Tokyo 2020: Athletics Thread

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117696096#Comment_117696096

What is hooking?

deisedude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117695172#Comment_117695172

I'm not even talking about the generational talents like Sonia and I don't expect us to even win medals as I know how incredibly competitive it is but surely we should be expecting to get a few athletes out of the heats into semi finals. Our aspirations have to be higher than just qualifying.

In order for Ireland to be more competitive we need a strong base of children taking part in Athletics and good structures at a grassroot level. There are a small scattering of clubs with elite juvenile structures and historically I don't think Athletics Ireland have done a good job of getting children involved in the sport compared to the likes of the GAA where games development officers are sent to the schools to promote their sports.

If we are to forget about children for the moment can we say Athletics Ireland did a good job in helping elite athletes this past 18 months? Did they provide our elite athletes with meaningful competitions? Were some of our athletes forced abroad to secure qualification times because Athletics Ireland couldn't be arsed organising an event themselves? When Eamonn Christie put on a race for elite athletes they fcuked him around for an administrative error. Did that really help our athletes?

eagle eye

Just seeing the US had no camp in Japan prior to the Olympics. Not surprising to see so many underperforming.

Very surprised they didn't have at least a two week camp for acclimatisation.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697173#Comment_117697173

Surprising alright. Wonder what the basis was for that. Interesting too that Sonia O'Sullivan was suggesting some of the Irish athletes were too long in camp this morning, think that was in reference to Sarah Healys run in the 1500 but was aimed as a general comment too. That was her opinion anyway.

Pherekydes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697078#Comment_117697078

When the trailing leg goes around the hurdle rather than over it.

robinph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697141#Comment_117697141

But aside from the US in practically every distance, Jamaica in the sprints and different sides of Africa in the distance events there isn't any country which you'd consistently expect to see with people in any track final.

There will be the occasional smattering of the bigger European countries getting someone into a final, but no country that you'd be surprised for them to not make a final. Individual superstars from random countries every now and again, just the same as O'Sullivan, but just because Farah was around for a few years, it's not odd that the UK has nobody else following along behind. It won't be odd when Italy doesn't have someone in the 100m final in Paris, but it would be if the US didn't.

I don't think you could overly criticise Ireland for a lack of finalists, when no other country is particularly consistently getting into finals either, except for the US and a couple of other countries in specific distances which would be odd if not present.

KaneToad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697141#Comment_117697141

The secret to Olympic success is mainly money. The British copped on to this and decided to invest for success. It worked for them.

I also agree with the sentiments of the late Jerry Kiernan with respect to GAA. These games promote mediocrity, in my opinion. Being the best at a sport, in your county, is a very low bar to be considered elite.

Whilst I admire the GAA for its part in getting kids active, I think we should be trying harder to have more athletics clubs, cycling clubs, swimming clubs, badminton clubs etc etc. The only way to do this is to invest in the infrastructure.

We need to think globally, not locally if we are ever going to compete internationally.

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697263#Comment_117697263

As goes into a different lane?

YFlyer

Felix looks relax.

YFlyer

Prefontaine didn't win NCAA and US trials same year?

yerwanthere123

Some messy moments in the mens 1500 heats. Lewandowski falls but is later reinstated. El Bakkali returned after winning the steeplechase less than 24 hours ago but pulled out after looking very laboured. Told a reporter afterwards he didn't get to bed until 5am last night!

Nick Willis made the SF's at the age of 38 and Ireland's Andrew Coscoran also made the SF's.

Phil Healy unfortunately didn't make the womens 400m SF's after missing a time qualifier by 0.07.

Adam Gemili pulled up immediately after starting his 200m heat.

yerwanthere123

World record could go in the 400m hurdles final here. Should be between Warholm and Benjamin, and I think Dos Santos could get on the podium also.

yerwanthere123

WARHOLM SUB 46!!!

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697818#Comment_117697818

Benjamin smashed the world record in second place......that's practically unheard of

You could tell the WR was on when Warholm had a huge lead 200m out

yerwanthere123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697821#Comment_117697821

He ran 46.17 for second place, and Dos Santos very nearly broke it for bronze, missing it by .02 of a second. Fuuuck!

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697823#Comment_117697823

I think the fact that Benjamin came at Warholm all the way down the home straight and nearly went past him forced him to run even faster than he would have done otherwise.

horsebox1977

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697215#Comment_117697215

Derval O'Rourke didn't want to go into the camp as it didn't suit here (2012) she preferred to do her own thing and flew into London 2 days before the games and left after her semi's,

What suits one person may not suit the next.

