{"id":464,"date":"2011-03-30T08:21:00","date_gmt":"2011-03-30T15:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2011-03-30T08:21:00","modified_gmt":"2011-03-30T15:21:00","slug":"the-apprentice-master-flip-flop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=464","title":{"rendered":"The Apprentice Master Flip Flop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Track and field can be an unforgiving sport. One minute you are on top of the world, the next you can be fighting for respect. A WR holder can succumb to illness (Wilson Kipketer), an Olympic champion to shame (Ben Johnson). Staying on top can be a challenge, which is why my list of the Greatest of All Time is filled with those that did just that over the long haul. <\/p>\n

Regardless the reason for slipping from the top, there is always someone waiting to take your place.  Because as much as track can be unforgiving, it is always competitive. <\/p>\n

Currently the men\u2019s short sprints are more competitive than ever. Among the stories to keep an eye on this year, will be the battle for sprint supremacy between Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay \u2013 history\u2019s two fastest ever over 100 meters and 1 & 3 all time in the 200 meters. Their march to the Daegu finals could be one of the season\u2019s most interesting stories. But there will also be an interesting sub plot to their eventual showdown \u2013 the return of Justin Gatlin to the sprint wars.<\/p>\n

A little over four years ago, it was Gatlin who was the darling of the sprints. Having won gold (100) and bronze (200) in Athens, then double gold in Helsinki. Behind him in the Helsinki 200 were Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay \u2013 as Gatlin was the reining master and Bolt and Gay upstart apprentices.<\/p>\n

A year later in \u201806 Gay made a serious move to the 100 and during the domestic season found himself a consistent 2nd to Gatlin \u2013 up through the national championships. Then shortly after Gatlin was exiled from the sport and Gay was left holding the mantle of America\u2019s top sprinter. A year later he completed his apprenticeship with double gold of his own at the World Championships in Osaka. <\/p>\n

Also improving in \u201807 was Bolt, who garnered his first global medal with a silver behind Gay in Osaka\u2019s 200 meter final. Then a year later won his own set of double gold medals in Beijing \u2013 a feat he repeated in Berlin, cementing his rise to the top. <\/p>\n

So, ironically, when Gatlin returned from exile last year, the global and American thrones that he held prior to leaving the sport were now occupied by former apprentices Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay. And as we begin the 2011 outdoor season it is former apprentices Bolt and Gay headlining the world\u2019s biggest rivalry and the masters of the sprints \u2013 with Gatlin now serving as apprentice and trying to work his way back to the top.<\/p>\n

The sport Gatlin returns to as apprentice is very different from the one he left as Master. As Master, Gatlin won Olympic and World titles in times of 9.85 (Olympic) and 9.88\/20.00 (World). Since then his apprentices have made those times necessary to win qualifying rounds as their PR\u2019s have dropped to 9.58\/19.19 (Bolt) and 9.69\/19.58 (Gay). What Gatlin once ran to win gold both now run on an average day \u2013 and they make running sub 20.00 look like a stroll in the park. Making Gatlin\u2019s attempt to regain Master status a rather daunting task. <\/p>\n

Nor will he have the luxury of waiting until Daegu to take on his former apprentices, because the road to World\u2019s will go first through the US Trials \u2013 and Tyson Gay. A roadblock that could derail any attempt to once again become global Master as Gatlin must face the man that was his consistent runner up in 2006. He doesn\u2019t have to beat Gay to get to Worlds, but if he can\u2019t get close here, he could have the best seat in the house to the next WR. Because making the team without being competitive with Gay will mean a possible lane in the Daegu final in which the odds of Gay and Bolt pushing each other to a WR are extremely high.<\/p>\n

So, running in the shadow of the buildup to Bolt v Gay, will be a man who once was part of the headline matchup: Gatlin v Powell. A three time gold medalist looking to return to his medal winning ways \u2013 but facing a pair of former apprentices who have become masters of their craft. <\/p>\n

