{"id":525,"date":"2011-07-07T08:12:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-07T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=525"},"modified":"2011-07-07T08:12:00","modified_gmt":"2011-07-07T15:12:00","slug":"paris-next-stop-on-the-road-to-daegu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=525","title":{"rendered":"Paris – Next Stop on the Road to Daegu"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

The countdown to Daegu is on and for the next several weeks each meet, each performance, will be scrutinized for clues to what may happen at the big event. The Paris Diamond League meet tomorrow will certainly provide an opportunity to begin to put things into focus, as it is loaded with potential medalists. <\/p>\n

Having recently put together my list of potential U.S. medalists I will be looking very closely at events that will have an effect on our medal hopes at Worlds. Here are some events that I will watching closely in Paris. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 200<\/h4>\n

There has been much talk about Usain Bolt\u2019s level of fitness this year as to this point in the season we\u2019ve \u201conly\u201d seen a pair of 9.91\u2019s and a 19.86 from him. While the field lacks anyone else with a best under 19.80, it does contain Beijing runner up Alonso Edward (PAN), who himself has been \u201coff\u201d since \u201808. So this race will present a snapshot of the fitness of both Bolt and Edward. It will also give U.S. Nationals runner up Darvis Patton, and 2010 European champion Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) a chance to see how they currently stack up against the World and Olympic champion. Anyone that wants a shot at a medal in Korea needs to be able to run sub20 \u2013 Paris would be a good place to start. Also, for me, Patton would be next in line for a relay spot after my first four. Sub20 could help his cause. So a lot of people have much to prove in this race!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 110 Hurdles<\/h4>\n

We\u2019ve seen Liu v Oliver twice this year. In Paris we get to see another \u201cBig Three\u201d matchup with Oliver v Robles. U.S. champ Oliver is 1-1 with Liu and gets his first run this year against WR holder Robles who is coming off of a victory in Reims France last week. This will be a contrast in styles \u2013 the powerful Oliver against the fluid Robles. As with the two earlier races between Oliver and Liu, look for the first two hurdles to tell the tale of this race. Also look for something under 13 seconds as both men have run big races here in the past \u2013 Robles 12.88 in \u2018\u201908, Oliver his AR 12.89 just last year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 1500<\/h4>\n

Our potential to medal in something over 400 meters will get a stern test in this event as Andrew Wheating and Leo Manzano get to test their chops against a group of medal front runners in Asbel Kiprop (KEN), Anine Laalou (MAR) and Mekonnen Gebremedhin (ETH). Kiprop (3:31.76), Laalou (3:31.92) and Gebremedhin (3:31.90) have already proven to be in good form this season and know how to race, as does Bernard Lagat who will also be in the field. Wheating seemed a bit off at Nationals. This race will test both his fitness and racing savvy, and that of Manzano as well. Both need a good showing here in the lead up to Daegu.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Pole Vault<\/h4>\n

The pole vault is an event that we have traditionally done well in in international competition. At U.S. Nationals, however, performances were down compared to previous years and to the vaulters\u2019 abilitites. U.S. champion Derek Miles gets to get back up on that pole in a big way in Paris as he will be going against prohibitive Deagu favorite Renaud Lavillenie (FRA). The field contains list leaders Brad Walker, Lavillenie, and Malte Moht (GER) and with Renaud competing in front of his home fans he will have the incentive to jump high. So Miles will have to be prepared to bring it and get up over that 19\u2019 barrier \u2013 where the medals should be handed out in South Korea. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Javelin<\/h4>\n

Time for U.S. champ Kara Patterson to begin her run for the Daegu podium as it looks like the gangs all here with Barboa Spotakova (CZE), Mariya Abakumova (RUS) and Christina Obergfoll (GER) all throwing in Paris. These are the women, in my opinion, that stand between Kara and a medal \u2013 a medal that she is capable of winning. Step one will be a solid performance in Paris. A performance that hopefully is at or above the 200 foot range. With well over a month until Worlds I don\u2019t want to see he peak, but she does need to be in range of these women and be competitive against them. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Shot<\/h4>\n

I don\u2019t talk about this event very often. One because Valerie Adams (NZL)  (nee Vili) was so dominant for a long stretch. Two because we just haven\u2019t been in the ball park competitively. Both could be changing. Nadzeya Ostapchuk (BLR) had a huge season last year with only 1 loss and several wins over Adams. Both are in Paris and are 1, 2 on the yearly list. On the American front, Michelle Carter and Jill Camarena Williams had major breakthroughs at Nationals and currently sit 4, 5 on the yearly list \u2013 and they too are in Paris. This is a great opportunity for both to show that they can be competitive against the world\u2019s best shot putters. And while I\u2019m not expecting any upset wins the prospect of moving into a more competitive position is quite exciting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 800<\/h4>\n

