tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181733805244715468.post6632620685998835986..comments2023-10-28T04:25:14.300-07:00Comments on The View From The Finish Line: The New “Medal” Watch ListConway Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02133670136098939453noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181733805244715468.post-82997309255622493582010-11-05T12:52:48.693-07:002010-11-05T12:52:48.693-07:00My view on why america middle and distance running...My view on why america middle and distance running will never cath up with ( especially the East Africans) is the lack of historical success in this event and the drive and hunger is not there. Too many times in america as soon as a youngster shows some promise they are way too over-hyped and by the time you turn around he or she has gone pro along with a generous shoe contract without proving zilch!Alan Web and Galen Rupp comes to mind. Nike state of the art long distance training facility in Oregon will only make marginal difference. Another thing some of these youngster cannot get pass the mystical aura of Pre-fontaine in the USA. Pre was a averge success if I might say.zion1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/09683243702819252520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181733805244715468.post-61798837693329764212010-11-04T16:25:10.807-07:002010-11-04T16:25:10.807-07:00Note that I said "if everything goes perfectl...Note that I said "if everything goes perfectly" .. So yes, very ambitious … But as I said I decided to take a bit of liberty with no one competing … <br /><br />Having said that, I do think that they all have some possibility … Our female middle distance runners have gotten to the point of being in breathing distance … If someone like Pierce or Barringer or Rowbury can get on a roll it's possible … And note that Rowbury did take bronze in Berlin … <br /><br />If the pace goes tactical Lagat will medal - and in Majors the pace typically goes tactical … And Wheating .. That kid has the most potential I've seen in a very long time … Not just physically like Steve Scott or Alan Webb, but he knows how to RACE like Jim Spivey … <br /><br />I am ready to say that Patterson will medal in the javelin … She has gotten very consistent and she is very competitive … Just needs to adjust her peak next year … Pole vault for men and women are possible, matter of things going right … But not as solid as Patterson … Though Suhr could be if completely healthy … <br /><br />Lolo and Demus I agree … Both seem to have an aversion to success … Should medal, but just as easily may not … Spearmon, if healthy as he appeared this year will be hell to keep off the podium … Only Bolt and Gay are truly better, and he has the potential to be in that range … Injuries have held him back … <br /><br />Having said all that, I think 30 is possible, but 25 to 27 is realistic …Conway Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133670136098939453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181733805244715468.post-89162522624303723542010-11-04T13:00:21.945-07:002010-11-04T13:00:21.945-07:00Very interesting..and also very ambitious.Well I w...Very interesting..and also very ambitious.Well I would say 25 medals is more realistic. I dont see the USA coming away with medals for the 800m-500om. Lagat is not that competitive anymore. Javelin and Pole vault no way. I also have an asterick beside Lolo and Demus. They both suffer from Asafa Powell syndrome. Even Spearman will have to step is game up.The others are reasonable medal hopefuls.zion1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/09683243702819252520noreply@blogger.com