The View From The Finish Line

Rupp Enters U.S. Marathon Trials

2011-12-19T10:57:00.001-08:00

The calendar has yet to turn to 2012, but already we have news that may shape the U.S. Olympic team for London, as Galen Rupp was a last minute entry into the marathon trials scheduled for January 14^th in Houston, Texas.

Interestingly enough Rupp will be running his first ever marathon at the Trials. He was able to enter the race because 10,000 meter and half marathon times are allowed for entry. Rupp set an American Record of 26:48.00 for 10000 last year, which is easily under the qualifying standard of 28:30, as is his half marathon time of 60:30 run at last year’s New York City Half marathon (qualifying standard of 1:05).

I find his entry very intriguing because historically America’s best marathoners have come from the ranks of 10000 meter runners. Guys like Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, and Rupp’s coach Alberto Salazar, were all 10000 meter runners who moved up to the marathon with tremendous success. That pattern holds true internationally as well, as runners like previous marathon WR setters Paul Tergat and Haile Gebrsellassie moved up to the marathon after stunning careers over 10,000 meters.

If Rupp is successful in his bid to make the team, this move could give us a marathoner capable of holding his own against the best in the world in London. Rupp brings tremendous speed to the event with his 26:48.00 10000, and he was the fastest American over the half marathon last year – a race in which he finished ahead Ryan Hall, the fastest U.S. marathoner of 2011 at 2:04.58. Of course Rupp has yet to cover the full marathon, but when your coach was himself a top 10000 meter runner AND a former American Record holder, he should be able to gauge whether or not there is potential in Rupp making a run over the full marathon distance. Having watched both the career of Salazar and now the career of Rupp, I don’t think this move was made without careful consideration and the feeling that success is a definite possibility!

So suddenly we have our first real “drama” in the selection process for the U.S. team for London – can Rupp in his debut at the distance get into that top three and make the marathon team for the Olympics, because if he does, Salazar & Rupp will have two thirds of a year to get him ready for the Big Show! And that could be one of the stories to watch over the Olympic season.

Very, Very Early London Favorites

2011-12-18T11:14:00.001-08:00

Christmas is less than a week away, and we’re within counting distance of the dropping of the ball in Times Square and the start of the New Year. So it must be time to start talking about the Olympics!

Olympic talk will dominate the world of track and field in 2012 – it always does in an Olympic year. So what better way to start/instigate discussion, than to put some early predictions out there. Of course we don’t even know who will be competing in London just yet, since everyone will have a selection process of some sort to go through. So instead of saying these are my predicted “winners”, this is my list of “Favorites” for London. Those athletes that I think if everything goes right for them could take the top of the podium at the Games.

So here is my list of favorites, followed by some general comments by competitive areas. Let the debates begin!

Event	Men’s Favorite	Women’s Favorite

100	Yohan Blake	Carmelita Jeter
200	Tyson Gay	Veroinica Campbell Brown
400	LaShawn Merritt	Allyson Felix
800	David Rudisha	Mariya Savinova
1500	Silas Kiplagat	Morgan Uceny
5000	Bernard Lagat	Vivian Cheruiyot
10,000	Kenenisa Bekele	Vivian Cheruiyot
Steeple	Ezekiel Kemboi	Yuliya Zarapova
110H/100H	Xiang Liu	Sally Pearson
400H	Jeshua Anderson	Lashinda Demus
High Jump	Ivan Ukhov	Blanka Vlasic
Pole Vault	Renaud Lavillenie	Fabiana Murer
Long Jump	Mitchell Watt	Brittney Reese
Triple Jump	Christian Taylor	Olha Saladuha
Shot Put	Christian Cantwell	Valerie Adams
Discus	Robert Harting	Yanfeng Li
Hammer	Koji Murofushi	Tatyana Lysenko
Javelin	Andreas Thorkildsen	Maria Abakumova
Multis	Trey Hardee	Tatyana Chernova
4x1	Jamaica	United States
4x4	United States	Unites States

Sprint Comments

Perhaps the hardest events to predict are the sprints. And I’m sure my early favorites here will be a bit controversial – primarily because I’ve not put Bolt as favorite in either sprint. Blake is just improving too rapidly. And while Bolt & Gay are one and two all-time and ultimate warriors, both have the Achilles heel of poor starts. If either nails it he could win, but Blake is the most consistent from the blocks. As for Gay and the deuce, in limited action he ran 19.58 & 19.40 (straight) while battling injuries in ‘09/’10 and dropped 44.89. Add his screaming turn and the fact that all that was done early season without peaking, and don’t forget he’s 9.7 on any given day with a 9.69 PR and he has all the elements – just needs good health. And dare I say that while Bolt has dominated the last three Majors, he hasn’t faced Gay, or the improved Blake. Stay tuned! Merritt over James, yes. James Improved tremendously in 2011, but Merritt lead the world with just a handful of races and barely lost in Daegu with no base behind him. James will have to get to sub44 to take London. This battle will be HOT!

Jeter wins without a great start in Daegu. She’s got to be the fave. Veronica Campbell Brown is looking to win her THIRD in a row in the deuce, and is coming off her first Worlds win. She’s my early favorite but this is Felix’ favorite event and she doesn’t take losing lightly. And the spectre of Jeter continuing to improve here makes this the hottest women’s sprint in London. On the other hand I see Felix as the best female quarter miler in the world – and yes I know that Richards Ross hasn’t retired. We’ll see if Felix doubles again, but if she does she’s my early favorite here because she now has a year of doubling experience under belt and she and coach WILL make adjustments.

Hurdle Comments

in the 110 hurdles, Dayron Robles and David Oliver have shown that they are as good as it gets when healthy, but there is something about a healthy Xiang Liu when the chips are on the line! Just go back and look at that Daegu race. He can be beaten, but someone is going to have to get out and run away from him to do it. The men’s long hurdles were a mess this year. I finally went with the young stud poised for growth in Anderson. The vets are aging and just didn’t get it done this year. We could be turning the corner of change in this event.

Sally Pearson. Sub 12.30. It’s going to take a lot for others to dial into her area code at this point. The long hurdles, on the other hand has several women capable of crossing that line first, but for now I’m going with the experience and talent of Demus.

Middle Distance Comments

These events are beginning to develop solid cores of favorites. In the men’s half, right now gold is Rudisha’s to lose. He’s that good. Kaki could get there. But right now Rudisha rules. The metric mile is a bit more of a mystery, but Kiprop and Kiplagat are the heads and tails on the coin. Will be interesting to see if Kaki runs it more in 2012 though!

On the women’s side Savinova looks to be settling in in the half mile. Semenya is lying in wait, but the spirit seems lacking. In the metric mile there are several capable women right now – probably about half dozen or so. But Uceny has the most solid/consistent race pattern. This will be another exciting final in London.

Distance Comments

On the one hand I believe Bekele to be back – and that means trouble for everyone else. On the other I don’t think he will double. With that in mind I think that “Old Man” Lagat is still the world’s best kicker not named Kenenisa, so he’s my early 5000 favorite. In the 10,000 Bekele v Farah could be the new Bekele v Gebrsellassie!

On the women’s side Cheruiyot is an easy call in the 5000, as there is no one in her league right now. The 10,000 is the question mark. Will the other women let her have her way there? For now she’s my double favorite, but only just barely. Because I can’t believe they will just let her run easy here before running her “better” event.

Jumps Comments

I know Jesse Williams just won gold, and I do have faith in Jesse. But Ukhov has the ability to jump higher than anyone we’ve seen in a very long time – and he’s seasoned. All things being equal he gets my nod – but prove me wrong Jesse. In the pole vault not sure what happened with athletes coming out of nowhere in Daegu, but Lavillenie is the most consistent of the last few seasons – and he jumps high too. Mitchell Watt fell prey to an old lion in Daegu – and there are a lot of young lions waiting in the wings. But he rates early fave for me off of consistency on the 2011 season. Taylor gets my nod in the triple jump because of his consistency as well – he consistently comes through and gets better in the clutch!

Blanka Vlasic is a member of my All Swagger team! She has it in droves and a subpar Blanka made a run at gold in Daegu. Gotta be the favorite. Murer gets the nod in the pole vault as Isinbayeva works her way back to form. My guess is that this may be one of the first changes I make next year. Brittney Reese is a talent and is my early fave. But a warning as Darya Klishina is tighter technically – and this IS a technical event. You can only win off of natural ability for so long. The women’s triple jump has a handful of women within a finger’s width of each other. Saladuha gets the early nod off my gut.

Throws Comments

I know the men’s shot put is a contradiction to what I’m going to say, but I find that in the throws solid vets tend to rule. That’s why all the names in my men’s throws are so familiar, starting with Christian Cantwell and the shot put. I don’t see the big man getting pushed off the podium in London and he’s my favorite for the top spot. He will bring the shot back in line with the men’s discus (Harting), men’s hammer (Murofushi), men’s javelin (Thokildsen), women’s shot (Adams), women’s discus (Li), women’s hammer (Lysenko) and women’s javelin (Abakumova). Someone is going to have to come take the gold from them. That said Spotakova was oh so close to getting the nod from me in the women’s javelin.

Multis

Hardee gets the nod in the Decathlon because he’s more complete than Eaton. But this is another of those, could go either way picks. On the women’s side I went with Chernova because of steady growth. But this could be another pick em by the time they get to London because Ennis will be at home.

Relays

Jamaica gets the easy nod for the 4x1 because they’ve finished the race and set two WR’s in the last three Majors. However, I’ve felt for a decade that the WR is soft – and it’s still soft. And the U.S. showed – without Tyson Gay – that it could run leg for leg with Jamaica in Daegu, until disaster struck! This event will be one of those barber shop/internet message board conversation pieces throughout 2012. As for the 4x4, Jeremy Wariner – injured. Tony McQuay – injured. Intermediate hurdlers – subpar. And LaShwn Merritt still crossed the line first. Hard not to make the U.S. the favorite.

Jamaica set a NR, and was still behind the first place U.S. squad in Daegu. The U.S. is the favorite, but when you have VCB, if you can get her close, you have a shot! The U.S. women are as strong a favorite here as the men are. IN the post Eastern Bloc era, U.S. squads have turned in the most consistent set of marks in history. And Felix is one of those “relay beasts” that has the ability to bread a 4x4 wide open.

Ok, there are my Early London Favorites. I wanted to get those out there before we actually hit 2012 and the indoor season gets going in earnest. My gut says this is going to be one VERY exciting season.

Dear Track Santa – 2011

2011-12-15T11:47:00.001-08:00

It’s that time of year to put in my request to good old Track Santa for my track and field gifts for 2012. The 2011 season was pretty good overall, but one can always wish for more! So here’s my letter and list for Track Santa (I hope I get everything)!

Dear Track Santa,

I’ve been really good this year. I watched every meet that was available on television – indoor, elite, college and high school. I watched a ton of meets online (thanks for increasing the free feeds this year). I supported my local high school team, and I got finish line seats at every meet I went to. And I made sure to watch and cheer for every event at every meet – track and field.

I’m really looking forward to the Olympic year, with the Trials and the Games and all the other meets. But there are some things I want to ask for, that would really make the year great.

A new CEO for USA Track and Field

It’s time for a new CEO. We’ve been rudderless for far too long. I know that the best candidates seem to not want to bother, but please convince at least one of them that with the right person, this could be a great job AND a great federation. We already have the best collection of talent across the board in the world. With the right guidance great things could come.

A Revised False Start Rule

We saw the debacle that was the men’s 100 final in Daegu. While that was the most high profile DQ of the year, it was one of many. From the Allyson Felix “huddle” at the Prefontaine Classic (in the 400 no less, AND a huddle in the 100); to the DQ of defending national collegiate champion, Jeff Demps at the SEC championships; to Dwain Chambers DQ in the Daegu semis before Bolt’s infamous false start! Please give the powers that be the intelligence to understand that a) athletes that false start are not trying to cheat; b) these athletes are under a tremendous amount of pressure; c) no rule is going to prevent false starts from happening, because “stuff” just happens; d) since false starts can’t be prevented, no rule is going to save precious “TV time” (I actually think the new rule takes more time with all the “huddles” that they have; and e) no other sport sets the rules for its premier events to try and actually eliminate athletes from competing! All that said, two false starts worked just fine – there was no need to break it.

A Revised Anti-Doping Plan

Two more high profile doping suspensions in 2011 make many believe that the system may be irreparably broken. But this is the New Millennium – the age after the Six Million Dollar Man – and we have the technology to fix it! I’m even going to help you with this one Santa because I’ve been working on a plan that I’m going to send to you that I think may help. I will post it here before the clock strikes midnight on 2011.

Head to Head Match Ups of the Best Male Sprinters

I’m going to stop saying that we need more head to head’s because in some events we are getting them. The 110 hurdlers gave them to us pre Daegu. So did the women’s sprinters as well as the women’s hurdlers – both short and long. We got lots of field event head to heads. The problem Santa is that the sport’s most high profile athletes – the men’s sprinters – are scared to race! Mind you Santa, I’m not calling them “chicken”, but we don’t have Jim Hines, Charlie Greene, Steve Williams, Don Quarrie, Linford Christie, Mo Greene, Ato Boldon, or Frankie Fredericks around anymore. We now have the New Millennium equivalent of Valerie Borzov and Kostas Kenteris – sprinters who only show up to race the best at Majors. Please convince the sport that setting up contracts based on performing against the best is the way for sprinters to get paid! Because I think most of are tired of watching “Time Trials” leading up to one good race a year.

Good Health for the World’s Best Athletes

I know there will be injuries – its part of the game. But sometimes the triage list of track and field’s best looks more like a log from war. Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Blanka Vlasic, Teddy Tamgho, Wallace Spearmon, Tony McQuay, Jeremy Wariner, Emma Green, Lolo Jones, Ryan Bailey, Kenenisa Bekele, Andrew Wheating, and Bryan Clay are just a handful of top level athletes that suffered through various injury ills over the last year. I understand that getting everyone that matters to London in one piece is nearly impossible, but the more that can achieve that goal the more exciting the Olympics will be. So if it’s not asking too much, I’m asking for a high turnout of HEALTHY elite athletes in London for the Games.

That’s it Track Santa. Like any kid excited about Christmas there is certainly more that I could add to the list. But if you will deliver these things I will be very happy – and so will most of the fans of the sport! So while I’m writing the list, consider it a list from the fans in general and do your best to come through for us.

Thank you

The View From the Finish Line

Twelve Days of Track Christmas

2011-12-13T12:22:00.001-08:00

It’s the holiday season, and exactly twelve days before Christmas. So in the spirit of the season, I thought I would retool the Twelve Days of Christmas to fit my favorite sport. This should be sung to the tune of the original. So a quick departure from the serious before closing out the year, my twelve days of track Christmas.

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me”:

A squad that doesn’t drop the baton
Two unexpected stars
Three new tracks
Four world level meets
Five gold medals
Six runners running
Seven steeplers leaping
Eight sprinters training
Nine vaulters vaulting
Ten jumpers jumping
Eleven javelins flying
Twelve throwers throwing

Exciting and Disappointing Moments in 2011

2011-12-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

As I continue to look back on the 2011 season, there were several moments that were both exciting and disappointing. That’s one of the wonderful things about this sport – one moment it can give you chills, the next leave you disappointed. So I decided to sit down and come up with 10 things that did both for me this year.

I have to say that as I contemplated the season, I found that the sprints were very disappointing overall. I hope that trend changes in the Olympic year. Cheerfully, however, I found much excittement across the board, which I think bodes well for the upcoming season.

So with that, and in no particular order, here are 10 disappointments and 10 exciting moments from 2011:

Ten Disappointing Moments of 2011

1. Tyson Gay Injury – It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen the sport’s top sprinters going head to head, even in Majors. When Tyson Gay announced that he would not be competing at nationals and was ending his season, the Bolt v Gay matchup that we had all been looking forward to was once again put on the shelf.

2. Usain Bolt False Start – This was not a good year for the 100 meters, as nearly half of my “Disappointments” have to do with this event. When was the last time a favorite showed up for a Major 100 final and false started out of the race? Way back in 1996 when Linford Christie false started out of the Atlanta final. I was disappointed then too.

3. Women’s 1500 at U.S. Nationals – I’m sure some are scratching their heads on this one, but I found it extremely disappointing that someone could run the gutsy race that Christin Wurth Thomas ran and NOT get a chance to run at Worlds. After taking the pace out a la Paula Ivan in Seoul ’88, Wurth Thomas missed making the team by .01sec! Further strengthening my feelings that a “Real” Worlds where the best are invited regardless of country.

4. Morgan Uceny’s Fall in Daegu – Uceny had one of the finest season’s I’ve ever seen for a U.S. miler. As she headed down the backstretch of the penultimate lap in the World final it looked like she was getting into position to run for gold. Then on the same turn that dream went to the track as Uceny was inadvertently tripped when another runner went down. I hate to see an athlete have everything seemingly come together only to have fate intervene!

5. Mike Rodgers/Steve Mullings Drug Suspensions – Not much more needs to be said. The sprints have had more than their share of negative news and the 100 had an abundance of it this year. But of all the negative news having TWO of the sport’s top sprinters suspended in the same season is a new low.

6. Andrew Wheating’s Season – Wheating looked like the next great thing in 2010 – his runs in Europe after a strenuous collegiate season giving hope that the U.S. would once again be in the thick of the 1500 meters. The highs of ’10 were followed by the lows of ’11 and I’m hoping that 2012 finds things back to normal for this young man.

7. World Championships 110 Hurdles Final – This was supposed to be one of those golden races. The top three hurdlers in history together on the same track. And a young upstart who had already had an upset win in Stockholm. Then one of the big three is subpar in Daegu and the other two collide with one being dq’d! Not the way this was written up at the start of the season.

8. World Championships 400 Hurdles Final – No one collided in this one, but it would have provided an excuse for the horrible performances turned in by some of the sport’s best hurdlers. Never have so many sub48 hurdlers fallen so short of the mark in a race as LJ VanZyl, Bershawn Jackson, Angelo Taylor and Felix Sanchez were ghosts of finals past.

9. Florida Dropped Baton in the NCAA Final – This one was disappointing on two levels. First there was the fact that defending 100 champion Jeff Demps didn’t make the final – a screamer! Then looking for reDEMPtion he never got the stick. It was also disappointing as the final had the potential to be one of the greatest ever as Florida, Texas A&M, Florida State and Illinois had all run outstanding rounds!

10. U.S. Men Drop the Stick Again in a Major – The third time is supposed to be the charm, but then I guess no one informed this squad. Since winning in Osaka in ’07, the U.S. men have failed to finish a final in three straight Majors! As they say on ESPN, “C’mon Man”!

Ten Exciting Moments of 2011

1. Mo Farah’s Prefontaine 10,000 – Some find the distances boring, and a 28:00 10K can be. But when the racing gets down hear 27 minutes the laps fo by quickly and there is excitement all the way around. Such was the case in Eugene as Mo Farah took an exciting win at 26:46.57 as nine men were squeezed in between there and 26:55.29!

2. Ngoni Makusha NCAA 100 Victory – Nothing like a great 100 to thrill the senses, and this was such a race. Channeling the spirits of Bob Hayes, Carl Lewis and Donovan Bailey, the slow starting Makusha blazed through the middle of the pack for the win in an NCAA record 9.89!

3. Dwight Phillips World Long Jump Win – I think most had given up on Phillips for this season. After all, if not for the bye, he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the long jump final, finishing a distant 10 at U.S. Nationals. They say, however, never underestimate the heart of a champion, and Phillips embodied that statement as he nailed down yet another gold medal in a Major!

4. U.S. Nationals 400 Final – It wasn’t the fastest race of the year. It didn’t feature Merritt or Wariner as champion. Instead we got a young Tony McQuay crossing the line first. Exciting because it shows that we’re still growing quality quartermilers! And while this young man succumbed to injury in Daegu, it’s always nice to know that the 400 pipeline is still working.

5. World Championships Women’s 100 Final – Every once in a while a race comes together. The top athletes make it through the rounds, and you everyone performs up to expectations. This race was one such race. This event’s big three showed up and got it done as Jeter, Campbell Brown and Baptiste gave the crowd a show. Even defending champion Fraser Pryce, who hadn’t had a very good season, had a great run! If only every event would come together like this.

6. Sally Pearson World Champs Win – I know I’ve talked this race to death, but 12.28 in the 100 hurdles is as awesome a performance as there is. It was poetry in motion. And it’s always nice when we see athletes do it right and approach suspect performances.

7. David Rudisha’s 1:41.33 – Rudisha makes the 800 look ridiculously easy! He cruises 1:43’s like he’s walking in the park. He runs 1:42’s to put the competition out of reach. So when he runs 1:41 it seems to go almost unnoticed. But the only races faster than this year’s 1:41.33 are four WR setting runs, and only previous WR holder Wilson Kipketer has ever run as fast!

8. Christian Taylor World Triple Jump Win – Another performance that I’ve mentioned a few times now, but when a young kid comes up with this kind of performance in the heat of battle, he deserves praise. The fact that it’s an event that we (the US) have been in the doldrums in for several years was icing on the cake.

9. Brussels Men’s 200 Meters – Perhaps the race of the year. Note I said race and not performance, because for the first time ever we had two men run under 19.6 in the same race! Yohan Blake’s performance was brilliant, but Walter Dix was also outstanding in defeat. And one can only wonder what we will get if we ever get these two on the track with Bolt AND Gay and all four go mano a mano!

10. LaShawn Merritt 4x4 Anchor in Daegu – Nothing beats the excitement of relay running, and the most exciting relays are those that find someone coming from behind for the win. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched one of these in a Major – 1991 to be exact. This time however, we were on the winning end, and that made it doubly sweet!

The Best Performers of 2011

2011-12-09T18:03:00.001-08:00

December is already a third gone – not much time left in this year. As a matter of fact the indoor season is already getting started! My how time flies when you’re having fun!

So before the month gets away, and Baby New Year shows up, I want to give out some kudos to athletes that I feel really got the job done in 2011. I’m going to call them “The Best of 2011”. Some categories are a bit nontraditional – Best Start for example - while others will probably be seen on other lists – like Best Performance.

Just a bit of fun as we wind down the year, and a chance to hand out a little praise. So without further ado let’s get started.

Best Start, Male – Asafa Powell

He may have difficulty holding the true studs off at the finish, but Powell is still the fastest man out of the blocks. It wasn’t an easy win this year though. Countryman Steve Mullings was vying to take over the title, but his suspension takes him out of the running. Ditto Mike Rodgers who has a great get away, but fell to the testers a la Mullings. The man who may take the title in earnest next year however, is Jamaica’s Nesta Carter. The relay leadoff man is my #2 and rising.

Best Start, Female – English Gardener

This was a tough one to decide. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce still has a nice getaway, but it was not as dominant as in the past. And in the hurdles it was Sally Pearson ahead at the first hurdle and never looking back. But the woman that simply blazed out of the blocks in 2011 was Oregon frosh English Gardener. The Powell/Carter of the women’s 100, the gun goes off and Gardener is meters up on her opponents before they come out of drive phase! A little finishing strength and she could be the surprise of 2012!

Best Finish, Male – Kirani James

I know, some were probably expecting Usain Bolt or Yohan Blake – and both were in the running. And Ngoni Makusha’s come from behind win to take the NCAA 100 title had Carl Lewis written all over it. For me, however, James invoked visions of Lee Evans and Butch Reynolds – power down the straight while reeling cats in, over and over! And the stretch run between James and Merritt in Daegu was vintage track and field.

Best Finish, Female – Carmelita Jeter

Take off the “er” and you have “Jet” and that’s just what Carmelita was in full flight – a jet. She ran 10.70 and 10.78 from behind – as she did when she ran 10.64 & 10.67 in ’09. Only VCB (Veronica Campbell Brown) is in her league over the final 50 of the 100 – and “Jet” put that to bed in Daegu! Now if she can just develop a semblance of a consistent start, to go with that last 60 overdrive could we see FloJo challenged?

Best Track Performance, Male – Yohan Blake, 19.26

I’m still in awe of anyone that runs under 1:42 in the 800 – that’s just a stud’s performance. And David Rudisha did it again with his 1:42.33 – simply awesome. But as they would have said back in the day, “19.2 ain’t no joke”! As a matter of fact it’s the #2 performance ever. And to top it off he did it from behind while beating a 19.56. Just a few years ago 19.32 was the stuff of legend. Now? Nuff said.

Best Track Performance, Female – Vivian Cheruiyot, 14:20.87

This was another tough call for me. Sally Pearson’s 12.28 is literally WR territory in my mind – as only 3 Eastern Bloc athletes have run faster. This on the heels of a 12.36 semi – only Gail Devers among Western women has run faster. But after much internal debate I’m giving the nod to Cheruiyot coming as it did as the second half of a 10,000/5000 double. Both women performed their best on the brightest stage, but Vivian gave an all time performance over 5000 after running a quality 10,000.

Best Field Performer, Male – Christian Taylor, 17.96m/58’ 11.25”

This is actually one of my favorite events, and it’s great to see a lot of young talent coming forward. The best of these appears to be Mr. Taylor. For starters he’s made a habit of finding his best jumps late in the competition. And none was any better than this one, as it was in response to a 58 foot jump by defending champion Idowu. Taylor kept his composure and bounded out to the #9 performance in history to become the #5 all-time performer.

Best Field Performer, Female – Betty Heidler, 79.42m/260’ 6.75”

A WR trumps all, and that’s what Heidler produced in 2011. She didn’t just break the record however; she smashed it by a whopping 1.12m/3’ 8”! Now that’s leaving your mark. While others are trying desperately to get into WR territory in various events, she hit this one out of the park.

Most Improved, Male – Mo Farah

In a world dominated by Ethiopian and Kenyan distance runners, Farah moved to the head of the class in 2011. His British Record 12:53.11 lead the world over 5000 meters, and he backed it up with gold in the event in Daegu. He took an oh so close silver at Worlds in the 10,000, though he showed even more improvement there on the clock – dropping his pre 2011 best from 27:28.86 down to a stunning 26:46.57! He could be the big “home crowd” medal winner with the Olympic Games being in London in 2012!

