time to Break the Men’s 4×1 World Record
Yes, you read that right. I, a citizen of the United States, am talking about breaking the 4×1 record. Of course, given our men’s international record in the event since the mid 90’s. I’m sure many of you are either chuckling, or laughing out loud. I mean, just last year, we failed to make the Olympic final. In spite of actually finishing the race. A first for the US – finishing a heat and not advancing. Add that to the numerous dropped batons and disqualifications, and I completely understand the laughter. However, to quote an ancient Persian phrase, “this too shall pass”! And it’s my belief that this “passing” will…
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Who Will Win the Millrose 60?
Ok, now that the season is finally under way, it’s almost time for the elite athletes to take the stage. And if the exploits of the collegiate athletes is any indication, we’re in for some exciting competition. First meet with loaded fields will be the Millrose Games. On tap for January 29th. While all of the events at Millrose appear to be loaded, with athletes like Athing Mu, Ryan Crouser, Elle Purrier, and others. This year’s bonus, will be the first “sprint battle” of 2022! This is exciting as we’ve already seen some very hot individual performances. Micah Williams of Oregon (6.48) and Terrance Jones of Texas Texas Tech (6.45)…
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Amazing US Male Sprint Depth
The Olympics and World Championships used to be fairly easy to predict. The US and Jamaica would split the sprint medals. Kenya and Ethiopia would split the middle and long distances. Europe would win the throws. And a hodge podge of athletes would scramble after the jumps and multi medals. That’s kind of how track and field had been divided up amongst the world. However, something changed during the two year hiatus caused by Covid. After the dust settled, the competitions were complete, and the results were finally tallied from Tokyo, most long time track and field coaches and fans agreed. The rest of the world had gotten better. Take…
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Pre Trials, Trials, Next the Games
This has been one of the most exciting years ever for track and field. Thank you Covid-19. After all, the Covid virus has had an affect on everything that has happened on this planet for the better part of a year and a half – and continues to do so! It basically shut down the 2020 season of track and field. In effect forcing everyone to have a much longer “pre-season” to 2021 than normal. While the initial feelings by all were of sadness and despair, the unintended consequences seem to be the creation of stronger and better bases for training. The ultimate result being a season so far that…
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It’s Prediction Time – US Trials Relays
This season has been moving along so quickly, that it’s been too fast to keep up with – pun intended. Literally every few days something extraordinary has occurred. Athing Mu, Trayvon Bromell, Allyson Felix, Kenny Bednarek, Gabby Thomas, Terrance Laird, and this is just the tip of the iceberg! It’s now mere weeks from the NCAA Championships and the Olympic Trials – and time to start to spec out who’s going to be taking that trip to Tokyo. So that’s what I’m going to start doing – give my predictions of who I think us young to represent the US at the Games. I’m going to begin a bit differently…
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And They’re Off
Yes, the Road to Tokyo has begun as the 2021 season is now under way, with all indications being that this year is going to be as HOT as lava in a volcano! Two weekends, two indoor world records. An American record. Several moves into the all time lists. The start of a US track league. And just a rash of outstanding performances. The highlights. Fabrice Zango TJ world record – The small African nation of Burkina Faso started off the 2021 record rush as Zango bounded out to a huge 18.07m/59’3.25“! Just a massive leap. Setting up a battle of a trio of 59 footers with Americans Will Claye…