Can he get back to Master status, or is he now strictly an apprentice? Only time, or times, will tell. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Track and field can be an unforgiving sport. One minute you are on top of the world, the next you can be fighting for respect. A WR holder can succumb to illness (Wilson Kipketer), an Olympic champion to shame (Ben Johnson). Staying on top can be a challenge, which is why my list of the Greatest of All Time is filled with those that did just that over the long haul. Regardless the reason for slipping from the top, there is always someone waiting to take your place.  Because as much as track can be unforgiving, it is always competitive. Currently the men\u2019s short sprints are more competitive than ever. Among the stories to keep an eye on this year, will be the battle for sprint supremacy between Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay \u2013 history\u2019s two fastest ever over 100 meters and 1 & 3 all time in the 200 meters. Their march to the Daegu finals could be one of the season\u2019s most interesting stories. But there will also be an interesting sub plot to their eventual showdown \u2013 the return of Justin Gatlin to the sprint wars. A little over four years ago, it was Gatlin who was the darling of the sprints. Having won gold (100) and bronze (200) in Athens, then double gold in Helsinki. Behind him in the Helsinki 200 were Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay \u2013 as Gatlin was the reining master and Bolt and Gay upstart apprentices. A year later in \u201806 Gay made a serious move to the 100 and during the domestic season found himself a consistent 2nd to Gatlin \u2013 up through the national championships. Then shortly after Gatlin was exiled from the sport and Gay was left holding the mantle of America\u2019s top sprinter. A year later he completed his apprenticeship with double gold of his own at the World Championships in Osaka. Also improving in \u201807 was Bolt, who garnered his first global medal with a silver behind Gay in Osaka\u2019s 200 meter final. Then a year later won his own set of double gold medals in Beijing \u2013 a feat he repeated in Berlin, cementing his rise to the top. So, ironically, when Gatlin returned from exile last year, the global and American thrones that he held prior to leaving the sport were now occupied by former apprentices Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay. And as we begin the 2011 outdoor season it is former apprentices Bolt and Gay headlining the world\u2019s biggest rivalry and the masters of the sprints \u2013 with Gatlin now serving as apprentice and trying to work his way back to the top. The sport Gatlin returns to as apprentice is very different from the one he left as Master. As Master, Gatlin won Olympic and World titles in times of 9.85 (Olympic) and 9.88\/20.00 (World). Since then his apprentices have made those times necessary to win qualifying rounds as their PR\u2019s have dropped to 9.58\/19.19 (Bolt) and 9.69\/19.58 (Gay). What Gatlin once ran to win gold both now run on an average day \u2013 and they make running sub 20.00 look like a stroll in the park. Making Gatlin\u2019s attempt to regain Master status a rather daunting task. Nor will he have the luxury of waiting until Daegu to take on his former apprentices, because the road to World\u2019s will go first through the US Trials \u2013 and Tyson Gay. A roadblock that could derail any attempt to once again become global Master as Gatlin must face the man that was his consistent runner up in 2006. He doesn\u2019t have to beat Gay to get to Worlds, but if he can\u2019t get close here, he could have the best seat in the house to the next WR. Because making the team without being competitive with Gay will mean a possible lane in the Daegu final in which the odds of Gay and Bolt pushing each other to a WR are extremely high. So, running in the shadow of the buildup to Bolt v Gay, will be a man who once was part of the headline matchup: Gatlin v Powell. A three time gold medalist looking to return to his medal winning ways \u2013 but facing a pair of former apprentices who have become masters of their craft. Can he get back to Master status, or is he now strictly an apprentice? Only time, or times, will tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-7u","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":273,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=273","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":0},"title":"Spearmon Signs with Saucony","author":"CHill","date":"February 9, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Wallace Spearmon, a long time Nike athlete, just announced that he has signed with Saucony. Yes I said Saucony. Known more for making distance shoes, they've made a major leap by going with one of the world's top sprinters. This is the second shoe company in a week to make\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Track and Field: 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.picapp.com\/ftp\/Images\/e\/b\/9\/2\/Track_and_Field_ba78.JPG?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":411,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=411","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":1},"title":"Anti Doping \u2013 \u201cBut Dad They Stay Out Past Midnight at Billy\u2019s House\u201d","author":"CHill","date":"October 25, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"As parents attempt to raise their children, they figure out at some point that a key to affecting their behavior is consistency. You have to deliver a clear message that is supported by consistent delivery of the message and consistent punishment that fits the transgression. The rules and punishments must\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 18 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 18 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=411#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson on the winners podium with his gold medal after winning the 100 Metres event at Seoul Olympic Stadium during the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, 24th September 1988. On the left is bronze medal winner Linford Christie of Great Britain. Johnson won the event in a world record time of 9.79 seconds, but was disqualified for doping, with Carl Lewis of the USA, taking the title. (Photo by Tony Duffy\/Getty Images)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/view4.picapp.com\/pictures.photo\/image\/2336414\/johnson-gold-medal\/johnson-gold-medal.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2169,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2169","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":2},"title":"Olympic Trials Part 1 – Upsets & Speed","author":"CHill","date":"July 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We've finally arrived to that part of the season that really matters - Olympic team qualifying! That means EVERYONE had to show up. That means some of the best competition of the year. That means watching track and field the way it is supposed to be watched - in a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Bolt\"","block_context":{"text":"Bolt","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=bolt"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sprinter4logobw","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Sprinter4logobw_thumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2804,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2804","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":3},"title":"Story Lines Heading to Paris","author":"CHill","date":"March 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"We're finally ready to go play outside! As exciting as this year's indoor season was, outdoors is always better. If that's the case, this is going to be a season for the ages. Especially the ending with Noah Lyles running the 4x4 and others saying, yo I wanted to do\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Coleman\"","block_context":{"text":"Coleman","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=coleman"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/4596DC8F-6904-425E-A61D-CBF22BA8D810-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2864,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=2864","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":4},"title":"Brussels, Sydney, and Athletics","author":"CHill","date":"September 6, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The season is almost at an end. The only thing left is the Diamond League final. A two day competition between the top Diamond League contenders. Always a good competition, and a nice end to the season. So why is the controversy this year? Well, because Sydney McLaughlin Levrone has\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/trackchill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/E84FD72B-E78B-4313-B88E-EF5F420C1A1B-150x150.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":405,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=405","url_meta":{"origin":464,"position":5},"title":"Bill Schmidt for USATF CEO","author":"CHill","date":"October 1, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"While it doesn\u2019t always seem like it, the US still boasts the largest and strongest track and field team on the planet. As such I\u2019m sure that many are waiting with anticipation to see who becomes the next CEO of USATF. I\u2019m sure that given what\u2019s taken place over the\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}