Most Improved, Female – Morgan Uceny

Yet another tough one for me to sort out – and one I may get some argument on. Heidler got consideration – you have to when you set a WR. But the WR was a big outlier for her. It really came down to Pearson & Uceny. Pearson dropped to 12.28 from a pre-2011 best of 12.50, and she was the picture of perfection time after time. Uceny dropped to 4:00.06 (tantalizingly close to sub4) from a pre-2011 best of 4:02.40, while running textbook perfect races repeatedly. At the end of the day, I decided that the improvement Uceny’s race – both in terms of becoming one of the best “tactician’s” on the circuit, as well as her improvement in times – slightly outweighed Pearson’s improvement in consistency. Slightly.

That’s my list. I’m sure there may be some disagreement – means we have more stars in this sport than we spend time talking about! And that’s a good thing. I have a few more things I want to look back on before Christmas gets . Much to look at before we close the door on 2011.

Swagger – Who has it in Track and Field?

2011-12-07T17:18:00.001-08:00

I was watching SportsCenter yesterday and caught Deion Sanders talking about the evolution of defensive backs in the NFL. Of course it being “Neon Deion”, he talked about the “swagger” that he brought to the position, and how others have tried to emulate it. That made me think about track and field, wondering about the amount of “swagger” we have in our sport.

I know what swagger is, and I think most people know what swagger is, but I decided to look it up to see what the official definition is before I started looking for it, and I found the following:

Swag-ger: verb, 1) to walk or strut with defiant or insolent air. 2) to brag or boast noisily. Noun, 1) swaggering manner, conduct, or walk; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit.

I checked several sources and the various definitions I found were all basically the same, which made me laugh. Because in general when I think of swagger, negativity does NOT come to mind. When I think of swagger I think of confidence. I think of athletes that have complete faith in their ability. Athletes that KNOW they are going to win; come out on top; dominate their opponents.

If you say swagger, I say: Bob Hayes, Jim Hines, Steve Williams, Renaldo Nehemiah, Edwin Moses, Carl Lewis, Sergei Bubka, Javier Sotomayor, Linford Chiristie, Donovan Bailey, Hicham ElGuerrouj, Mo Greene, and a young Haile Gebrsellassie. Athletes that stepped to the track with a walk, a look, an air that said “I got this” even before the gun went off.

Now I know, both from the dictionary definitions, and from talking to people over the years, that many abhor the idea that athletes are often “cocky”, “conceited”, or “self-absorbed”. That for every person that loved Deion Sander’s moniker of “Prime Time”, there were those that couldn’t stand him. That for every fan of the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime”, there were those that preferred the “blue collar” Boston Celtics.

It would seem that times they are a changing however. I remember when the U.S. relay squad took off their singlets, and posed for the crowd after winning the 4x1 in Sydney – and were chastised for being too arrogant. Eight years later in Beijing Usain Bolt did a jig and posed for the crowd and started a new craze! Of course, just because one dances or preens for the camera, doesn’t mean the athlete has “swag”. It’s not simply the movements, but the athlete behind the movements!

So looking at the year just ended and looking forward to the Olympic year that now is only several months away, I decided to take a look for today’s athletes with swagger, because ultimately many of them will be picking up medals in London. Who are today’s Lewis, Bubka, Christie and Greene. Who are the athletes that show up saying “I got this” even on a bad day?

It’s no coincidence that all that found themselves on my list have also found their way to gold. But it may surprise some that I have several women on my list! With that in mind, here is my list of track and field athletes with the most “Swag”!

#10. Brittney Reese – Knows she has hops.

#9. Angelo Taylor – “Been there, done that!”

#8. Jeremy Wariner – Shades, so he can see what the others don’t.

#7. Phillips Idowu – When your hair is this color you have to be good!

#6. Veronica Campbell Brown – Jamaica’s best of all time and she knows it.

#5. Dwight Phillips – “There’s a medal involved? I got this!”

#4. Carmelita Jeter – Knows she has a gear the others don’t and it shows.

#3. Yelena Isinbayeva – “Medals, records, yes I have them all”!

#2. Blanka Vlasic – She was dancing before Bolt, and with good reason!

#1. Usain Bolt – Let me fix my hair before I go out here and dance when I’m done!

My Heroes of 2011

2011-12-05T09:35:00.001-08:00

Wow, it’s December already, and there’s still so much left to talk about regarding the 2011 season. Several events left to review and some outstanding performances to look at. And I’m going to try to get to as much as I can before the clock turns to 2012.

One thing that I don’t want to overlook is what I’m going to call my heroes of 2011 – a group of athletes that in my opinion were tremendous competitors in 2011. They were entertaining and competitive all year long – and I’m looking forward to following during 2012.

With that, here are my heroes of 2011:

Carmelita Jeter (USA) – sprints

I fully expected Jeter to have a great season in the 100 meters. She’d been building to World Championships gold since 2007 when she won the bronze medal in Osaka. One of the things that I was looking forward to in 2011 was her battles with Veronica Campbell Brown – and they did not disappoint. What I did not expect from Jeter, and was pleasantly surprised with, was her rise in the 200 meters! It’s not common to see a short sprinter move up to challenge in the longer sprint, but that’s what Jeter did this year. She defeated defending World Champion, Allyson Felix, three times over 200, and won the silver medal behind this year’s champion, Veronica Campbell Brown. Now I’m not only looking forward to Jeter’s 100 meter battles, but her head to heads with the best over 200 in 2012.

Christian Taylor (USA) – triple jump

The triple jump used to be one of those events where Americans were consistently in contention. Willie Banks, Mike Conley, and Kenny Harrison had made the triple jump one of our better events in the field for some time. Since Harrison’s Olympic win in 1996, however, we’ve had quite the drought in the event. Aside from a brief moment in ’05 when Walter Davis got us back to the top of the podium in Helsinki (followed by bronze in Osaka) we’ve had no one for the better part of two decades that could really challenge the world’s best – until 2011. This year, young Taylor became a combination of Willie Banks and Kenny Harrison – a come from behind wizard a la Banks, and a talent capable of spanning out near 59 feet a la Harrison. The result, a World title while becoming the #5 all-time performers in history – and he’s only twenty one years old! For the past couple of seasons we’ve been talking about Teddy Tamgho. Suddenly Tamgho has company and this could be one of the best events in the sport for some time to come.

David Rudisha (KEN) – 800 meters

What can I say about Rudisha that I haven’t already said over the last couple of seasons? He did the seemingly impossible last year by taking down an 800 WR that had stood since 1997. This year he proved that that was no fluke, by running a sizzling 1:41.33 in Rieti – the # 5 performance in history. What may have been even more impressive however is the fact that he went to Daegu and dominated the rest of the world while adding a gold medal to his resume. Some may not consider that a major accomplishment, until you consider that winning medals in Majors has not always come easily to 800 meter world record holders. Sebastian Coe, the first man to run under 1:42, never won a major over 800. Wilson Kipketer won three World titles, but never the Olympics. So Rudisha dominating as he did in a Major was a huge accomplishment, in my opinion. And I’m dying to see if he can do it again in London.

Morgan Uceny (USA) – 1500 meters

We’ve been waiting for some time for the next great American Miler – the next Jim Ryun or Mary Decker (Slaney). I think we found her this year in Morgan Uceny. We’ve had tremendous success these past couple of seasons in the women’s middle distances here in the U.S. Along with Uceny we’ve seen great improvement from Christin Wurth Thomas, Anna Pierce, and this year’s World Champion Jenny Simpson, among others. But of them all, Uceny has shown the ability to consistently put her race together. To always be in contention. And most importantly, she’s shown the ability to put a race away – a killer instinct. She was the world’s best in 2011 and I expect to see her moving up on the third lap in the final in London, before beginning her kick with 150 meters to go to the finish. We’ll see what happens from there.

Sally Pearson (AUS) – 100 hurdles

The women find themselves competing against each other AND the ghosts of eastern bloc athletes past. As the all-time lists and record books are filled with the names of women from eastern bloc countries that we all know achieved their marks illegally. It makes it tough on the women to garner headlines by breaking records like their counterparts on the men’s side – which is why I found Pearson’s performances to be the best on the year for me. First off, Pearson completely dominated her competition – not easy to do in an event that is both too short to allow for error and highly technical. But Pearson did just that. Her sizzling 12.28 win in Daegu, however, made her the only “Western” athlete to run under the mystical 12.30 barrier! Only women with the names Donkova, Zagorocheva, and Narozhilenko had accomplished that feat before. Now Pearson stands to potentially become the best of them all, in an age where most women only dream about approaching WR status.

Mo Farah (GBR) – distances

Somewhere around the mid 1980’s the distance vents became the property of Africa, as athletes from that continent simply started dominating everything from 1500 meters through the marathon. For the past quarter century when you think major championships you start talking about Kenya, Ethiopia, and Morocco before adding the names of athletes from anywhere else. The lone exception over the past half-decade has been Bernard Lagat, but the caveat with Lagat is that he started out in Kenya, and we’ve benefited from his transfer here to the U.S. In 2011, however, Britain’s own Mo Farah went toe to toe with the big boys of the 5000/10,000 and won – bringing home World gold and silver respectively. Some will say that Mo has African roots, as he is Somalian by birth. But Farah has been in Britain since the age of six, and for all intents and purposes his upbringing and training has been as a Britain – just as his victories are cheered. And while I cheer with passion the athletes from Africa, it’s always nice to see from countries outside of Africa do well in the distances, because it enriches the sport.

Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) – sprints

Speaking of enriching the sport, that is what my final hero did in 2011. For most of the last decade the sprints have been dominated by athletes from the U.S. and the Caribbean islands – with few others able to break up that monopoly. In 2010 Lemaitre became something of a “novelty” as he became the first white sprinter in history to break the 10.00 barrier. In 2011 Lemaitre moved from novelty to consistent elite sprinter and the podium in Daegu taking bronze in the 200 and just missing with his 4^th in the 100. Four times he ran under 10 seconds in the 100 legally, topped by an NR 9.92; and he became the #2 European in history over 200 with his 19.80 in the deuce. Lemaitre is not longer a novelty, he’s a serious contender for medals in London.

Those are my heroes for 2011. Some of the best the sport has to offer.

Exclusive Q&A with LaShawn Merritt

2011-12-02T10:25:00.001-08:00

I had the distinct pleasure of sharing a conference call yesterday afternoon with defending Olympic 400 meter champion LaShawn Merritt. This year’s World silver medalist is in base training for the upcoming Olympic Games, preparing hard to defend his title.

He took time out after practice to speak with me about his career and the upcoming Olympic season. It was an enjoyable exchange and I found LaShawn quite introspective. He seems very focused on London and I suspect that the battle for the Olympic gold medal will have to take a path through Merritt.
With that, here is what LaShawn had to say about the 400, his career, and London.

Conway – LaShawn I want to thank you for taking the time to talk to me. First off you’re one of the most talented sprinters in the world. In high school you were among the best in all three sprints – 10.47 (12^th), 20.72 (3^rd), 45.25 (1^st). Why did you choose to focus on the 400?

LaShawn – I really started running the quarter because my coach said that real men run the 400. And the 400 just came more natural to me. I just feel in the quarter that everything, my body, my mind set, everything just seems more natural, just geared for the 400.

Conway – You were in the high school class of ’04. That class had some big names: Walter Dix, Ivory Williams, Xavier Carter, Galen Rupp, and Jason Richardson. You’ve emerged as the most successful of them all so far. How do you feel about that?

LaShawn – I just think the day that I turned professional before everybody I kind of got a jump on them as far as running as an elite athlete. I had to learn faster. They got to go to college and play around with it for a while. Not that they weren’t serious, but I was forced at 18 to treat it as a job. While they were in college I was already on the circuit and had to take it very serious at a younger age. But right now I feel they’re coming on. Jason did really well this year and so did Walter. I think they all are going to do better as time goes on.

Conway – You’ve focused on the quarter, but still run 19.98 in the deuce. Have you ever thought about trying to make a World or Olympic team in the 200?

LaShawn – You know what, I have. Me and my coach have talked about doing it when I’m later in my 20’s. Mike (Michael Johnson) did it and I think anything can be done with hard work.

Conway – We all know about your time out. What was it like not being able to compete for the better part of 2 seasons?

LaShawn – It was hard. I felt like a caged animal, literally. There wasn’t too much I could do except get up and train, go to school during the first part, and come home. Over and over and over again. There was no income coming in. My mind was somewhere else. I didn’t know what my future in the sport was going to be, I just had to work hard and have faith. I just had a date when I knew I was going to come back and show what I could do. I knew I had to come back and be dominant. So I had to put in the work to do that. I just trained hard so I would be able to dominate when I got back.

Conway – What were you thinking as the deadline approached for you to race knowing that no one had run faster than 44.6?

LaShawn – I just knew that I had worked hard and I was ready to run.

Conway – Well, I watched you in Daegu and you were just blowing it out from the first race. Was it hard trying to keep your emotions in check? And do you think that perhaps you lost the gold to your emotions?

LaShawn – Man it was crazy. I didn’t know what my feedback was going to be from the stands. I didn’t know a lot about how my body was going to respond, so I just had to put myself in the moment I was in. I got there and knew I had trained well and was ready to run fast so I just executed my race – and I ran the fastest time in the world. I knew I was in good shape and ready to run real fast. When I got to the finals it was sort of a new experience because it was the first time I had not run several races prior to a Championship. I went out and ran but my body and mind weren’t in one accord because I didn’t have all the races behind me. I just went out and was leading and just got to a zone where my body hadn’t been in a long time for my body and mind to know what to do. I wasn’t in sync, body and mind. You train to be there and do this and I think that’s what took me through to that point. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to do that and run that well. I got second at Worlds and didn’t have a great race on a certain day, but it let me know I was blessed with a gift. So I have to go out and work hard to take advantage of that gift.

Conway – Well, you got a very close silver in Daegu in spite of everything that happened this year. MJ is the only quarter miler to repeat as Olympic champion. Can you repeat, and if you do where do you think it would put you in a conversation about the all-time greats in the event?

LaShawn – In 2012 my goal is to be Olympic champion. There is nothing else I think about. Every day in training I think about that, that’s what I do everything for. And when I get there that’s what I’ll be thinking about, just getting it done. When I win I will be among the greats and leave my legacy on the sport and it will be from all the hard work I’ve put in on the track.

Conway – I’m going to mention three quarter milers and I want you to tell me what comes to mind – Jeremy Wariner.

LaShawn – He executes. When he executes he’s dominant because he did it for so long. So Jeremy is about execution. Can we make up a word, because if we can he’s an executionist. He’s a guy who you don’t really know what’s going on with him. He stays to himself. He gets in a zone. He has the shades on and goes out and his main focus is he’s going out to execute his race. That’s what he does. And when he does he wins. When he doesn’t he doesn’t win.

Conway – Tony McQuay, this year’s National champion.

LaShawn – I spent some time with him and got to know him, because we were on the team together in Daegu. I watched him run at Nationals, but he only ran that one round at Worlds. When I think of him I think he’s a young talent. Very talented. But he’s still kinda young.

Conway – Kirani James, this year’s World Champion.

LaShawn – When I think of Kirani I think of young and hungry. He just seems to want it really bad.
I go out every day to get ready. I have no choice but to go out and be hungry, execute and use my talent. Because that’s what I’m up against every time I step on the track. So I guess that’s me because that’s what I have to beat.

Conway – Is there anyone else on your radar for the Olympic season? Better yet, given that everyone that matters is healthy; can anyone challenge you for the gold? Is there anyone out there standing in your way?

LaShawn – You can’t leave anybody out. I know running this event year after year I was getting better because I took it serous and learned more and got better. Other people can surprise you and come up and do the same thing. Guys like the Borlee twins, Jermaine Gonzales. Guys who were maybe injured this year. There are 8 lanes in the final. 8 people will line up for the final in the Olympics and anything can happen. It will come down to who’s ready, mentally and physically; who is prepared; and who executes.

Conway - No one has run a 43 since ’08 (you ran 43.75 and Jeremy ran 43.82) without your time away do you think you would have run 43 in ’10 or ’11 and will you be ready to run 43 next year?

LaShawn – I think I was in shape to run 43 this year. I was in shape for it. But to tap into 43 you not only have to be in shape you have to be race sharp and I wasn’t race sharp. I do believe I will touch 43 seconds next year. I do believe that. I’ll be ready.

Conway – Easily your highlight moment of this year, at least for me, was your anchor in Daegu on the 4x4. Usain Bolt says he wants to go for four gold medals in London by leading the Jamaican 4x4 to victory – along with the 4x1/100/200. How do you feel about that?

LaShawn – We have the most dominant quarter milers in the world and we’ll be ready to take on whoever steps into it. You can’t just get out there and run it. It takes work. It takes a certain mindset. If the US puts the team together that we can there is no country that can match up with our four legs. If we have four fresh legs to put up against any other four fresh legs we will be dominant.

Conway – You’re still young – 25, 26 come London. You’re currently the 5^th fastest quarter miler in history. You have an Olympic title and a World title. With good health you should have 5 or more good seasons ahead of you. What are your goals for the future?

LaShawn – Just to go out and continue to work hard and enjoy what I do. That’s the main thing. If I can continue to go out and compete well, then everything will come if I just go out and do what I do. So I want more medals and just go out and have fun with this talent I’ve been blessed with. And note to myself that track and field is not a sport where you can last that long in it. So there’s a time where I will have to focus on what to do after track and I’m starting to think about that now too.

Conway – Well before we hang up, what would you like for fans to know about LaShawn Merritt?

LaShawn – That he’s an honest guy, a hard worker, and that I go out and train hard so that when I line up I can be dominant. That’s the equation. To put in the hard work so that when the lights are on you can go out and get what needs to be done, done. You train hard for that 43 seconds you race, so I just go out and get it done.

Conway – LaShawn it’s been a pleasure. Thank you very much for your time.

For those of you that would like to follow LaShawn during the Olympic season his Twitter is @LaShawnMerritt and his website is http://LaShawnMerrittUSA.com

2011 in Review – Men’s Long Jump

2011-11-29T13:21:00.001-08:00

In spite of the fact that I tend to talk more about the running events than I do the field events, I’m actually a huge fan of the field events. It just seems that lately some of the excitement is missing in the field.

I remember when the long jump featured great battles like the U.S. Championships in 1987 (San Jose) with Carl Lewis (8.65m/28’ 4.5”), Larry Myricks (8.63m/28’ 3.75”) and Mike Conley (8.55w/28’ 0.75”w) all over 28 feet. Then there was the Olympic Trials of 1988 (Indianapolis) with Lewis (8.76m/28’ 9”) and Myricks (8.74m/28’ 8.25”) dueling in the rain. And of course the epic 1991 World Championships final (Tokyo) where Mike Powell set the existing WR of 8.95m (29’ 4.5”) with Lewis leaping 8.87m (29’ 1.25”) legally and 8.91m (29’ 2.75”) windy!

We’re a ways from there, yet this season looked like we may have been on a path to begin to approach that range once again as Mitchell Watt (AUS) jumped 8.38m (27’ 6”) in mid-March then came back to go 8.44m (27’ 8.25”) in mid-April – all during the Australian summer. With the rest of the world getting in gear with the start of the Diamond League, Watt continued to jump far once again hitting 8.44m in Shanghai. The surprise was the relatively poor showing of defending World champion Dwight Phillips (USA) 4^th in a modest 8.07m (26’ 5.75”).

The jumpers would resume their battles in Hengelo with another former champion, Irving Saladino (PAN) showing good form in an 8.38mw (27’ 6”w) win with Phillips back in 6^th in 7.97m (26’ 1.75”). At the next stop in Eugene, however, Saladino would no height, as Greg Rutherford (GBR), Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) and Sebastian Beyer (GER) would lead the way in a windy affair.

With no long jump in either Oslo or New York, the biggest news during the period was the NCAA championship victory of Ngoni Makusha (ZIM) who spanned 8.40m (27’ 6.75”) in Des Moines. The other big news in June was the 10^th place finish of Phillips at the U.S. Championships, as he was only able to get out to 7.89mw(25’ 10.75”w) as youngsters Marquis Goodwin (8.33w/27’4”w) and Will Claye (8.19mw/26’ 10.5”) lead the way to Daegu.

Heading to Europe there was again a gap in meets in the DL as there was no long jump in Paris, Birmingham, or Monaco – leaving the jumpers with meets in Stockholm and London as their major opportunities prior to the World Championships. Watt made the most of it leaping 8.54m (28’ 0.25”)in Stockholm (Saladino in 3^rd at 8.19m/26’ 10.5”) and then 8.45m (27’ 8.75”) in London (Britains’s Chris Tomlinson runner up in 8.30mw/27’ 2.75”w). Making Watt a heavy favorite to bring home Australia’s fist ever long jump gold.

Ah, but the best laid plans of mice and men are oft strewn asunder, and so it was in Daegu. In the qualifying round of Daegu defending champion Phillips showed life leading everyone at 8.32m (27’ 3.75”). And though the favored Watt was consistent, leaping an 8.33m (27’ 4”) of his own in the final but it would not be enough as Phillips leapt 8.45m (27’ 8.75”) for the win and the gold – leaving Watt with silver. NCAA champion Makusha would span 8.29m (27’ 2.5”) for the bronze medal as Saladino would finish 22^nd and fail to make the final.

At this point the season was done. Makusha would win in Zurich in a modest 8.00m (26’ 3”) with Phillips in 3^rd and Watt in 7^th. And that was really the end of the year for the major players. So, how did they rate on the season?

Mitchell Watt

Australia

The silver medalist was easily the year’s best. He was 10 – 4 overall on the year and though he didn’t take World gold, he was the year’s best in every other category. His wins included Shanghai, Stockholm and London and he beat everyone on the year.

Yahya Berrabah

Morocco

Who you ask? Yes it was a very tough year in this event and in the end I went with the 4th placer in Daegu. He was 7 – 4 on the year, though several of his wins were in lesser meets. Still, he won in Luzerne and Barcelona, was 2^nd in Stockholm and 4^th at Worlds. When you take a look at the competition that was enough for #2 in my humble opinion.

Irving Saladino

Panama

Saladino had a solid if unspectacular season this year. His big problem being his melt down in Daegu. He was only 3 -4 on the year, but had wins in Hengelo and Paris. He was also 3^rd in Stockholm and 4^th in London. Given the year this event had if he had gotten anywhere close to getting on the podium he probably would have garnered the #2 spot.

Ngoni Makusha

Zimbabwe

Makusha was 5 – 2 on the year, but spent a lot of time against collegians. He did win in Zurich and took the NCAA championship, which was actually a tough meet this year considering in comparison to most meets. And of course he picked up bronze in Daegu.

Dwight Phillips

United States

This is the best I can do for the gold medalist, and some may consider this too good. He was only 1 – 6 on the year, his one being the big one. He did finish 2^nd in Berlin, and had 4^th place finishes in Shanghai, Zurich and New Castle. On that basis, he gets my 5^th slot.

Next up the women’s version.

2011 in Review – Men’s 1500 Meters

2011-11-26T18:17:00.001-08:00

Like the women’s version of the metric mile, the men’s 1500 final in Daegu was a far cry from the way the season itself played out. Not to mention the difficulty in sorting things out due to the constant change in leadership on the track.

Things got crackin in earnest in Doha as young Nixon Chepseba (KEN) torched the track for a WL 3:31.84 to win over Silas Kiplagat (KEN, 3:32.15), Mekonnen Gebremedhin (ETH, 3:32.28), Caleb Ndiku (KEN, 3:33.05) and Haron Keitany (KEN, 3:33.39)- showcasing Kenya’s depth, and signaling that making the Kenyan team for Daegu would be extremely tough. A little over a week later, Chepseba torched the field in Shanghai in a 3:31.42 over Asbel Kiprop (KEN, 3:31.76), Gebremedhin (3:32.36). Kiplagat (3:32.70) and Augustine Choge (KEN, 3:33.38).

The Prefontaine Classic would showcase the mile with Keitany turning a WL 3:49.09 defeating Kiplagat (3:49.39), KIprop (3:49.55), Gebremedhin (3:49.70) and Ndiku (3:49.77). Oslo would also feature the mile and this time Kiprop crossing the line first in 3:50.86 ahead of Keitany (3:51.02) and Gebremedhin (3:51.30) – with Chepseba in 6^th at 3:53.36. Things would change completely in Paris as some non-milers got involved, half-miler Amine Laalou winning in 3:32.15 over Kiprop, and Bernard Lagat (USA, 3:33.11). But the key race during the month of July was the Kenyan Championships where Kiplagat (3:31.39 WL), Kiprop (3:32.26) and the surprising Daniel Komen (3:32.47) would earn berths to Daegu, while young stars Chepseba (6^th, 3:33.96) and Ndiku (7^th, 3:35.50) could find no room on the bus – giving me yet another reason to wish we had a “true” World Championships!

When things resumed in Monaco, KIplagat would lower his world best to a sizzling 3:30.47, with Chepseba recovering from his Nairobi defeat in 3:31.74, and half miler Abubaker Kaki (SUD) running a PR 3:31.76 and Kiwi Mick Willis getting an NR at 3:31.76 – easily the best race of the year. London, featuring the mile, would be the final race before Worlds and would find Americans Leo Manzano (3:51.24) and Bernard Lagat (3:51.38) controlling the race in the absence of the top Africans. And so we headed to Daegu.

In Daegu the form charts held for the first two positions as Kiplagat and Kiprop controlled the race and came home with gold and silver. What followed was a totally surprising bronze medal from Matthew Centrowitz (USA), as unexpected names populated the results sheet from 3^rd through 6^thwhere Gebremedhin finally crossed the line in 7^th place.

Post Daegu racing would begin in Zurich where Chepseba (absent from Worlds) would once again cross the line in first (3:32.74) ahead of Kiplagat (3:33.56) as gold medalist Kiprop faded badly in the final stretch run (7^th 3:34,89).Kiprop would regain form in Rieti scorching 3:30.46 to win going away from Willis’ 3:35.52. The Berlin 1500 would find Choge winning in 3:31.14 over Abdelaati Iguider (MOR, 3:31.60) and Chepseba (3:31.66) – closing out the season with yet another swift race.

