As in 2016, in Portland, we have a Vertical Jump as the lead-in to what we hope will be a Records-smashing torrent of events over the next 4 days!
My purpose here, as in my past Previews, is to tell you who I think are the leading contenders to reach the Podium, but not necessarily in the precise order of finish!
I also intend to predict which MEET Records might be broken, or even approached--and which have ZERO chance of going down!
(I will list all of the Meet Records, and will indicate if it's also the World Record!)
I will "name names"--in addition to the possible Medalists--of those to watch for--including some that might shock you!
I will "name names"--in addition to the possible Medalists--of those to watch for--including some that might shock you!
This Preview is for the MEN ONLY!!
(The WOMEN's Preview will follow 2 or 3 hours later!)
(The WOMEN's Preview will follow 2 or 3 hours later!)
I will list the events in their scheduled order, including notations of Heats & Semi's, so that you have some sense of what's to come!
(But no exact times will be given!!)
I will leave a space between Morning & Evening sessions!
I will leave a space between Morning & Evening sessions!
My Previews are for the Finals ONLY!
Unlike in the past, I will list the individual events of each Multi where each fits into the schedule!
This Edition of the WC's has the potential of being one of the best, based solely on how many of the greatest stars of the 2018 season are here!
That said, some World Leaders (or Top 5'ers!) are NOT here!
This Edition of the WC's has the potential of being one of the best, based solely on how many of the greatest stars of the 2018 season are here!
That said, some World Leaders (or Top 5'ers!) are NOT here!
For the Men, this affects most the 400 (Michael Norman, Akeem Bloomfield, and Marqueze Washington), 60H (Grant Holloway & Omar McLeod), HJ (Trey Culver & Vernon Turner), TJ (Christian Taylor & Pablo Pichardo), and the SP (Ryan Crouser & Joe Kovacs)!!
I will have a similar list of MIA's in my Women's Preview!)
But let's see who IS here, and who might thrill & awe us over the next 4 days!!
Thursday, March 1st
High Jump (Meet & World Record--7-11.50)
Mutaz Barshim!
If he's ON, the MR gets 30-70 odds of being TIED!
If not, the odds fall to ZERO!!
If not, the odds fall to ZERO!!
He's that much the scale on which we'll measure the greatness of the opening event!
But Danil Lysenko and Erik Kynard are having good seasons!
See if they can reach 2.40!
Robbie Grabarz and Donald Thomas should be there to pick up the pieces, if....!!
Just enjoy the magic of Mr Barshim!!
Robbie Grabarz and Donald Thomas should be there to pick up the pieces, if....!!
Just enjoy the magic of Mr Barshim!!
Friday, March 2nd
Heptathlon 60
Heptathlon LJ
400 Heats
Heptathlon SP
3000 Heats
(SPECIAL NOTE--The IAAF schedule shows Heats for the Men's 3000, but NOT for the Women!!
Apparently, this is because the Men's field has 23 entrants, while the Women's has 15! Thus, the "necessity" for Heats to cut the Men's field down to size!! It would NOT surprise me if these Heats are cancelled, due to late scratches, or other reasons! But for now, Heats for the Men ARE on the IAAF's schedule!!)
800 Heats
Long Jump (28-3.50)
Greg Rutherford was a late scratch!
But there's a solid trio of contenders here--Luvo Manyonga, Jarrion Lawson, and Marquis Dendy!
The South African has been the most consistent (Mostly OUTdoors!!) in the 8.50-plus realm!
Greg Rutherford was a late scratch!
But there's a solid trio of contenders here--Luvo Manyonga, Jarrion Lawson, and Marquis Dendy!
The South African has been the most consistent (Mostly OUTdoors!!) in the 8.50-plus realm!
I'll give the MR only 40-60 odds, as he's not really an "INdoors" kind of guy!
The Americans are also capable of 28 footers, but not on an everyday basis!
So give this one to Manyonga!
No one else to really worry about!
The Americans are also capable of 28 footers, but not on an everyday basis!
So give this one to Manyonga!
No one else to really worry about!
Heptathlon HJ
400 Semi's
Saturday, March 3rd
Heptathlon 60H
60 Heats (First appearance of Christian Coleman!!)
Heptathlon PV
1500 Heats
(NOTE--There are a few athletes planning to double in the 1500 & 3000! IF there are Heats in the Men's 3000, this COULD affect decisions as to whether to go through with the doubles! This should NOT affect the Women!!)
Shot Put (72-11.75)
While Crouser & Kovacs are missing, Konrad Bukowiecki and Tomas Stanek could fill much of the gap!!
