EPT2012 London Summer Games Track and Field
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SCHEDULE
EVENTS
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
ATHLETES
July 27th - Aug 12th
Olympic Track And Field
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
SCHEDULE EVENTS PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES ATHLETES | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
Men's Side Marathon is going to be absolutely epic! 2:03:42 man Wilson Kipsang, Double WC Gold Medalist Peter Kirui, and Moses Mosop who ran 2:03:03 (wind-aided) in Boston. Then you have the Ethiopian contigent, all who have recently run in the low 2:04's. Really that's crazy when you think about it as just two or three years ago 2:04 was an eye-popping time...now it's run relatively frequently. Will also be interesting to see if the late Sammy Wanjiru's unbelievable Beijing run has redefined the way people attack the Olympic Marathon. Men's 10K is gonna be sweet too, especially if Bekele rounds back into good form. Bekele v Farah? Hell yes! Then you have the ever improving Galen Rupp who could be a longshot to medal as he ran 26:48 last season and it's just a question of can he get a little bit stronger and be able to really kick with everyone at the bell. 5K could be awesome as well. Farah v Lagat (Presumably anyway, I can't imagine him not making it past the trials), Rupp could be there, maybe Lopez Lomong who did this just a few weeks ago. Going to be really interesting to see who the Kenyan squad ends up being this year 1500m could be one hell of a race too. Silas Kiplagat just ran 3:29 on Friday and it's EARLY in the season. Equally stunning in that same race was reigning WC and Olympic gold medalist Asbel Kiprop who finished just tenths of a second behind Kiprop despite getting tangled up and nearly falling right as he was coming into the back straight. 800m is pretty well setup for Rudisha to do his usual thing BUT there is Mohammed Aman who actually managed to beat Rudisha last season. We'll probably get a better idea of this matchup before the olympics though as they are scheduled to race each other soon 400m just got more interesting as Merritt just popped off a cool 44.19, meaning he could potentially be sub 44 shape come London. Obviously Kirani James is a huge threat despite looking off and being unable to win indoor WC's. Then there is Wariner...and who knows what to expect from him. 200m - Blake (19.26) v Bolt (19.19)...I don't even think I need to say more except that this is going to be awesome 100m - Same matchup. Bolt has run much faster than Blake in this event, but Blake hasn't been in peak 100m form since his stellar 200m breakthrough. He also has a slightly higher absolutely top end speed than Bolt. Thrown in the added pressure of Bolt messing up and false starting to get DQed from the 100m WC final last year in Daegu and things get VERY interesting. Women's Side Marathon - Sure looks set up for Mary Keitany to wreck face. She just ran 2:18:37 in London with THE fastest final 10k split in women's marathon history. She ran the last 10k in an unbelievable 31:36! If she can close the olympics anything like she did London earlier this year it's a done deal. 5k/10k - One word: Vivian Cheruiyot. I don't think anyone can stop her the way she is running right now. Last week despite a slow pace and dropping down in distance to 3K Cheruiyot still managed to outkick Ethiopan Meseret Defar. For her tp take down competition like Defar (Cheruiyot, Defar, and Tirunesh Dibaba are the dominant three) in here weaker event off a slow pace shows she is in absolutely dominant form at the minute. 1500m - Should be interesting as you have reigning WC gold medalist Jenny Simpson (who I regular see running on the trails here in Colorado!), Morgan Uceny (arguably the 1500m favorite last year in Daegu but got tangled up, tripped, and was out). There are a host of others out there with credentials right around 4:00 incuding Shannon Rowbury, Ekaterina Gorbunova, Maryam Jamal, and Kalkidan Gezahegne. 800m - Pamela Jelimo certainly looks to be the overwhelming favorite as she is healthy again and just ran a blistering 1:56.94. If she isn't peaking too soon I'm not sure I see anyone challenging that. Ethiopian teenager Fantu Magiso made a courageous move with 200m to go and blasted into the lead, but couldn't quite hold it but still establishes here name as a potential threat. Given Jelimo's time it really only leaves Caster Semenya and Mariya Savinova with realistic chances of thinking about Gold. | ||
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Titusmaster6
United States5937 Posts
Also op, I watched the USA men's trial and I believe Jeremy Wariner did not qualify? | ||
IRL_Sinister
Ireland621 Posts
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
And I heard Bolt is not performing too well right now so it will be interesting to see how he does come the games. | ||
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galtdunn
United States977 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 20 2012 11:39 galtdunn wrote: Can't wait for the 5K and 10K! Here is a man after my own heart haha! | ||
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DannyJ
United States5110 Posts
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Sigh
Canada2433 Posts
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Wordsmith
United Kingdom93 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 20 2012 12:42 DannyJ wrote: I think Bolt might actually have to try this time. Could be the understatement of the century. I wouldn't go so far as to call him the underdog, but he definitely has his work cut out for him especially since due to his hamstring issue in the last month. On July 20 2012 13:40 Sigh wrote: Can't wait for the 100m, 200m. shiet. wonder if usain bolt will destroy the competition again. Only if he is playing up everything: sandbagging (relatively speaking) races and fabricating a hamstring issue this close to the games. If his performances this year are legit attempts then not only is he not dominating...he is going to need to run DAMN well just to win. If he is playing all this up...the man is a genius with incredible restraint. That would be only hell of a T&F story if bolt came out of nowhere to again throw up sub 9.6 and low 19s. | ||
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Aerisky
United States12129 Posts
But yeah I know what you mean. ^^ Bolt is not a lock at all, will be interesting to see how it turns out. | ||
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Aristodemus
England1993 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 20 2012 20:09 Aristodemus wrote: Home hopes are Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Phillips Idowu. Maybe Dai Greene could nick a gold too but I doubt it. One thing we are all hoping for though is Chambers going out in round 1! Because he is a drug cheat? If not, why? | ||
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Aristodemus
England1993 Posts
Yes exactly. We banned him for life but he had it overturned in court. Drug cheats have no place in sports. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 21 2012 03:01 Aristodemus wrote: Yes exactly. We banned him for life but he had it overturned in court. Drug cheats have no place in sports. Amen. I feel the same way about Gatlin; and it sucks cause he looks like he is in good form too. All I can say is that if he medals.... | ||
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Mortality
United States4790 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
That time catapults him to 5th fastest man ever over the distance, and finally gives him that really fast time to go with his racing credentials. | ||
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Bunn
Estonia934 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 22 2012 04:49 Bunn wrote: Anyone know who are the favourites in men's 110m hurdles? I'm not really up-to-date with the scene. Are Dayron Robles and Liu Xiang still the favourites? Besides them I've seen some Russian run pretty fast recently. Those two (though I am not as sure about Robles) and Ares Merritt. | ||
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Archybaldie
United Kingdom818 Posts