Now to try and sort it all out, as this was one of the tougher calls I’ve had to make.

Silas Kiplagat

Kenya

Silver medalist in Daegu, Kiplagat gets the runner top spot here. While he did not have the best win/loss record on the season, he was 3 – 2 over my runner up, and took silver in Daegu. His season record of 5 – 7 included wins in Eugene, Monaco, Stockholm. and the big Kenyan Nationals race. He was also runner up in Doha and Zurich. A fine record overall, as well as a solid performance at Worlds.

Nixon Chepseba

Kenya

Chepseba’s season record of 9 – 4 was easily the best on the year. And it was done with little padding as he won in Doha, Shanghai, Zurich and Zagreb, with a runner up in Monaco and a 3rd in Stockholm. He was 2 – 3 with World silver medalist Kiplagat – including the Kenyan Trials race that knocked Chepseba out of Worlds – but his seasonal record overall was just too good to be overlooked.

Asbel Kiprop

Kenya

A tough call for the World Champion, but his season record of 3 – 7 just didn’t hold up against the top two in spite of the Daegu win. He also won the fast Rieti race, however, And was runner up in Shanghai, Paris and Stockholm. Good enough for the third spot here.

Haron Keitany

Kenya

Another tough call here for 4th and 5th but a pair of runner ups in Hengelo & Oslo, combined with a pair of 3rd place finishes in Eugene and Zurich edge Keitany ahead of my #5.

Mekonnen Gebremedhin

Ethiopia

A win in Oslo; runner up in Eugene; and third place finishes in Doha, Shanghai and Hengelo land Gebremedhin here.

Next I’m going to detour off the track for a bit and begin to examine the field events.

2011 in Review – Women’s 1500 Meters

2011-11-23T15:30:00.001-08:00

Typically when in doubt, the result of the year’s Major championship does wonders to help sort out the top athletes on the season. When it comes to ranking this year’s women’s 1500 however, Daegu rendered itself fairly useless in the matter.

The season got going in earnest as Anna Mishchenko (UKR) won the first stop on the Diamond League in Doha with a WL 4:03.00 – setting a decent early pace. Mishchenko showed consistency in Rome running 4:03.53, but that was only good for 4^th place as Maryam Jamal (BRN) laid the hammer down coming home in 4:01.60 for a new WL. Jamal would lower that SB three days later in Hengelo, scorching the oval for a 4:00.33 to turn back the PR’s of Kalkidan Gezahegne (ETH, 4:00.97), Siham Hilali (MAR, 4:01.33), and Irene Jelegat (KEN, 4:02.59).

The Prefontaine Classic would see one of the year’s best fields take to the track with Gelete Burka (ETH) emerging victorious in a tactical 4:04.63 ahead of Jamal (4:05.44), Morgan Uceny (USA, 4:06.32), Nuria Fernandez (ESP, 4:06.66) and Nancy Langat (KEN, 4:07.04). New York would see yet a different victor as Kenia Sinclair (JAM) would win the wind hindered race in 4:08.06 over Uceny (4:08.42), Gezahegne (4:08.46) and Burka (4:09.84) – as no one was dominant over the first half of the Euro season.

Morgan Uceny would then win a very tough U.S. championships in 4:03.91, running away in the final half lap from Jenny Simpson (4:05.66), Shannon Rowbury (4:06.20), and Christin Wurth Thomas (4:06.21) – Wurth Thomas missing out on a trip to Daegu by the narrowest of margins. A berth to Daegu secured, Uceny would head to Europe picking up wins in Lausanne (over Mishchenko, Gezahegne, and a back in 10^th Jamal) and Birmingham (again over Gezahegne and Jamal) before heading to Monaco – the last big 1500 before Daegu. Monaco would be one of the year’s fastest races as Jamal once again found her way to the front of the line winning in 4:00.59 ahead of Btissam Lakhouad (MAR, 4:01.09) and Uceny (4:01.51, PR) who left it a bit late this time out, closing well but not catching the top two.

And so they would enter the World Championships with Jamal and Uceny on a role and Gezahegne and Lakouad running well. But the script was turned on its head in Daegu. Things seemed “normal” through two and a half laps. Then midway through the second turn of the third lap Hellen Obiri (KEN) would trip and fall, taking Uceny down with her. Uceny would be unable to recover, and though she didn’t fall, Jamal seemed knocked out of her rhythm as well. The final lap would see Natalia Rodriguez (ESP) take control and look to steal the race, as she would lead coming off the final turn. As they headed up the final stretch Jenny Simpson (USA) and Hannah England (GBR) would turn on the afterburners, catching and passing Rodriguez with Simpson coming away the victor (4:05.40), England (4:05.68) and Rodriguez (4:05.87) filling out the medals.

The top women would gather for one last go ‘round in the Diamond League final in Brussels with Uceny getting redemption, a world leader, and a new PR with a 4:00.06 win over all of the principals from Daegu, and the season, in tow – taking us to the top five rankings.

With the medalists from Daegu not playing a major factor the rest of the season ranking was a tad difficult, but not impossible – and note that none of the top women has a winning record for the season as the women raced fairly often and did a good job of playing “Ro Sham Bo” with each other.

Morgan Uceny

United States

At the end of the day Uceny earned my #1. He 4 – 5 record was statistically the best. She led the world on the clock at 4:00.06. She had key wins in Lausanne, Birmingham, and Brussels; was 2^nd in New York and 3^rd in Eugene & Monaco – placing well when she didn’t win. And she was 2 – 1 over my #2 – all enough to garner the top spot.

Maryam Jamal

Bahrain

Jamal was #2 on the clock with her 4:00.33. Her 3 – 5 record came courtesy of wins in Rome, Hengelo and Monaco; a 2^nd in Eugene; and 3^rds in Birmingham & Brussels. So like Uceny in most cases she placed well when she didn’t win.

Anna Mishchenko

Ukraine

Mishchenko is the one of the few top finishers from Daegu in my top five, having finished 4^th at Worlds. She was the busiest of the top rankers with a 4 – 9 record on the season. She won in Doha and at the Colorful Daegu meet early season. She was 2^nd in Lausanne and finished 3^rd in Rieti & Stockholm (ETC) in addition to a pair of 4^ths in Rome & Brussels – solid enough to earn 3^rd here.

Hannah England

Great Britain

Britain’s silver medalist in Daegu garners the 4^th spot here. The British champion was 2^nd in London, 3^rd in Barcelona and 5^th in Brussels. Finishing well often enough to parlay silver into the #4 ranking.

Kalkidan Gezahegne

Ethiopia

The fifth placer from Daegu gets the same spot here. Runner up in Hengelo & Birmingham; 3^rd in New York; and 5^th in Doha & Lausanne she was the most consistent of those not in the top four.

So there you have it. That’s how I saw the women in the 1500. Next the men’s 1500 – and a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Is There a Benefit to the U.S. being in the Diamond League?

2011-11-21T16:18:00.001-08:00

I ask this question because last week the Diamond League schedule was released and once again it looks like the New York and Eugene meets received less than preferential treatment.

First let’s look at the scheduling aspect. The Prefontaine Classic (Eugene) is scheduled for June 2^nd – two days after the Rome meet on May 31^st. Similarly the Adidas/New York is scheduled for Jun 9^th – two days after Oslo’s Bislett Games! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out a couple of things real quickly.

The first is that the athletes will have a very clear choice to make – to compete in Europe, or to cross the ocean and compete in the U.S. for two meets, or actually in one meet depending on your event. There is no opportunity to compete twice in Europe then come to the states, or vice versa to compete in two meets in the states then go back to Europe. One will either be in one place or the other, as the prospect of traveling back and forth across the ocean is impractical from both a financial and logistical point of view – logistics meaning the physical toll it would exact on the athletes with time changes, jet lag, etc.

So that aspect alone will restrict attendance at both meets, because with 2012 being an Olympic year and June the month of most Olympic Trials meets, the odds are that most people will want to stay as close to home as possible in order to be as fresh as possible for Trials meets. Of course, there is another decision that is completely taken off the table for the athletes – what events they can compete in in each meet. Because as I’ve lamented ad nausea, the Diamond League meets are only half meets – and the U.S. meets get the short end of the stick here as well!

First off here are the events that will be contested in each U.S. meet:

Pre
Men	200	400	800	1500	110H	TJ	DT	JT
Women	200	400	ST	HJ	PV	LJ	DT

NY
Men	200	400	800	ST	110H	HJ	LJ	DT
Women	100	800	5000	400H	PV	TJ	SP	JT

The first thing you notice is that the star potential is taken off the table as there is no men’s 100 in either meet. Given that a) the 200 is the lesser contested of the two sprints (100/200) in any season, let alone an Olympic one, and b) with Trials meets coming up it will be less likely to see a sprinter here than in the 100, it’s a fairly safe bet that seeing Bolt, Gay, Dix, Blake, et al is nearly slim to none in the U.S. No offense to any of the other star level athletes out there, but there goes a large chunk of the star quality and drawing power in this sport – no offense just fact at this point – because right now the 100 is The marquee event in the sport.

The next thing I noticed is no men’s 5000 or 10,000 in either meet – a huge negative for the Pre Classic in my opinion which has always been the country’s premier distance meet. This is a meet that is named after a distance running icon, yet will not have EITHER event on the schedule – almost un-American. The historical significance aside, it also means that seeing any of the major African distance runners is virtually out of the question in the U.S. meets – a tragedy that is really on par with missing out on the world’s top sprinters!

Some might say that Pre will have the men’s 1500, and I would say that you’re right there – so perhaps we may get a few milers to town in Eugene. But the next noticeable slight is that neither meet will have the women’s 800 or 1500 meters – two middle distance events where the U.S. has really begun to shine in the past few seasons! So not only will distance mecca Eugene be without the African distance runners – and our own Ritzenhein, Rupp, Solinsky et al, - but they will also be without ” home” favorites Uceny, Rowbury, Wurth Thomas, Simpson, Wright, Gall, Montano and Vessey to name a few.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of top level athletes out there to put in these meets. We do get the 110 hurdles which has star potential with the likes of David Oliver, Jason Richardson, Liu Xiang and Dayron Robles. We do get both the men’s and women’s 400 which could have LaShawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner, Allyson Felix, and/or Sanya Richards. But the reality is that we lose out on some serous BIG name potential off the top just from the schedule. So I have to ask: Is there any benefit to being part of the Diamond League, or were we better off when we had a strong Pre, New York and Home Depot on our schedule? For my money the answer is – yes.

New York went from the exciting Tyson Gay v Usain Bolt meet of 2008 to the sleep fests we’ve seen the past couple of years – as logistics and event scheduling as virtually killed this meet in my humble opinion. Just two years ago (year before DL) the Pre meet boasted Gelete Burka (3:59.89) barely over Jenny Simpson (3:59.90); Asbel Kiprop (3:48.50) over Haron Keitany (3:48.78) in the mile; Vivian Cheruiyot (5:31.53) over Maryam Jamal (5:31.88) in a 2000: and Bernard Lagat (7:35.92) over Saif Shaheen (7:36.87) in a 3000; in an awesome display of distance running fitting the man the meet is named after – there will be none of that this year!

The Diamond League is proving to be an abject failure on several levels, including what it is doing to what few meets we have left here in the United States. It seems like there is little real thought going into the scheduling process – especially when it comes to creating meets in the U.S. that a) have any real appeal, and b) that make any kind of logistical sense.

New York is but a shell of what it was becoming a few scant years ago, and if it weren’t for its Nike affiliation Pre would be in the same boat. USATF needs to take a hard look at the competition schedule here in the United States, and look for ways to provide more and better opportunities for OUR athletes to be able to compete HERE at home. Because at the current rate youngsters growing up today will have no idea what a real world class meet looks like live, up close, and personal.

The Home Depot and California Relays meets need to be resurrected and put back on the schedule. New York and Eugene need to become FULL meets again that are worthy of attracting the world’s best without having to be bent and twisted to fit the Diamond League format. Because if we have any hope of regaining a place of prominence within the track and field community with respect to competitions here in the U.S. this is certainly not the way to do so. We’re not just losing ground to traditional track countries like Great Britain – which now has London, Gateshead AND Birmingham on the schedule – but to upstarts like Doha, Kingston, and Daegu. Granted Jamaica is a trackc happy place and has been working towards getting a major meet on the map for a while, but Doha and Daegu? When Wallace Spearmon ran 19.65 there in ’06 I had to Google it to see just where it was!

I won’t even begin to reel off the names of world class meets I used to frequent in this country; just suffice it to say that we are a LONG way from there. Many were excited that we got Diamond League status for New York and Eugene, but it’s starting to look like another form of slow death for U.S. meets if we don’t step up and do something about it. At least that’s how it’s starting to look to me.

2011 in Review – Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles

2011-11-19T17:49:00.001-08:00

The women had a much better season relative to their male counterparts. Whereas the men seemed to have difficulty coming up with quality times, the women had no such troubles. Right off the bat, the women started asserting themselves as Lashinda Demus (USA) turned 54.85 to set a solid world lead on May 7^th. A week later she lowered her SB to 54.58, but found herself behind the rapidly improving Kaliese Spencer (JAM) at 54.20. Two weeks later they would take to the track in Eugene with Demus turning the tables with a 53.31 to 53.45 win over Spencer – with defending World and Olympic champion Melaine Walker 3^rd in 53.56 and up and coming Zuzana Hejnova (CZE) debuting at 54.25 – and the season was guaranteed to be both fast and exciting.

With the start of the European season following the National championships period, Demus would take a break til late July, but that didn’t take away from the action as Paris would see Hejnova crank out a huge 53.29 NR to win over the likes of Spencer (53.45), Natalya Antyukh (RUS, 54.41) and Walker (55.06). Demus would get in another race in Luzerne winning in 54.21. Then Stockholm would see Spencer take a 53.74 to 54.71 win over Walker, before hammering a huge PR 52.79 in London over Walker (53.90) and Hejnova (54.74) to head to Daegu with the best time in the world.

The World Championships final lined up with Spencer in lane 2 with Demus just outside her in lane 3, Hejnova in lane 4 and Walker in the outside lane 8. At the gun Demus and Walker were out like bullets as both women flew down the backstretch and around the final bend. They came off the turn nearly even as Demus would pull away slightly as they headed up the straight. Both women ran hard but Walker was unable to make a dent in Demus’ lead as both women stopped the clock with superb times – Demus taking the 52.47 to 52.73 win in the #3 time ever. Spencer ran strongly in the third position until halfway down the straight when she was overtaken by Russian Natalya Antyuhk for the bronze medal.

Spencer would come back to win in Zurich over Walker (53.43), Demus (54.04), Antyukh (54.50) and Hejnova 54.89), before closing out the season with another win over Antyukh in Rieti. And that will take us to the rankings.

Lashinda Demus

United States

The World Champion was 5 – 2 on the season with wins in Eugene and Luzerne, to go with a runner up in Shanghai, and her third in Zurich. She was the best on the clock and had a 2 – 2 season split with my #2. Earning her the top ranking here.

Kaliese Spencer

Jamaica

Spencer was only 4^th in Daegu, but her 6 – 3 season record had wins in Shanghai, Stockholm, London and Zurich. The only woman she did not dominate was Demus whom she split with.

Melaine Walker

Jamaica

Walker’s season record was “only” 2 – 7 but that’s because most of her losing was done against the top two women. Walker was runner up in Stockholm, London and Zurich and had 3^rd place finishes in Shanghai and Eugene. And she ran her best when she needed to taking silver at the World Championships.

Zuzana Hejnova

Czech Republic

After much thought Hejnova gets this spot. She was only 7^th in Daegu, but had a 4 – 4 record overall – one of the best. She won Oslo, Praha, Stockholm ETC, and Paris and was 4^th in Eugene and London.

Natalya Antyukh

Russia

The bronze medalist comes in 5^th here. The Russian champion was 2^nd in Praha and Rieti and 3^rd in Oslo and Paris, and had the best record in competitions outside of worlds compared to other women further down on the chart.

Now that I’m back in ranking mode I’ll take on the 1500 meters. But I do have some comments related to the Diamond League schedule that was just released that I will sneak in as well.

Should Distance Runners Be Given a “Pass” in Evaluations?

2011-11-17T16:46:00.001-08:00

I know I said I was getting back to rankings, but there is still a lot of time left before the calendar year is done, and there’s an interesting debate on the floor. The debate revolves around the selection of the Female Athlete of the Year by the IAAF, as the Kenyans are upset that Vivian Cheruiyot lost to Australian Sally Pearson.

Now I have to say that I too have issues with the IAAF’s selection process which basically takes the “AOY” and turns it into a popularity contest. Take the men’s finalists for example: Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, and David Rudisha. While Blake and Bolt did indeed have nice seasons, with a couple of high points, their overall seasons were not extraordinary. Not on par with athletes like Mo Farah and Robert Harting. But Jamaican fans are rabid and they vote in huge numbers – over and over – resulting in the popular Bolt emerging as AOY on the men’s side. At the end of the day that’s the decision that should have us looking at the IAAF system of selecting the AOY.

The debate on the table, however, is regarding the women’s choice, because in this case the system actually got the finalists right with three women who truly had outstanding seasons (Valerie Adams, Sally Pearson & Vivian Cheruiyot) – making the choice an extremely tough one. I know because it was the same choice I found myself forced to make when making my own AOY selections.

The IAAF winner, as already stated, was Sally Pearson, causing much hew and cry among Kenyans. Their argument: while all three women had undefeated seasons, Cheruiyot won two World Championships in Daegu vs one each for Pearson and Adams. Now I would agree IF the AOY was a measure of how many championships an athlete won on the course of the season. Then the selection process would be a simple matter adding up titles at the end of the year – medals in the case of a tie!

For my money, however, I take AOY to mean the athlete that had the BEST overall season. Not the best mark, not the best single meet, but the best overall season. That’s why in my analysis Cheruiyot finished behind both Pearson and Adams, because while she did win a 5000/10000 double at the World Championships she competed sparingly the rest of the year – twice over 10,000 and four times over 5000, with her 10000 marks being good but not exceptional.

Meanwhile Pearson and Adams were season long work horses. Pearson competing in eleven meets in her specialty in addition to several meets in other events; Adams in thirteen meets. Competing with such regularity these women opened themselves up to potential loss against the world’s best far more often – and prevailed.

So now to my question of the day. When I published my own AOY rankings earlier, I was asked if I took into account that distance runners don’t compete as often as other athletes – and my response was that I had. After all, we’re talking a race of 3 to 6 miles, which seems to me can be done more than say once a month or every other month. High school athletes run the two mile (or equivalent) weekly. Collegiate cross country runners compete every couple of weeks over three to six miles depending on gender.

And when I look at the sport in terms of event difficulty, I don’t rank the 5000/10000 in the same vein as I do the half marathon, marathon or multi events – events that take a tremendous toll on the body and that take serious time to recover. Looking at those events for comparison I see the typical elite decathlete competing two or three times a year, and marathoners competing in two or three marathons a year, plus one or two half marathons. Given that rate of competition for those “strenuous” events, I consider five or six races for a 5/10K runner to be rather lite.

Even looking at the toll that sprinting takes on the very elite – where sprinters/hurdlers seem to get injured frequently due to the extreme stresses on their muscles – these athletes are still competing within a seven to fourteen day cycle on average.

So I’m asking if distance runners should get a pass? Should it take an inherently longer time for recovery from a 13:00 5000, or a 27:20 10000 than from a 9.80 100, 13.00 hurdle race, or 1:43 800 – just to toss out some random numbers and events? Let me know what you think. Should Cheruiyot competing a handful of times then winning a World Double (semi & final in the 5000, final only in the 10000) trump the grind it out seasons of a Pearson or Adams where there is not only more wear and tear, but more risk of loss?

I am finding it to be an intriguing question. You’ve heard my thoughts I’d love to hear yours.

Is London 2017 a Game Changer?

2011-11-15T16:48:00.001-08:00

This week the IAAF announced that London will be host to the 2017 edition of the World Track and Field Championships. Interestingly enough, they will follow Beijing who will host in 2015, just as they follow Beijing as host of the Olympic Games (2008).

So the question I’m asking myself today is: does this change the dynamics of bidding to host the World Championships? Or phrased another way, will we see more pairings of the Games’ host following up by playing host to the World Championships – a “legacy” to further the use of stadia built in the construction of the Olympic facilities?

I actually rather like the idea, if that indeed is a “trend” going forward. I mean, it would have been great to have had Atlanta’s Olympic stadium/track preserved and the facility used to host say, the 1999 World Championships – no offense to Seville. It would have given the U.S. it’s first hosting of the global track championships, AND it would have provided us with a much needed track and field facility to use for other events such as Olympic Trials; NCAA Championships; another bid for a World Championships; and perhaps another Diamond League or Euro Circuit meet! All of which would have come “free of charge” via the Olympic construction of the site. Instead here we sit with nothing left from the construction of Atlanta save our memories of the event – and Centennial Olympic Park – nice, but not much of an athletics legacy from the world’s greatest athletic event.

I also like the idea from the standpoint of another suggestion I had earlier this year – reverting back to a four year cycle for the World Championships. If we were to have Worlds in the two year cycle between the Games – leaving a year gap both before and after – it would leave our athletes with a major championship to prepare for every two years. Which, given the stress and strain we are seeing affect our athletes would be just about right from the standpoint of ensuring that each competition would be populated with a healthy dose of the best the world has to offer.

In that scenario, simply following up the Olympics with the same site for the World Championships two years later, would ensure that a) a proper vetting process would have already taken place in the selection process; b) that the host site would have the best facilities available for Worlds, given that they would have been prepared with the Games themselves in mind; and c) the sport would get adequate exposure throughout the world – right now we’re looking at China, Britain, and Brazil if Rio were next in line.

It would also allow the various federations of the sport to utilize the monetary strength of the Olympic movement, to help develop track and field – specifically in building state of the art stadium/facilities. For example, I would encourage USATF (still in need of a CEO) to get together with the USOC to work on developing an Olympic bid with a World Championships bid in mind. Putting together a bid where hosting the Olympics provides the physical structure that has been lacking to formulate an adequate World Championships bid. Such bids could even be put together to include the potential use of the stadium for events such as Soccer’s World Cup – the ultimate idea being to create a “Sports Center” within the country that could play host to the world in multiple events.

Pairings of this type also fit into the overarching goal of the Olympics to bind the international community together through sport (my own paraphrasing). My point here is that I do like the concept. In a world where finances are becoming a premium across the globe, sport needs to look at ways to maximize its dollars to get the biggest bang for the buck – and multi-use stadiums would do exactly that. Multi use in the sense that it isn’t built for the staging of a single event then later dismantled or left sitting as a white elephant on the landscape. I look forward to seeing athletes gather once again in the “Bird’s Nest”, and now eagerly anticipate the “double championships” to be held in London (“12/’17). Having the world go to Rio twice would be nice, as would having them come here to the U.S. (hint).

At any rate, it’s something for the sport to think about if it hasn’t already. Beijing and London could be just coincidence, but it could change the game.

Time to get back to the rankings – up next the women’s 400 meter hurdles.

Bolt Wants Four London Golds – But are Any Certain?

2011-11-14T10:17:00.001-08:00

Usain Bolt stated recently that he now wants to add the 4x4 relay to his repertoire in an attempt to go for four gold medals at the London Olympic Games. The last time we saw a four medal haul at the Olympic Games was by Carl Lewis in 1984 – before that it was Jesse Owens in 1936. So it is indeed a very rare occurrence – one that requires both dominance over one’s opponents as well as a bit of luck and good fortune.

Owens was one of the most dominant athletes of his day. But in fairness to the competition, Ralph Metcalf didn’t run his best 100 in Berlin, starting very poorly – that bit of good fortune on Owens part. Lewis too was one of the most dominant athletes of his day. But again in fairness to the competition, WR holder Calvin Smith was injured just before the Trials and just missed making the 100 meter squad – and would run a windy 9.94 before the Games, as well as perform on the winning/WR setting 4x1 at the Games: similarly Mel Lattany who ran the 3nd fastest time in history to date at 9.96 in May was also injured before the Trials; and Ron Brown, who had previously beaten Carl Lewis in the 100 at the ’83 Jenner Classic (10.02w to 10.03w) would be injured prior to the Games and was not at his best in Los Angeles – all contributed to the good fortune on Lewis’ part.

The last time any athlete attempted to win more than three medals was Marion Jones’ “Drive for Five” at the Sydney Games of 2000. She won the 100/200 double and ran a leg on the victorious 4x4. But she couldn’t find her form in the long jump finishing in the bronze position; and injury to teammate Inger Miller left her off the 4x1 and doomed the team to bronze there as well – showing just how quickly poor fortune can derail the medal hunt.

I bring these things up, because even for the most dominant of athletes the path to gold can be tenuous, and while Bolt was certainly more than dominant in Beijing, the landscape for 2012 has already changed dramatically.

In Beijing, Bolt was the beneficiary of some of that Carl Lewis good fortune as his chief rival and previous year’s double World Champion, Tyson Gay, fell to injury at the U.S. Trials. With no one else remotely in the same zip code as Bolt & Gay in the sprints in 2008, Bolt was left with no resistance on his way to romps in both sprints and the 4x1. Four years later that scenario appears to have changed dramatically.

First there is the status of Tyson Gay. Fighting through injuries in ‘09/’10/’11 he finally went under the knife last year to take care of his problems. From everything I have heard he is coming along nicely and should be competing injury free for the first time since the ’07 season – a season in which he won three gold medals himself. And while fighting through injuries the past few seasons he has still managed to set new PR’s of 9.69, 19.58, and 44.86. Better is expected in 2012.

Then there has been the development of Yohan Blake, last year’s World Champion in the 100 meters. With Bolt out of the final due to his false start, Blake ran through the field on his way to a clear victory. As impressive as that was however, he really turned heads with his season ending 19.26 to win the 200 in Brussels – the #2 time in history and only .07 off of Bolt’s WR! At 21 years of age, Blake is just about in the same spot Bolt was entering the 2008 season – only significantly faster across the board.