But with neither having reached the MR mark, I'll give the odds as just 35-65 of it going down!
Then again, both have had tremendous 2018's so far!
And we'll have New Zealander Tom Walsh to keep things hopping!
Add David Storl and Michael Haratyk to further stir the juices!
Then again, both have had tremendous 2018's so far!
And we'll have New Zealander Tom Walsh to keep things hopping!
Add David Storl and Michael Haratyk to further stir the juices!
4X400 Relay Heats
60H Heats
60H Heats
Triple Jump (58-8.75)
Will Claye is capable of breaking the Meet Record, but without his great rival & friend Christian Taylor, he may not be inspired to do so!
Omar Craddock is good, but Claye is better--most of the time!
Bin Dong has been absent from the INdoor wars this year, but he's dangerous!
Watch also for Almin Dos Santos, Alexis Copello, Damon Forbes, Max Hess, Nelson Evora, and the other American, Chris Carter!
60 Semi's
Bin Dong has been absent from the INdoor wars this year, but he's dangerous!
Watch also for Almin Dos Santos, Alexis Copello, Damon Forbes, Max Hess, Nelson Evora, and the other American, Chris Carter!
60 Semi's
800 (WR & MR 1:42.67)
I would LOVE to see Emmanuel Korir turn to his competitors at the start line, and say "Don't bother going with me! I'm going out in 48 flat!!"
HA! Ain't gonna happen!!
I would LOVE to see Emmanuel Korir turn to his competitors at the start line, and say "Don't bother going with me! I'm going out in 48 flat!!"
HA! Ain't gonna happen!!
But with a 400 OUTdoor best of 44.53, he IS capable of going out at sub-50 pace!!
And if he does, I'll give the MR 60-40 odds of falling!
Then there's Donavan Brazier!
And if he does, I'll give the MR 60-40 odds of falling!
Then there's Donavan Brazier!
Would he go with a 49+ pace--or even SET one??
With Adam Kszczot, Marcin Lewandowski, and Drew Windle around, this might get rather interesting!!
(Windle is the REAL dark horse here!!)
The American Record of 1:45.00 could fall--Give that 75-25 odds!!
(Windle is the REAL dark horse here!!)
The American Record of 1:45.00 could fall--Give that 75-25 odds!!
Heptathlon (WR & MR 6645)
The Hept's 1000 is scheduled here!
By this point in the game, we should know if Kevin Mayer is on target to take down Ashton Eaton's great mark!
Damian Warner seems to be Mayer's main challenger!
The Hept's 1000 is scheduled here!
By this point in the game, we should know if Kevin Mayer is on target to take down Ashton Eaton's great mark!
Damian Warner seems to be Mayer's main challenger!
But watch for Eelco Sintnicolaas, Oleksey Kasyanov, and Kai Kazmirek!
It would be nice if we saw a slough of 6000 point scorers, but Zak Ziemek, Kurt Felix, Lindon Victor, and Maicel Uibo would have to be at their best to have that happen!
The MR gets 35-65 odds, but they could rise quite a bit if Mayer opens HOT!!
400 (45.11)
The MR holder--Neri Brenes--is here, but nowhere near 45.11 shape!
Give this one to Bralon Taplin, as he has the fastest time of 2018 (44.88), and a few W's!
LaLonde Gordon is good, as is Michael Cherry!
It would be nice if we saw a slough of 6000 point scorers, but Zak Ziemek, Kurt Felix, Lindon Victor, and Maicel Uibo would have to be at their best to have that happen!
The MR gets 35-65 odds, but they could rise quite a bit if Mayer opens HOT!!
400 (45.11)
The MR holder--Neri Brenes--is here, but nowhere near 45.11 shape!
Give this one to Bralon Taplin, as he has the fastest time of 2018 (44.88), and a few W's!
LaLonde Gordon is good, as is Michael Cherry!
Pavel Maslak is a leading European, but doesn't always perform at his best outside Poland!
Aldrich Bailey somehow made the US team--leaving the more deserving Fred Kerley on the Relay only!
Aldrich Bailey somehow made the US team--leaving the more deserving Fred Kerley on the Relay only!
Add Vernon Norwood to the mix--at least in the Heats!
The MR gets 40-60 odds!
60 (MR 6.42)
And Away We GOOOOooooooooo!!!!
Or Christian Coleman does!
The MEET Record gets 99-1 odds!!
(Will the MR already have fallen in either the Heats or Semi's??)
The MR gets 40-60 odds!
