Like any elixir devised to stimulate interest, it brings with it a combination of curatives---and poisons!
I happen to see both!
(It's like candy & cookies vs the health of your teeth and stomach! Lots of good & lots of bad!!)
The problem with the IAAF World Tour is almost a mirror image of the problems with the OUTdoor Diamond League!
There is little or no experimentation---but a reliance on same old same old formulas---when experimentation is exactly what the Doctor ordered---and what the Patient needs!!
Athletes do the same events stop after stop---because that's all they have to choose from!
Athletes do the same events stop after stop---because that's all they have to choose from!
And those points---and that cash!!
Magical cures promised to these elite Men & Women---with only one thing asked for---WIN!!
Doesn't matter if they win big---or win small---smash a Record---or jog & kick---just WIN!!
Magical cures promised to these elite Men & Women---with only one thing asked for---WIN!!
Doesn't matter if they win big---or win small---smash a Record---or jog & kick---just WIN!!
Stop after stop after stop after......!!!
OK, enough!
You want to know what DID happen in Dusseldorf, Madrid, and Boston!
Whether it cures our sport's ills---or murders them---no matter to you, those TAFNUTS who read my blog!!
Onward then!!
Dusseldorf
Whether it cures our sport's ills---or murders them---no matter to you, those TAFNUTS who read my blog!!
Onward then!!
Dusseldorf
Bingtian Su is fast becoming (pun intended!) a sprinter the world need fear!
Only new WR holder Christian Coleman is faster this INdoor season!!
Only new WR holder Christian Coleman is faster this INdoor season!!
Breaking his own National Record of China, Su's 6.43 also gets him the Age 28 record!
He moves from 19th A-T World, tied with 7 others, to 5th, where he's tied with just 1 other!
Speed was also front & center in the Women's 60H!
Continuing her quick series of times, Christina Manning timed at 7.77 at the tape, beating an eclectic Worldwide gang of foes!
She moves from 8th A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 5th!
And she moves from 23rd A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 13th, also tied with 1 other!
She moves from 8th A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 5th!
And she moves from 23rd A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 13th, also tied with 1 other!
In 2nd came Sharika Nelvis, her 7.80 tying her PR!
Three others ran under 7.90---Pam Dutkiewicz (7.83), Cindy Roleder (7.85), and Alina Talay (7.89).
Three others ran under 7.90---Pam Dutkiewicz (7.83), Cindy Roleder (7.85), and Alina Talay (7.89).
Ivana Spanovic got back on track---er, on the board!!---winning the LJ with 22-2.50!!
She was still fouling too much--but less so--and seemed happier with her progress!
She was still fouling too much--but less so--and seemed happier with her progress!
Tomas Stanek is also becoming more dangerous to the World's SP'ers!
His latest PR was 72-9!!
This is the National Record of the Czech Republic!
He moves from 23rd A-T World all the way into 6th!!
And his competition was no slouch!
He moves from 23rd A-T World all the way into 6th!!
And his competition was no slouch!
Stipe Zunic's 69-4 got him the National Record of Croatia!
Piotr Lisek handed Sam Kendricks a rare defeat in the PV---19-2.75 to 18-11.50!
In 3rd, with the same height as the American, came Konstadinos Filippidis!!
Piotr Lisek handed Sam Kendricks a rare defeat in the PV---19-2.75 to 18-11.50!
In 3rd, with the same height as the American, came Konstadinos Filippidis!!
In other Dusseldorf events---
Yomif Kejelcha's 7:40.55 edged Bethwell Birgen's 7:40.90 in the 3000!
Beatrice Chepkoech won the 1500 in 4:04.21, but back in 5th, Anita Hinriksdottir's 4:09.54 got her the National Record of Iceland!
Asha Philip took the 60 in 7.17.
In the Men's 800, Erik Sowinski's 3rd place time of 1:46.57 moves him from 21st A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 19th!
In the Men's 800, Erik Sowinski's 3rd place time of 1:46.57 moves him from 21st A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 19th!
Madrid
On maybe the Tour's weakest link, the best of the worst award probably goes to Spain's own Yunier Perez, who never even made it to the final of the 60!!
On maybe the Tour's weakest link, the best of the worst award probably goes to Spain's own Yunier Perez, who never even made it to the final of the 60!!
He ran 6.58 in his heat, but suffered an injury, and DNS'ed the final!
He might be out for the season--and the year!
He might be out for the season--and the year!
Mariya Lasitskene got 3 X's at 6-9.50 in the HJ, but she did win at a steady 6-6.75!
Genzebe Dibaba wasn't in Record-chasing mode--as is the prototype for these affairs!
But her domination of the 1500 continued---her 4:02.43 beating the 4:04.72 of Konstanze Klosterhalfen!
Meraf Bahta's 8:42.46 beat Fantu Worku's 8:42.69 in the 3000!