That brings me to another young man with tremendous upside potential – Ryan Bailey. The 22 year old Bailey is a year older than Bolt was entering the Olympic year of ’08 but has bests of 9.88/20.10 in spite of missing the 2011 season to injury. Bailey has two things going for him as he enters the Olympic season however. One is that he brings the tall sprint frame that Bolt has made famous – 6’ 4” tall and extremely coordinated. As a matter of fact looking at football stars such as Calvin “Megatron” Johnson (6’ 5”), Brandon Marshall (6’ 4”), Antonio Gates (6’4”), and Kellen Winslow (6’ 4”) tall is the new athletic! The second thing he has going for him is his new choice in coaches – sprint guru John Smith. As fast as Bailey has been to date, his start has been horrible and he has had difficulty staying healthy. Smith teaches the most efficient start technique in sprinting history, the Drive Phase, and has shown throughout his history to be able to keep his athletes healthy and fit – his latest being Daegu sprint and hurdle champions Carmelita Jeter and Jason Richardson. And did I mention he coached multiple World and Olympic champion Maurice Greene? Bailey should benefit greatly from Smith’s tutelage.

Also joining Smith’s camp is Daegu double silver medalist Walter Dix. Dix’ silver medal double is a follow up on his double bronze medal performance in Beijing. Like Bailey, however, he has done so in spite of flaws within his race – most notably his first 40 meters. So like Bailey, he should benefit greatly from Smith’s coaching acumen and could see significant improvement on his already impressive PR’s of 9.88 & 19.53!

There are two other sprinters worth noting in this conversation. In the 200 meters there is Wallace Spearmon – a perennial medalist and finalist throughout the last half decade. Spearmon sports a 200 meter PR of 19.65, but has battled with injuries for the last several seasons – yet ran 19.79 in ’10 coming off surgery the previous season. Spearmon is significant because before the injuries set in HE was the dominant 200 man in the world, consistently beating both Bolt and Gay, and healthy he has the best closing speed in the event. Good health and a better bend and Spearmon is a factor and in the conversation.

The other sprinter of note is former 100 meter WR holder Asafa Powell. Powell has run sub10 more times than any other sprinter in history (over 70 and counting). His problem has never been speed, but competing against the best on the brightest stages – Worlds and Olympics. Powell was in the championship runs of Gay (’07) and Bolt (‘08/’09) coming 3^rd, 5^th and 3^rd. Should Powell find his nerve in London, he could become the factor many have long waited to see.

Of course, as Marion Jones discovered, when chasing a dream as lofty as four gold medals, there are some things that are out of one’s control – the relays. And in Bolt’s case half of the desired four gold will be dependent on his teammates. The 4x1 has proven to be a gold mine for Jamaica in the last three majors – in part because they have run very fast, but also in part because of failure on the part of U.S. squads. The lesson here being that just as U.S. squads have come away empty handed due to not getting that stick around the track, the potential is always there. The Jamaican women found this out in Beijing when they took to the track a heavy favorite with the U.S. women having left the baton on the track, when they too failed to finish in the final and watched inferior teams pick up the hardware. Speed is important, but the 4x1 is ultimately about moving the stick. By the way, the last time that the U.S. squad got the stick around the track they won gold ahead of Jamaica – who had both Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt!

But perhaps the greatest stumbling block in the path to four gold medals is the event that Bolt now wants to add – the 4x4. Entering the final in Daegu with perhaps the weakest squad the U.S. has ever put on the track for a Major championship, the team still emerged victorious by a half second – extending a winning streak in the event to fifteen straight Major wins going back twenty years – the most dominant record in any event over the last two decades! During the same time frame the closest Jamaica has come to the top of the podium was a silver behind the U.S. in ’95 (2:57.32 to 2:59.88), with nine bronze medal finishes in ’91, ‘96’, ’97, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’03, ’05, & ’11. With the clearance of LaShawn Merritt for London, the impending return to form of Jeremy Wariner, and the usual emergence of new 400 talent, I would expect the U.S. squad in London to be much stronger than the team that returned home with gold this year – making for a very tough row to hoe for any other team looking to take the top of the London victory stand – and making for a very rough path for four gold medals for any sprinter in London.

There is something magical about Olympic seasons, as they bring out the best in the world’s athletes. Good athletes become great, just ask Donovan Bailey, Michael Johnson, or even Usain Bolt himself did in the past. And entering this Olympic year there is a preponderance of sprint talent waiting for its chance at greatness. Many of whom I outlined above, some of whom will emerge that we never expected to be in the hunt – that’s the way of the sport.

Bolt’s pursuit of four gold medals will be a much watched story of 2012, just as Lewis’ was in ’84 and Jones’ was in ’00. Will he emerge as Lewis or Jones, only time will tell. One thing is for certain, given the varied stories that will make up the sprints in the Olympic season, there will be much to watch and talk about. I wish Bolt and his competitors Godspeed.

2011 in Review – Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles

2011-11-11T18:15:00.001-08:00

This was a very interesting event. On the one hand it had the potential to be great with athletes like Angelo Taylor, Bershawn Jackson, Johnny Dutch, and Javier Culson returning from a hot 2010 season. And with L.J. Van Zyl blazing from the late winter, it looked like this might be THE hottest event of the year. But things just didn’t pan out in 2011, which ended up being a season that fizzled more than sizzled.

L.J. Van Zyl (SA) started out like a house a fire blazing 47.66 in Pretoria on Feb 25 – faster than anyone in history had ever run so early in the season! He came back to win the South African title in a swift 47.73 on Apr 10, and the die was cast for a very fast World Championships with the season not even truly under way, and the bar set high for the rest of the world.

Van Zyl kept the heat on throughout the month of May winning Doha in 48.11 over Bershawn Jackson(USA); Rome in 47.91 over David Greene (GBR), Angelo Taylor (USA)and Javier Culson (PUR); and Ostrava in 47.66 over Greene again. At that point Van Zyl was looking like one of the most dominant athletes on the planet, with the question being: would anyone step up to challenge him?

Then came June, New York, and an ill wind that slowed everything down. Suddenly Van Zyl looked vulnerable – finishing in 4^th place behind winner Javier Culson (48.50), Bershawn Jackson and David Greene – and the season began to change. US Nationals would see three men run under 48.00 – Jeshua Anderson (47.93), Bershawn Jackson (47.93) and Angelo Taylor (47.94) – further threatening Van Zyl’s dominance.

But as the Euro Circuit got going in earnest it was David Greene winning in Lausanne (over Culson) and Birmingham (over Jackson and Culson) that began to look like the one to take over the event. That is until Angelo Taylor came back to a win in Monaco in a rare sub 48 (47.97) over Jackson and Greene, looking like a hurdler that was beginning to hit his stride. Then in London, the final race before Worlds, Taylor would DQ, Culson would get the win, and Daegu was looking like anyone’s race to win.

Daegu would end up being the only World Championships to not be won under 48 seconds with David Greene’s 48.26 becoming the slowest winning time in Worlds history. Culson would take silver (48.44) and Van Zyl the bronze (48.80) – with former World champion Bershawn Jackson (49.24) and former double Olympic champion Angelo Taylor (49.31) well back in 6^th and 7^th.

Post Worlds was anticlimactic with Culson winning Brussels and now it’s time to try and sort it all out.

David Greene

Great Britain

Greene get the nod via his gold medal at Worlds and the best overall record. It may seem odd to pick an event leader that didn’t have a winning record ( 4 – 5), but virtually no one did in this crazy season. In addition to Worlds he won in Stockholm (ETC), Lausanne and Birmingham. But was also 2nd in Rome, Ostrava & Brussels to go with 3rd in New York and Monaco – making him the most consistent hurdler on the season to go with his World title.

Javier Culson

Puerto Rico

Silver at Worlds, Culson had wins in New York, London and Brussels. He had only one other runner up slot (Lausanne) a single 3rd (Birmingham) and a 4th (Rome). Overall his 5 – 5 record was statistically better than Greene’s, but he lost to Greene at Worlds, Lausanne, Birmingham and Rome, so he sits in the same spot he occupied in Daegu.

L.J. Van Zyl

South Africa

If I were awarding slots based on half a season, Van Zyl’s first half would have given him the top spot hands down. But his melt down in the second half of the season cost him dearly, as after running away with Doha, Rome and Ostrava he could only manage 4th in New York and Monaco and an 8th place in Berlin. IN spite of the only winning record at 5 – 4 he gets this slot on the strength of his early season and his bronze in Daegu.

Bershawn Jackson

United States

Only 6th at Worlds, this was not one of Jackson’s best seasons – as a 1 – 7 records will attest. Still Jackson was the runner up in Daegu (Colorful), New York, Nationals, Birmingham and Monaco. So garners the 4th spot as the most consistent of the rest.

Angelo Taylor

United States

Taylor’s season was very similar to Jackson’s. His seasonal record was only 1 – 6 and he finished 7th at Worlds. But he did win in Monaco, and was 3rd in Daegu (Colorful), Rome and Nationals to slip into the 5th spot.

Next I’ll take a look at the women’s event, where they preformed much more admirably.

2011 in Review – Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles

2011-11-09T17:55:00.001-08:00

If there is an event that I would hold up as a model for how I’d like to see a season go it would be the women’s 100 meter hurdles! These women did it all. The top women competed from early season through the World Championships – most competing in over 10 meets, and some over 15. They competed against each other often, and did so at a fairly high level for most of the season. If more events had this level of competition throughout the season we wouldn’t be talking about a decline of the sport!

The season got started early as Sally Pearson (AUS) ran 12.85 at the end of March to get things rolling. She would win the Australian title at 12.83 in April before taking the month of May off. Meanwhile, the rest of the top contenders got their games cranking in May as Kellie Wells (USA) screamed a 12.53 in Doha to defeat Danielle Carruthers (USA), Lolo Jones (USA) and Ginnie Crawford (USA). In the following DL meet in Rome, however, Dawn Harper (USA) would upend Wells and Carruthers, as the defending Olympic champion showed that she would be a factor on the season. They would gather a few days later in Hengelo with Carruthers taking the win ahead of Wells, Harper, and Jones – and the season began to look like we were in for a great ride!

June would start with Carruthers winning again, this time in New York, with Wells, Jones, and Crawford in her wake – and Jones not looking at all like the woman who threatened to dominate this event just a couple of seasons ago. At this point American hurdlers looked like they were going to dominate the event from beginning to end – and at Nationals it was the trio of Kellie Wells, Danielle Carruthers, and Dawn Harper, in that order, who set sail for both the European Circuit and Daegu. Then in Lausanne the tide would begin to turn as Sally Pearson upended the Americans with Carruthers finishing 2^nd and Wells surprisingly in 6^th. Pearson would then take a destructive path through Europe to Daegu, winning in Birmingham, Monaco and London – to head to Worlds undefeated and leading the world at 12.47.

Once in Daegu, Pearson was even more dominant, screaming a 12.36 semi before scorching the track in 12.28 in the final to become the 4^th fastest performer of all time – with Carruthers taking the silver and Harper the bronze, both setting PRs of 12.47. The season would end with Pearson winning in Zurich & Zagreb before falling in Brussels – Carruthers getting the Brussels win. And so to evaluate a season that was pretty easily laid out.

Sally Pearson

Australia

Pearson was easily the best of the best – and my 2011 Women’s Athlete of the Year. She was undefeated through 10 straight meets – hitting a hurdle and falling being her only real flaw on an otherwise perfect season. She won the World Championships, became the 4^th fastest hurdler of all time, and completely dominated her competition.

Danielle Carruthers

United States

Her season record looks a bit shabby at 4 – 9, but most of those losses came at the hands of Pearson. She shied away from no one and outran everyone else. She took World silver, set a PR of 12.47, and managed to win in Hengelo, New York and Brussels. Actually not too shabby at all.

Dawn Harper

United States

Harper was 5 – 6 on the year with wins in Rome, Berlin and Newcastle. She was the bronze medalist, ran 12.47 and dominated all except Pearson and Carruthers.

Kelli Wells

United States

Wells started out like a house a fire, and in any other season may have ended up as the top woman. But this event was HOT in 2011, so Wells ended up only 4 – 13 on the year. She did win in Doha, US Nationals, and Doha – and was second in Rome, Hengelo, New York, Monaco and Berlin. But she had some very low finishes and the fall in Daegu – where she didn’t finish in the final – doomed her to anything above a #4 ranking.

Tiffany Porter

Great Britain

While it seemed like a four woman event, there were other women competing – and Porter was the best of the rest. She finished 4^th in Daegu, ran an NR 12.56, and finished 3^rd in New York, Monaco, Lausanne and London to earn her spot in the rankings.

Next up I’ll take a look at the long hurdle events.

2011 in Review – Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles

2011-11-07T17:35:00.001-08:00

This was supposed to be one of those “super events” with the three fastest men in history going head to head for hurdle supremacy in 2011. And for a quick minute it seemed like that was going to be the case – but at the end of the day things weren‘t quite what we had anticipated.

David Oliver (USA) started things off hot once again running a WL 13.16 to open up his season on Apr 9^th. Then he went to Daegu to test things out at the Pre Worlds competition on May 12^th – the result a swift 13/24. Then three days later in Shanghai, we would get a peek at two of the Big Three, as Oliver and Liu Xiang (CHN) went head to head with Liu coming out the victor in 13.07 – a signal that he was indeed back in form.

Two weeks later, the third of the Big Three, Dayron Robles (CUB) would run his own 13.07 in Hengelo; then two days later he would win in Ostrava in 13.14 – and we looked like we were on course to one of those epic confrontations that we anticipate, but rarely get. But just a few days later in Eugene, Oliver and Liu went head to head once again, this time Oliver scorching 12.94 to Liu’s 13.00 – and things definitely seemed on the right track. But shortly after Pre, word came that Liu was again nursing injury – and he wouldn’t be seen on the track again until the Asian Championships in July.

Meanwhile Oliver would win the U.S. Championships in a fine 13.04 – and back in third place Jason Richardson (13.15) would both PR and seemingly begin to hit his stride. Dayron Robles would win in Lausanne (13.16) and Reims (13.09) to signal that he was indeed ready for the season. Then he and Oliver would go head to head on Paris – running to a virtual dead heat with Robles being declared the victor 13.09 to 13.09!

Then the final two big meets before Daegu – Stockholm & London – things would begin to change. In Stockholm, Oliver would go up against Nationals 3^rd placer Jason Richardson once again – except this time the tables would turn. While Oliver would hit the final five hurdles in the race, Richardson would run cleanly and score a near PR of 13.17 INTO a -2.3 mps headwind. Suddenly it appeared there might be another addition to the podium chase in Daegu. That was confirmed in London as Robles, Oliver and Richardson all toed the line in their final tune up for Worlds, with Robles (13.04) finishing just ahead of Richardson (13.08 PR) who once again finished in front of Oliver (13.19). And so they headed to Daegu.

In Daegu it looked like we were going to get even more than anticipated, as the Big Three had become a foursome with the addition of Richardson to the fray. Defending champion Ryan Brathwaite (BAH) was in town, but was eliminated in the heats (5^th place) as the Big Four all moved into position – the three fastest men in history, plus the young would be usurper. At the gun it was Robles and Richardson looking like mirror images of each other as they edged in front. Then mid-race Liu began his patented move, as it became clear that Oliver was not going to be in the hunt. With three hurdles to go it began to look like Liu was going to go by the leading pair when Robles and Liu hit arms, then again over hurdle 9 – this time with a force that clearly sent Liu backwards. As Liu stumbled backwards, Robles and Richardson headed to the line – Robles scoring a narrow 13.14 to 13.16 win, temporarily. After protest and a review of the video it was deemed that Robles impeded Liu and he was DQ’d – making Richardson the World Champion and moving Liu into silver medal position.

Liu would run no more. Robles, Richardson and Oliver would run again in Zurich – finishing in that order. They would meet once more in Zagreb, with the same result – and Robles getting his seasons best of 13.00. Then Robles would go on to run in the Pan Am Games, where he would win once more.

Now it’s time to sort it all out. And I will say that just as a review of the video in Daegu resulted in a change of the results, so has my review of the season. Because my #1 today is going to be different than the #1 I named when I put out my initial list of #1’s at the end of the season. I will explain why shortly.

Dayron Robles

Cuba

Initially I looked at the Daegu race and said “but for Robles interference of Liu, Liu would have been World Champion – and Liu’s loss was not his fault”. I still feel that way – Liu was on his way to becoming World Champion. That aside, however, Robles had the better season! Robles was 12 – 2 on the year, clearly better than anyone else. He won in Hengelo, Ostrava, Lausanne, Paris, London and Zurich. And aside from Liu, he beat everyone, and did so multiple times. He did everything except win the World title – and he beat the man who did on every other occasion.

Jason Richardson

United States

Richardson was 8 – 6 on the year, better than everyone else. At the end of the day,, he was the World Champion – and defeated Liu in their only matchup. He won Ponce and Stockholm, and was 2^nd in Reims, London, Zurich and Zagreb – beaten only by Robles.

Liu Xiang

China

At the end of the day, Liu’s record was just too short to be ranked #1. He was great when he ran, but with only four meets he can rate no higher. But with a 2 – 1 record over Oliver he does elevate to this spot.

David Oliver

United States

Oliver started out like a repeat of 2010. But an injury during the season slowed him enough that he just could get by the top three at the end of the year. Still, he was better than everyone else as 2^nd in Shanghai, Paris & Stockholm; and 3^rd in London, Zurich, and Zagreb attest to.

Aries Merritt

United States

Merritt was clearly better than anyone not in that top four. He was next on the clock at 13.12. He finished behind them in every race but Daegu, (Andy Turner sneaking in for bronze there) as he finished 3^rd in Shanghai & Eugene; and 4^th in Paris, Stockholm, & London. Merritt was easily the best of the rest.

That’s my story and I’m stickin with it this time. It’s not often I go back and change my mind, but I had to this time, or I would have done an injustice to Robles’ season – and Richardson’s too. I was wrong initially, but I fixed it! Next I’ll take a look at the women’s 100 hurdles.

John Smith Reboots w/ Dix & Bailey!

2011-11-04T14:45:00.001-07:00

The last time U.S. sprint fortunes were in the precarious position we are now was coming off the 1996 Olympics. Yes, Michael Johnson won the long sprint double – the 200 in WR time. But for four straight Majors (’92, ’93, ’95 & ’96), we had lost the men’s 100 meters – and Donovan Bailey (CAN) took possession of the WR with his ’96 win. In ’95 & ’96 we lost the 4x1 relay as well – botched handoff in ’95, poor personnel management in ’96. Sound familiar?

Early during that same time frame, Coach John Smith was nurturing quarter milers Steve Lewis, Danny Everett and Quincy Watts who won Olympic gold in ’88 (Lewis) & ’92 (Watts); a couple of bronze (Everett, ’88 & ’91); and a silver (Lewis ’92). But in the middle of the decade Smith rebooted, and started attracting pure sprinters.

He began with Jon Drummond in 1993 – and he lead off a WR 4x1 in Stuttgart. Then added Ato Boldon (TRI) in ‘95, who took bronze in Goteborg and that ’96 Olympic final. A year after Atlanta he added one Maurice Greene, who didn’t perform as well as expected in Goteborg in ’95 and missed the team entirely in ’96. The rest as they say “is history” – Greene going on to win 100 meter gold medals in ’97, ’99, ’00, and ’01 – and set a WR 9.79 in ’99. Like John Wayne leading the cavalry, John Smith and his sprint crew came in to bring U.S. sprinting back to a place of prominence in the world.

Well it’s starting to look like 1997 all over again, because we’ve lost the 100 in the last three Majors – and the 200 to boot. We’ve lost the WR in the 100 – and the 200 too. And we’ve lost the last three 4x1’s – all to poor baton work. And once again, it looks like John Wayne, make that John Smith, may be riding in to save the day – with a group that closely resembles that ’97 group.

I received confirmation from Coach Smith this afternoon that this year’s “reboot” will have Trinidadian Richard Thompson – silver medalist in the Beijing 100; and Americans, Walter Dix – this year’s double silver medalist in Daegu – and Ryan Bailey – the 6’ 4” National Jr. College Record holder in the 100 meters! Dix and Bailey both have great top end speed and finishes, but often give up much ground early race. As luck would have it, Smith is a pioneer of the “Drive Phase” – the starting technique that saw Jon Drummond blaze to the front of races time after time, and that allowed Maurice Greene to be right where he needed to be to execute his own tremendous top end drive home.

They will join a squad that already has Daegu gold medalists Carmelita Jeter (100) & Jason Richardson (110H), and 4^th placer Jaysuma Ndure (200). In September I asked what happened to U.S. sprint camps, well this has the potential to be the best ever!

If I sound excited, it’s because I am. Coach Smith has the history and the pedigree, and the new additions to his camp certainly have the potential. Now if only 2011 will mirror 1997. This is going to be an Olympic season to watch!

2011 in Review – Women’s 800 Meters

2011-11-04T06:22:00.001-07:00

At the end of the day this became a very difficult event to rank, as Daegu results would not mirror the season in total. The year would get off to an extremely slow start taking us up to June and the Prefontaine Classic before we would see someone go under two minutes, as Kenia Sinclair (JAM) went crashing through at 1:58.29 – easily the world leader to that point. In the process she beat a sterling field that included Caster Semenya (SA), 1:58.88), Janeth Jekoskgei (KEN, 1:59.15), Alysia Montano (US, 1:59.40) and Yulia Rusanova (RUS, 1:59.59).

That WL would be short lived, as on the next DL stop in Oslo, Halima Haclaf (MOR) sprinted by Mariya Savinova (RUS) in the stretch to take a 1:58.27 to 1:58.44 victory with Semenya (1:58.61) also under 1:59 and another five runners under 2:00.

Then oddly the event went right back above the two minute line, as Paris and Birmingham would go above two minutes before Kenia Sinclair once again won under two in 1:58.21, with Montano (6^th, 2:00.69) and Semenya (8^th, 2:01.28) well back of the pace. Then with London the final race before Daegu, hometown girl Jenny Meadows (GBR) cranked out a 1:58.60 to beat Sinclair (1:59.16) to head to Worlds on a high note. Savinova was missing from Paris, Birmingham and London, but still headed to Daegu as the world leader off a sizzling 1:56.95 win at the Russian championships.

In the 2 + 2 qualifying of the World Champs semis, Jenny Meadows’ third place finish would leave her on the outside looking in, while Montano and Sinclair’s would earn them trips to the final. The final was dominated by Savinova, however, as she cruised to gold with Semenya, and Jepkoskgei also making the podium. Montano would barely lose out to Jepkoskgei, while Sinclair would only manage 7^th – and the difficulties with ranking this event began.

Just days after Worlds, Savinova would once again claim victory over Montano, Jepkosgei, Meadows and Semenya. Then Jepkosgei would take Semenya’s scalp in Berlin. And now I have to try and sort this all out.

Mariya Savinova

Russia

The World Champion, had a 6 – 1 overall record with wins in Stockholm and Zurich to go with Daegu – her only loss being a 2^nd place run in Oslo. She was the world leader on the clock and defeated all the principles in the event.

Caster Semenya

South Africa

On the surface it seemed like Semnya lost a lot. Looking at Semnya’s record it stood at 8 – 7 – indeed a lot of losses, but also a lot of wins. In spite of the losses Semenya was the silver medalist in Daegu and had a 3 – 2 record over my #3 – earning the #2 spot on the year.

Kenia Sinclair

Jamaica

Here’s where it got really tricky,, because there was a lot of Ro Sham Bo going on in this event over the course of the season. In the end I chose to go with Sinclair here, because though she was only 7^th at Worlds she was 5 – 4 on the year (one of the few winning records) with wins in Melbourne, Kingston, Pre, and Stockholm – and a runner up in London. She chose the wrong time to not step up, because in spite of placing only 7^th in Daegu she still ran 1:58.66, but was the most consistent athlete all year long – thus gaining the #3 slot.

Jenny Meadows

Great Britain

It was a similar situation for Meadows, who failed to make it out of her semi in Daegu – in spite of having the same placing as Montano and Sinclair. But like Sinclair she was a beast on the Circuit with wins in Shanghai, Hengelo, Birmingham and London, and a 2^nd in Stockholm in a 5 – 6 season.

Janeth Jepkosgei

Kenya

The World Champs bronze medalist garners the 5^th spot here, mostly off the strength of her Daegu run. She was only 2 – 6 on the year, with her only major win in Berlin. But in a year where many athletes were up and down, and mostly down, performing at her best when it mattered, earns her the 5^th spot.

Next I think I’ll take a look at the hurdle events before moving up in distance.

2011 in Review – Men’s 800 Meters

2011-11-02T17:32:00.001-07:00

Just as in 2010, David Rudisha (KEN) was the story of the 800 in 2011 – this time carrying the heavy mantle of WR holder. And, just as in 2010, the question on the table was whether or not Abubaker Kaki (SUD) would find a way to upset his rival.

Rudisha wasted no time putting the target squarely on his back as he went out during the Australian summer season and scorched a 1:43.88 WL in Melbourne on Mar 3^rd – a mark that only 5 men would get under the rest of the year! Another quick 1:44.80 in Sydney on Mar 19^th and we wouldn’t see Rudisha again until the end of June as he took some time off to nurse a slight injury – giving the rest of the contenders and opportunity to win some races and test themselves.

But with Rudisha on the sidelines, the first 800 of the Diamond League (Doha) went to miler Asbel Kiprop (KEN) in 1:44.74, before Khadevis Robinson’s (USA) Rome win over Mulaudzi (SA), Kiprop (KEN), Lalang (KEN) and Mutua (KEN) – albeit in a slowish 1:45.09. As May would come and go without anyone stepping up in Rudisha’s absence.

As the season turned to June however, Abubaker Kaki got untracked in Eugene with a 1:43.68 to take the WL – while taking the scalps of Robinson, Lalang and Symmonds (USA) among others – in his opening race of the season. His follow up in New York, saw him pull out only 150 meters into the race, however, with a bad hamstring – leaving a bit of uncertainty as to how his season was going to go. Meanwhile, after finishing only 8^th in that Prefontaine race behind Kaki, Nick Symmonds would return to Eugene for U.S. Nationals and turn 1:44.17 to get back into the hunt.