60 (MR 6.42)
And Away We GOOOOooooooooo!!!!
Or Christian Coleman does!
The MEET Record gets 99-1 odds!!
(Will the MR already have fallen in either the Heats or Semi's??)
The WORLD Record gets 25-75 odds!
I think it WILL be lowered again--and maybe by the same Mr Coleman!--but not in B'ham!!
That said, with Ronnie Baker and Bingtian Su hot on his tail, we could see THREE Men better Maurice Greene's MR!!
Or even go sub-6.40!!
Great Britain's Chijindu Ujah has been trash-talking a bit, but despite home-nation support, shouldn't pose much of a threat!
I think it WILL be lowered again--and maybe by the same Mr Coleman!--but not in B'ham!!
That said, with Ronnie Baker and Bingtian Su hot on his tail, we could see THREE Men better Maurice Greene's MR!!
Or even go sub-6.40!!
Great Britain's Chijindu Ujah has been trash-talking a bit, but despite home-nation support, shouldn't pose much of a threat!
Ben Meite and Mike Rodgers are others who could make the final!
Sunday, March 4th
Pole Vault (19-9)
Sunday, March 4th
Pole Vault (19-9)
Can History be repeated--just days later?
If you read my previous post, you know what happened at the All-Star Perche meet in France a few days ago!
If you read my previous post, you know what happened at the All-Star Perche meet in France a few days ago!
Probably the best INdoor Men's PV competition of All-Time, with 7 topping 5.88, and 2 of those clearing 5.93!!
THIS Vertical event should be the one opening the meet in spectacular fashion!!
(Imagine a HJ with SEVEN Mutaz Barshim's!!)
Would a winning mark that beats the MR alone be enough to satisfy our eager cravings for a Clermont repeat??
Not if the others have all kinds of problems reaching even a "meager" 19 feet!!
But with the way the Men's (& Women's, but we'll get to that in my Women's Preview!!) PV has been going this year, it would not surprise me to see at least a NEAR-repeat of the A-S Perche affair!!
Renaud Lavillenie and Sam Kendricks are SUPPOSED to lead the way, but don't bet against Piotr Lisek, Konstadinos Filippidis, Shawn Barber, Pawel Wojciechowski, Raphael Holzdeppe, Axel Chapelle, Thiago Braz Da Silva--or even Teen King Mondo Duplantis being an upsetter!!
Next to the 60, this will be the most watched Men's event of the meet!
THIS Vertical event should be the one opening the meet in spectacular fashion!!
(Imagine a HJ with SEVEN Mutaz Barshim's!!)
Would a winning mark that beats the MR alone be enough to satisfy our eager cravings for a Clermont repeat??
Not if the others have all kinds of problems reaching even a "meager" 19 feet!!
But with the way the Men's (& Women's, but we'll get to that in my Women's Preview!!) PV has been going this year, it would not surprise me to see at least a NEAR-repeat of the A-S Perche affair!!
Renaud Lavillenie and Sam Kendricks are SUPPOSED to lead the way, but don't bet against Piotr Lisek, Konstadinos Filippidis, Shawn Barber, Pawel Wojciechowski, Raphael Holzdeppe, Axel Chapelle, Thiago Braz Da Silva--or even Teen King Mondo Duplantis being an upsetter!!
Next to the 60, this will be the most watched Men's event of the meet!
60H Semi's
3000 (7:34.71)
Again, IF this event has heats, this final will be affected--not only by a possible loss of doublers, but also by the tactics used!!
As always, distance races in Championship meets often go that tactical (Read--SLOW!!) route!
I hope not--heats or no heats!
This MR is so SOFT, I'd give it 100-0 odds if not for the reasons already stated!
So let's make it easier--60-40 odds!
And I think Paul Chelimo has a solid chance to get the W!!
Even with the likes of Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha, and teen wonder Selemon Barega there to keep the pace HOT!
Bethwell Birgen, Albert Rop, and Abdelaati Iguider all have the street cred to make things even MORE interesting!
So come on, Guys, go out with a series of 29's and low 30's--then start kicking!!
1500 (3:33.77)
(NOTE--IF the IAAF schedule goes off as presently shown, the 3000 and 1500 Finals are just 37 minutes apart!! BUT if they cancel the Heats, and have the FINAL on March 2nd (where the Heats are now scheduled!!), then the 1500 will be a delight to watch! Otherwise, it could be disastrous!!)
Let's IMAGINE the IAAF comes to their senses (You need an otherworldly imagination for THAT to happen!! LOL) and cancels the 3K Heats!