On July 20 2012 07:55 L_Master wrote: 100m - Same matchup. Bolt has run much faster than Blake in this event, but Blake hasn't been in peak 100m form since his stellar 200m breakthrough. He also has a slightly higher absolutely top end speed than Bolt. Thrown in the added pressure of Bolt messing up and false starting to get DQed from the 100m WC final last year in Daegu and things get VERY interesting. There are a few more storylines here too :D Jamaca: Fastest sprinters at the moment Bolt: World record holder arguably the favourite has been said that if hes on form he cant be beaten. Blake: Has beaten bolt TWICE, is looking on form and is brimming with confidence Asafa powell: Always a great athelete former world record holder. Possibly injured at the jamacan trials. USA: Long legacy of dominating the 100m. Tyson gay: Just coming back to athletics after 2 surgerys very competative and currently holds the record as the fastest american. Justin Gatlin: Won the USA trials, former olympic gold medalist but served a 4 year ban from the sport for a positive drug test. How will he perform with that big of a gap. Other notable mentions: Christophe lemaitre: Europes fastest sprinter from france, who has the title of the first ever white sprinter to go sub 10 seconds. Adam Gemili (probabaly shouldnt be in this list but i like the guy lol): New guy 18 years old, has been reported as only participating in top level junior sprinting for 6 months. A youth footballer that decided to try out for sprinting. Ended up coming out of nowhere and setting a time of 10:05 to qualify for team GB at the olympics. Also won the world junior championships. So a total Unknown at this point but someone that has come out of nowhere and impressed also seems to be going faster and faster with every single race. | ||
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AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
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rei
United States3594 Posts
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SnowyPsilocybin
United Kingdom265 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
Former (and obviously current) drug cheat Mariem Selsouli tests positive for diuretic furosemide. She is out of the Olympics and will likely receive a lifetime ban. Glad they caught her to as she was very much a top contender being in possession of this years world leading 1500m time of 3:56.15. http://www.letsrun.com/2012/selsouli-0723.php | ||
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eshlow
United States5210 Posts
Will be interesting to see how the Bolt & Blake runs will pan out though along with Powell and US runners. Looks like it could be a stacked final for 100m | ||
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Snuggles
United States1865 Posts
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Juddas
768 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 25 2012 10:00 eshlow wrote: Blake's progress in this past year is pretty shady... dropping more than a second I believe off his 200m time to near world record. If it looks like PEDs.... I'm pretty skeptical. Will be interesting to see how the Bolt & Blake runs will pan out though along with Powell and US runners. Looks like it could be a stacked final for 100m Yea, he has had some pretty crazy progress. At the same time he and Bolt are training partners, share the same club, coach, etc. If one of them is up to no good... To his credit literally ANYTHING you ready about Blake talks about how hard he works. Doesn't party, perfect diet, proper rest, constant training...there is no doubt this is a dude that wants it. Even his nickname stems from that. | ||
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fLyiNgDroNe
Belgium4012 Posts
On July 25 2012 11:53 Juddas wrote: I am so incredibly excited for high jump this year! What's your call? on a side note - i'm counting hard on women's pole vault jump for Isinbaeva to set her last (number 29!) WR. She's finishing her career next year. Would be epic. | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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Mortality
United States4790 Posts
On July 24 2012 04:11 rei wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyCjIf7IpI0&feature=related I want to try playing this game. LOL | ||
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Dust14
Belgium490 Posts
Just search for QWOP on google, have fun ^^ On July 25 2012 11:53 Juddas wrote: I am so incredibly excited for high jump this year! As is the whole of our Belgian nation :p | ||
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dartoo
India2889 Posts
On July 24 2012 04:11 rei wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyCjIf7IpI0&feature=related LOOOL epicness! This is one of those games that can work on excel right...had a game that was very similar... played a lot in office | ||
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Mortality
United States4790 Posts
Thank you. You'll be delighted to know that so far I've been able to run further going backwards than forwards. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 29 2012 16:00 AirbladeOrange wrote: I have to wait until Friday for T&F? Damn. I'm looking forward to all the track events and the decathlon. USA looks pretty good. Ashton Eaton. That is all. I feel like I would be willing to bet my life savings on both him and Rudisha. | ||
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Aerisky
United States12129 Posts
On July 30 2012 12:43 Mortality wrote: Thank you. You'll be delighted to know that so far I've been able to run further going backwards than forwards. The trick is to spread the guy's legs out and just shuffle your way to the end. The hurdle will be annoying but try to just get that 0.1 m jump or whatever  Hm, interesting to see the short-distance finals. I'm very interested in particular in whether or not Bolt can win again, since he hasn't looked up to form lately. | ||
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L3g3nd_
New Zealand10461 Posts
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craz3d
Bulgaria856 Posts
On July 25 2012 13:29 L_Master wrote: Yea, he has had some pretty crazy progress. At the same time he and Bolt are training partners, share the same club, coach, etc. If one of them is up to no good... To his credit literally ANYTHING you ready about Blake talks about how hard he works. Doesn't party, perfect diet, proper rest, constant training...there is no doubt this is a dude that wants it. Even his nickname stems from that. Blake tested positive for a stimulant a couple years ago before his breakthrough so it shows that he's capable of taking PEDs. That being said, his rivalry with Bolt is one of the main attractions of track and field and would hurt track and the Olympics if one of them were caught. | ||
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Miyoshino
314 Posts
You may be willing to practice harder than Bolt or Gay or Powell, you aren't going to be able to. Not partying, perfect rest and diet is something else of course. But if you are going to accuse some sprinter of doping without any evidence, I'd say they are all doped. Maybe not all equally doped, but still doped. It's kinda 'funny' that Tameka Williams, a Saint Kitts and Nevis(last time you will ever hear about this country) admitted to doping after being pressured. Apparently, she didn't realize she was not supposed to admit it or was forced into a doping program and didn't have the heart to lie about it because she really didn't agree with it. Typical doping shapegoat we all need to think the our favourites that are gonna win gold are indeed clean. Well at least for a few years since the story will usually come out later. But then that generation is clean. And the cycle continues. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On July 31 2012 17:25 craz3d wrote: Blake tested positive for a stimulant a couple years ago before his breakthrough so it shows that he's capable of taking PEDs. That being said, his rivalry with Bolt is one of the main attractions of track and field and would hurt track and the Olympics if one of them were caught. Anyone is "capable" of taking PEDs. Also, Blake tested positive for a stimulant commonly found in several energy drinks. There was no evidence he was doping and had done anything more than make the mistake of not paying clear attention to the specifics of what he was putting in his body. Blake is in a completely different category than actual drug cheats like Justin Gatlin. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
Epic women's 10000m coming up, as well as prelims in a bunch of events and the shot put final. If you don't know much about T&F and want a quick rundown of what/who to watch for here is a nice little writeup: http://www.letsrun.com/2012/friendfamily-0802.php | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 03 2012 13:59 AirbladeOrange wrote: Does anyone from the US know if T&F will get enough prime time coverage so I don't have to worry about catching it on streams or at odd times? No idea. The NBC website shows sections for Track & Field, but doesn't specifically say what events and to what extent they will be covered. | ||
Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
On August 03 2012 13:59 AirbladeOrange wrote: Does anyone from the US know if T&F will get enough prime time coverage so I don't have to worry about catching it on streams or at odd times? Most likely they'll show the big events like 100m dash, 200m dash etc and then anything we are competitive in. You'll probably get all the race finals and maybe some semifinals. I'm not sure how much of the other events you will get. that seems to be what you can expect based on what they showed from swimming. most of the prelim stuff and probably the less popular events wont be covered in prime time unless we are in medal contention | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 03 2012 14:52 Shellshock1122 wrote: Most likely they'll show the big events like 100m dash, 200m dash etc and then anything we are competitive in. You'll probably get all the race finals and maybe some semifinals. I'm not sure how much of the other events you will get. that seems to be what you can expect based on what they showed from swimming. most of the prelim stuff and probably the less popular events wont be covered in prime time unless we are in medal contention Well good, cause that's basically everything. We have a legit medal contender in every event. Symmonds in the 800m, Centro (possible Wheating, 3:30 PB but has been injured) in the 1500m, Evan Jager in the 3000m SC, Galen Rupp and Bernard Lagat in the 5000m, Galen Rupp in the 10,000m, and Ryan Hall in the marathon. Womens side is only strong at middle distance, with Montanyo in the 800m and then Jessica Simpson, Shannon Rowbury, and Morgen Uceny are all legitimate contenders in the 1500m. I don't see any realistic chance for the women at 5000/10000. Marathon has an outside shot in Shalane Flanagan and possible Kara Goucher but good lord is that one loaded field. | ||
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Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
On August 03 2012 15:38 L_Master wrote: Well good, cause that's basically everything. We have a legit medal contender in every event. Symmonds in the 800m, Centro (possible Wheating, 3:30 PB but has been injured) in the 1500m, Evan Jager in the 3000m SC, Galen Rupp and Bernard Lagat in the 5000m, Galen Rupp in the 10,000m, and Ryan Hall in the marathon. Womens side is only strong at middle distance, with Montanyo in the 800m and then Jessica Simpson, Shannon Rowbury, and Morgen Uceny are all legitimate contenders in the 1500m. I don't see any realistic chance for the women at 5000/10000. Marathon has an outside shot in Shalane Flanagan and possible Kara Goucher but good lord is that one loaded field. Idk if marathon will get the prime time coverage. it might for the very end if we are still in it. that's one of the events I could see restricted to just being on one of the NBC channels all day kind of like the cycling road race. I think track is possibly the most popular part of the olympics for americans (along with gymnastics and swimming) so it should definitely take up the bulk of the prime time coverage. When II said anything we were competitive I basically meant what you said. Stuff I dont know if we'll get the prime time coverage for would be maybe like hammer throw or shot put etc... unless we end up medaling in it, but I guess I don't work for NBC or anything so I could be completely wrong. I'm hoping for a ton of coverage, too, because this is my favorite part of the olympics Fingers crossed for good coverage or I'm going to be sad | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 03 2012 15:57 Shellshock1122 wrote: Idk if marathon will get the prime time coverage. it might for the very end if we are still in it. that's one of the events I could see restricted to just being on one of the NBC channels all day kind of like the cycling road race. I think track is possibly the most popular part of the olympics for americans (along with gymnastics and swimming) so it should definitely take up the bulk of the prime time coverage. When II said anything we were competitive I basically meant what you said. Stuff I dont know if we'll get the prime time coverage for would be maybe like hammer throw or shot put etc... unless we end up medaling in it, but I guess I don't work for NBC or anything so I could be completely wrong. I'm hoping for a ton of coverage, too, because this is my favorite part of the olympics Fingers crossed for good coverage or I'm going to be sad Marathon (mens) is being televised live very early in the morning (starts 11am London time I think) and is not being rebroadcast ed during prime time, though they might show a short highlight reel or something. | ||
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igotmyown
United States4291 Posts
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Mortality
United States4790 Posts
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AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
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Dust14
Belgium490 Posts
On August 03 2012 16:59 AxionSteel wrote: Looking forward to this getting underway! Only 40 more minutes ^^ | ||
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fbs
United Kingdom2476 Posts
If Gatlin gets a medal then it's shocking! Bad enough Vino winning the road race. Chambers shouldn't be here either but he looks like he's crap anyway like the rest of the British sprinters. | ||
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SgtCoDFish
United Kingdom1520 Posts
On August 03 2012 20:05 fbs wrote: wow Ennis, you go girl If Gatlin gets a medal then it's shocking! Bad enough Vino winning the road race. Chambers shouldn't be here either but he looks like he's crap anyway like the rest of the British sprinters. She's just so likeable, I can't imagine anyone not cheering for her :D Gogo GB :D | ||
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Asha
United Kingdom38256 Posts
The roars when the GB athletes clear the bar on the high jump are crazy | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
It's safe to say she is a legitimate medal contender in the 100m hurdle individual event as well! On August 03 2012 20:05 fbs wrote: wow Ennis, you go girl If Gatlin gets a medal then it's shocking! Bad enough Vino winning the road race. Chambers shouldn't be here either but he looks like he's crap anyway like the rest of the British sprinters. This would suck. Let's just hope Bolt and Blake do their thing, and then Gay or someone else has a good run. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
1) Tirunesh Dibaba 2) Vivian Cheruiyot 3) Joyce Chepkirui Gold and silver will almost certainly be Cheruiyot and Dibaba, and I expect Dibaba to win between those two. The bronze is a little more open with Sally Kipego, Joyce Chepkirui, Belaynesh Oljira, and Worknesh Kidane as legitmate contenders for it. Of those Kidane has run the fastest, but it has been a while since she ran this time and has a SB of 30:50. Kipego won a silver last year at the World Championships but hasn't shown quite the same for yet this year. Belaynesh Oljira is something of a wildcard and she hasn't raced much on the track, but did just recently set a new PB of 30:26 and generally the Ethiopians tend to be better kickers than the Kenyans. I expect her to be dangerous if the pace lags some. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
What a run from Dibaba!! Closes in 62 (actually had a 60 flat from about 500m to 100m) for a very respectable Olympic time of 30:20. Three were there with about 600 to go and then Dibaba just went "nope" and took off from everyone. Cheruiyot nor Kipyego had anything resembling a response. | ||
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AxionSteel
United States7754 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