Kenny Egan was saying that Harrington is in Tokyo now over a month and that it's way too long.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697992#Comment_117697992

It's cometely different being in Ireland and swanning over two days before the Olympics in the UK. You are doing your normal thing.

You need a camp in Japan to acclimatise. The heat, breathing etc. is different.

You need to change diet, drink more fluids just to avoid injury, heat stroke, dehydration.

I'd call a month about perfect.

eagle eye

Karsten Warholm last night was unreal. It's probably the greatest single performance in the history of athletics.

The way he found more when Benjamin came up beside him was insane. You seen massive talent combined with ridiculous training and then pure heart at the end of that run.

ahnowbrowncow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698100#Comment_117698100

It was a great race but I wouldn't go that far.

The three medalists all went under Kevin Young's WR that stood for 29 years, that would suggest to me that the footwear has had a big impact on the times.

Benjamin beat that record by 6 tenths of a second and the WR by over 5 tenths, and was still only good enough for second, that's unheard of in sprinting.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697992#Comment_117697992

One thing i remember about O'Rourke is she was very independent, liked to do her own thing a lot of the time which came through experience I guess. As for acclimitising, i wouldn't have an opinion tbh as obviously not a hp athlete or coach, just thought it was interesting what Sonia had to say about it.

walshb

Hell of a run by Warholm...

I was only recently thinking of the toughest track records, and Young's was right up there

Now it has bee relegated to the 5th fastest time ever.

I wonder could we see Flo Jo's 200 go this week....right conditions, Thompson flying....? Needs a hell of a run, but she may have it...

Pherekydes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698620#Comment_117698620

Young's time is 5th fastest. He's 4th fastest man, though.

Best ever times for placing for every single place in the same race!

New best-ever-marks-for-place list:

1. 45.94 Karsten Warholm (Norway) OG 21

2. 46.17 Rai Benjamin (US) OG 21

3. 46.72 Alison dos Santos (Brazil) OG 21

4. 47.08 Kyron McMaster (BVI) OG 21

5. 47.12 Abderrahman Samba (Qatar) OG 21

6. 47.81 Yasmani Copello (Turkey) OG 21

7. 48.11 Rasmus Mägi (Estonia) OG 21

8. 48.77 Alessandro Sibilio (Italy) OG 21

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698620#Comment_117698620

You know the thing that's bugging me here is that Thompson's time is only the second fastest this year.

Gabby Thomas has shown nothing but she's there in the final. I don't know if she's not at her best or just decided not to do too much and just qualify for the final. If she hits top form then the record could go as whoever wins it could break it.

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698813#Comment_117698813

Yes...I knew I cocked that up.....4th fastest man....5th fastest time....

yerwanthere123

Get ready for a shitstorm later if Mboma wins the 200m or does a crazy time 🤐

yerwanthere123

Wale 9th in the 5k and doesn't qualify. After winning the Ethiopian trials and missing a medal in the steeplechase, that's a hugely disappointing Olympics for him.

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698909#Comment_117698909

In my view, Thomas will not medal in the 200m. She was all out in the semi final trying unsuccessfully to hold off Mboma.

US sprint performances in Eugene should always be treated with caution. They are rarely replicated outside that very specific environment. Look at Jenna Prandini. She ran 21:8x in the US Olympic trials and yet failed to make the final in Tokyo. In fact, she was even beaten by the Australian champion Riley Day.

My predictions for the 200m are 1. Elaine Thompson-Herah; 2. Shelly-Ann Fraser Price and 3. Mboma, who will no doubt trigger another **** show around the DSD athletes.

Just realized how annoying it is to type out the double and triple barreled names of Caribbean female sprinters!

walshb

200 women today at 13:50?

walshb

Poor Britsh girl had her bronze snatched in the last 3-5 meters...

ahnowbrowncow

The mens 200m semi finals were very interesting, Lyles eased at the line but ended up finishing third with all three athletes running 19.99. Nervous wait for him to see if he qualified with a fastest qualifying time and was lucky enough as the last race was very fast with De Grasse getting a NR.

yerwanthere123

No surprise to see Mu get the gold. Not surprised to see Hodgkinson get a medal too but I thought it'd be a bronze. Thought Reekie would get the silver.

Was so focused on the top two that I didn't actually notice Reekie being snuck upon on the line. Rogers finished exactly the same way she did in Doha, lethal sprint! 4th is tough for Reekie but she gave it her all, can't do any more.

walshb

21.53...wow!

yerwanthere123

SAFP kept off the podium by Mboma 😬 Nice bronze for Thomas too. Miller Uibo gave up when she realised she had no chance.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117699223#Comment_117699223

Well there you go, not in top form but still medalled after a horrendous start.