With the Circuit getting under way following the various national championships, Monaco became the site of the first truly fast race of the year as Rudisha (following a win at Kenyan Nationals) would blaze a new WL of 1:42.61, leading Kiprop (1:43.15), Symmonds (1:43.83) and Mutua (1:43.99) under 1:44 – and signaling that Rudisha was over his earlier physical issues. London would provide the final hot race of the year before the World Championships as Rudisha and Kaki would go head to head for the first time in 2011 – with Kaki also coming off a huge run in Monaco having run a 1500 PR of 3:31.76. Kaki stayed close but could not overcome the long striding Kenyan as Rudisha won yet again 1:42.91 to 1:43.13. And so it was that they would head to Daegu.

Daegu would once again pit Rudisha and Kaki head to head, with Symmonds and vet Yuriy Borzakovskiy (RUS, winner of his nationals in 1:43.99) expected to be in the mix. Rudisha made everyone else a non-factor however; as he went about adding World gold to the WR he set last year – winning in an easy 1:43.91 with Kaki just holding off the closing rush of Borzakovskiy 1:44.41 to 1:44.49.

That out of the way, Rudisha took a shot at a fast time zipping to a 1:41.33 in Rieti – the #5 time ever behind the last four WR runs! He then went to Brussels and won, before ending the season in Milan in his only loss of the year as young Mohamed Aman (ETH) – third in Rieti in 1:43.35 – turned the tables 1:43.50 to 1:43.57, ending Rudisha’s 26 race winning streak. The 17 year old Aman set a World Youth Record with his race in Rieti, and along with Kaki should be a nemesis of Rudisha’s for years to come.

Now, on to the rankings.

David Rudisha

Kenya

No question here as Rudisha was a scant .07 away from perfection, going 10 – 1 on the season. He added World gold to his WR, defeated everyone in sight, and once again broke the 1:42 second barrier as he ran the #5 time ever. Not much else to say, simple Nuff Said.

Abubaker Kaki

Sudan

Just as easy a choice for #2 as Kaki was 4 – 4 on the season – twice taking second to Rudisha and twice unable to finish. He was the World silver medalist, and beat everyone else of note head to head.

Adam Kszczot

Poland

Here’s where it gets tough – and this is easily the toughest decision I’ve made so far in my rankings, but I’m going with the Daegu 6^th placer here. In a nutshell, he was better than everyone else below him aside from Daegu. He was second in Rieti – the fastest race of the year. He won in Hengelo, Bydgoszcz, Krakow and Stockholm – beating my #4 on three occasions for a 3 – 1 record. And only Rudisha, Kaki and Kiprop were faster on the season.

Marcin Lewandowski

Poland

Another tough call, but at the end of the day I had to go with the 4^th placer from Daegu as he had the best season overall outside of Daegu –not counting those ahead of him. In addition to just missing the podium in Daegu, he was 2^nd in Lausanne, Birmingham & Bydgozcz, as well as 3^rd in Milan, 4^th in Brussels & Hengelo, and 5^th in Rieti in a long 12 meet season.

Yuri Borzakovski

Russia

The bronze medalist in Daegu, Borzakovski only raced one other time outside of Russia in a 6 meet season. And while he did beat Lewandowski at Worlds, the Pole simply had the better overall season in spite of Borzo’s finishing one place ahead in Daegu.

Next the women’s event.

2011 in Review – Women’s 400 Meters

2011-11-01T16:37:00.001-07:00

This was a very intriguing event, and one of the top stories in 2011, as it featured one half of the double sprint attempt of Allyson Felix (USA).

Nothing of note happened here in the spring, but once May hit everyone got busy. Felix started the month off blazing, opening up in Doha at 50.33 (May 6) before scorching 49.81 in Rome (May 26) to end the month. Both times she set world leads, beating Amantle Montsho (BOT) in Doha, then Monstsho, Richards Ross (USA) and Mc Corory (USA) in Rome – her Rome victory demonstrating her strength in the stretch.

Prefontaine would start the month of June, and would mark a change in fortune for both Montsho and Felix as Montsho would turn the tables winning over Felix and Richards Ross – this time Montsho showing strength in a race cursed by strong headwinds down the backstretch. Monstsho would go on to win in Oslo, before getting a huge PR win in Monaco, taking over the world lead from Felix with a storming 49.71 – Mc Corory also PRing behind her at 50.29 – in her final race before Daegu.

Meanwhile, defending World Champion Richards Ross was struggling with a season’s best of only 50.61 in a loss in Lausanne (to Montsho) before coming home in 51.11 in Birmingham – making a defense of her title appear very bleak. Then in her final tune up in London she hit on all cylinders clocking an SB 49.66 to take the London 400 – sending her to London, once again looking like she might have a shot at a repeat after all.

But while her 49.66 was faster than Montsho’s PR 49.71, it was not the world leader heading into Daegu as once again the Russians would turn fast times at their National Championships – this time Ana Kapachinskaya blitzing 49.35 to lead everyone in the run up to the World Championships.

Once in Daegu, everyone that should have been in the finals made it, though Richards Ross did so courtesy of being the final qualifier on time – not boding well for her chances in the final. That final was dominated by Montsho and Felix as both went sailing around the track with Felix a lane just inside of Montsho. Off the final bend they were clear of the field with Felix still just off Montsho’s shoulder. And that’s how they would finish as try as she might, Montsho would not let Felix go by as she held her off for gold by an eyelash 49.56 to 49.59 – PR’s for both athletes.

There would be no further races among the top women, which sends us to my top five for the season.

Amantle Montsho

Botswana

Montsho started the season with two consecutive losses to Allyson Felix, but would lose no more in an 8 – 2 season. Her season included wins in Eugene, Oslo, Lausanne, Birmingham, Monaco and Brussels as she proved to be one of the few athletes in any discipline that would compete in nearly every major opportunity that was available. She avenged her earlier losses to Felix as they split 2 -2 with Montsho winning the biggie in Daegu. She finally got under the 50 second barrier and set a fine PR of 49.56 in what was easily the best season of her career.

Allyson Felix

United States

Felix started off hot hitting 49.81 in only her second run of the year. But doubling over 200/400 proved to be a bit more difficult than she may have anticipated as it took her until Daegu to get back in stride for this event. She was 3 – 2 in the quarter, splitting her season with Montsho and defeating everyone else of note. Earning her #2 here.

Ana Kapachinskaya

Russia

This was a tough choice, primarily because Kapachinskaya competed little away from home. But she did win in Berlin and Nice, was 2 – 0 against #4 and was the bronze medalist at Worlds – the record against my #4 being the key. She also had one of the few winning records at 5 – 2, though as previously stated had some home cooking baked in.

Francena Mc Corory

United States

Fourth in Daegu, Mc Corory just gets edged out for the #3 spot here as well. She had a very solid season at 4 – 7 – solid because she competed in several of the events tougher events. Unfortunately, she was 0 – 2 against Kapachinskaya in Berlin and Daegu. So I just couldn’t give her the three spot. However, it was still an outstanding breakthrough season for Mc Corory.

Novlene Williams Mills

Jamaica

After the top four it was slim pickings this year, as everyone else seemed to struggle through most of the season. In the end I chose Williams Mills. Eighth in Daegu and sixth in Lausanne, Williams Mills had a string of thirds in Birmingham, Monaco, and London, as well as a second in Brussels – at the end of the day better than all except those ahead of her.

Next either the 800 or short hurdles – I haven't decided yet.

The Conte Response

2011-10-30T10:36:00.001-07:00

Last week I suggested that with the various accusations Victor Conte has thrown out over the years regarding the wide spread use drugs in the sport, perhaps he might be the best source to help develop a system that could fix the problem. And that if he were sincere in wanting to see a cleaner track and field, perhaps he should offer to work with the sport as opposed to criticize it from afar.

Well imagine my surprise when apparently Mr. Conte himself not only read what I wrote but took the time to post a response to it. So following is Mr. Conte’s response as posted on this site:

Hi Conway,
I have met with both USADA and WADA a number of times and provided both agencies with lots of information that could help to reduce the use of drugs in sport. However, I'm just not so sure there is a genuine interest in catching those using performance enhancing drugs. I told USDA to increase their out of competition testing during the fourth quarter of the year because that is when the athletes are using steroids and other PEDs in conjunction with weight training to build the explosive strength base that serves them throughout the next competitive season. However, in the fourth quarter of 2007 before the 2008 Olympic Games, USADA actually reduced the amount of testing done by 50%. Why? I met with Dick Pound from WADA in New York in December of 2007 and provided him with lots of valuable information. Specific information that was never followed up on, because the new chairman John Fahey said that he didn't want to accept information from a "convicted felon." In 2010 I worked again with WADA on another project in which I was trying to help them develop a test for another designer substance. I asked Dick to please obtain a copy of the extensive notes that were taken during our 2007 meeting to confirm what I had told them about this network of people back in 2007 when WADA chose not to use the information. He came back and told me that WADA had "destroyed the notes" from our meeting. So, I question whether or not there is actually a genuine interest by USADA and WADA to catch the many drug cheats out there in sport today. Much of what I hear the officials from these agencies say publicly seems to be more about propaganda designed to deter athletes from using drugs. However, the athletes, trainers and chemists involved in doping are not so easliy going to be deterred by strong talk. Scare tactics have obviously not worked in the past and I don't think they will work in the future either.There is simply too much incentive for the athletes and it is too easy to circumvent the anti-doping procedures in place at this time. In my opinion, the testing procedures need a complete overhaul before there will be a significant reduction in the use of drugs at the elite level of sport. I believe that it can be done, but these agencies will need to learn to judge less and listen more before significant positive change comes.

October 28, 2011 11:38 AM

Now, that’s a lot to digest, because it would appear that Conte has indeed made an attempt to do what I had suggested – work with the acronyms (USADA, WADA, et al) to improve the state of drug testing within the sport.

This, of course is just one side of the conversation, as there is no corroborating information from the USADA/WADA side that these things did indeed happen. Though I would certainly welcome comments from either agency regarding their interactions with Mr. Conte.

I do know, however, that this is a potentially great match for the sport – the pairing of one of the best doping minds the sport has seen with those entities entrusted with catching the very individuals that Conte once assisted! And just as I raised the question of sincerity with Conte, I have to do the same with the agencies whose job it is to bring down the cheaters, because I would think that whether you like Conte or not, obtaining his knowledge on doping would be a tremendous coup.

I also know that some of the things Conte mentioned in his response make sense. I myself have mentioned the need for increased out of competition testing to ensure proper development of “blood passports” to use with a Blood Testing program. As a matter of fact, I will be taking a look at the whole issue of testing and my suggestions to improve the sports’ standing on this matter in the very near future.

For now I would like to thank Mr. Conte for his comments, and would love to hear from USADA and/or WADA regarding their side of the Conte conversation.

2011 in Review – Men’s 400 Meters

2011-10-28T17:58:00.001-07:00

2011 proved to be a year of “old v new” 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 and Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt.

The young guns dominated the early action, as the collegiate quarter milers came out of a hot indoor season that saw Kirani James (GRN, 44.80) Tony McQuay (USA, 45.21) and Demetrius Pinder (BAH, 45.33) turn in some sizzling marks. Unfortunately for McQuay, he would be injured in his heat of the deuce at NCAA’s and would see his season derailed for the early part of outdoors. There was no such problem for Grenadian’s James and Rondell Bartholmew, as Bartholomew screamed a 44.65 on Apr 2^nd that would lead the world until the opening rounds in Daegu – Bartholomew would not run as fast for the rest of the year! James was not quite as fast but his outdoor opener of 45.12 (Apr 23^rd) would be a portent of things to come.

Meanwhile, veteran Jeremy Wariner (USA) was starting to show signs of being his “old self” as he went 45.61 (Apr 23^rd), 45.19 (Apr 30) and 44.88 (May 7^th) in quick succession. The collegiates kept the heat on in May and June, however, as James screamed a 44.86 to win the SEC crown, then McQuay countered with a 44.87 in the first round of the NCAA outdoor champs. They would go head to head in the NCAA final in less than ideal conditions with James (45.10) taking the title just ahead of McQuay’s 45.14.

McQuay would then meet veteran Wariner in a battle for the U.S. title – a battle that McQuay would win going away 44.68 to 44.98. Another veteran would get upended that same weekend, as Jamaican record holder Jermaine Gonzalez found himself on the outside looking in, with a 4^th place finish at the Jamaican Trials for Daegu. Gonzales would end up making the Jamaican team however, as 2^nd place Leford Greene chose to focus on the 400H and dropped out of the open 400, leaving a spot for Gonzalez.

On the heels of all of those fireworks, several principles in the event suddenly went quiet, as McQuay would not race again until Daegu, and Wariner & James would only race once each. Wariner’s 45.50 for 4^th in Paris would mark the end of his season as he would race no more, and announced shortly thereafter that he was withdrawing from Worlds due to injury. James’ 44.61 to win in London was a PR and would signal that he was very fit ahead of Daegu. Among those defeated by James, was Jermaine Gonzalez – 2^nd in 44.85. It was part of a busy summer for Gonzalez who ran four times in his lead up to Daegu – winning in Lausanne and Stockholm, and coming third is Paris in addition to the London race.

The win in Stockholm was an SB and marked the return to the track of LaShawn Merritt – finally eligible to compete a scant four weeks before the World Championships. Merritt’s season opening 44.74, pushed Gonzales to his SB and immediately put Merritt into contention for the global title. Unfortunately for Merritt, there was only one more opportunity to get sharp before Daegu (London where Merritt wasn’t entered) as after London there was a three week lull in activity with no competitions leading into the World Championships!

So once again Daegu marked the place where the elite went to meet – as head to head match ups in most events were hard to find in 2011. It didn’t take things long to heat up once everyone arrived in Daegu, as LaShawn Merritt flew to a world leading 44.35 in the 3^rd heat of the FIRST round easily the fastest first round (3 round format) ever! That was the good news. The bad news in round one was the injury elimination of Tony McQuay in the final round (5) as his injury from earlier in the year resurfaced and the U.S. champion was only able to finish 6^th in his heat. The semis saw Merritt under 45 seconds again (44.76) as he was the only competitor to do so. Lining up for the final the race was clearly between Merritt, James, and Gonzales, but as they came off the turn Merritt looked to be headed for a repeat of his ’09 win as he was a couple of meters ahead of James with the rest of the field in tow. James would slowly eat into the lead as they headed up the stretch however, until in literally the final couple of strides he edged ahead for a 44.60 to 44.63 win over the defending champion – becoming the youngest ever World champion in the event. James Merritt and Gonzales would meet once more in Zurich with James setting a PR 44.36 to win over Merritt’s 44.67.

And now it’s time to hand out the rankings. A task that was somewhat easier than the other events so far as there were some clear divisions among the top competitors.

Kirani James

Grenada

James was an easy choice for the #1 spot. For starters he was undefeated, going 8 – 0 on the season with major wins at the NCAA championships, London, Zurich and Berlin. He had the #2 time in the world and beat everyone that was anyone this year. And, oh yeah, he won the World title. In the process he became the #2 Junior of all time behind the legendary Steve Lewis (USA). James did everything he needed to this year.

LaShawn Merritt

United States

Merritt also did everything he needed to, or at least everything one could given his circumstances. He led the world on the clock, took the silver medal at the World Championships, and in five late season races beat everyone that mattered on the season that wasn’t injured by the time he arrived. He was 2 -3 on the season, but never worse than 2^nd, including a 2 -1 record over World’s 4^th placer Jermaine Gonzales.

Jermaine Gonzales

Jamaica

Though 4^th in Daegu, Gonzales was 2 – 1 over bronze medalist Kevin Borlee. His 3 – 8 record included wins in Ostrava, Lausanne and Stockholm. And only at Jamaica Nationals and Worlds did he finish worse than 3^rd – finishing 4^th on each occasion.

Chris Brown

Bahamas

Choosing this spot was the toughest of the five. At the end of the day it was his 2 – 0 record over the next man on the list and his wins in Kingston, Rome and Paris (4 – 7 on the season) that earned him this spot. His biggest failure was not making the Daegu final, but his wins in Europe and head to heads get Brown this spot.

Kevin Borlee

Belgium

Borlee won the bronze medal in Daegu, but his wins were in unimpressive meets in Izmir, Madrid, and Budapest in a 3 – 8 season. IN addition, he lost to Brown in New York and London. Makng this one of those times when the Circuit outweighed Worlds for me.

That’s my assessment of the men’s event. Next up the women’s 400.

2011 in Review – Women’s 200 Meters

2011-10-26T11:24:00.001-07:00

As with the men’s event, the women’s deuce suffers from a lack of real competition among it’s best competitors – possibly even more so. Ninety three times women have broken the 22 second barrier with legal wind – none did so in 2011. As a matter of fact, there have only been nine such marks in the New Millennium! None at all in ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06 and this year. Compare that to the twenty eight marks under 11 seconds that were churned out in 2011, and we have an event that is sorely underdeveloped – crying out for someone to just take it over!

This year didn’t get going until May, but then started out as if it were going to be one of those banner years, as Veronica Campbell Brown (JAM) and Shelly Ann Fraser (JAM) went head to head in Kingston and Fraser upsetting VCB with a sizzling early season 22.10w. It would be the fastest time of the year under any conditions and we would only see VCB and Fraser a combined five more times during the season – Campbell Brown three times and Fraser two. And so would go the season.

Defending World champion Allyson Felix embarked on a sprint double for Daegu so split her time between here and the 400. The 400 strength paid off early with wins in Daegu (Pre Worlds, Jun 12) and New York, but her lack of sizzling times was a portent for the future. Actually a portent for the season as up to the June “National Championships” period for various countries, no one really put down a marker that said “I am this year’s favorite” – especially with VCB already sporting a loss.

Then at U.S. Nationals we finally had some fireworks, as Shalonda Solomon blitzed the year’s fastest legal time with her 22.15 win. The real surprise, however, was the second place finish of Carmelita Jeter as her semi (22.24) and final (22.23) made her a serious contender heading into Daegu. A 22.20 win in Monaco during the summer (over Felix among others) solidified her credentials. And with VCB competing only once more before Daegu (off the grid in Budapest) and Felix not looking sharp, the year’s preseason favorites looked like they could give way to an upstart at Worlds.

An “upstart” who would not get that opportunity was Bianca Knight (USA) who placed fourth at Nationals, but came back over the summer to take victories in Rome, Birmingham, and London! So entering the World Championships, Daegu would be the only race of the season where all the main combatants would go head to head, with Knight the only heavyweight not in attendance.

The World Championships would see the seldom raced Veronica Campbell Brown take gold ahead of the U.S. trio of Jeter, Feiix and Solomon, as Jeter nearly pulled off the upset win – sporting a blazing bend before VCB finally found her gear in the second half of the stretch to take the win. Jeter would return to take the last big race of the season winning in Zurich ahead of Felix, Fraser, Solomon, and Knight et al. – with Campbell Brown not in attendance.

With the season in the books, two things made this event very difficult to rank. One was the minimal season put in by Veronica Campbell Brown, as she raced here in only four meets, including Daegu. The other was the failure of Bianca Knight to make the U.S. team, because she was clearly one of the better sprinters during the European Circuit. Taking everything into account, however, here is how I finally ranked the top five.

Veronica Campbell Brown

Jamaica

I hate to play “rock, paper, scissors” when ranking athletes – A beat B, B beat C, and C beat A so ….. Which really leaves this year’s World Championships as the biggest meet of the year in more ways than one. With the exception of Knight, VCB took on everyone that mattered and came out on top – and did so convincingly. Couple that with the fact she had the best record on the season percentage wise at 4 – 1, and I have to give her the nod – though barely.

Carmelita Jeter

United States

Jeter had the best set of marks on the season as she hammered out four races of 22.2x – easily the top set of marks this year. Unfortunately, she was only 4 – 4 on the season, and in the one race where she got the opportunity to face Campbell Brown she came up a bit short. A win in Daegu and she ranks #1 in her first serious attempt at the distance. The loss leaves her at #2.

Allyson Felix

United States

Spots three, four and five were more difficult than one would think – mostly because of the presence of Bianca Knight on the European Circuit. Felix was only 2 – 4 on the year, however, this Ro Sham Bo season left most of the top women with “negative” seasons. In the end Felix was 2 – 2 with Knight, and came home with bronze over Solomon at Worlds and thus grabs the #3 slot here.

Shalonda Solomon

United States

Finding a ranking slot was a similar situation with Solomon who, in spite of her world leading 22.15 at Nationals, was only 2 – 4 on the year. Among her races she met Knight 3 times, beating her twice, the big one being her finish ahead of her in Zurich. That and her fourth place finish land Solomon my #4 spot.

Bianca Knight

United States

Knight actually had one of the best records in the event this season at 4 – 5, with three of those wins in Rome, Birmingham and London. Her fourth place at U.S. Trials cost her, however, as she missed the year’s biggest race, and after finishing behind Felix and Solomon more often than ahead, I can only find room for her here at #5.

So went an interesting year in the women’s deuce. Next I’ll take a look at the men and women’s 400.

Time for Victor Conte to Come Clean

2011-10-24T09:52:00.001-07:00

Victor Conte is back in the news, as once again we get to hear from the horse’s mouth just how dirty this sport has been and is – in his opinion. Of course Conte’s opinion is considerable if you take into account the fact that he was the chemical mastermind behind the “Cream” (Testosterone cream) and the “Clear” (Tetrahydrogestrinone or THG) – the “undetectable” drugs at the heart of the BALCO scandal of the “oughts” which took down such luminaries as Tim Montgomery, Dwain Chambers, Kellie White, Kevin Toth, Regina Jacobs, and Marion Jones among others.

Given Mr. Conte’s resume, I would say he should know a little something about the drug issues within the sport of track and field. After all, I’m sure these are not the only athletes that either first or second hand used or gained knowledge from the products that he distributed. Besides, when you reach the forefront of your field, as Conte did in developing his undetectable products, you gain lots of “friends” and develop quite a network within the industry. So I would imagine that Conte’s “inside” knowledge is rather considerable.

Unfortunately Conte, and the sport, seems to be rather shortsighted when it comes to his knowledge and how he can help the sport. Because all Conte seems to want to do is point fingers and “tattle” on those I’m sure he feels got away while he and others had to serve their time – literally. The sport – as in WADA, the IAAF, and other acronyms – all seem to be convinced that the best use of Conte is as a “snitch”, which, unfortunately, is the unsavory category in which they place his potential testimony – as that of a snitch that may, or may not, be coming clean with proper information because he has an axe to grind with some folk within the sport as opposed to a sincere desire to clean up the sport.

So the two sides have sat at odds in something of a “Mexican Standoff” for nearly a decade, with Conte periodically screaming out that he knows who is dirty and he will tell if only people will listen; and the sport keeping him at arm’s length afraid to take his word as the gospel and start sending athletes, coaches and others to “time out”. Meanwhile Conte’s cries of “dirty sport” keeps the topic of drugs in this sport at the forefront, when track and field desperately needs to close that chapter and move forward.

Ironically I think Conte could actually help the sport accomplish the latter – to move forward in a positive manner. Not as the ultimate “insider” snitch, but as the chemical mastermind that he has proven to be. I think it’s time for Conte to come clean, as in come clean up the sport that he helped to sully! And the sport should embrace him with open arms in THAT regard!

We know that the system that’s been in use is, well useless when it comes to anything outside of the old tried and true drugs that the sport already has a solid read on – Clembuterol, Stanozolol, Furazabol, and Danabol to name a few. The “new stuff” the “undetectables” needs a more modern approach to get to the source. Blood testing could do that if the system were fully and properly implemented, but that would require the use of “passports” developed sport wide based on extensive out of competition testing to develop baselines – something that the sport in is nowhere near close to.

So, since we are basically at square one in the fight against drug use in sport, what better way to develop a system that is actually capable of catching drug cheats than by enlisting the aid/knowledge of the man who created the drugs to beat the old system! It’s not that radical a concept. As a matter of fact it’s no different than manufacturers of safes working with former safe crackers to find out why their products were vulnerable. After all, who would know better than a man that broke into your previously thought to be impenetrable product?

Now, I’m not suggesting that we line Mr. Conte’s pockets to do this. After all, he already made a lot of money while helping to give us the black eye we now carry. No, I would think that if Mr. Conte is “sincere” in his statements that he wants to see the sport clean, that he would gladly “volunteer” his services as sort of a form of “community service” to give back to the sport he has robbed. And if the acronyms are “sincere” in their stated want to clean up the sport, they will welcome him with open arms. Perhaps even provide a “stipend” to cover his basic costs – travel, lodging, food – while he works with WADA, the UCLA laboratory, or whomever it is deemed will serve best from his knowledge.

You see my belief is that if Conte knows who’s doping, then he knows how to bring them down – and I would rather see them brought down within the system, than via accusation. Because development of a system will not only bring down those he knows are cheating currently, but will prevent others from doing the same in the future – giving Conte the opportunity to change his legacy from the man at the head of BALCO to the man that made track and field (and others) a clean sport.

That, of course, is if everyone involved in truly interested in bringing us a clean sport.

2011 in Review – Men’s 200 Meters

2011-10-22T11:12:00.001-07:00

The deuce annually has the potential to be one of the best events of the season. Unfortunately two things always seem to get in the way – injuries and lack of competition.

This year’s casualties to injury were significant as Tyson Gay (USA) pulled out of Nationals due to injury and Wallace Spearmon (USA) was unable to advance past the opening round at Nationals. Gay is a former World champion (’07) and Spearmon was a medalist in ’05, ’07, and ’09. Another significant player was lost when Berlin finalist Steve Mullings (JAM) was lost to a drug suspension.

At the end of the day, however, it was lack of competition that once again kept the deuce from elevating to the top of the sports list of special events. Things looked like they might get hot in 2011 as Walter Dix (USA) opened up at 20.06 in Doha (May 6) followed the next day by Nickel Ashmeade (JAM) blowing out the year’s first sub20 with a 19.95 in Kingston. But after a sizzling opening, the remainder of May was quiet in the deuce.

