I know I promised a Preview for the 24th edition of the OUTdoor European Championships!
But the closer it got, the more I questioned my intent!
Looking back in my archives, I saw I'd never done a full-on Preview of a Regional Championship---whether it be the Euros, the Pan Ams, or the Commonwealth Games!
So why now?
Regionals---however productive and "great"--is still limited to a "region"---or one group of Nations separated from all the others!
Believe me, it's NOT because there are no Americans here---Mondo Duplantis's national declaration notwithstanding!!
Although, as an American, I tend to make this blog US-centric--if only because most of the spring OUTdoor meets I cover are in this country!
One thing I discovered today is that the Euros allow 12 "Wild Cards" to pass on to the Semi's in events 400 meters or shorter!
But they don't name these WC's!!
So how can one predict who will do what if you have no idea who's running what??
(From today's results, missing were such as Karsten Warholm from the 400H, Jimmy Vicaut from the 100, plus 1 or 2 others I expected to see in the Heats!)
All that said, I'll present some basic data I'd gathered in preparation for my "Preview"!
The meet goes from today, the 6th, through the 12th!
It has all the standard events, including 50K Walks for both Men and Women, and the full Marathon!
(They ran the Half-Marathon in 2016's edition, and there were NO Walks---50 or 20K!!)
Following are the order of the Finals--by day--with the Meet Record given!
Commentary follows each day!
MEN WOMEN
Tuesday, August 7
50K Walk (WR & MR 3:32:33) 50K Walk (First time at the Euros!)
HT (WR & MR 284-7) 100 (10.73)
10000 (27:30.99)
SP (72-10.75)
100 (9.99)
Be nice if a Women's WR came in the 50K Walk!
Easiest MR's (besides the Women's 50K Walk!) should be the Men's 100 and 10000--though the latter is always held back by the MoBot disease!!
Men's SP COULD fall, but won't!
Wednesday, August 8
LJ (27-9.50) SP (71-2)
DT (225-11) 10000 (30:01.09)
Dec (8811)
Can Kevin Mayer get this MR without serious competition?
DT could go, but it will be close!
LJ SHOULD go, but highly doubtful!
That Women's 10K MR is held by Paula Radcliffe!!
Thursday, August 9
400H (47.48) PV (15-9.25)
JT (294-4) 100H (12.38)
200 (19.85)
3000SC (8:07.87)
Karsten Warholm is set to double in the 400H and 400!
But even an all-out chase in the hurdles race might NOT produce a MR!
Without Samba to chase....!!
Without the Africans, the SC MR is pretty safe!
All the top Germans are present in the JT, so expect to see this MR crushed!
Despite no Americans--or Eliza McCartney--the Women's PV should still be one of the best events!
But can Stefanidi win?
Give that MR 70-30 odds!
Unless Alina Talay proves her earlier 12.41 wasn't a fluke, expect that MR to remain!
Men's 200 MR is possible, but iffy!
Friday, August 10
400 (44.52) HJ (6-8)
110H (13.02) TJ (49-8.50)
1500 (3:35.27) Hept (6823)
JT (221-4)
400H (52.92)
800 (1:55.41)
The Men's 400 MR LOOKS easy---until you consider that Europeans have yet to produce a sub-44---and mid-44's are few and far between!
Sergey Shubenkov should get the 110H MR!
I'm giving the 1500 MR 90-10 odds---as I believe the Ingebrigtsen Three won't allow for a slow pace!
Family rivalry, and all that!!
One of THE highlights of the YEAR---let alone the Euros!!
Will the Italian (Elena Vallortigara) give Mariya Lasitskene reason to worry?
Nafi Thiam is capable of another 7000 points score, but all by herself??
Nonetheless, give that MR 80-20 odds!
JT MR should fall, but not by much!
The Women's 800 won't have "those 3", but this MR is safe!
Will Anita Hinriksdottir FINALLY go sub-2??
Saturday, August 11
20K Walk (1:18:37) 20K Walk (1:26:42)
HJ (7-8.75) LJ (23-11.50)
800 (1:43.84) 400 (48.16)
5000 (13:10.15) DT (234-1)
4X400 R (2:58.22) 200 (21.71)
4X400 R (3:16.87)
While the Women's LJ is a HOT event, the MR will survive!
Sandra Perkovic would have to REALLY shoot one out there for the DT MR!
The Men's 5000 MR SHOULD fall, but again, MoBot likely to rear its ugly head!!
That Men's 4X400 R could be a RACE!!
And give the MR 60-40 odds!
NOT so the Women's 4X400!!
That 800 MR gets 70-30 odds!
Without Mutaz Barshim or Danil Lysenko, the Men's HJ tank is---EMPTY!!
Sunday, August 12
Mar (2:10:31) Mar (2:25:14)
PV (19-8.25) HT (258-5)
TJ (59-0.25) 1500 (3:56.91)
4X100 R (37.79) 5000 (14:52.20)
3000SC (9:17.57)
4X100 R (41.68)
The Marathons are tough to predict!
One thing--they're NOT using THE Berlin Marathon course!
This one has several turns and is a loop course!
Nonetheless, the MR's (for both sexes!) are possible!
Maybe THE match-up of the entire meet is in the Men's PV---Renaud vs Mondo!!
Let's hope BOTH are on FIRE!!
Will the REAL Anita Wlodarczyk please stand up??
Will the 2-time loser (to Americans!!) be present, or the WR holder we all know and love??
I'd say something inbetween!
Give the MR 75-25 odds, but nowhere near her WR!!
Will Laura Muir go for time in the 1500?
Doubtful!
Meraf Bahta remains entered in the 5000, despite some problems with drug-related issues!
But if she medals, or sets records, watch for future adjustments to same!!
Konstanze Klosterhalfen is entered in the 1500 AND the 5000!
Doubtful she'll run both, as they're just minutes apart!!
Will Gesa Krause please her home crowd---with a win AND the MR?
Yes, sez me!
Both of the Sprint Relays MR's are possible!
But give each just 35-65 odds!
I have a few marks to report---some at least a week old---
Daniel Stahl threw the Discus 226-9.
Ce'Aira Brown PR'ed again in the 800--to 1:58.01.
She moves from 24th A-T US to 18th!
Andreas Kramer took the Karlstad 800 in 1:45.03, but Boris Berian ran just 1:49.33 in 7th!
Mondo Duplantis cleared 19-0.25 in the PV!
Angelika Bengtsson's 15-6.25 breaks her own National Record of Sweden!
The Greenville PV saw Sandi Morris clear 16-2.75---with Sam Kendricks going over 19-0.25---BUT there's SOME question as to the legality of the set-up!
(Although the IAAF is said to have OK'ed it!!)
But not so for Piotr Lisek's 19-5.75---which WOULD have been the Poland National Record but for the event's exhibition status!
The Sir Walter Raleigh Track Mile's saw some good results---
Lopez Lomong led 10 or more under 4 minutes with his 3:53.86!
Several ran 3:54's and 3:55's!!
Charlene Lipsey won the Women's race in 4:27 & change, beating Sara Vaughn and Cory McGee, who broke 4:29!
Enjoy the Euros meet, and will see you soon with the results!
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