1500m heats had a few interesting moments, most notably Nixon Chepseba who in the last lap got caught up (can't tell if it was his own leg or someone else's) and almost fell. The loss of momentum was significant enough that he was unable to recover and finished 8th (top 6 in each heat qualify) and I wouldn't be suprised if the Kenyans put in an interference protest. All three Americans qualified in the heats. Manzano ran respectably in the first heat which was fairly quick, Centrowitz ran, as usual, a smart, tactically savvy race and casual cruised into 5th spot to move on without wasting too much energy. Wheating ran dumb, especially in the last 150m and finished in 7th. Luckily for him heat 3 ended up being very slow and he managed to skate through on time qualifying. Nick Willis ran a really nice race and then dropped this comment on us in his post race interview: "[I] deliberately tried to box in the Kenyan so he would have to run way outside around the crowd on the last lap." He said this was his strategy to try to eliminate one Kenyan from advancing giving him a much better shot at a medal. On August 04 2012 06:11 AxionSteel wrote: You could just tell she was cruising in comparison to the other three.The strain on their faces was obvious, but she looked so relaxed, amazing runner. Yea, definitely in a class of her own. Wasn't entirely certain how good she would be as, like Bekele, she had been battling injuries...but clearly she was able to get in good training and arrive in great form. | ||
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Code(Z)
Korea (South)6 Posts
200 Metres Bolt 1st Blake 2nd imo I think they are both about equal right now, cant see anyone else beat em | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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craz3d
Bulgaria856 Posts
On August 04 2012 10:08 Code(Z) wrote: 100 Metres Blake 1st Bolt 2nd 200 Metres Bolt 1st Blake 2nd imo I think they are both about equal right now, cant see anyone else beat em The bookies have Bolt as favourite for both. I put a couple small wagers on Blake for both 100m and 200m though, because it looks like Bolt is not in the best of form. I can see Gay and Gatlin running huge times as well. Tomorrow night is gonna be really exciting! I also put a small bet in for Rupp in the 10k tonight. At 25/1 he is super underrated even though he has shown he can run a fast time and can finish quick in a tactical race. The race will come down to the Kenyan tactics. One of them is gonna have to sacrifice and set a fast pace for the other two if they are going to get even one medal. Btw, the bookies have Mo Farah as favourite for both 5k and 10k. | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 05 2012 04:50 craz3d wrote: The bookies have Bolt as favourite for both. I put a couple small wagers on Blake for both 100m and 200m though, because it looks like Bolt is not in the best of form. I can see Gay and Gatlin running huge times as well. Tomorrow night is gonna be really exciting! I also put a small bet in for Rupp in the 10k tonight. At 25/1 he is super underrated even though he has shown he can run a fast time and can finish quick in a tactical race. The race will come down to the Kenyan tactics. One of them is gonna have to sacrifice and set a fast pace for the other two if they are going to get even one medal. Btw, the bookies have Mo Farah as favourite for both 5k and 10k. As expected, turned out to be a good decision. Amazing how underrated he was given his credentials of 3:34/12:58/26:48, especially in light of his monstrous 52.63 last lap at the trials to clip Lagat of all people. In my mind (after beating Lagat anyway) Rupp was not only a medal contender but a gold medal favorite in the 10,000m. The 5,000 I also felt the same about, although Paris has me a little more nervous now as: 1 Dejen Gebremeskel - 12:46.81 2 Hagos Gebrhiwet - 12:47.53 3 Isiah Kiplangat Koech - 12:48.64 4 Yenew Alamirew - 12:48.77 5 Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa - 12:49.04 6 John Kipkoech -12:49.5 is more than a little scary. A time that hasn't been broken since 2007 now run by six men in the same race. Gebremeskel looked absolutely terrifying in that race, finishing strong and looking like it wasn't difficult at all. The good news is Rupp has beaten several of these people throughout the season at 5000m so it might not be as bad as it looks, and Rupp may well be in 12:45ish shape right now. Still, especially in light of Gebremeskel and Farah I don't know if I can call Rupp a gold medal favorite, though he is undoubtedly a major medal contender. | ||
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Yaqoob
Canada3332 Posts
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Brutaxilos
United States2629 Posts
Please have good reception on Catalina. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 05 2012 08:15 Yaqoob wrote: Where can I watch the video of the 10km race? Best I have been able to find is a video of the last 4 laps here: + Show Spoiler + If you go to BBC website I'm sure VODs are there as well. | ||
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BilltownRunner
United States229 Posts
I watched the 100m women online so this will be spoiler for whomever is waiting for tonight to watch it. + Show Spoiler + If Allyson Felix had half of the drive phase of VCB/Pryce or Jeter then she would be dominate in the 100. I really hope she bounces back and wins the 200. Also, Jeter is juiced so I am glad she didn't win. | ||
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DannyJ
United States5110 Posts
100m will be fun. Basically the only questions are if Blake can beat Bolt and can one of the Americans somehow steal a bronze. | ||
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BilltownRunner
United States229 Posts
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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Chiburi
United States166 Posts
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Telcontar
United Kingdom16710 Posts
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Telcontar
United Kingdom16710 Posts
On August 06 2012 05:49 Telcontar wrote: I'm going with Blake in this one. I guess, never bet against Bolt. | ||
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Benjamin99
4176 Posts
He looked so amazing he was league above anyone els. Everytime I watch Bolt run I feel he can go even faster | ||
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Kyuukyuu
Canada6263 Posts
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eshlow
United States5210 Posts
On August 06 2012 06:11 Kyuukyuu wrote: Feel so bad for Powell. Every time Did he strain his hamstring? | ||
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IRL_Sinister
Ireland621 Posts
I don't know what happened but I noticed something very interesting during his semi-final run. If you look carefully at the slow-mo replay, Powell almost comes to a halt as soon as he crosses the finish line. Anyone who has experience in Track & Field will know that when you cross the line (at a sprint) you should bring yourself to slow down naturally; the reasons being fairly obvious. However, Powell slows down very quickly and he's almost going into a limp. I may be incorrect, but I believe Powell didn't warm up fully before his semi-final and actually pricked his hamstring at the very end of the semi-final. That, in turn, carried over to the final where it, ultimately, didn't hold up. Didn't hear anyone commenting on it, but it was something I noticed after watching the race in a slow-mo. | ||
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TranceStorm
1616 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 06 2012 04:49 Chiburi wrote: Hey, I'm looking for somewhere to watch the Men's 3000m steeplechase finals. Can someone help me out and post a link? Man...Jager just didn't have it today. Possibly peaked too early as he ran superbly in Monaco right before the Olympics. Nice run from Kemboi and love his antics at the end. Yet another amazing run by Bolt, talk about a great sprinter who sure does deliver when it counts. Also GDMN Justin Gatlin got a medal. T_T | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 06 2012 08:46 TranceStorm wrote: Great run by Bolt and Blake. I was disappointed that Gatlin finished ahead of Gay. Couldn't agree with your sentiments more...I just don't feel their should be any tolerance for drug cheats at all. | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
On August 06 2012 13:07 L_Master wrote: Couldn't agree with your sentiments more...I just don't feel their should be any tolerance for drug cheats at all. Although I do feel bad for Gay especially since what he went through last time around with injuries and all I still admire Gatlin. He stuck with the sport, which must be so tough for that long of a time period, and came in in such good shape and performed when it counted. I respect people who don't take second chances for granted and battle to get back to the top. | ||
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AoN.DimSum
United States2983 Posts
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