Genzebe Dibaba wasn't in Record-chasing mode--as is the prototype for these affairs!
But her domination of the 1500 continued---her 4:02.43 beating the 4:04.72 of Konstanze Klosterhalfen!
Meraf Bahta's 8:42.46 beat Fantu Worku's 8:42.69 in the 3000!
The Men's TJ saw a good battle!
Almin dos Santos's 56-11.25 came out on top of Nelson Evora's 56-9.25!
But it was Evora who got the Age 33 record!!
The PV saw Konstadinos Filippidis go over 19-2.25, thus defeating the 19-0.25 of Piotr Lisek!
But it was Evora who got the Age 33 record!!
The PV saw Konstadinos Filippidis go over 19-2.25, thus defeating the 19-0.25 of Piotr Lisek!
Tomas Stanek won again--his SP measuring 71-2.
And Lea Sprunger won the 400 with her 51.61.
Then there was Boston!!
Then there was Boston!!
Go back and read again the story of Ed Cheserek's 3:49.44 Mile!!
That was the day before the New Balance meet!
Keeping his promise, he returned less than 24 hours later in Boston's 3000--where he was to face the much faster Hagos Gebrhiwet and Dejen Gebrmeskel!!
Could Ches stay with them---at least through halfway??
Could Ches stay with them---at least through halfway??
He did!
King Ches did in fact WIN!!
Using his standard-brand final 400 kick (57.5 here!), Ches also PR'ed--in 7:38.74!
Gebrhiwet ended 2nd in 7:41.79, with Gebrmeskel's time being 7:42.78!
Could it be that the King is now the Best in the World??
Could it be that the King is now the Best in the World??
Well, maybe on the Men's side!
But in the Women's 3000, Jenny Simpson's much-ballyhooed romp against teammate, training partner, and friend Emma Coburn turned into a runaway victory!
With Sarah Brown providing excellent pacing for the first 2000, the Colorado 2-some were content to follow!
But in the Women's 3000, Jenny Simpson's much-ballyhooed romp against teammate, training partner, and friend Emma Coburn turned into a runaway victory!
With Sarah Brown providing excellent pacing for the first 2000, the Colorado 2-some were content to follow!
When Brown stepped off, it was Simpson who stretched out the field!
But it wasn't Coburn at her heels!
It was 19 year old Fotyen Tsefay--who would turn 20 just a few days later!
But it wasn't Coburn at her heels!
It was 19 year old Fotyen Tsefay--who would turn 20 just a few days later!
This youngster challenged the 31 year old American, forcing her to dig deeper!!
Her 8:40.31 won the race, and finally got her a PR---after her 8:42.03 former Collegiate Record from 2009!!
Simpson moves from 10th A-T US to 5th!
Tsefay's time was 8:41.08.
Coburn gave chase also, but her legs didn't hold out over the final laps.
Still, her 8:43.57 was a good time!
Timed at 2000, the rabbit Brown's 5:48.70 gives her 6th A-T US in that "event"!
Simpson's 5:49.03 moves her from 18th A-T US to 7th!!
Donavan Brazier came THIS close to matching Johnny Gray's venerable American Record of 1:45.00 in the 800!
Doing battle with the returning Boris Berian---it was all Brazier, as the tatted & hair-bun'd former McDonald's burger flipper faded to last on the final go-round!
His 1:45.11 disappointed him when he found out how close he was to the Record!!
While remaining 2nd A-T US, he moves from 24th A-T World into 18th!!
The NBC crew--Ato Boldon up front--were talking World Record for Christian Coleman in the 60!
Selling points---P.R. (See my previous post!!)---but not to be!
Still, his 6.46 took the measure of the PR by Noah Lyles--a 6.57.
Coleman was seen to ease up before the tape!
Some said it might have been a 6.41 if he'd run through!
Simpson moves from 10th A-T US to 5th!
Tsefay's time was 8:41.08.
Coburn gave chase also, but her legs didn't hold out over the final laps.
Still, her 8:43.57 was a good time!
Timed at 2000, the rabbit Brown's 5:48.70 gives her 6th A-T US in that "event"!
Simpson's 5:49.03 moves her from 18th A-T US to 7th!!
Donavan Brazier came THIS close to matching Johnny Gray's venerable American Record of 1:45.00 in the 800!
Doing battle with the returning Boris Berian---it was all Brazier, as the tatted & hair-bun'd former McDonald's burger flipper faded to last on the final go-round!
His 1:45.11 disappointed him when he found out how close he was to the Record!!
While remaining 2nd A-T US, he moves from 24th A-T World into 18th!!
The NBC crew--Ato Boldon up front--were talking World Record for Christian Coleman in the 60!
Selling points---P.R. (See my previous post!!)---but not to be!
Still, his 6.46 took the measure of the PR by Noah Lyles--a 6.57.