June opened up hot as Usain Bolt (JAM) took to the track and took over the yearly lead at 19.86 in Oslo on June 9^th. But again, the remainder of the month was quiet, the only other mark of note being a windy U.S. Nationals race with Dix (19.95, +2.4) out leaning Darvis Patton (19.98). From then until Daegu things were relatively quiet with no elite head to heads, and 2010 find Yohan Blake (JAM) avoiding the event altogether. Bolt won in Paris (20.03) and Stockholm (20.03), while Dix won Pre (20.19), Lucerne (20.02) and London (20.16) as the pair carved up the major races of the summer without going head to head. Ashmeade, after his blazing opener in Kingston, would run there again at Jamaica Nationals (2^nd, 20.32) but would not be seen again until Daegu. Meanwhile Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) was honing his skills in Stockholm (20.28 to win his heat) and Paris (20.21) behind Bolt; as was Jaysuma Ndure (NOR) – a 2^nd at Pre in 20.28 behind Dix, and a 2^nd to Bolt in Oslo at 20.43 his best showings.

So it was that Daegu, as is becoming the norm in this event, would become the defining race of the season – providing that rare opportunity on the year where the best would actually line up in this event. The outcome was the deepest race of the season as Bolt (19.40), Dix (19.70), Lemaitre (19.80, PR) and Ndure (19.95) would all break the 20 second barrier – with early sub 20 man Ashmeade 5^th in 20.29. The race would NOT be the years’ fastest however, as two weeks later Yohan Blake and Walter Dix lined up in Brussels in the deuce with Blake (19.26) becoming #2 all-time ahead of Dix (19.53) fueling my thoughts that this event is perhaps the best on the planet if we could just get the world’s best to compete with some regularity – and against each other!

All that said this event became fairly easy to rank at the end of the day:

Usain Bolt

Jamaica

Bolt was undefeated on the year, though his season only consisted of four races. One of those races was the World Championships where he defended his title – only Calvin Smith (‘83/’87) and Michael Johnson (‘93/’95) have won back to back World titles in the deuce. His 19.40 was #4 all-time at the time – now #5 – and he beat everyone that mattered on the season.

Walter Dix

United States

Just as easy a pick for the #2 slot, Dix took World silver and was #2 in the year’s two fastest races – races that produced the #’s 2 & 5 times ever. Dix was 5 – 2 on the year and defeated everyone else that mattered.

Christophe Lemaitre

France

Some may begin to see a pattern here as Lemaitre garners the same slot as his finish in Daegu, as the bronze medalist lost only to Bolt and Dix during his 3 – 2 season.

Jaysuma Ndure

Norway

Fourth in the year’s biggest race, twice under 20 seconds, and never worse than fourth in eight races. Ndure was solid all season long.

Nickel Ashmeade

Jamaica

Again the World Championships was the big determiner here in what was a four meet season for Ashmeade. He started the season at 19.95 in Kingston and ended it at 19.91 in Brussels, but only his Nationals and Worlds in between must rate the same as his finish in Daegu.

I’m sure some are asking, “What about Blake?” While Blake sizzled in Brussels with the #2 time ever, one race does not a season make. And while Blake did compete in four meets during the year, his times in the other three were 20.39, 20.33, and 20.38. He did defeat Dix in Brussels, but he also lost to Marvin Andersen in Ostrava (20.27 to 20.38). So with poor marks outside of Brussels, along with a loss, and not competing at Worlds, Blake just can’t crack my top 5 – even though he did move to #2 all time on the clock.

Next up, the women.

2011 in Review – Women’s 100 Meters

2011-10-20T17:52:00.001-07:00

The women’s 2011 season couldn’t have been more different than the men’s season if it had been scripted that way. The top women all had marks on the board by early May as defending World champion Shelly Ann Fraser (JAM) opening up over 200 with a 22.69 (Apr 16) & 22.10w (May 7); defending silver medalist Kerron Stewart (JAM) turning 11.07 (May 7); and Berlin bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter lighting it up with clockings of 10.99 (Apr 16) & 10.86 (May 7). That May 7^th meet was the Jamaica Invitational where we got a new entrant into the sprint wars in Kelly Ann Baptiste (TRI) who cracked sizzled in 10.94.

A week later Marshevet Myers (USA) clocked 11.09 (May 14) to get in range; and Veronica Campbell Brown (JAM) opened up with a 10.92 in Shanghai (May15) to defeat Jeter’s 10.95. On June 4^th Shelly Ann Fraser opened over 100 at 10.95 at Prefontaine and the field was basically set for the season. The Prefontaine meet was huge with Fraser’s clocking good for only 4^th behind Jeter (10.70), Myers (10.86), and Stewart (10.87)!

Unlike the men who were basically MIA over most of the European season however, the women were quite active. Campbell Brown started things off in fine fashion blasting a PR 10.76 in Ostrava and the summer was off to the races as the women raced frequently with some two to three woman combination of the above present at most of the major Euro races leading up to Daegu – the only exception being Shelly Ann Fraser who only had two races between Pre and Daegu.

Everyone showed up to Daegu intact, making the World Championships the primary race on the season that it should be – all the main contenders showing up going head to head for gold. While the conditions (negative winds) kept the women from achieving seasons bests, we were treated to a championship caliber competition with the summer’s top performers coming through in the end – Jeter (gold), Campbell Brown (silver), and Baptiste (bronze).

The women gave us a good show all season long, and made ranking them much easier than separating the men. With that, let’s take a look at how the season broke down with my view of the top five women on the season.

Carmelita Jeter

United States

Jeter did everything that you would expect of a #1 selection. She had the seasons best record at 11 – 1, her only loss coming to VCB in Shanghai. She had the seasons best time at 10.70- the =7^th all-time clocking. Eight times she ran under 11.00, two of them sub 10.80. Several of those meets were in Diamond League competitions as she ran in Shanghai, Eugene, Stockholm, London and Brussels. And of course she ran in Daegu where she upgraded to gold from previous bronze. Making her a clear #1

Veronica Campbell Brown

Jamaica

VCB is just as easy a choice for #2, as her season was nearly as solid as Jeter’s. She was 5 – 2 on the season and was the only sprinter to beat Jeter at this distance doing so once, with her only two losses coming at the hands of Jeter in Daegu and Brussels. Everyone else fell victim to her at some point. She had 7 sub 11 clockings in a season that included meets in Shanghai, Paris and Brussels. Only Jeter at #1 stood in her way all season.

Kelly Ann Baptiste

Jamaica

Kelly Ann was another easy choice, as her 5 – 4 record only had losses to Jeter and Campbell Brown – twice finishing second, twice third. She competed in major meets in Paris, London, Berlin and Brussels in addition to her bronze medal in Daegu. With victories in Berlin and Paris she was about the only sprinter to notch victories in races of significance that weren’t named Carmelita or Veronica.

Shelly Ann Fraser

Jamaica

Here is where things get a bit difficult, because with the aforementioned women winning everything, everyone else had “negative” seasons as wins were just not there to be had. In the end the World Championships was the main determinant as Fraser’s four meet season resulted in a 1 – 3 record. But a 4^th in Eugene, a 3^rd in London, and a 4^th at Worlds gets her this spot based on finishing only behind those ahead of her on the season.

Kerron Stewart

Jamaica

Stewart was better on the clock than Fraser on the year, and her 1 – 7 record found her competing more often while finishing frequently in third place to the top three women in meets in Eugene, Paris, Stockholm and Berlin. Unfortunately for Stewart she didn’t show her best in the biggest meet of the year finishing only 6^th at Worlds, and thus finds herself a spot behind Fraser here. I may have had a better argument had she finished in 5^th, definitely in 4^th, but 6^th place was just too much of a fall off when it mattered to rate her higher.

So there it is, my top five in the women’s 100. Next I will take a look at the deuce, first men, then women.

2011 In Review – Men’s 100 Meters

2011-10-18T12:31:00.001-07:00

With the general rankings out of the way, it’s 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’s 100 meters which always lends itself to questions/controversy. Even more so in recent years as we seem to get fewer and fewer matchups among the events top combatants.

The 2011 100 meter season started off like a house afire, with Steve Mullings (JAM) blasting a PR 9.90 in mid-April (16^th), then turning that into 9.89 in late May (21^st). As June opened up, Mullings (9.80) then Tyson Gay (USA, 9.79) set new world leads within hours of each other on June 4th. And a week later at the NCAA Championships Ngoni Makusha (ZIM) set an NCAA record 9.89 in winning the collegiate title. The only “downer” on the sprints to that point was the slow start of Usain Bolt (JAM) who only had a SB 9.91 up to that point. As by mid-June four men – Mullings, Gay, Mike Rodgers (USA) and Makusha – were jumbled between 9.79 & 9.89 on the yearly list – and FIFTEEN men had broken 10.00 with legal wind!

Then the wheels came off of what was looking to be a banner year in the 100 meters! First Tyson Gay couldn’t answer the bell for U.S. Nationals, and shortly thereafter had hip surgery. Asafa Powell (JAM) would win the Jamaican Trials (10.08, -1.8 after a 9.90 semi) then take over the world lead on June 30 with a 9.78. Then after 9.91 and 9.86 efforts in July, he pulled out of the World Championships because of injury issues – though he returned the week after Worlds to run 9.92 in Zurich.

Powell wasn’t the only athlete to pull out of Worlds however, as Steve Mullings and Mike Rodgers were both forced to withdraw after testing positive in their respective Nationals Championships! A good news/bad news dilemma for the sport on the doping front – good news that they were caught; bad news that high profile athletes (9.80 & 9.85 respectively on the season) were involved. Then just as it seemed that things couldn’t get worse, Usain Bolt – who was already in the midst of a down season for him – showed the lunacy of the current false start rule when he had to bow out of the World Championships final after leaving his blocks a bit too early!

All wasn’t doom and gloom for the event however. The eventual World Champion – after all the suspensions, injuries and fauz paux’ was Yohan Blake (JAM) who became the youngest ever World Champion at the tender age of twenty one. Blake went on to record SB’s of 9.82 in back to back contests in Zurich and Berlin to close out his season. Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, also twenty one, went from being the first white man to run sub10 to a legitimate threat over the distance recording four sub10’s (and four National Records) on his way to an SB 9.92 and a 4^th place finish in Daegu.

American Justin Gatlin continued his successful return from his ’06 drug suspension breaking the 10 second barrier twice on his way to a second place finish at the National Championships (9.95) – earning himself a ticket to Daegu. Unfortunately injury issues kept him from having an impact in Daegu. Gatlin’s conqueror at Nationals was Walter Dix, who turned his ticket into silver with his runner up to Blake at the World Championships. And Usain Bolt finally found some form post Daegu, to record a world leading 9.76 in his final meet of the year in Brussels.

The up and down nature of this season made it somewhat difficult to rank, as most of the top athletes during the first part of the season failed to finish the season and/or were unable to cross the line in Daegu for the reasons stated above – Mullings, Rodgers, Gay, Bolt, & Powell. The lack of head to heads among the top athletes only make things more difficult, as only Bolt & Powell went head to head in any that mattered for ranking purposes.

Given all of that, here is my top five for 2011:

#1

Yohan Blake

Jamaica

It may be controversial for some, but I settled on Yohan Blake for #1. Blake had two losses in a nine meet season, but he won the meet that mattered most, the World Championships, to go with a solid sequence of marks. He also avenged his two losses from earlier in the season. Blake gave an indication of things to come when he opened his season with at 9.80w. While others faltered during the season, however, he managed to be at his best when it mattered most, winning in Daegu with daylight between him and the field, then running back to back PR’s of 9.82 to finish the season in high profile races in Zurich and Berlin.

#2

Usain Bolt

Jamaica

Usain Bolt gets the nod at #2. He was undefeated and led the world at 9.76, but made the mistake of false starting out of the final in Daegu. It was Bolt’s fauz paux at Worlds that kept him out of the #1 position, as victory there would have locked up gold to go with his undefeated season. Bolt closed out the year in fine fashion with a 9.85 (Zagreb) & 9.76 WL (Brussels) but with a season of only five finals, and without meeting the World gold & silver medalists can rate no higher.

#3

Walter Dix

United States

Choosing #3 was a bit dicier. At the end of the day, however, I went with the World silver medalist.Dix was 5 – 2 in his 7 meet season, and came away with the silver medal in the biggest meet of the year. His season shows one of the flaws in the Diamond League where only half the events are contested. Dix competed in Doha, Eugene, London and Brussels – but each time in the 200. His only Diamond 100 coming in Zurich.

#5

Asafa Powell

Jamaica

Powell, at #4 was 5 – 3 on the season. He set a WL 9.78 at the end of June, but faded from that point on and missed the World Championships – that cost him another place in the standings, as with arguable an equal season to Dix results wise, the silver medal gives Dix the edge – though Powell did finish a place ahead of him in their only “head to head” in Zurich.

#5

Christophe Lemaitre

France

I round out my top 5 with World Championships 4th placer Lemaitre. In eleven meets he was 6 – 5, but finished just out of the medals in Daegu and was consistently in the top 3 in every other race he ran except Monaco.

That’s my story and I’m stickin to it. Next I’ll take a look at the women’s side of the 100 meters.

Robert Harting – My 2011 Male Athlete of the Year

2011-10-15T08:55:00.001-07:00

Looking back over 2011, the sport’s top male athletes had some very interesting seasons. Usain Bolt (JAM) was once again undefeated – though he did false start out of the World Championships 100 meter final. Kirani James (GRN) pulled off an “upset” in Daegu by beating defending champion LaShawn Merritt (USA), and quiet as it’s kept was also undefeated – though most of his races were against collegiate competition. David Rudisha (KEN) just missed being undefeated by .07 sec – losing his final race of the season by little more than the thickness of his vest. And Mo Farah (GBR) almost pulled off the unthinkable, nearly winning double gold in the 5K/10K in Daegu with his 5000m victory and 10,000m silver against strong contingents from the African continent – the best ever double performance by a “non-African” nation competitor in the World Championships! And there was World decathlon champion Tre Hardee (USA) who won the prestigious Gotzis competition in addition to Daegu.

At the end of the day, however, I had to give #1 to a man with an undefeated and nearly flawless season – German discus thrower Robert Harting. From January 29^th thru September 17^th Harting was perfect – winning 16 straight competitions! In an era where 8 meets seems to be a lot for most elite level athletes, Harting doubled that and won them all! In half of those competitions he threw out over 67 meters (around 220 feet or farther) showing tremendous consistency at an elite level over a nearly eight month period! He was at his best at the World Championships with his winning throw of 68.97m/226’ 3” only .01m off of his SB. He met the top seven discus throwers in the world and defeated them all including at the World Championships where it mattered most. About the only thing that Harting didn’t do was lead the world in distance, but at #2 on the yearly list I can excuse him that. His season was as outstanding as one can get in terms of competing and winning at a high level against the most elite in the world – which is why he’s my #1 for 2011.

My choice for #2 was nearly as easy, as David Rudisha (KEN) once again proved that he is simply the best half miler in the world – and possibly of all time. His world leading 1:41.33 is #5 all time, more impressively however, only surpassed by four WR performances, two his own – and three times he ran under 1:43.00. Among his 10 victories were wins in Lausanne, Monaco, London, Rieti, Brussels, and of course his gold medal run in Daegu. Only in his final race of the year did he falter – his 1:43.57 coming up a scant .07 short of an eleventh win.

My #3 is Usain Bolt (JAM) who repeated as World Champion in the 200 meters with his 19.40 win in Daegu – #5 on the all-time list. Bolt was undefeated, but his level of performance was down for most of the year. He was only #5 in the world in the 100 heading into Daegu, and found himself on the wrong end of a false start in the World Championships final. He also never met 100m World Champion, and 200m yearly leader, Yohan Blake over either distance in 2011. Though undefeated, Bolt’s 10 race season was solid but unspectacular for all but two of them – his Daegu 200 win and his season ending 9.76 world leader.

Number four is Mo Farah (GBR) World gold and silver medalist over 5k & 10k respectively. Farah was the world leader at 5000m (12:53.11), a mark that made him the #2 European ever – and #25 all time. His 26:46.57 over 10,000m was #2 on this year’s list, but moved him up to #15 all time on the world list. In addition to his six races over 5k/10k, Farah threw in a half marathon PB (60:23) and a 10 kilometer run in Edinburgh (29:12), both victories – his only loss on the season being his silver medal performance over 10,000m in Daegu.

Number five was a tough call, but in the end I settled on decathlete Tre Hardee (USA). Hardee won the two top decathlon competitions of any year – Worlds and Gotzis, scoring well over 8600 points on both occasions. He defeated all of the world’s top decathletes, including young superstar Ashton Eaton (USA) who lead the world with his 8729 Trials win. Hardee edges out Kirani James based on level of performance and degree of competition, as James elite season consisted of his four races in London, Daegu, Zurich and Berlin – solid wins but save for one in modest times for the event. Hardee is also my U.S. Athlete of the Year.

Congratulations to Athlete of the Year Robert Harting on an outstanding 2011! Below is his season in detail.

Robert Harting’s 2011 Season – Finals Only

64.02m / 210’ 0”	1	Kienbaum	Jan 29
65.94m / 216’ 4”	1	Kienbaum	Feb 21
66.92m / 219’ 7”	1	Wiesbaden	May 14
68.99m / 226’ 4”	1	Halle	May 21
68.23m / 223’ 10”	1	Hengelo	May 29
68.40m / 224’ 5”	1	Eugene	Jun 4
65.63m / 215’ 4”	1	Stockholm	Jun 19
68.51m / 214’ 9”	1	Cottbus	Jun 25
67.32m / 220’ 10”	1	Saint-Denis	Jul 8
65.72m / 215’ 7”	1	Kassel	Jul 24
68.97m / 226’ 3”	1	Daegu	Aug 30
67.02m / 219’ 10”	1	Zurich	Sep 8
66.50m / 218’ 2”	1	Elstal	Sep 9
67.22m / 220’ 6”	1	Berlin	Sep 11
65.21m / 213’ 11”	1	Tallinn	Sep 15
64.76m / 212’ 5”	1	Bad Kostritz	Sep 17

Sally Pearson – My 2011 Female Athlete of the Year

2011-10-13T08:33:00.001-07:00

In a year where the women laid it down across the board, this was an extremely difficult decision. There was Betty Heidler (GER), who set the year’s only WR with a new mark in the Hammer. Lashinda Demus (USA) who became #3 all time with her gold medal victory in the 400 hurdles in Daegu. And there was Anna Chicherova (RUS) who moved to =#3 all time in the high jump and defeated Blanka Vlasic during an exciting year.

However, in spite of their outstanding performances and records, they don’t crack the top three – such were the performances at the top of the scale this year. You see, Heidler, Demus and Chicherova all had two losses in a year where perfection was the order of the day. And in 2011 there were three women that were perfect in three very different events.

There was shot putter Valerie Adams (NZL) who became the second farthest shot putter of the New Millenium– in an event where the all-time list is dominated/polluted by the drug ravaged 70’s & 80’s – on her way to an undefeated season and World gold. There was distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) who won both the 5000 & 10,000 in Daegu and became the #3 performer all time in the 5000 during the season. And there was Sally Pearson (AUS), gold medalist in the 100 hurdles, who became the #4 performer all time in Daegu.

The question became: how do you compare perfection? I changed my mind well over a dozen times trying to separate these women into some “order”. In the end I found myself comparing their overall bodies of work and finally selecting – Sally Pearson (AUS). She literally competed all year long as she started sprinting competitively during the Australian summer season at the end of January! She won Australian titles in the 100 & 200 in addition to her specialty 100 meter hurdles.

She completely dominated the hurdle event as she was undefeated up to her final race of the season where she hit a hurdle, went down, and didn’t finish – that “bobble” is my only hesitation in naming her “#1”, as technically it keeps her from being “perfect”. My personal judgment call being that no other woman beat her over the season, and even then she was in a dominant position in the race. For me that was the key because other than that “bobble”, she blew away the field time and time again as she won 10 straight finals! One of those was the World Championships final where she became the 4^th fastest hurdler of all time with her sizzling 12.28 win – the fastest performance since 1992 when Lyudmila Engquist (then Narozolenko) won the Olympic title in Barcelona in 12.26 (with a 12.28 semi).

More importantly, it’s the fastest time ever run outside of the “Eastern Bloc” athletes – who were all later admitted to systemized doping. As such this may technically be the fastest ever “legal” time in the event – i.e. potentially a WR without drugs - again, a judgment call on my part. When you are able to compete at the same level as those that came before you that needed enhancement to do so, that was the final tipping point for me.

That’s why right behind her in my estimation is Valerie Adams. Adams was a perfect 13 for 13 on the year and set an Area Record of 21.24m/69’ 8.25”. As stated earlier, that toss was actually the second best of the New Millenium. When compared to the all-time list, however, she is only #22 on the list. Yes I know, splitting hairs, but I needed some way to set them apart.

That means next is Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN), double World Champion in the 5000/10000 in Daegu. Vivian was undefeated in both events – three wins in the 10000, five wins in the 5000. Her 5000 meter win in Stockholm (14:20.87) made her the #3 performer ever with the #4 performance. Only the Ethiopian duo of Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar has run faster. Cheruiyot’s en-route 3000 of 8:38.67 was eight seconds faster than anyone else ran in the open event this year! She won four Diamond League races over 5000, winning in Shanghai, Eugene, Stockholm and Zurich. She doubled over both 5 & 10 in Daegu and won gold in both – only the 2^nd gold medal 5/10 double ever at Worlds. However, it’s the volume of her season that leaves her just behind the others as she just didn’t have as full a season as Perason & Adams.

My #4 is Betty Heidler, Germany’s WR setting Hammer thrower. Heidler set a huge WR of 79.42m/260’ 7” in Halle on May 21^st in a terrific series (77.19, 76.98, 79.42, 75.34, 75.62, 76.00). This came on the heels of two losses in her first two opening meets. She had a nice 8 meet winning streak, and then lost again in Daegu, before she closed out the year with four more wins. Given her WR, she may have been closer to #1 had she won in Daegu.

In a great year for the women, my #5 is Carmelita Jeter (USA) who had an awesome season in the sprints. In the 100 meters, she was one race short of perfection winning 11 of 12 meets. Those eleven wins included the World title, two legal races under 10.80 (10.70 SB), and eight sub 11’s. Already #2 all time in the 100, only #3 Marion Jones and WR holder Florence Griffith Joyner have run faster than this year’s 10.70. She also gave the 200 meters some serious attention this year, resulting in four legal races under 22.30 (22.20 PR), three wins over Allyson Felix, and the silver medal in Daegu. She’s my highest ranking American and my U.S. Female Athlete of the Year.

So there you have it, my Athlete of the Year on the female side and top five overall. Below is the season in detail for Sally Pearson. Next up, my Male Athlete of the Year.

Sally Pearson’s 2011 Season – Finals Only


100 meters

11.46	1.6	1	Gold Coast	Jan 29
11.35	0.2	1	Brisbane	Feb 11
11.57	-1.3	1	Hobart	Feb 20
11.52	-1.1	1	Melbourne	Mar 3
11.21	0.1	1	Sydney	Mar 19
11.20	0.5	1	Perth	Mar 31
11.38	-0.6	1	Melbourne	Apr 16
11.35	0.6	2	Gold Coast	Jun 18
11.21	1.7	1	Gold Coast	Jun 25
11.24	-0.1	2	Rieti	Sep 10

200 meters

23.66	-1.8	1	Melbourne	Jan 22
23.32	1.5	1	Gold Coast	Jan 29
23.05	0.4	1	Brisbane	Feb 11
23.60	-0.4	1	Hobart	Feb 20
23.36	-0.4	1	Melbourne	Mar 3
23.12	-0.2	1	Sydney	Mar 19
23.22	-0.5	1	Perth	Apr 1
23.20	-1.4	1	Melbourne	Apr 17

400 meters

53.86		1	Gold Coast	Jun 4

100 hurdles

12.85	0.6	1	Perth	Mar 31
12.83	-1.1	1	Melbourne	Apr 17
12.74	1.1	1	Gold Coast	Jun 18
12.47	3.3	1	Lausanne	Jun 30
12.48	0.7	1	Birmingham	Jul 10
12.51	0.9	1	Monaco	Jul 22
12.58	-0.4	1	London	Aug 6
12.36 (semi)	0.3	1	Daegu	Sep 3
12.28 (final)	1.1	1	Daegu	Sep 3
12.52	0.2	1	Zurich	Sep 8
12.68	-0.4	1	Zagreb	Sep 13
DNF	0.4		Brussels	Sep 16

My 2011 #1’s Rankers by Event

2011-10-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

Time to start wrapping up the season. The Pan American Games are still on tap for the end of the month, but I don’t see them changing anything here – or with most of the post season awards yet to be distributed. So I will start with event #1’s, move on to Athletes of the Year, give a few of my own special awards, then break down several events.

As I’ve lamented a few times since Daegu, 2011 was not a great year for U.S. men. As I went through each event, I could only find place for three #1’s among American men – and none on the track. American women faired slightly better with five #1’s overall – three on the track and two in the field.

While many of the decisions were fairly easy, there were some that were a bit more difficult. For those that I felt some may have question, I have provided a brief explanation following each set of #1’s. Feel free to ask about any you may have questions about and I will gladly give you my rationale.

With that, here are my #1 ranked athletes for the 2011 season.

2011 #1’s by Event – Men

Event	Athlete	Country

100 meters	Yohan Blake	JAM
200 meters	Usain Bolt	JAM
400 meters	Kirani James	GRN
800 meters	David Rudisha	KEN
1500 meters	Asbel Kiprop	KEN
3000 steeplechase	Ezekiel Kemboi	KEN
5000 meters	Mo Farah	GBR
10,000 meters	Mo Farah	GBR
110 hurdles	Liu Xiang	CHN
400 hurdles	David Greene	GBR
High Jump	Jesse Williams	USA
Pole Vault	Renaud Lavillenie	FRA
Long Jump	Mitchell Watt	AUS
Triple Jump	Christian Taylor	USA
Shot Put	Dylan Armstrong	CAN
Discus	Robert Harting	GER
Hammer	Krisztian Pars	HUN
Javelin	Andreas Thorkildsen	NOR
Decathlon	Tre Hardee	USA

My Tough decisions:

Men’s 100 – Usain Bolt was undefeated, but never competed against World Champion Blake who in addition to the World title put up impressive numbers and only finished 2nd twice during the year.