On August 06 2012 13:30 AoN.DimSum wrote: Not trying to start a argument about drugs, but do you think Bolt and Gay are clean? I always just give people the benefit of the doubt and believe people are innocent until proven guilty. It's too hard to tell if someone is doping or not. It's not like doping gives you instant muscles, immaculate recovery, and instant win power. Drugs only give a relatively minor performance enhancement. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 06 2012 13:18 AirbladeOrange wrote: Although I do feel bad for Gay especially since what he went through last time around with injuries and all I still admire Gatlin. He stuck with the sport, which must be so tough for that long of a time period, and came in in such good shape and performed when it counted. I respect people who don't take second chances for granted and battle to get back to the top. I basically agree with everything you wrote, but at the same time don't feel that Gatlin should have ever had that opportunity in the first place. On August 06 2012 13:30 AoN.DimSum wrote: Not trying to start a argument about drugs, but do you think Bolt and Gay are clean? Who knows? I'm incline to give benefit of the doubt unless some really, really suspicious stuff happens and for me a natural progression to super, super fast times just isn't enough to accuse them of being doped up. Especially with samples now being kept for 8+ years I think there is a good chance we will eventually know who was doping and who wasn't. Honestly the most alarming performance I've seen recently is Gebremeskel's run in Paris. I'm definitely not saying he is doping, but it was certainly the kind of run that raises eyebrows. A 54.6 last lap (shutting it down some last 20-30m) off of 12:45 pace is a pretty damn insane run. He looked relaxed the whole way and didn't even seem like he has put in a significant effort right after he finished. He may not (though there is a good chance he does) have the speed to hang with Farah and Rupp is the pace is slow, but their is a damn good chance he is the fittest guy in the race and I could see him cruising away with it if he puts the hammer down Bekele 08' style and crushes the last 1200m-mile. I wish we had seen more of him but I'm inclined to say Gebremeskel is the favorite, or at least on equal footing, with Mo in this race. Maybe I'm too hyped/reading into his last race...but that run in Paris was really, really, really, fucking good. | ||
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fearus
China2164 Posts
On August 06 2012 13:30 AoN.DimSum wrote: Not trying to start a argument about drugs, but do you think Bolt and Gay are clean? + Show Spoiler + I always ask, if I had to put my life on it , which way would I bet. TBH I would have to say they are juicing but thats just my own personal opinion. | ||
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IreScath
Canada521 Posts
Because he was banned for known masking agents, not enhancements (even tho the masking agents are tehre for a reason...to mask... and are well known to be illegal). HOWEVER... He was only given the shorter ban because the chemical was a part of a male enhancement product he proved he was taking, and was unaware of the agent present. So basically his defence was that he just wanted a bigger Penis. | ||
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IreScath
Canada521 Posts
On August 06 2012 14:58 fearus wrote: + Show Spoiler + I always ask, if I had to put my life on it , which way would I bet. TBH I would have to say they are juicing but thats just my own personal opinion. One of my closest friends won the commenwealth games in the Decathlon a couple years back... I personally know 4 Olympians in track and field from Canada their competing right now. (I used to run track and field for the University of Windsor). I also competing on a semi-pro level. I have never been offered any drug.. neither has 3 of my 4 friends.. (the 4th I just don't know.. don't talk much) I have never seen anything suspicious either And to be honest.. The IOC and the dopping agency now keeps samples for over 8 years now and tests regularily... They do this so when the testing technology gets better, they can re-test samples in order to "catch-up" with the masking techniques.... Taking performancing enhancing drugs in this system would be beyond stupid.. you WILL get caught, unless you have inside knowledge on if/when you are being tested.. which I have never observed. | ||
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Itsmedudeman
United States19229 Posts
Interesting, but that's pretty intense how close the WR is to the "fastest speed physically possible". Of course, I think that's WITHOUT ideal wind conditions. | ||
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igotmyown
United States4291 Posts
Bolt reportedly did relatively little weight training prior to 2008, he doesn't seem super enthusiastic about it as a lot of tyson gay type bulky sprinters are, and in the videos he's leg pressing surprisingly low amounts of weight. Taking steroids seems to lead him to want to train more, as opposed to sleep, have fun, and eat chicken nuggets. Edit: Then again, his coach has a history of giving out steroids, and http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/2008/08/german-olympic.html So maybe he's less likely than other Jamaican (and possibly american) sprinters. | ||
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IreScath
Canada521 Posts
On August 06 2012 16:48 Itsmedudeman wrote: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16160-perfect-athletes-100m-sprint-time-calculated.html Interesting, but that's pretty intense how close the WR is to the "fastest speed physically possible". Of course, I think that's WITHOUT ideal wind conditions. That is very old research, a newer study has since come out saying the fastest a human bodies muscles and bones can move is close to 60 km/h (16.67 m/s...i think..lol).. The limiting factor being the nervous system in the long run (accounting for optimal muscle fibre count, strength, flexibility, etc) Which (not accounting for accelleration) would be a 100m time of basically 6 seconds flat. Taking into account a normal start and drive phase of the 100m which lasts to around the 30 meter mark... that's 0 - 60 in 30 meters so its 16.67m/s for 70 meters (4.2 seconds).. and lets be generous to time here, and say accelleration is linear (which its not.. you get faster quicker than linear) lets say 30km/s (8.335m/s) for the 30m (~3.6s) for a 100m time of 7.8s This math is spotty, and I cannot recall the exact top speed possible in teh study.. and nor for the life of me can I find it.. but CTV mentioned it on TV during one of there "Olympic science" segments with that doctor.... so I think its safe to assume the fastest time possible is at worst 8.0 - 8.1s FROM THE STUDY. The reason we cannot get to that speed are 2... A) muscle strength and fibre recruitment is not optimal (almost impossible to train for this.. its akin to training a sc2 player to always make every correct decision, and win every game for his entire career... getting the right angles and weights to fully develop each fibre would be ridiculous)... B) Nervous system limitations... The ability for our nervous system to relay the info of changing direction of moving parts in our body and reacting to stimuli is a bottleneck here as well. | ||
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Littlemuff
United Kingdom301 Posts
If anyone knows more about it, has Michael Phelps done the same for swimming? | ||
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radiatoren
Denmark1907 Posts
On August 06 2012 18:53 Littlemuff wrote: Scientists are calling it the Usain Bolt effect. They were looking at the massive jump of sprinters beating the 10 sec mark since Bolt breezed pass it. Hopefully next generation will have their own superstar that will be breaking records the same way. If anyone knows more about it, has Michael Phelps done the same for swimming? Swimming has been driven a lot by material improvements for the past years and also a lot of testing towards finding the best style for each swimmer. Swimming is a lot more diverse and the styles are constantly changing. 20 years practically nobody used the style used by everyone in the final this year in breastswimming. The fifth swimming discipline is the butterfly legkick underwater and it has gained a lot of fame. At a competitive level the saying is that improvements in technique factor 10 times as much as increasing strenght, when looking at the time used. Because of all of those non-physiological effects it is a lot harder to tell how much effect Phelps has had. A lot of his records have already been beaten and you can find bans being an important part of holding the swimming real. Look at the plastic-suit era (before it got banned) or the underwater backstroke (athletes would save energy by staying underwater for 40 meters after the start. A rule of max 15 meters was implemented to make the backstroke swimming actually have just a little impact on the times!) and tell me straight that those things had no effect at all on how people swim. The plastic suits was a revealation of how important it was to stay close to the surface with the body and the inspirations are just being felt now The underwater swimming made a large focus on improving that exact part of your swimming since it has such a huge effect on your results. Next up are probably improvements and more equal starts and turns. Both are quite different from swimmer to swimmer at the moment. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 06 2012 18:53 Littlemuff wrote: Scientists are calling it the Usain Bolt effect. They were looking at the massive jump of sprinters beating the 10 sec mark since Bolt breezed pass it. Hopefully next generation will have their own superstar that will be breaking records the same way. If anyone knows more about it, has Michael Phelps done the same for swimming? A similar thing definitely occurred with Bannister and the 4 minute mile. | ||