Competitive position is exactly what I\u2019ll be looking for in this race as U.S champ Alysia Montano gets to gauge herself against podium threats Caster Semenya (RSA), Kenia Sinclair (JAM), Sviatlana Usovich (BLR) and Halima Hachlaf (MAR). It\u2019s a very deep and diverse field and Montano\u2019s front running style will be tested. She needs to be able to take on a field of this caliber and hold them off in the stretch as she did at Nationals in order to have a serious run at the podium next month. Her run in Eugene was very strong \u2013 the kind of run that typically wins medals. The pressure from the field should come much earlier in Paris, however. How well she handles that pressure will say much about her chances at Worlds. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paris is loaded. Wariner, Alekna, Kanter, Ukhov, Campbell Brown, Defar, Ejigu, and Dibaba are just a few of the names that will be performing in Paris \u2013 always one of the top meets on the circuit. The Fourth of July was a few days ago, but expect a show of fireworks anyway in Paris.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The countdown to Daegu is on and for the next several weeks each meet, each performance, will be scrutinized for clues to what may happen at the big event. The Paris Diamond League meet tomorrow will certainly provide an opportunity to begin to put things into focus, as it is loaded with potential medalists. Having recently put together my list of potential U.S. medalists I will be looking very closely at events that will have an effect on our medal hopes at Worlds. Here are some events that I will watching closely in Paris.   Men\u2019s 200 There has been much talk about Usain Bolt\u2019s level of fitness this year as to this point in the season we\u2019ve \u201conly\u201d seen a pair of 9.91\u2019s and a 19.86 from him. While the field lacks anyone else with a best under 19.80, it does contain Beijing runner up Alonso Edward (PAN), who himself has been \u201coff\u201d since \u201808. So this race will present a snapshot of the fitness of both Bolt and Edward. It will also give U.S. Nationals runner up Darvis Patton, and 2010 European champion Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) a chance to see how they currently stack up against the World and Olympic champion. Anyone that wants a shot at a medal in Korea needs to be able to run sub20 \u2013 Paris would be a good place to start. Also, for me, Patton would be next in line for a relay spot after my first four. Sub20 could help his cause. So a lot of people have much to prove in this race!   Men\u2019s 110 Hurdles We\u2019ve seen Liu v Oliver twice this year. In Paris we get to see another \u201cBig Three\u201d matchup with Oliver v Robles. U.S. champ Oliver is 1-1 with Liu and gets his first run this year against WR holder Robles who is coming off of a victory in Reims France last week. This will be a contrast in styles \u2013 the powerful Oliver against the fluid Robles. As with the two earlier races between Oliver and Liu, look for the first two hurdles to tell the tale of this race. Also look for something under 13 seconds as both men have run big races here in the past \u2013 Robles 12.88 in \u2018\u201908, Oliver his AR 12.89 just last year.   Men\u2019s 1500 Our potential to medal in something over 400 meters will get a stern test in this event as Andrew Wheating and Leo Manzano get to test their chops against a group of medal front runners in Asbel Kiprop (KEN), Anine Laalou (MAR) and Mekonnen Gebremedhin (ETH). Kiprop (3:31.76), Laalou (3:31.92) and Gebremedhin (3:31.90) have already proven to be in good form this season and know how to race, as does Bernard Lagat who will also be in the field. Wheating seemed a bit off at Nationals. This race will test both his fitness and racing savvy, and that of Manzano as well. Both need a good showing here in the lead up to Daegu.   Men\u2019s Pole Vault The pole vault is an event that we have traditionally done well in in international competition. At U.S. Nationals, however, performances were down compared to previous years and to the vaulters\u2019 abilitites. U.S. champion Derek Miles gets to get back up on that pole in a big way in Paris as he will be going against prohibitive Deagu favorite Renaud Lavillenie (FRA). The field contains list leaders Brad Walker, Lavillenie, and Malte Moht (GER) and with Renaud competing in front of his home fans he will have the incentive to jump high. So Miles will have to be prepared to bring it and get up over that 19\u2019 barrier \u2013 where the medals should be handed out in South Korea.   Women\u2019s Javelin Time for U.S. champ Kara Patterson to begin her run for the Daegu podium as it looks like the gangs all here with Barboa Spotakova (CZE), Mariya Abakumova (RUS) and Christina Obergfoll (GER) all throwing in Paris. These are the women, in my opinion, that stand between Kara and a medal \u2013 a medal that she is capable of winning. Step one will be a solid performance in Paris. A performance that hopefully is at or above the 200 foot range. With well over a month until Worlds I don\u2019t want to see he peak, but she does need to be in range of these women and be competitive against them.   Women\u2019s Shot I don\u2019t talk about this event very often. One because Valerie Adams (NZL)  (nee Vili) was so dominant for a long stretch. Two because we just haven\u2019t been in the ball park competitively. Both could be changing. Nadzeya Ostapchuk (BLR) had a huge season last year with only 1 loss and several wins over Adams. Both are in Paris and are 1, 2 on the yearly list. On the American front, Michelle Carter and Jill Camarena Williams had major breakthroughs at Nationals and currently sit 4, 5 on the yearly list \u2013 and they too are in Paris. This is a great opportunity for both to show that they can be competitive against the world\u2019s best shot putters. And while I\u2019m not expecting any upset wins the prospect of moving into a more competitive position is quite exciting.   