This track is wicked fast btw. The lack of a camp in Japan prior to the Olympics has obviously affected lots of the US athletes.

Dubh Geannain

Mu is phenomenal. Delighted to see Fanbulleh making 200 final too.

YFlyer

Pity it wasn't possible for Warholm to chance the 400 flat. Could reach the final?

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700509#Comment_117700509

He might go and do that, he's always looking for something else to do but I hoped he doesn't.

He has over 20 consecutive wins already. I think he should go after Ed Moses winning streak of 122.

Eclectic Econometrics

I got on Erriyon Knighton at 8/1 last night. He might not win me anything but his new odds at 5/2 are only now a truer reflection of his chances. Whatever happens here he will be a monster in Paris.

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700549#Comment_117700549

Could get lured into a Diamond League flat 400m event. Low 44s be on the cards. Imagine if he broke 44?

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700549#Comment_117700549

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700549#Comment_117700549

Attempting Moses record be something else. Would he be adamant to win heats and semifinals? Remember Michael Johnson losing a meet 400m flat as he was under the weather.

Can see he be selective and race fewer races to get faster times.

Pherekydes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700872#Comment_117700872

His PB is 44.87 from 2017, when his hurdles PB was 48 something. He's improved by over 2 seconds in the hurdles, so I'd nearly expect him to run mid 43. The European record is 44.33 from 1987. Well overdue a savage revision.

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700900#Comment_117700900

Exactly. I thought he was 45 flat. However, as you said he would take chunks off it.

theoneeyedman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117698291#Comment_117698291

(Assuming it's clean) that's an absolutely incredible run by Warholm, 3/4 of a second.... Fvck me!

Question Re:shoes etc....

Back in the spring, all. The talk was about shoes, cleats, PEBAX cleats, and fast times. Reading from a far, I expected records to fall especially at the Olympics. What's happened? Was it just hype from the shoe companies, or was there some other factor in play?

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700938#Comment_117700938

His Puma shoes are designed different than than Nike ones. Devral O'Rourke mentioned some collaboration between Puma and Mercedes Benz. Using carbon fibre, I believe.

walshb

Warholm is probably physically at his absolute peak now. Maybe he’ll give the more prestigious 400 a shot. He can surely go low 44s…possibly sub 44…

Separately: I think 45.94 is even better than 43.03…

DM_7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700938#Comment_117700938

Warholm was complaining about Nike shoes today:

While praising Benjamin’s performance in winning a silver medal in 46.17, a time that also broke the previous world record, he said it was wrong that Nike athletes could run in a thick slab of super-responsive Pebax foam in sprint spikes.

“I don’t see why you should put anything beneath a sprinting shoe,” he said. “In middle distance I can understand it because of the cushioning. If you want cushioning, you can put a mattress there. But if you put a trampoline I think it’s bullshit, and I think it takes credibility away from our sport.”

but his shoes are "fine".

Warholm explained he had worked with the Mercedes Formula One team and Puma to develop his own racing spike, but insisted his was very different to the Nike shoe as it was close enough to be compared to previous spikes down the years. “Yes, we have the carbon plate,” said Warholm. “But we have tried to make it as thin as possible. Because that is the way I would like to do it. Of course technology will always be there. But I also want to keep it down to a level where we can compare results because that is important.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/03/karsten-warholm-slams-super-spikes-as-threat-to-track-and-field-credibility

yerwanthere123

The sprints have been amazing so far but the longer distances (steeplechase, 5 and 10k) have been pretty average races as spectacles. The women's steeplechase is the one I'm mostly looking forward to tomorrow, hoping for an exciting race. Courtney Frerich said to reporters that she's in the shape of her life and thinks running sub 9 is possible. Whether that's true or not it makes me hopeful we might see a fast time.

Would love Emma Coburn to win the gold but I think it's a stretch, although she should surely get on the podium. Would love Krause to get there too but not sure she's in that kind of shape right now.

WR could go for the women's 400 hurdles also. McLaughlin obviously the heavy favourite for gold, with Muhammad and Bol the other two podium favourites. McLaughlin should win and possibly set the WR as she does, but if she does falter I'd actually tip Bol instead of Muhammad to take the gold. Looking forward to that one too.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117700900#Comment_117700900

Quick question where are all the GB 400m runners?! They have a long history of good athletes in that length...but not a single entry this year...I see they are in relay though.

yerwanthere123

Identical women's 400m hurdles. McLaughlin breaks her own WR for gold, Muhammad inside the old world record for silver, and Bol very nearly cracks 52 seconds for bronze. Fabulous race!