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andrewlt
United States7702 Posts
On August 06 2012 15:56 IreScath wrote: I hope everyone that is saying Gatlin shouldn't have run knows why he was banned... I really do... Because he was banned for known masking agents, not enhancements (even tho the masking agents are tehre for a reason...to mask... and are well known to be illegal). HOWEVER... He was only given the shorter ban because the chemical was a part of a male enhancement product he proved he was taking, and was unaware of the agent present. So basically his defence was that he just wanted a bigger Penis. Isn't that a different guy? Gatlin was the one who was blaming his massage therapist from rubbing a steroidal cream on him without his knowledge. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 07 2012 01:28 andrewlt wrote: Isn't that a different guy? Gatlin was the one who was blaming his massage therapist from rubbing a steroidal cream on him without his knowledge. Yea, your thinking of US 400m runner LaShawn Merritt, who was using some male enhancement product called ExtenZe. | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
I'm looking forward to the 5k and my man Lopez Lomong to kick some ass. I'm also rooting for my sprinter crush Allyson Felix in the 200. She did well in the 100 and easily passed through the 200 prelims and semis. She is one of the few sprinters or just runners in general who still looks good when running. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 08 2012 13:40 AirbladeOrange wrote: The 1500 was pretty boring until near the end. Sounds like most championship 1500's. "Jog" the first few then kick like hell the last one. Pretty eerie seeing Makhloufi run away from a world class field like that, but after looking at the splits it isn't anywhere near as silly as Ramzi was in Beijing. Suprising? Sure. Implausible? Nah. The Matthew US dude ran really smart as expected and I wonder if that's a PR for him. He doesn't seem to have a bad kick but definitely not good enough to rely on it for a slower, tactical race. Leo is the man and I was so worried he was too far off as he never really seemed to be in a good spot until the last 40 meters or so. Centro always runs really smart tactically. He has a pretty darn good kick actually, as he closed in 51.xx at the World Championships last fall to take home a bronze. He was injured earlier in the year and that may have impacted his fitness. Manzano's run was fucking awesome! Such a great 200m from him, and thanks to that we could legitimately bring home like 4+ medals in distance from this Olympics too, which is freakin insane!! I'm looking forward to the 5k and my man Lopez Lomong to kick some ass. I like the guy as well, especially after his heroics at Payton-Jordan. Honestly though, I just don't think he has a chance. He was comfortably handled by Lagat and Rupp off the relatively slow pace of the 5000m at the trials, and don't think anything is going to have changed, and now has Farah to deal with who is basically the "anything you can do, I can do better" version of Rupp so far. As such, nothing makes me think he can beat those guys. And then... Gebremeskel. He ran 12:45 with a 54.6 last lap (shutting it down some last 20-30m) which is a pretty damn insane run off 12:45 pace. He looked relaxed the whole way and didn't even seem like he has put in a significant effort right after he finished. He may not (though there is a good chance he does) have the speed to hang with Farah and Rupp if the pace is slow, but their is a damn good chance he is the fittest guy in the race and I could see him cruising away with it if he puts the hammer down Bekele 08' style and crushes the last 1200m-mile. I wish we had seen more of him but I'm inclined to say Gebremeskel is the co-favorite with Mo in this race, with Gebremeskel possibly having the edge of a faster pace/long close and Mo being more dangerous if it comes to a last lap. Maybe I'm too hyped/reading into his last race...but that run in Paris was really, really, really, fucking good. | ||
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igotmyown
United States4291 Posts
On August 06 2012 17:34 IreScath wrote: The reason we cannot get to that speed are 2... A) muscle strength and fibre recruitment is not optimal B) Nervous system limitations... The ability for our nervous system to relay the info of changing direction of moving parts in our body and reacting to stimuli is a bottleneck here as well. They did a study in which people would hop on one leg (I think on a treadmill), and they found the muscle strength far exceeded the maximum force a sprinter requires. They concluded the problem was foot limitations. My own thoughts were that if people had 4 legs, you could cycle 4 feet instead of 2 and get around the nervous system limitation. And I have no idea who Manzano is, but I noticed he was doing it every single round, just start running 50% faster than everyone else at the end. And there's so much shoving and positioning, it kind of gets away from the idea who can run the fastest possible time. | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 08 2012 21:36 AirbladeOrange wrote: One thing I love about Olympic T&F is they have no rabbits. I hate races where they have someone to run JUST to drop out after a while. Stupid. I agree with you that championship races like the Olympics and WC's shouldn't have rabbits. However, I disagree that the practice is stupid for a couple reasons. First, its absolutely required if you want a really honest race, as no one is going to sacrifice themselves (even in diamond league meets) to keep the pace quick. Stemming from that, without rabbits most races are going to turn into "tactial" last lap kick affairs. Nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but if every race is like that it gets old, with most races being like you described the Oly. 1500m final as: boring, tight bunched physical race until the last lap More importantly, it always ensures that a certain set of people can win, while excluding others. Mahkloufi for instance, could not have won this race is the pace was something like 3:30 or 3:31 pace, and neither could Manzano. Neither of them are in good enough shape to handle that pace and still have anything in the tank for the last lap...they are maxed and we saw this in Monaco where Makhloufi ran 3:30.xx for 5th place. Guys like Makhloufi, Manzano, etc. are all guys who can kick like monsters in slower races because they have great speed, but not quite the fitness of others like Chepseba or Kiplagat. However, Chepseba and Kiplagat don't have the same gear as a guy like Makhloufi and need a faster pace to have a good chance of winning. | ||
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Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
but it looks like Felix won the 200m :D congrats on finally getting it! | ||
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Itsmedudeman
United States19229 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 09 2012 04:58 Shellshock1122 wrote: Lashinda Demus defending world champ gets silver in the 400m Hurdles losing to Russia's Natalya Antyukh. Another missed opportunity for gold >.> grats on the personal best for Antyukh but it looks like Felix won the 200m :D congrats on finally getting it! Hell yea! Nice to see her finally break through at the Olympics after all those WC golds and great performances! Nice run by Merrit to take gold in the 110m hurdles...though it really, really sucked to have Liu Xiang go out like that in the prelims. Guy definitely deserved better than that | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 09 2012 05:34 Itsmedudeman wrote: So merritt apparently ran a 12.93 +/- .01 like 5 different times? Is that type of consistency common? No, that would be pretty damn rare. Not really any different from say Bolt running 5x 9.65's or something of the sort. | ||