Men’s 110 hurdles – Liu Xiang had the year’s 2nd fastest time, had only 1 loss outside the World championships (2nd to Oliver at Pre) and wins in Daegu if not for the impediment.

Men’s 400 hurdles – David Greene was never worse than 3rd and won the World title in Deagu. In a year where every major hurdler had major hiccups and losses, Greene gets my nod.

Men’s Triple Jump – Christian Taylor just won all year. He was the NCAA champion, US champion, and World champion. He had the best mark in the world and became #5 all time. He won major meets in London and Budapest and only had one hiccup all year (in Monaco). Most didn’t know who he was prior to Daegu – now they know. Reminiscent of Sergey Bubka’s debut in 1983.

Men’s Hammer – Koji Murofushi won Worlds and had only one loss – but he only had three meets with two of those at home. Meanwhile Krisztian Pars competed in 23 meets, winning 20 of them and was never worse than 2nd including his silver in Daegu.

2011 #1’s by Event – Women

*Event*	*Athlete*	*Country*

100 meters	Carmelita Jeter	USA
200 meters	Veronica Campbell Brown	JAM
400 meters	Amantle Montsho	BOT
800 meters	Mariya Savinova	RUS
1500 meters	Morgan Uceny	USA
3000 steeplechase	Yuliya Zaripova	RUS
5000 meters	Vivian Cheruiyot	KEN
10,000 meters	Vivian Cheruiyot	KEN
100 hurdles	Sally Pearson	AUS
400 hurdles	Lashinda Demus	USA
High Jump	Anna Chicherova	RUS
Pole Vault	Jenn Suhr	USA
Long Jump	Brittney Reese	USA
Triple Jump	Olha Saladuha	UKR
Shot Put	Valerie Adams	NZL
Discus	Li Yanfeng	CHN
Hammer	Betty Heidler	GER
Javelin	Christina Obergfoll	GER
Heptathlon	Tatyana Chernova	RUS

My tough decisions:

Women’s 1500 – Morgan Uceny won the most big races (Brussels, Birmingham, Lausanne) was 2nd in NY, 3rd at Pre & Monaco, and was the world leader on the clock. Her fall in Daegu was her only major blemish, and she was tripped in that race.

Women’s Pole Vault – Jenn Suhr was only 4th in Daegu but she was the yearly leader, defeated gold medalist Murer in London, Stockholm & Zurich, and easily had the best overall record.

Women’s Javelin – Christina Obergfoll was only bronze in Daegu but never less than 2nd the rest of the year. She had the best overall seasonal record including wins over the gold/silver medalists from Daegu.

CAS Got It Right – No Double Jeopardy for the Olympics

2011-10-07T16:15:00.001-07:00

While the sport of track and field constantly seems intent on shooting itself in the foot, yesterday the Court of Arbitration in Sport issued a ruling that should help the sport in spite of itself.

The CAS ruling over turns the following IOC Regulation that was instituted on June 27, 2008:

“The IOC Executive Board, in accordance with Rule 19.2.10 OC and pursuant to Rule 45 OC, hereby issues the following rules regarding participation in the Olympic Games:
1. Any person who has been sanctioned with a suspension of more than six months by any anti-doping organization for any violation of any anti-doping regulations may not participate, in any capacity, in the next edition of the Games of the Olympiad and of the Olympic Winter Games following the date of expiry of such suspension.
2. These Regulations apply to violations of any anti-doping regulations that are committed as of 1 July 2008. They are notified to all International Federations, to all National Olympic Committee and to all Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games”.

Basically stating that an individual that has served an anti-doping ban of six months or greater is ineligible to participate in the following Olympic Games. I have felt from the beginning that this constitutes a form of Double Jeopardy – that the athlete is being punished twice for the same offense – which, at least under U.S. law is not allowed.

While the IOC has argued that this regulation does not impose an additional “ban/suspension” but is instead a “condition of eligibility” for the Olympic Games, CAS saw differently. In rendering its decision CAS stated:

8.24 – The IOC Regulation provides for an additional disciplinary sanction (as characterized by the Panel in Part 8(ii) above) after the ineligibility sanction for an anti-doping rule violation under the WADA Code has been served. The Regulation thus provides for a period of ineligibility (non-participation) that is not provided for under Article 10 of the WADA Code. In so doing, the IOC Regulation constitutes a substantive change to the WADA Code, which the IOC has contractually committed itself not to do and which is prohibited by Article 23.2.2 WADA Code.

Interpretation: that the IOC regulation is indeed an additional suspension that is in violation of World Anti-Doping rules!

The immediate results of the ruling is that it will allow LaShawm Merritt to defend his Olympic title in London – should he make the U.S. team which IS a valid condition of participation in the Games. It also opens up the door for Dwain Chambers to challenge his imminent omission from the Olympic Games by the British Olympic Association, as they have taken a position of banning British Athletes from participation in the Olympic Games if they have served past doping suspensions. Chambers may find himself still barred from participation however, as the Olympic Charter allows for each National Olympic Committee to set its own rules as to how it selects its Olympic team. Something to watch as the calendar turns to 2012 – especially given that the Games will be held in Britain.

More long term, however, I would hope that this would bring the IAAF to the table with meet promoters to discuss the Double Jeopardy that meet promoters have placed athletes under with respect to participation in the larger meets “post doping suspension”. Just as myself and many others find it sad that the IAAF limits the ability of athletes to market themselves in pursuit of earning a living – via the ruling that disallows the placement of advertising on athletes uniforms – it is also sad, in my opinion, that athletes may also be precluded from earning lanes, and money in the better meets because of past suspensions.

IF it is the feeling of the sport that those that receive suspensions should no longer participate, then the sport should go to life time bans! If an athlete is not receiving of a lifetime ban however, then punishment received via WADA levied sanctions should be considered fair and substantial punishment. The idea of contracting with a Third Party to both test and levy sanctions in the event of positive tests is to take ANY partiality that either the federations or the governing body (IAAF) may have in the matter. It is not up to the sport to decide “winners and losers” in this regard, nor to exact additional punishments based upon the “feelings” or “partialities” of any of the parties involved in the sport – local federations, anti-doping agencies, governing body personnel, meet promoters or any others associated with the sport that may have vested interests. This serves to protect both the integrity of the sport, unless usurped, as well as the best interests of the athletes.

I know that many feel that “lifetime” bans are what is needed to “clean up” the sport. Understanding that “lifetime” bans would almost certainly require adherence to some sort of “strict liability” rules, this past World Championships could have been without: Yohan Blake, LaShawn Merritt, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Christine Uhuruogu, Dwain Chambers, Justin Gatlin, and Daniel Bailey, among others. If you can live with that, fine, if not perhaps the cry for “lifetime” bans needs a bit more thought.

Personally I could go with “lifetime” bans IF the sport provides transparency in its anti-doping program to ensure that the athletes have adequate representation/protection AND that a proper drug testing program is FULLY implemented – blood testing in conjunction with blood passports for ALL athletes – run through WADA without outside interference. Something I will be discussing in greater detail during the off season.

Today, however, I applaud the CAS decision as it is a good first step in bringing some order to the anti-doping movement.

Why Not Allow Advertising?

2011-10-05T10:31:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading Nick Symmonds’ post on Flo Track, “I’m Tired of USATF and IAAF Crippling Our Sport”.

I’m in total agreement with Nick. As a matter of fact I have wondered for YEARS why track and field has not allowed its athletes to pursue advertising in the same way that NASCAR has allowed its drivers to do so.

I can understand USATF not wanting individual advertising on its National Team uniforms – because frankly that should be reserved for advertising that USATF has procured, if it were procuring advertising! I can also understand the IAAF wanting “clean” uniforms at its Major championship meets. Outside of those settings, however, what should it matter to either organization?

Here’s my question: how do they expect athletes to make a living? These are professionals that are non-salaried. In essence they are individual contractors that have overhead to deal with as well as trying to earn a living. They have training costs – coaches, doctor’s fees, etc. – as well as their competition costs – travel, expenses away from home, etc. Some have shoe contracts, all deal with appearance fees. If you are among the very elite – Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix, et al – then you have substantial shoe contracts and can command some very good appearance fees. If you are part of a big club, you may get assistance in some areas from the club. If you are simply out trying to make a living in the sport and have not yet reached the pinnacle however, then as Nick Symmonds alluded to the going can be rough.

Most sports understand that the athlete is the product and that with no product there is no sport – at least there isn’t the ability to package and sell that sport to the masses. That’s why in the BIG professional team sports like the NFL. MLB, and NBA they deal with collective bargaining agreements that guarantee the athletes a percentage of the league income – often approaching 50%. It’s also why other professional sports that deal with athletes as individuals – NASCAR, the PGA, Beach Volleyball, among others – the athletes are allowed to solicit their own sponsorships AND advertise them on their person. In NASCAR the competition vehicle itself becomes rolling advertising!

Why would track and field want to LIMIT the ways in which athletes are able to earn income? Especially given that it has NOT developed a system whereby it can provide “salaries” to its athletes? If those running the sport can’t guarantee the athletes income, what right does it have to limit their earning potential such that it does NOT inhibit the sport itself – especially when a successful model (Individual Sponsorships) has already been provided?

The athletes could actually help to open up new advertising revenue streams for the sport by serving as ambassadors as they seek out individual sponsorships. If the sport were smart it would use these as a means to get “a foot in the door”, and perhaps piggy back to obtain larger scale financing opportunities for the sport as a whole!

I’m extremely disappointed that the sport is acting as antagonist in this regard. It should be the job of the federations and the IAAF to provide “support” for the athletes. All too often, however, the rules of the sport are set up to treat the athlete as enemy instead of the “commodity” that they are. The athletes are the reason that EVERYONE associated with this sport gets paid, yet they are the ones with the most limits imposed upon them.

Even the grand payday that is supposed to be the Diamond League only offers the athletes a 50% chance at earning a living, since each meet only offers half of the available events! The same goes for most of the meets on the “Circuit”. Yet the meet promoters, announcers, and everyone else associated with meets still get paid for a full meet – even if only half the events/athletes are competing.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, of all the professional sports out there the athletes of track and field are most in need of an athlete’s union. Something I will talk more about during the “off season”.

USA Track and Field Needs a TEAM Not a Superman

2011-10-03T09:21:00.001-07:00

As I noted in my previous post, we lack a leadership presence from our former star athletes within the political structure of American track and field. Whereas other countries have former stars that are active within their federations and/or the IAAF, we have yet to capture any of that talent as we look to move the sport forward in this country.

Given that we are at a crossroads at USATF – i.e. in between CEO’s. It would seem that now is the time to look at how we might be able to recruit and incorporate the talents of former athletes, as other countries have done with Sebastian Coe, Sergey Bubka, and Alberto Juantorena.

As a matter of fact, I think it is time to look at the leadership/structure of USATF in total, because looking at the breath of the job description that has been developed for the CEO position, it really is too much for one person to accomplish. When you look at all that needs to be done, however, everything outlined in the job description needs to be accomplished, and more if we’re truly talking about BUILDING the sport in this country. That’s why I’ve come to the conclusion that now might be the perfect time to restructure USATF – because it’s really the job for a TEAM of individuals as opposed to a single individual.

Yes, I know that a CEO could indeed hirer people to get things done in various areas – that’s part of the job. But looking at the size of the United States; the number of athletes we have throughout the country; the financial needs of the organization; and the fact that we are sorely behind when it comes Grand Prix level meets – let alone hosting a World Championships – what we really need are several individuals of CEO quality working together to achieve an overarching goal! In other words a star studded TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More).

U.S.A. Basketball used the idea to bring us back into prominence on the world stage after losing several Olympic and World championships. In 1992 they put together the “Dream Team”, composed of stars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and others who summarily pooled their talents to demolish the opposition and put U.S basketball back on the top of the podium.

Similarly, I think that instead of searching for a nonexistent Superman that USATF could look to put together a team of Chief Officers to put U.S. track and field back into a place of prominence globally. My “Team” would be composed of the following:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Primarily responsible for Public Relations. Would serve as the face of USA Track and Field and it’s interactions with other federations, the IAAF, IOC, et al, as well as ensuring that the overarching goals of the organization are achieved.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Primarily responsible for Finance/Corporate Development. Would be responsible for fund raising fund development for USA Track and Field and its various programs through heavy recruitment of corporate funding/backing.

Chief Competition Officer (CCO)

Primarily responsible for the coordination and development of Competitions within the U.S. This would include assisting existing meets in any needed expansion as well as developing meets in new locations. The goal of which would be to expand international level competition in the United States. This would also include working to bring the World Championships to the U.S.

Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Primarily responsible for Athlete Development. This would include, making sure adequate facilities are available for training; athletes are provided with opportunities to improve their skill sets through available coaching/development seminars and cross training opportunities with other coaches; and assisting athletes in the transition from collegiate/amateur to the professional level, including athlete/coach pairing process.

These organizational “Officers” would work together in areas that overlap to ensure the organizational mission is met. For example the CEO & CFO would coordinate and often meet together with corporate leaders with respect to fundraising/corporate development issues. The CFO & CCO would work in tandem regarding developing funding for individual competitions. There are many areas where all four of these individuals would need to coordinate activities and work together, but with each having an area of “expertise/responsibility” this would only serve to strengthen the work that is being done. More importantly, all the members of the “Dream Team” that I have in mind possess all of the skills for each position in various amounts, and as such would be able to assist each other across the spectrum.

With that, here is my “Dream Team” to fill the positions and rebuild track and field in the United States:

Chief Executive Officer – Edwin Moses

A global track and field icon that has spent a great deal of time interfacing with many of the people that this organization needs to have relationships with.

Chief Financial Officer – Bill Schmidt

He’s a former athlete who has found much success in the corporate world. He has the skills necessary to sell the sport to corporate interests.

Chief Competition Officer – Mary Wittenberg

She has successfully run the New York Road Running Club and world class level events. Intimately familiar with what it takes to build events from the ground up at this level.

Chief Development Officer – Vin Lananna

Has run and coached programs at the collegiate level as well as coached elite level athletes. He understands athlete development and their needs at every level including the elite level.

Ironically the first step in this process would be to secure enough funding to hire this TEAM of elite individuals. So my first suggestion is to meet with past funding sources such as VISA, GMC, Nike and Adidas, to try and secure specific funding for these positions. I would sell it as an “investment” in the future of the sport – one that will reap all huge dividends. Obtaining four funding sources to commit to provide Chief Officer funding at the level that was being paid to previous CEO’s should be a piece of cake – especially given the names that we want to bring to the sport!

The next step would be to convince these individuals that “sharing” power would be to the greater benefit of all concerned. That taking on the full responsibility as individuals would have been tantamount to individual failure – which is what I think may have scared them all away initially – but that by being able to focus on their strengths in tandem with others of similar ability could lead to extraordinary results for American track and field as well as for each as individuals.

I know this would be an ambitious undertaking – but I do believe it is achievable. More importantly, I believe it is the kind of approach that is needed here in the U.S. Our needs are greater than can be met by any single individual. Neither Coe, Bubka, nor Juantorena could single handedly get the job done here, in the same way that they have been able to do in their own countries. Our challenges are daunting, our demographics very different. We require the collective work of our best – and I belive that this model would provide that.

Just food for thought as we attempt to move forward into yet another Olympic cycle.

Where is Our Legendary Leadership?

2011-10-01T08:55:00.001-07:00

Recently the conversation has resurfaced regarding the CEO position at USATF – specifically the fact that the position is STILL unfilled, and the difficulty that the organization has had with respect to the process.

As I read the various comments that have been made, I wonder what has happened to the leadership of this sport over the years? Because when I look at traditional track powers like Britain, Russia and Cuba, I see the legends of the sport from their countries actively involved to help move the sport forward with Sebastian Coe, Sergei Bubka and Alberto Juantorena all in major roles within the sport.

Coe was appointed President of the British AAA in 1998, and is currently serving as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Bubka is a Council Member of the Ukrainian Federation, and has been an IAAF Council Member since 2001, currently serving in a Vice President’s role. And Juantorena is Vice Minister of Sport in Cuba and a member of the IAAF Council as well as Senior Vice President of the Cuban Olympic Committee. And while not in quite the same category star quality wise, Frank Fredericks, Nawal El Moutawakel, and Irina Szewinska – all serve on the IAAF Council.

In contrast none of the U.S.’s former track and field “legends” have a presence within the sport – either via USATF or the IAAF. The closest has been Edwin Moses who has done extensive work with the Laureus World Sports Academy, as its inaugural Chairman, as well as serving as a member of the IOC Ethics Commission since 2000. So while he has had tremendous global involvement in sport, we here in the U.S. have not had the benefit of his abilities here at home.

Yes, I know that USATF hired former hurdler Benita Fitgerald Mosely as Chief of Sport Performance. However, and no disrespect to Ms. Mosely, I’m talking about star quality, clout – someone that could become a mover and shaker within the sport. I’m talking about an Edwin Moses, Evelyn Ashford, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson type “legend” – someone whose name and accomplishments are on par with Bubka, Coe and Juantorena. In short an athlete whose name alone would give them instant respect.

I often wonder why other nations find their top athletes coming back to help build the sport but our top level athletes don’t – at least not organizationally or politically. We have athletes that come back to impart knowledge on other athletes as coaches – Jon Drummond, Leroy Burrell, Harvey Glance, Alberto Salazar, Johnny Gray and Mike Powell come to mid – but I’m talking about top level leadership positions within the sport. Because right now when leadership seems to be sorely lacking, we could use the star power that a “legend” could bring to USATF. Not just in terms of name recognition, though that might help, but in terms of networking, coalition building, and bringing respect to the organization from our peers. We could use someone like an Edwin Moses interfacing with the Coe’s, Bubkas, and Juantorena’s that are becoming the global face of track and field. We too could use that sort of global presence.

Personally, I see that as the first step in restoring track and field in this country – bringing a “legend” back into the fold. I say first step because in one respect USATF got it right with their outrageous job description for the CEO position. All that is mentioned within it is necessary to bring to the table to restore the sport to glory in this country. The problem is that “Superman” doesn’t exist – there is no single person that would ever fit that job description. So looking for “The One” based upon that is a failed process before it begins. However, broken up into a set of parts, it could be actualized – the first step being to secure a “legend” and adding just the right “parts” to the equation.

That’s the key in my humble opinion, legendary leadership – which is proving to work for others – with a dash of additional leadership gained not from the track or field, but from having worked in the trenches. And I think I know just the right combination that would work, because we do have some great leaders out there that possess the right mix of skills and qualities.

To be continued …..

What Will Our Male Middle Distance Presence be in London

2011-09-29T09:36:00.001-07:00

Looking back on 2011 & Daegu, and forward to 2012 & London, I find three areas in the U.S. that concern me. One is the men’s sprints & hurdles which I recently touched on. Another is our field events in general – something I’ll be talking about in the very near future. The other, that I’ll be addressing today, is our male middle distance runners. I say this in spite of Matt Centrowitz’ surprise bronze in Daegu, because it was just that – a surprise. Because right now there is only one middle distance runner that we can count on to produce when needed – Bernard Lagat – and his career is moving away from the 1500 and on to longer events.

We do seem to have potential competitors in wait in the 1500, however. Centrowitz dropped his PR dramatically in ’11 (3:36.92 to 3:34.46) and ran well in Daegu. Andrew Wheating (3:30.90), Lopez Lamong (3:32.20), and Leonel Manzano (3:32.37) all ran well in 2010 (all actually faster than Lagat) but had difficulties with injuries in 2011. A return to good health among this group would make a tremendous difference in our fortunes for London, as they roved in 2010 to n ot only be able to run fast, but to be able to compete with several high placings on the European Circuit between them.

Also potentially in the mix is Russell Brown, who has had steady improvement in the last three seasons – 3:37.32 (’09), 3:36.89 (’10), and 3:35.70 (’11). The Olympic year could prove to be a breakthrough for him. The same could be said for David Torrence who was 3:34.26 in 2010, and after a bit of a letdown this year (3:35.95) ended the season on a high note finishing third in the recent 5^th Avenue Mile in 3:52.4. Then there is always the spectre of Alan Webb, who will be trying to pull it together one last time before his window closes on the Olympics.

While there is the potential to make a good showing next year in the metric mile, I’m much more concerned about our prospects moving forward in the 800 meters. We only have one athlete running under 1:44.00 (Nick Symmonds, 1:43.83) in an event that typically finds the best athletes UNDER 1:43 in an Olympic season. Which means getting into a position to medal will be near impossible unless the pace goes very slow – something almost unlikely to happen with David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki in the race.

There are two things that are of great concern to me regarding this event. One is that our top two athletes are aging. Nick Symmonds will be twenty eight by the Olympics; Khadevis Robinson (1:44.03 this year) will be thirty five. This in an event that has seen a major “youth” movement in the last few seasons with this year’s top four athletes in the 21/22 year old age range and the year’s #5 athlete only 17 years old!

Of even more concern is that we don’t seem to be bringing much speed to the event. Among our current group of half milers only Robinson brings a decent 400 PR to the table – a 46.55 run way back in 1998. The rest of our crew rely more on mile strength than speed – Symmonds 3:38.18, 1500; Robbie Andrews 1:44.71/3:41.09; Tyler Mulder 1:44.83/2:17.91, 1000. With Charles Jock (1:44.67) and Cory Primm (1:44.71) running almost solely the 800 meters.

Personally I see this as a great weakness, as historically the top 800 men have traditionally brought great speed to the event. The first man to break the 1:44 barrier was Marcello Fiasconaro, who moved up to the event after competing in the 400 and setting an Italian record of 45.7. He used that speed to carry him to a 1:43.7 back in 1973. His success was part of the rationale for Alberto Juantorena (El Caballo) moving up to attempt the 400/800 double – which he successfully did winning both events in 1976, and establishing PR’s of 44.26 & 1:43.44, the latter a WR at the time. The man who broke the 1:43.00 and 1:42.00 barriers, Sebastian Coe, ran the open 400 in 46.87 and ran the 4x4 in 45.5. And the last two WR holders, Wilson Kipketer and David Rudisha had/have 400 PR’s of 46.85 & 45.50 respectively. Clearly there is something to bringing a bit of 400 meter speed to this event when it comes to competing at the highest levels.

So hopefully we will see a couple of things in 2012 and beyond when it comes to American’s in the 800. One is that it would be nice to see our half milers spend some time working on foot speed and working to improve their 400 meter times. The other is that it would be nice to see some quarter milers begin to give this event some consideration. Fiascanaro moved up because he realized that while he was the Italian record holder at 400 meters, 45.7 was never going to get him far in the event. Similarly we have a lot of 400 meter runners in that 45.5 to 46.0 range that might find greatness in the 800 instead of being obscure in the 400. America’s #2 all-time 800 man, Mark Everett, competed in both, a la Juantorena, and ended with PR’s of 44.59 & 1:43.20! And U.S. #3 all-time David Mack (1:43.35) was a main cog on both his high school (Locke) and college (University of Oregon) 4x4 squads.

Perhaps we can either get some of our current 800 men to cross train a bit in the 400, and/or get some of our 400 meter men that are currently running in the David Rudisha range (mid 45’s) to give the event a try.

In either case, I hope to see some progress from our male middle distance corps, because it’s been some time since we’ve been on the podium in either event in Olympic competition. Our last medal over 800 came in 1992, when AR holder Johnny Gray took bronze in Barcelona. And, believe it or not, we haven’t medaled over 1500 meters at the Games since Jim Ryun’s silver medal WAY back in 1968! So we have a lot of work to do in 2012.

Whose Windows Could Close in the Olympic Year

2011-09-27T08:02:00.001-07:00

In the world of elite track and field, there are three basic goals: World gold, Olympic gold, and World Records. These are the achievements that most athletes would like to have before the sun sets on their careers.

With the end of each season a window of opportunity closes in the pursuit of these objectives. Fortunately for most athletes, the window reopens with the start of the next season. I say fortunately for most athletes because there are a couple of situations that change one’s fortune. One situation is for the athlete that is aging – because in the end it is hard to outrun father time. The other is in the case of the Olympics, which like leap years, only come around once every four years – and there are only so many four year cycles in the life of an athlete.

So, looking at the performances of this year’s crop of athletes, and looking ahead towards next year which is an Olympic year, there is a group of high profile athletes that I feel will bear watching in 2012. Some are looking for records, some for that elusive gold. All had 2011 seasons that tell me that 2012 may be the “now or never” season where the achievement is made or perhaps forever lost, as they are facing challenges that could close the door on their pursuits.

For some the challenge is Father Time, as age diminishes one’s abilities. For others its injuries that are shutting down their windows. And for others it’s a changing competitive environment that has found their once dominant performances challenged by others who have risen to their level. In either case, the Olympic season will see them all trying to get through that window of opportunity before it closes.

So following are a half dozen athletes that I will be keeping an eye on with special interest to see if they are able to get through, or extend, their window of opportunity.

Carmelita Jeter (USA) – Olympic gold

Some athletes get to take three or four shots at an Olympic gold medal. Jeter, however, didn’t get that shot early in her career as frankly she just wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t until her move to John Smith in midcareer, that she made the move up to elite status. Since then she’s won bronze at Worlds in ’07 & ’09, and became the oldest ever World champion in the 100 this year in Daegu. During that stretch she also became the 2^nd fastest woman of all time in 2009 dashing 10.64 in Shanghai – along with a 10.67 in Greece to prove it was no fluke. But she’s yet to get her shot at Olympic gold, missing the U.S. squad for Beijing with a 5^th place finish in her semi at the Trials. So at the ripe old age of 32, London will undoubtedly be Jeter’s one and only shot at Olympic glory, because even if she is still around in 2016 it’s unlikely that she will be able to continue to compete at this level for another four years. Ironically it was Brit Linford Christie who faced a similar situation in Barcelona (’92) – though Christie had already had a shot at Olympic gold in ’88 – and at 32 years of age got ‘er done. I will be watching eagerly to see if Jeter can repeat the performance on British soil.