Coleman was seen to ease up before the tape!
Some said it might have been a 6.41 if he'd run through!
(Hmmm---maybe 6.43??)
The Women's 1500 saw a couple of National Records go down!!
The winner--Dawit Seyaum--wasn't one of them!
Her 4:04.38 defeated the 4:04.95 of Aisha Praught-Leer---who is having quite the season!
Praught-Leer's time is the National Record of Jamaica.
The Women's 1500 saw a couple of National Records go down!!
The winner--Dawit Seyaum--wasn't one of them!
Her 4:04.38 defeated the 4:04.95 of Aisha Praught-Leer---who is having quite the season!
Praught-Leer's time is the National Record of Jamaica.
In 4th was Dominique Scott-Erfurd, her 4:07.25 adding to her National Record quota for South Africa!
(Not picked yet for SA's team for the Commonwealth Games, this and her other NR's has created a crusade of sorts to get her on the team!!)
The Women's 800 was to be Raevyn Rogers's intro to Pro INdoor racing (in an individual event, as she was part of the USA's WR 4X800 Relay team recently!!).
But the former UO Duck was upset by Jenna Westaway's run away strategy!!
Moving out to a 10 meter lead on the 3rd lap, Westaway was thought to be catchable!
The Women's 800 was to be Raevyn Rogers's intro to Pro INdoor racing (in an individual event, as she was part of the USA's WR 4X800 Relay team recently!!).
But the former UO Duck was upset by Jenna Westaway's run away strategy!!
Moving out to a 10 meter lead on the 3rd lap, Westaway was thought to be catchable!
But Rogers---who has a 49.77 OUTdoor Relay leg to her credit!!--moved too late!!
The Canadian's 2:01.22 beat Rogers's 2:01.73!
The Canadian's 2:01.22 beat Rogers's 2:01.73!
Another good battle came in the 60H---where Sharika Nelvis and Christina Manning photo-finished their 7.89's---with Nelvis nipping Manning!!
In the Men's 300, Jereem Richards took control early---and control is a necessity in INdoor races!!
His steaming 32.10 is the Boston Meet Record.
It's also the National Record of Trinidad & Tobago!
And it gets him 7th A-T World!!
Other Boston events---
Shakima Wimbley took the 400 in 51.82.
Chris O'Hare loves America---he keeps winning here!!
His 3:37.03 in the 1500 is his latest!
Erika Kinsey took the HJ with her 6-3.25!
And in the Girls HS Mile, Kelsey Chmiel defeated the Millrose HS winner--Gabrielle Wilkinson!
Chmiel's time was a non-PR of 4:44.84.
Chris O'Hare loves America---he keeps winning here!!
His 3:37.03 in the 1500 is his latest!
Erika Kinsey took the HJ with her 6-3.25!
And in the Girls HS Mile, Kelsey Chmiel defeated the Millrose HS winner--Gabrielle Wilkinson!
Chmiel's time was a non-PR of 4:44.84.
I do have a few late-breaking marks to report!
The very latest is the duel between Rio PV winner Thiago Braz, and the INdoor WR holder Renaud Lavillenie!
Both cleared 19-4.25, with it being called a tie!!
Luvo Manyonga improved his INdoor LJ best to 27-6.75!!
It breaks his own South Africa National Record!
He moves from 23rd A-T World, tied with 2 others, to 15th, tied with 1 other!
He moves from 23rd A-T World, tied with 2 others, to 15th, tied with 1 other!
Emmanouil Karalis PV'ed 18-11.50---in what he called the World Junior Record!
But he might be forgetting the 19-1.50 by Mondo Duplantis recently!!
Still, a great mark for the 18 year old Greek!
Marie Josee Ta Lou is ready for the WC's---if that's her intention!
Her 7.07 took over the World lead, and defeated the 7.09 by Carina Horn!
But Horn's time gives her South Africa's National Record!!
But Horn's time gives her South Africa's National Record!!
A couple of US youngsters did good!
Grace Stark sped 8.22 over the 60H, moving her from 16th A-T HS, tied with 1 other, to 12th!
And the Ping sisters did pretty good too!
But it was 7th Grader Lauren who WON her 1600 (!!) race against older HS'ers!
Her time was 5:06.26.
Sister Grace ran 4:55 in another race, but lost---by 5 seconds!!
And that--together with my earlier post--wraps this weekend up in a pretty knot!!
Don't expect a Preview post for the USATF meet---as it appears it's going to be yet another gathering of only SOME of America's greats!!
And that--together with my earlier post--wraps this weekend up in a pretty knot!!
Don't expect a Preview post for the USATF meet---as it appears it's going to be yet another gathering of only SOME of America's greats!!
Sure, it should be a great meet anyway, but I just can't condone the No-Shows by so many of our nation's elites!!
No excuses!!
See you soon!!
No excuses!!
See you soon!!
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