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Lylat
France8575 Posts
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Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
On August 09 2012 06:09 Lylat wrote: Can someone explain to me why the outer lanes are such a disadvantage in 100m and 200m ? I think it's different for some people. The inner lanes can be difficult for people who have trouble running the turns because you have to have more angular velocity. The outer lanes might be hard because you cant see anyone else until they pass you or you have to turn and look. I don't really see how any of the lanes are that (dis)advantageous for the 100m since it's just a straight run. That's just my thoughts. I could be wrong | ||
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craz3d
Bulgaria856 Posts
On August 09 2012 05:37 L_Master wrote: No, that would be pretty damn rare. Not really any different from say Bolt running 5x 9.65's or something of the sort. Don't forget that Bolt only runs to the tape once a year at best. If he was running at full speed every race we'd get more sub 9.7 times from him. Usually he shuts it down when he sees everyone else is way behind with 30m to go. I don't know what happened to the Kenyans in the 1500m. Peaking at the wrong time maybe, but I think Makhoufi was just too damn good, fast pace or not he would have been on that podium. How many other guys in the field had 1:43/3:30 capabilities? | ||
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TranceStorm
1616 Posts
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
DAVID RUDISHA FTW!! New WR of 1:40.91..and this WITHOUT any pacers. Just took it out hard knowing he could run faster than anyone else, even if he had to do all the work. Beautiful second lap, stayed in control the whole way and just powered down the backstretch. I'm literally in awe right now. What a boss...actually guns for the WR in an OLYMPIC FINAL despite the risk he could tie up bad in the homestretch. Blown away. By the way...pretty much everyone in this final ran great, massive PR's for everybody in the top 6. | ||
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DaCruise
Denmark2457 Posts
Without a doubt the greatest 800m ever run. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
![[image loading]](http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/547862_10151092474779445_170921470_n.jpg) | ||
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virpi
Germany3598 Posts
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airtown
United States410 Posts
On a positive note, the women's 4x100 race was fantastic and Jamaica's men's 4x100 team is now in a position to smash the world record. | ||
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airtown
United States410 Posts
Men: 800m - 2012 marathon - 2011 100m - 2009 200m - 2009 110m hurdles - 2008 10000m - 2005 5000m - 2004 steeplechase - 2004 400m - 1999 1500m - 1998 400m hurdles - 1992 Women: steeplechase - 2008 5000m - 2008 400m hurdles - 2003 marathon - 2003 1500m - 1993 10000m - 1993 110m hurdles - 1988 100m - 1988 200m - 1988 400m - 1985 800m - 1983 As you can see, the world records in running for women tend to be far older than they are for men. This runs contrary to what I would expect, since over the past few decades it's become far more common and socially acceptable for females to be involved in competitive sports (ex. this year there were just as many girls as boys on my school's track team). Any ideas for why women's world records tend to be so old? Were performance enhancing drugs just really commonly used among women in the 80s? | ||
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Otolia
France5805 Posts
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Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
On August 11 2012 07:35 airtown wrote: Also, this is kind of a weird pattern I've noticed in the years world records were set for men and women in individual running events included in the Olympics: Men: 800m - 2012 marathon - 2011 100m - 2009 200m - 2009 110m hurdles - 2008 10000m - 2005 5000m - 2004 steeplechase - 2004 400m - 1999 1500m - 1998 400m hurdles - 1992 Women: steeplechase - 2008 5000m - 2008 400m hurdles - 2003 marathon - 2003 1500m - 1993 10000m - 1993 110m hurdles - 1988 100m - 1988 200m - 1988 400m - 1985 800m - 1983 As you can see, the world records in running for women tend to be far older than they are for men. This runs contrary to what I would expect, since over the past few decades it's become far more common and socially acceptable for females to be involved in competitive sports (ex. this year there were just as many girls as boys on my school's track team). Any ideas for why women's world records tend to be so old? Were performance enhancing drugs just really commonly used among women in the 80s? I know a lot of people have accused Flo-Jo of using performance enhancing drugs during her 1988 100m and 200m world record setting performances since she had a dramatic improvement in time leading up to that Olympics, but as far as I know she passed all her drug tests and they were never able to prove anything before she died. It's possible that they were potentially using drugs that could not be tested for yet or the tests werent as reliable. I believe the IOC now keeps samples for several years just in case | ||
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Boblion
France8043 Posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marita_Koch Flo-jo etc... | ||
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igotmyown
United States4291 Posts
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craz3d
Bulgaria856 Posts
On August 11 2012 08:05 Shellshock1122 wrote: I know a lot of people have accused Flo-Jo of using performance enhancing drugs during her 1988 100m and 200m world record setting performances since she had a dramatic improvement in time leading up to that Olympics, but as far as I know she passed all her drug tests and they were never able to prove anything before she died. It's possible that they were potentially using drugs that could not be tested for yet or the tests werent as reliable. I believe the IOC now keeps samples for several years just in case You don't pop two pills in the morning and then run an incredible time at the Olympics. The athlete uses the drugs to recover faster from hard workouts so that they can train at levels they couldn't before. This in turn allows them to reach higher peak form than before. A smart coach will have tested the urine and blood of their athlete beforehand to know that it is clean and will then come to the track meet. Marion Jones, for example never once tested positive, but got caught when her connections with known drug distributors were uncovered (BALCO). The GDR team of the 80's had one or two cases of an athlete testing positive yet all those athletes were cycling steroids since they were 15, which is why some records still stand (the 400m record looks like it'll never be beaten). The point is: the IOC can't do anything with the samples because the athlete has flushed the drugs from their system long before they come to the meet. Athletes that get caught at meets have either made a mistake in estimating clearance times or have used a substance that was previously legal yet became illegal/testable at the time of the meet. The best time they can catch the athletes using banned substances is in the offseason. That can be difficult in the the more corrupt countries where the country's own federation will probably warn the athlete ahead of time when the testers will arrive. | ||
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DannyJ
United States5110 Posts
Blake and Bolt are certainly superior to Gatlin and Gay (who i assume is running) but how do the #3 and 4 runners of each nation compare? | ||
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DwD
Sweden8621 Posts
On August 11 2012 20:38 DannyJ wrote: The 4x100 relay will be fun. I wonder if the US has any chance vs Jamaica, barring no major fucks ups by either. Blake and Bolt are certainly superior to Gatlin and Gay (who i assume is running) but how do the #3 and 4 runners of each nation compare? They got Asafa aswell but not sure if he is injured after what happened in the 100 meter race | ||