Women\u2019s 800 Competitive position is exactly what I\u2019ll be looking for in this race as U.S champ Alysia Montano gets to gauge herself against podium threats Caster Semenya (RSA), Kenia Sinclair (JAM), Sviatlana Usovich (BLR) and Halima Hachlaf (MAR). It\u2019s a very deep and diverse field and Montano\u2019s front running style will be tested. She needs to be able to take on a field of this caliber and hold them off in the stretch as she did at Nationals in order to have a serious run at the podium next month. Her run in Eugene was very strong \u2013 the kind of run that typically wins medals. The pressure from the field should come much earlier in Paris, however. How well she handles that pressure will say much about her chances at Worlds.   Paris is loaded. Wariner, Alekna, Kanter, Ukhov, Campbell Brown, Defar, Ejigu, and Dibaba are just a few of the names that will be performing in Paris \u2013 always one of the top meets on the circuit. The Fourth of July was a few days ago, but expect a show of fireworks anyway in Paris.<\/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-525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-8t","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":522,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=522","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":0},"title":"First 2011 Medal Watch List","author":"CHill","date":"July 2, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"With the team selected for Daegu, it\u2019s time to start looking at where our medals our. So following is my first Medal Watch List of 2011. My final list of 2010 can be found here for comparison. As you can see the list has already undergone some major renovation since\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 4 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 4 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=522#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"image","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-N2KFgqmExQ4\/Tg_NYN_y-UI\/AAAAAAAAAQg\/EEtWv3g0Nog\/image_thumb.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":534,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=534","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":1},"title":"What Will it Take to Win Gold in Daegu?","author":"CHill","date":"July 19, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"With just about a month until the big dance, it\u2019s time to start putting together predictions. Phase One is identifying what I think it will take to win gold. As we get closer to the meet \u2013 about two weeks out \u2013 I will add my thoughts on medalists. Most\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"image_thumb","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh3.ggpht.com\/-CS-ofsXblkU\/TiWUnMkh8sI\/AAAAAAAAASI\/WSYN-ko3zzk\/image_thumb_thumb.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":580,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=580","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":2},"title":"Brussels Will End Season with Few Big Match Ups","author":"CHill","date":"September 14, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"We were told that the Diamond League was going to bring the best of the best together on a regular basis. That all of those key match ups that had been missing in the sport were going to become reality by the Diamond League contracting with all the main characters\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Bolt\"","block_context":{"text":"Bolt","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=bolt"},"img":{"alt_text":"image","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-dNmZRcij7Ek\/TnCykDvjAyI\/AAAAAAAAAe4\/dUG17aOVhSA\/image_thumb.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":601,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=601","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":3},"title":"2011 in Review \u2013 Men\u2019s 400 Meters","author":"CHill","date":"October 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"2011 proved to be a year of \u201cold v new\u201d as the old guard struggled to maintain and find form, while the young guns searched to find themselves. And in the backdrop of it all the biggest story of the year was the impending return to competition of defending World\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"400\"","block_context":{"text":"400","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=400"},"img":{"alt_text":"image","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-sho9Ki8Fzvw\/TqtPr5szuBI\/AAAAAAAAAjQ\/merGwx2m9yM\/image_thumb.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":596,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=596","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":4},"title":"2011 In Review \u2013 Men\u2019s 100 Meters","author":"CHill","date":"October 18, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"With the general rankings out of the way, it\u2019s time to start taking a look at individual events. So twixt now and the end of the year, I will look back on several events in between other news and events that come up. I will start with the men\u2019s 100\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"100\"","block_context":{"text":"100","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?tag=100"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":593,"url":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=593","url_meta":{"origin":525,"position":5},"title":"My 2011 #1\u2019s Rankers by Event","author":"CHill","date":"October 10, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Time to start wrapping up the season. The Pan American Games are still on tap for the end of the month, but I don\u2019t see them changing anything here \u2013 or with most of the post season awards yet to be distributed. So I will start with event #1\u2019s, move\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 2 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 2 comments","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=593#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"image","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh5.ggpht.com\/-nlfPbKjmChI\/TpOMUaQojSI\/AAAAAAAAAiI\/u4jfwfxb0pw\/image_thumb.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525","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=525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}