Given that scenario, we could have a real RACE on our hands!
Chelimo wants to double!
His last race--a 3000--was lost because he turned his head to see who's coming right before the line--and didn't see the other guy sprint past him---and win by 0.01 seconds!!
I doubt he'll let that happen again!
(Lesson learned from Molly Huddle!!)
So give this one to Chelimo also--but probably not in MR territory!
Odds are 30-70!
Chris O'Hare is a HomeBoy, and a savvy racer who knows how to WIN!!
Even with the likes of Hagos Gebrhiwet, Yomif Kejelcha, and teen wonder Selemon Barega there to keep the pace HOT!
Bethwell Birgen, Albert Rop, and Abdelaati Iguider all have the street cred to make things even MORE interesting!
So come on, Guys, go out with a series of 29's and low 30's--then start kicking!!
1500 (3:33.77)
(NOTE--IF the IAAF schedule goes off as presently shown, the 3000 and 1500 Finals are just 37 minutes apart!! BUT if they cancel the Heats, and have the FINAL on March 2nd (where the Heats are now scheduled!!), then the 1500 will be a delight to watch! Otherwise, it could be disastrous!!)
Let's IMAGINE the IAAF comes to their senses (You need an otherworldly imagination for THAT to happen!! LOL) and cancels the 3K Heats!
Given that scenario, we could have a real RACE on our hands!
Chelimo wants to double!
His last race--a 3000--was lost because he turned his head to see who's coming right before the line--and didn't see the other guy sprint past him---and win by 0.01 seconds!!
I doubt he'll let that happen again!
(Lesson learned from Molly Huddle!!)
So give this one to Chelimo also--but probably not in MR territory!
Odds are 30-70!
Chris O'Hare is a HomeBoy, and a savvy racer who knows how to WIN!!
Iguider is here also, as well as Vincent Kibet, Sam Teferi, Aman Wote, and Ayanleh Souleiman!!
60H (7.34)
With both Holloway and McLeod absent (See above!), the MR is VERY safe---ZERO odds of falling!!
(Even WITH those 2, I'd still give it maybe just 5-95 odds! No one has been in the 7.30's for awhile!!)
Jarret Eaton has been the most consistent sub-7.50 Man, so give him a slight edge!
But Aries Merritt is in the best shape since he gained his sister's kidney, and could be the Shocker Who's Not a Shocker!!
Can Devon Allen put it all together and make us forget his football days??
Andrew Pozzi is another Brit who's been making some noise about getting on the Top of the Podium!
60H (7.34)
With both Holloway and McLeod absent (See above!), the MR is VERY safe---ZERO odds of falling!!
(Even WITH those 2, I'd still give it maybe just 5-95 odds! No one has been in the 7.30's for awhile!!)
Jarret Eaton has been the most consistent sub-7.50 Man, so give him a slight edge!
But Aries Merritt is in the best shape since he gained his sister's kidney, and could be the Shocker Who's Not a Shocker!!
Can Devon Allen put it all together and make us forget his football days??
Andrew Pozzi is another Brit who's been making some noise about getting on the Top of the Podium!
((But I think you can pretty much label that as bravado, and move on!!)
Ronald Levy, Petr Svoboda, and Pascal Martinot-Legarde are others to watch!
4 X 400 Relay (3:02.13)
As my loyal readers know, I acknowledge 3:01.96 as the World Record!
4 X 400 Relay (3:02.13)
As my loyal readers know, I acknowledge 3:01.96 as the World Record!
Other sources have their own versions!
With MY mark in mind, let's give the odds for the WR as 40-60.
But the MR gets 60-40 odds!!
But the MR gets 60-40 odds!!
It could be THAT close!!
The favored United States squad just is NOT at their strongest!
Minus the MIA's listed above, they're weaker than they should be!
The favored United States squad just is NOT at their strongest!
Minus the MIA's listed above, they're weaker than they should be!
But I don't see any other teams that can challenge even a debilitated US 4-some!
Of course, the Borlee's are here--aka the team from Belgium!
Yes, there's 3 of them on their team!
Trinidad & Tobago, Poland, and the Brits could fill the other Podium spots!!
And there you have it---my Men's WC Preview!
The Women's will follow ASAP!!
Of course, the Borlee's are here--aka the team from Belgium!
Yes, there's 3 of them on their team!
Trinidad & Tobago, Poland, and the Brits could fill the other Podium spots!!
And there you have it---my Men's WC Preview!
The Women's will follow ASAP!!
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