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Aristodemus
England1993 Posts
On August 11 2012 21:23 DwD wrote: They got Asafa aswell but not sure if he is injured after what happened in the 100 meter race He is injured but may not even have been picked for the team. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 11 2012 06:54 airtown wrote: The women's 1500m was the single worst high level race I've ever seen. The winning time was about 20 seconds off of the world record (not to mention the fall at the end.) I don't understand why the best runners in these distances (including women like Dibaba who only got a bronze in the 5000) don't just spend some time before meets practicing having an even pace, then run like Rudisha as opposed to just trying to stay in the middle of the pack until the very end. On a positive note, the women's 4x100 race was fantastic and Jamaica's men's 4x100 team is now in a position to smash the world record. They don't have any problems running even pace. The issue is you can't do that in a final. If you go to the front and lead, you have to do all the work as the leader and the other runners just sit back and cruise. By the time final lap comes around if you have been leading all race then you've been working much harder than anyone else and they just blow by you on the final lap. So basically you don't see fast first halfs in the finals because without a pacer to be the "sacrificial lamb" no one wants to take to hard from the gun and push the pace up front as a sacrifice. If the pace isn't fast, then leading isn't as bad because your well below submaximal and not pushing redline. Rudisha was able to front run like the because: 1) It's an 800m race 2) Rudisha is absurdly better than the field, he so drastically better that there is no one that can even try to hang with him so he can do what he wants. The women's 1500m was the single worst high level race I've ever seen. The winning time was about 20 seconds off of the world record (not to mention the fall at the end.) This does not make a race bad, though in this race the first lap was hilariously slow...not sure why. Also, the WR time is fairly ridiculous with a more honest WR record likely being 3:55. | ||
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Fleuria
England466 Posts
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airtown
United States410 Posts
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WolfintheSheep
Canada14127 Posts
London Olympics haven't been kind to us. | ||
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Darpa
Canada4413 Posts
On August 12 2012 05:16 WolfintheSheep wrote: Ouch, another heart break for Canada. London Olympics haven't been kind to us. Yeah thats a total bummer given they were thought to have virtually no medal shot | ||
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AirbladeOrange
United States2573 Posts
Women's 1500 was slow and boring. Men's 800 was great. That was so impressive and that's the kind of races I like to see. New world records without rabbits. The men's marathon was exciting. I'm happy for Meb but disappointed for Ryan Hall. That course was pretty crazy with all the tight turns but had nice scenery. Both the 4x100s were good. The US men had a new American record and were even until Bolt's anchor leg. It's also exciting to see Jamaica's men get a new world record. The US women looked so good, I'm happy for that too. The men's 4x400 went as expected I guess. The US just didn't have the star power. I wish they could bring more reserves like Wariner or other people to fill the spots of injured people. All in all it was a great Olympics to watch and see some great things happen for the US. | ||
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L_Master
United States8017 Posts
On August 13 2012 04:50 AirbladeOrange wrote: The 5k was pretty interesting. I'm glad Lomong was so ambitious and challenged Farah as they came up for the last lap. Rupp I didn't expect too much from as he didn't have that great of a 5k PR or didn't look too comfortable in the 5k semis. I'm happy for Farah though. 5k was...mediocre. First 3k was something like 8:42. I mean it's one thing to not sacrifice yourself by making the race a real PR type effort...but running marathon pace for the first 2 miles is silly. That was legitimate jogging for them, and the race was literally a 1500m race. Last mile was 3:57, with I think a 52 high last lap, which really isn't anything special when it's done for a 13:40 time. Everyone was in it at the bell for obvious reasons, and then it fragmented pretty quickly and it was pretty obvious who was going to finish where. The first two miles were dumb, and the last mile never really had any tension in it. I have no clue why ETH/KEN made it such a slow pace. Farah is the best last lap kicker in the field by far....and they have seen this MANY times now. Moreover, he was tired from the 10k earlier, and admitted himself a fast pace may have cracked them. "Tactical" races are fine, but it's not tactical for the Ethiopians or Kenyans to jog the first 2 miles and turn the race into a last lap sprint against the best kicker in the field. As always here of late, Farah's tactics are beautiful, always in the right spot, and always in front at the bell...forcing competitors to be that much faster than him on the last lap. He knows when to take control from 800m in to ensure he is always in that correct spot. Sucks that Lagat got tripped by Koech with about 100m to go...would have been nice to see the man go out well (not to mention another USA medal), but when you let a race stay as slow as that one with everyone bunched... Rupp I didn't expect too much from as he didn't have that great of a 5k PR I don't put any stock in this at all. Rupp has contended just fine with most of these guys on the circuit earlier in the year, and clearly refined his kick since his last DL race as evidenced by US Olympic Trials and the Olympic 10,000m silver. Heck, going by PR's Mo's 5k PR is much weaker than may other guys in the field (Alamirew, Longosiwa, Koech, Gebremeskel) but there is no doubt that at the absolute worst both Mo and Galen are in 12:50/26:40 shape, and probably better than that. Neither have been in a super fast race recently (neither raced in Paris) and just haven't had a chance to lower their PR to better match their fitness. I suspect will see this soon following the games though. Rupp started to make a move with about 600 to go, but then just didn't have it once the kicking started in earnest with 400m to go as he was clearly still tired from the 10,000 (Galen's last 400m was like 55.xx, he closed 2 seconds faster in the 10,000 and 3+ seconds faster off the faster paced US Trials race [52.63 last lapp of of 13:23]). Women's 1500 was slow and boring. Pretty much. First two laps were, like the mens 5,000, really, really slow. It's one thing to lead at PR pace, and another to lead at PR pace + 10-15 seconds. There is no need to go out 40s slower than true race pace for any reason. I feel so bad for Uceny though. That's gotta be the anti winning the lotto luck. Tripped in both the world championships 1500m final AND the Olymic 1500m final both times in great position to medal...unreal and heartbreaking. Men's 800 was great. That was so impressive and that's the kind of races I like to see. New world records without rabbits. Amen. Rudisha is the man. The men's marathon was exciting. I'm happy for Meb but disappointed for Ryan Hall. That course was pretty crazy with all the tight turns but had nice scenery. Agree. Meb, while not that fast, is one hell of a great racer. Really a great competitor and a guy that understands how to max out his abilities and run intelligently. Race itself was indeed very exciting though I have no idea wtf Kipsang was doing. Dropping a 14:11 5k split just 10km into the race?! Kipsang was clearly the class of the field, not to mention 4/5 record in his marathons and almost certainly would have won had he not employed such a bizarre (in hindsight, bad) strategy. Super impressive run by Kiprotich though, especially the way he blew by Kirui towards the end! Both the 4x100s were good. The US men had a new American record and were even until Bolt's anchor leg. It's also exciting to see Jamaica's men get a new world record. The US women looked so good, I'm happy for that too. Understatement of the century haha! | ||
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duckii
Germany1017 Posts
He states that usage of epo and steroids is widely spread in Kenya. Not surprising to me but still sad. | ||
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