Jeremy Warier (USA) – the 400 Meter WR

Jeremy already has Olympic gold – won at the ’04 Games in Athens. He also has won World gold, twice – first in Helsinki in ’05, then in Osaka in ’07. Throw in Olympic silver (’08) and World silver (’09) and you have about as complete a career as one can have. Except if you share my memory, you will remember that this man was the heir apparent to none other than Michael Johnson. Matriculated at Baylor, just like Johnson, and coached by Clyde hart, just like Johnson. And for the first part of his career he was on the same career path as Johnson, looking like the man that would also lay claim to the 400 meter WR, just l like Johnson. I think that many forget that Wariner is the 3^rd fastest quarter miler in history at 43.45 – behind only WR setters Johnson (43.18) and Butch Reynolds (43.29). From ’04 through ’07 he was on a direct trajectory to the record – 44.00 (’04), 43.83 (’05), 43.62 (’06) and 43.45 (’07). Then in ’08 Wariner began to stall. He left Coach Hart during the Olympic year and found himself with his first silver and an SB of 43.82. He struggled mightily in ’09 (44.60), before getting back together with Hart and running 44.12 in 2010. But 2011 saw another stall with injuries taking him out of the World Championships and ending his season with an SB of “only” 44.88. With Beijing conqueror LaShawn Merit two years his Junior and Kirani James just getting started, London likely could be Wariner’s final shot at Olympic gold. But with WAriner already in possession of gold, I’m more curious as to whether or not he and Hart can make a final run at the record – because realistically it could take something in the mid to high 43 range to get gold in London – and if he can get to that level, why not all the way? Wariner will only be twenty seven in 2012 but it’s clear that injuries are taking their toll, and 2012 will tell the tale for Wariner I believe. Will he once again be the best of the best and fulfill that destiny we were all talking about in ’07, or will the window close on that part of his career?

Steve Hooker (AUS) – Pole Vault WR

Several of the names on this list are of athletes that seemed “destined” – Hooker is another “destined” athlete whose window may be closing in 2012. Hooker’s rise was sudden and meteoric. Only 5.65m (18’ 6.5”) in the Olympic season of 2004, he leaped up to 5.87m (19’ 3”) in ’05, 5.96m (19’ 6.5”) in ’06, and 5.91m (19’ 4.5”) in ’07 – but only finished 9^th in both Helsinki and Osaka. In 2008 it looked like he finally had it all together clearing 6.00m (19’ 8.25”) and winning Olympic gold. He then turned around and leapt 6.06m (19’ 10.5”) indoors and suddenly we were looking at the next 20 footer (6.10m) – or so we thought. He only cleared 5.95m (19’ 6.25’) outdoors, and suffered through a mediocre season before pulling it together to win Worlds at 5.90m (19’ 4.25’). The 2010 season saw another six meter clearance indoors (6.01m/ 19’ 8.5”) to win the World indoor title – but only 5.95m (19’ 6.25”) outdoors, with No Heights in four meets during the summer. This year saw only two meets due to injury – a 5.45m (17’ 10.5”) and a No Height. Hooker will be thirty this next summer and in his fourth Olympic cycle. More importantly, however, as with Wariner younger challengers have stepped up – specifically Renaud Lavillenie of France (6.01m/19’ 8.5” in ’09; 6.03m/19’ 9.5 indoors this year). As with Wariner, however, I’m more interested in whether or not he can close out his climb to the record than I am obtaining more hardware. Of course with the rise of new talent, he just may have to get to that level to be in the running for the podium in London.

Blanka Vlasic (CRO) – High Jump WR & Olympic Gold

Vlasic is yet another that seemed “destined” to break the WR. She competed in her first Olympics back in 2000 at the tender age of 16 clearing a modest 1.92m (6’ 3.5”) – she was World Jr. Champion the same year. She took her lumps in Edmonton, Paris, Athens and Helsinki, but clearly learned along the way, clearing 2.00m (6’ 6.75”) in ’03 (2.01m/6’ 7”), ’04 (2.03m/6’ 8”) and ’06 (2.03m/6’ 8”). Then in ’07 it all came together – an SB 2.07m/6’ 9.5” and gold in Osaka; 2.06m twice in ’08 and silver in Beijing; then gold in Berlin and an SB 2.08m/6’ 9.75”, just .01m away from the WR! The 2010 season saw her clearing much lower heights however, and she ended the season with a best of “only” 2.05m/6’ 8.75”. Then this year saw her struggle with injuries and nearly pull out of the World Championships before showing her mettle by taking silver in Daegu with her SB 2.03m/6’ 8”. Blanka will be twenty eight when London comes around and like several other stars will be facing Father Time and youthful competition as she stares two windows in the face. One will be her attempt at Olympic gold, because in spite of having two World Championships, she has yet to take the very top rung of the podium. She will also be trying to find the form to clear that last centimeter to WR status – a record that has stood since 1987! Vlasic is the only person on this list looking to climb through two windows, and I wish her well in the attempt. With Arianne Friedrich (2.06m/6’ 9”) returning from injury; Chaunte Howard Lowe (2.05m/6’ 8.75”)attempting to return to form after child birth; and Anna Chicherova (2.07m/6’ 9.5”)becoming #3^rd all time this year, getting through that Olympic window to gold could be a tight fit.

Asafa Powell (JAM) – 100 Meter Gold

While Vlasic has been oh so close to the High Jump WR, Powell has clocked a WR in the 100 meters on four different occasions! What Powell has not been able to do is get to the top of the awards podium. Twice he has missed Majors due to injury – 2005 & 2011. Once he false started out before getting to the final – 2003. Twice he finished off the podium completely with 5^th place finishes in the Athens (“04) and Beijing (’08) Olympics. And twice he has finished in the bronze medal position – World Championships in 2007 & 2009. So the man that has four times held the WR in the event finds himself looking for his first medal of any kind in the Olympic Games. The task will not be easy for the man that would be twenty nine should he arrive in London, because making the Jamaican team is not a given. He will have to face defending Olympic Champion and current WR holder Usain Bolt (9.58), Daegu winner Yohan Blake, and a host of rising Jamaican sprinters that should include #4 all-time Nesta Carter (9.78). Should he make the team, there is then the prospect of adding American Tyson Gay to the mix – #2 all time; gold medalist ahead of Powell in Osaka; and silver medalist ahead of Powell in Berlin. In short, the London final could be the deepest final in history, making for a very tough window to climb through.

Phillips Idowu (GBR) – Olympic gold

the Olympic Games being held in London, Great Britain will be looking for a Brit to shine as Michael Johnson did in Atlanta and Cathy Freeman did in Sydney. Idowu is an athlete with the potential to do just that. He was 6^th in those Games in Sydney, and was 6^th again in Osaka before hitting his stride with silver in Beijing, gold in Berlin, and silver again this year in Daegu. So he gives Britain a solid contender for gold in London. The hop skip and stepper will face tough opposition in London, however. The first will be Father Time as Idowu will be thirty three in London. But as tough as that will be his youthful competition will be even tougher as Teddy Tamgho (17.98m/59’ 0”) and Christian Taylor (17.96m/58’ 11.25”) are #’s 3 & 5 all time at the tender ages of twenty two and twenty one respectively – quite a formidable pair! Then there is twenty two year old Sheryf El Sheryf who seemed to hit his stride this year leading 17.72m/58’ 1.75”. Making the London triple jump final a possible showdown among a quartet of 58 footers! So Idowu may have the toughest job of all on this list, carrying the expectations of a host nation on his shoulders while attempting to get through that gold medal window before it shuts. I do not envy him the task.

So there you have it, a half dozen of the World’s best athletes with windows of opportunity looking to close on their careers. All should play a major role in the upcoming Olympic season, and their stories should be closely watched. I will begin following them in earnest once the calendar opens up on the Olympic Year of 2012.

American Women Leading the Way to London

2011-09-25T09:47:00.001-07:00

As we close to door on the 2011season all was not bleak for the U.S. on the track. While our men had their difficulties and many lament that the rest of the world has “caught up” to us; the distaff side of things did remarkably well.

From the 100 through the 1500, including the relay and hurdle events – U.S. women were on or very near the podium. In some cases “catching up” to the rest of the world!

Following the Beijing Games, many were ready to concede sprint supremacy and dominance to Jamaica. After a Jamaican sweep of the 100, another 200 win by Valerie Campbell Brown over Felix, Shericka Williams (2^nd) finished one spot better in the 400 than Sanya Richards (3^rd), and our women dropped the baton in the 4x1 – things couldn’t have gone much worse for our women sprinters. And that was good compared to the licking out women took in events longer than 400 meters, where the only bright spot was a bronze by Shalane Flanagan in the 10,000. We didn’t even have finalists in most events as Shannon Rowbury (8^th in the 1500) Dawn Harper (1^st 100H) and Sheena Tosta (2^nd 400H) the only other women able to make a final on the track.

We closed that gap in Berlin, however, as Carmelita Jeter (3^rd in the 100), Allyson Felix (1^st in the 200), and Sanya Richards (1^st in the 400) brought home sprint medals. And in the 1500 we place three women in the final as Rowbury moved up to bronze. We did drop that stick in the 4x1 again, and continued to have problems in the 800.

Daegu completed the transformation, as American women were solid from the 100 through the 1500 with Carmelita Jeter winning the 100 and taking silver in the 200; Allyson Felix taking silver in the 400 and bronze in the 200; two finalists in the 800 with Montano centimeters from a medal; and in spite of our favored runner getting tripped in the 1500 we STILL came through with gold! Throw in gold in the 400 hurdles, silver and bronze in the 100 hurdles and a dominating sweep of both relays, and I would say that our women are in prime position as we head into the Olympic season, because in addition to the medalists form Daegu, we had outstanding depth over the course of the season.

In the sprints, Marshevet Myers (10.86), Alex Anderson (11.01), Shalnoda Solomon (11.08/22.15), Jeneba Tarmoh (22.28), and Bianca Knight (22.35) all stepped up their games in 2011. So did quarter milers Francena McCorory (50.24) and Jessica Beard (51.10) – McCorory finishing just off the podium in Daegu and both contributing legs to the gold medal 4x4 squad.

Similarly we’ve built great depth in the middle distances. In the 800 we had eight women under 2:00 lead by Alysia Montano (1:57.48), Morgan Uceny (1:58.37), Maggie Vessey (1:58.50) and Alice Schmidt (1:58.61). Uceny lead the world over 1500 at 4:00.06, with Jenny Simpson (4:03.54), Christin Wurth Thomas (4:03.72), and Worlds semifinalist Shannon Rowbury (4:05.73) all among the world’s best.

In the short hurdles, we had the world’s three best hurdlers not named Sally Pearson in Danielle Carruthers (12.47), Dawn Harper (12.47) and Kellie Wells (12.50). We could use a bit of work behind World Champion Lashinda Demus, but there is potential in Queen Harrison (54.78), jasmine Chaney (55.22), Turquois Thompson (55.53) and Ti’erra Brown (55.59), all of whom seemed to be a season away in 2011 – and wouldn’t 2012 be the season to shine.

So on the heels of what was a subpar Beijing, our women have rebounded nicely, gaining ground on the rest of the world, leading the way in Daegu, and providing a great base rounding the corner towards London. Similar improvements in 2012 from our men on the track and thirty medals in London would certainly be within reach.

So here’s to the women of 2011 who often don’t get the recognition that their male counterparts get, but who carried the load for the U.S. this year. They’ve rebounded well, and are leading the way into the Olympic season.

What Happened to U.S. Sprint Camps?

2011-09-23T06:04:00.001-07:00

The sprints have traditionally been the bread and butter of U.S. international teams since, well forever. Heading into your typical Olympic or World Championships competition, one could count on U.S. domination of the sprints, hurdles and relays.

In Daegu, however, such was not the case – at least on the men’s side of the ledger. As a matter of fact, when the smoke cleared, we had two sprinters make sprint finals – Walter Dix in the 100 & 200, and LaShawn Merritt in the – and only one gold medal from our male sprint crew with Merritt’s come from behind win in the 4x4.

Granted the rest of the world is improving, but as I said previously I believe the problem lies more in our lack of improvement than in the rest of the world catching up. After all, we still have as much talent as ever. At the end of the 2010 season things looked to be going well. Tyson Gay had defeated Usain Bolt over 100 meters and ended the season undefeated, with the co-fastest time in the world, and ranked #1 in the world in the event. Gay (19.72) Combined with Walter Dix (19.72) and Wallace Spearmon (19.79) gave us three men under 19.80 over 200 meters. And Jeremy Wariner looked healed and ready to resume his role as one of the world’s best quarter milers after dropping times of 44.13 & 44.22.

Things also looked good from the up and comers in 2010. Ryan Bailey became a staple on the European circuit and responded with bests of 9.88 & 2010. Trell Kimmons and Ivory Williams were solid and respectable, each running 9.95 during the summer. Curtis Mitchell went sub20 (19.99) with back up runs of 20.06, 20.23 and 20.27. And 2008 H.S. record setter J-Mee Samuels PR’d at 10.03 in his best season since leaving high school. We had 11 athletes at 10.10 or better, 8 under 20.30, and 14 running faster than 45.30. The point here is that our talent pool was/is as strong as ever – still the deepest on the planet.

So, a year later, why did we enter Daegu stadium with only two sprinters able to make finals? Why did we need a come from behind effort to win the 4x4? Why were we “hoping” to maintain contact with Jamaica in the 4x1? You can point to injuries – Gay, Wariner, Spearmon, McQuay. You can point to bad luck – Patton going down in the 4x1. But I’m going to point to the fact that our sprinters have gotten away from what has worked in the past – training TOGETHER with the best available coaches. And when we talk about the rest of the world “catching up” they have done so using the very same methodology that our sprinters have gotten away from!

When you look at the modern era of sprinting – going back to the 1960’s – the vast majority of our Super Sprinters have been developed by top coaches coaching multiple talented athletes – a combination of technical expertise joining with a fierce training environment.

The 60’s had the Santa Clara Valley Youth Village – better known as Speed City – coached by all-time great Bud Winter. The camp produced Tommie Smith, Lee Evans, John Carlos, and Bill Gaines among others. The 70’s saw no major camps and, perhaps coincidently, a drop in success internationally with Borzov dominating the ’72 Games and Caribbean athletes the ’76 Games. Once again in the ‘80’s however, we saw the emergence of a super camp – the Santa Monica Track Club. Under the tutelage of Tom Tellez we witnessed the development of Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Joe DeLoach, and Mike Marsh, et al – and a climb back to the top of the world’s elite and international podiums.

The late 80’s saw John Smith gather 400 meter talent and develop Steve Lewis, Danny Everett and Quincy Watts. Then create a full on club in the 90’s – H.S.I. – that produced Ato Boldon, Jon Drummond and Maurice Greene, and maintained sprint supremacy into the turn of the century. The mantle went to SprintCap in the early oughts with Shawn Crawford and Justin Gatlin, then inexplicably the sprint training camp system seemed to simply dissolve – at least in the U.S. The pairing of Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon was the last great U.S. training pairing, coming on the heels of them being teammates at the University of Arkansas. After going pro, however, Spearmon left the “group” while Gay continued to train with coach Brauman.

Ironically, however, as American sprinters began to seek “individuality” in their training and coaching, Jamaica began to embrace the training camp philosophy. Jamaica started with the MVP camp headed by Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter – coach Stephen “Franno” Francis. Then the Racers Club with Usain Bolt, Daniel Bailey and Yohan Blake – coach Glen Mills. And as Jamaica went to training camps that combined the country’s best talent with the best available coaches, and the U.S. to individuals working independently, the pendulum swung from U.S. success internationally to Jamaican success – culminating in multiple international finalists, medals, and records!

Even more ironic, is that while American sprinters have abandoned “training camps” U.S. middle and long distance runners have discovered them with great success. On the women’s side of things the Mammoth Track club has spawned Morgan Uceny, Anna Pierce and Amy Hastings. While the men have found much success in Oregon under the tutelage of Alberto Salazar as he’s churned out Dathan Ritzenhein, Galen Rupp and Chris Solinsky among a cast of what have become America’s best ever distance crew!

Obviously getting the best athletes together with the best coaches WORKS. Once upon a time, Maurice Greene sat in the stands of our Olympic Trials and watched as others made the team he felt he should have been on. He then moved half way across the country from Missouri to Los Angeles to be trained by John Smith. After four individual World Championships, an Olympic title and an Olympic bronze for good measure, Greene retired as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) in the 100 meters. This past year, British distance runner Mo Farah decided that he too needed to find a coach and group that would take him to the top. So he came across the Atlantic Ocean and across the United States to Oregon to train with Salazar and his group. His reward, gold in the 5000 and silver in the 10000 in Daegu!

I’m starting to overuse this word, but ironically John Smith is still coaching outstanding sprinters – they just happen to be women! His latest champion is Carmelita Jeter, gold medalist in the 100 and silver medalist in the 200 in Daegu. At 10.63 she is the second fastest woman of all time – second only to WR holder Florence Griffith Joyner. And Jeter was no accident because before Jeter he coached Torri Edwards (10.78) and before Torri, Inger Miller (10.79/21.77). I would say that Smith still has it. Yet with a resume that includes Olympic and World Champions Steve Lewis, Quincy Watts, Maurice Greene, Inger Miller and Carmelita Jeter (and World Champion hurdler Jason Richardson added just this year) not a single top level U.S. male sprinter has entered the H.S.I. camp since the retirement of Maurice Greene after the 2004 season!

Instead, training solo, American sprinters have watched as MVP and Racers training partners have churned out the results: Usain Bolt (9.58/19.19), Asafa Powell (9.72/19.90), Nesta Carter (9.78), Yohan Blake (9.82/19.26), Michael Frater (9.88) and two WR’s in the 4x 1 (37.10 & 37.04) – and that’s just on the top end.

The moral to this story is that there is a CLEAR path to success. A path and system that the U.S. PIONEERED and rode to tremendous success for several decades! When we have gotten off that path, the 1970’s and the “oughts”, we have seen others take over and begin to dominate. And when we have watched others emulate that path, they too have had the same type of success that our sprinters once enjoyed.

So my suggestion to all of the American sprinters out there that aspire to greatness is, find yourself a partner or two and the best coach you can, and just as Maurice Greene once did BEG him to make a champion out of you – because it WORKS! Yes, you may have to go half way across the country a la Mo Greene. But on the positive side, you won’t have to move half way across the world like Mo Farah! Then again, if you don’t mind getting beat, stay right where you are. Mediocrity requires no change in comfort. There is a cost to greatness, however. Luckily for American sprinters it is within reach – and the wheel doesn’t have to be reinvented.

Lack of Transparency Leads to Finger Pointing

2011-09-21T07:40:00.001-07:00

It seems that every year there are one or two performances, such as Brussels’ 200 meters, that leave everyone saying, “What was that?” Followed by a mass discussion of the sport’s tainted history in the area of drug use including “border wars” between American & Jamaican fans on message boards; articles in newspapers such as the one recently written by the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Hersh; then counter articles asserting that Hersh is wrong in questioning the performance; and generally lots of whispered accusations and innuendo regarding what is or is not going on within this sport.

The problem is that both sides are correct in their own right. Those that question “exceptional” performances have reason to do so, because everything that Mr. Hersh stated in his article is correct. His “evidence” however is “circumstantial” – as are most of the arguments that are given with respect to these types of performances. On the opposing side, those that are angry when their athletes draw scrutiny are also right in their arguments, but just as with their opposition their “evidence” is also “circumstantial”. More importantly, however, their “trust” in the performances is based on “faith” – the faith that they trust “their” athletes to do the right thing. Trust and faith that they lack in other athletes, and in the system that is supposed to provide the security that EVERYONE is indeed clean.

You see the REAL problem is twofold. Part A is that the sport is suspect in the application of its anti-doping program; Part B is that the sport does not provide enough information to the public to secure confidence in its programs and thus in the performances of its athletes! A & B combined result in the questions that always arise when athletes accomplish something extraordinary.

Part A exists because there have been far too many high profile instances where the public has been “fooled” by the sport. Ben Johnson and the Dubin Inquiry back in the late ‘80’s, early 90’s; BALCO in the early 2000’s; the revelation from former U.S. officials that Carl Lewis and others may have had positive tests covered up in the late 80’s; all have had the cumulative effect on the general populace, as well as athletes themselves who’ve expressed as much in this age of social media, of taking away any confidence that once existed in this sport’s drug testing policies and procedures.

Now, I’m not a fan of the system that is in place. Nor am I happy with the way the sport is going about its attempt to change it – but that’s for a different discussion, one that I will have in the very near future. Whatever system is in place however, needs to have buy in from all concerned – athletes, coaches, media and fans – because perception is reality to the masses whether it is reality or not. And currently the perception of track and field is that tremendous performances are the result of outside forces as much as they are from good old fashioned hard work – because too many athletes that have had great performances have been found to have supplemented that hard work with something else!

So how does the IAAF (the lead agency of track and field) hope to change that perception? Like any other organization or individual does, by showing that it has nothing to hide. By saying “Here is what we do, what has been done, here are the outcomes, and as you can see everything is working as it is supposed to.” – In other words by being transparent with the public regarding its anti-doping program. As I said in April of 2010, and alluded to above, the rash of high profile failures of the program has lead to distrust. And the sport’s “veil of secrecy” regarding testing doesn’t help. Nor has its insistence on allowing the program to be circumvented. In this age of the Internet, we all know when a country doesn’t have an anti-doping agency in place – and is simply allowed to go without rather than take part in a regional agency. We know when a federation questions the right of anti-doping personnel to come into their country. We know when athletes go out of their way to avoid “testers” that are looking for them. We also know that the only information that the IAAF provides to the public about the program is the listing of those that are banned. Personally I think one of the biggest PR blunders of this sport is the level of secrecy that envelopes the anti-doping process.

When you are a sport that a) is supposed to be the centerpiece of what is the world’s premier competition (The Olympic Games) and b) you tout yourself as the bastion of cleanliness when compared to other sports (such as MLB, NFL, et al) then you must appear to have all your cards on the table. You don’t do that by responding to questions about a country’s “cleanliness” by saying that you personally (IAAF officials) are going to that country to take samples (WADA’s job, not yours). Then exacerbate it by telling us that samples have been taken in a country, and by an anti-doping agency, that does not have a lab ratified to test them. That’s an insult to the public’s intelligence and raises more questions than it provides answers.

If you can say, however, “go to www.availableinfo where responses to all of your basic questions about our anti-doping program can be found”, the matter becomes immediately defused. In an age where I can go online and find out the results of my kid’s math test before he gets home from school; where the day’s results of the entire Olympic Games can be transmitted around the world AS they happen; where the answers to almost any question one can imagine are just a few “clicks” away; it would seem that providing a reasonable level of information regarding the sport’s anti-doping program could be done by enlisting the aid of a high school computer science intern who would probably be happy to set up the system for little more than advanced credit.

For the IAAF to allow the questioning of its performances, and the athletes that are the face of the sport, to continue when it has within its ability to quell the argument seems rather irresponsible to me. Especially given that our biggest failing seems to be in the area of marketing and our biggest obstacle the negativity of doping. More so, when your marketing plan seems to hinge on the development of athletes that you WANT to perform at levels approaching the ceiling of human performance, it would seem that you would do everything in your power to ensure that those same performances do not draw NEGATIVE publicity, otherwise you are at odds with yourself – which is where I find the sport of track and field with respect to its best performances, at odds with itself.

So, on my list of things I sorely would like to see the IAAF fix, providing transparency for its anti-doping program sits at #1 on the list – right above fixing the anti-doping program itself, and fixing the broken false start policy.

The Pan Am Games as a Development Tool

2011-09-20T10:13:00.001-07:00

Believe it or not the season is not quite over. Among a handful of very small competitions, the Pan American Games will be taking place in Guadalajara Mexico, October 24^th through October 29^th.

With the World Championships and Olympic Games combining to give us three major championship meets every four year cycle, meets like the Pan Am Games and Commonwealth Games don’t have the same importance that they once had thirty or forty years ago. I do think, however, that they present an opportunity to help in the development process of our National teams for the Major events.

Looking over the USA’s roster for the event, I’m pleased to see that in some areas we have athletes that have made, or are on the cusp of making, major teams getting the opportunity to compete in this type of environment – Rae Edwards, Michael Berry, Tyler Mulder, Kibwe Johnson, Jamie Nieto, Jenn Suhr, Michelle Carter, Aretha Thurmond, Sara Hall, and Virginia Powell chief among them. I would hope that going forward that we would see more athletes of this level competing in these kinds of events; because I don’t think we can get too much “practice under pressure”.

I understand that personal schedules, etc. have an effect on who can and cannot attend, but I would love to see more “up and comers” involved. Budding young stars like: Rakieem Salaam, Robbie Andrews, Johnny Dutch, Will Claye, Jessica Beard, Phoebe Wright, and Lauren Fleshman, among others. Because, in keeping with my theme of maximizing our potential, we need to begin to get as much “seasoning” for those who appear to be our future. And taking these young people out of their “comfort zone” and having them compete in the kinds of environments that they will see in Major competitions in the future is money well spent – especially if we are already committed to spending the money!

On that note, and given the poor results we’ve had over the last half decade with our relay squads, I think we need to start looking at competitions such as the Pan Am Games as a critical part of the process of developing our relay squads. Especially given that there are precious few international opportunities available to have squads compete – let alone under “championship” type conditions. I know that this is the time of year when athletes want to shut it down and get a bit of rest – and the positioning of this meet near the end of October really extends that timeline. By the same token however, it does provide an opportunity when most of the principle players would be available. And having a one or two week “camp” culminating in a somewhat high level race would provide both a solid way to end the season as well as give us a preview of how we should be tweaking our squads going forward.

And I’m talking about both our 4x1 AND 4x4 squads, because if we learned anything from Daegu (and I hope we did) you can never have too many quartermilers ready to go when you might possibly need them! It’s probably too late in the process to pull together our “National” teams to compete in Guadalajara this time around. But I think it is something that should be considered for future events.

With that I hope that we see great performances out of those athletes that will be in Mexico. Hopefully it will be the kind of experience that can help jump start one or two careers heading around the corner to London.