Athletics 2022

Not necessarily. Drugs don’t guarantee you win. Talent and raw speed is also a huge factor. Ciara had not got raw speed.

What's your point? I never said 30 was over the hill, I see Covid and the new Boards hasn't changed your $hite style of debating. I said, and I (and 95% of the athletics community) believe that a 3.5 second improvement at that age is something to query. I see that no-one has addressed that part of my post where I said most here would be up in arms if it was any other nationality runner that went and did that.

Some have said it's the shoes......... 'could be'. Or the fact that she's rarely had such a nice stretch of injury free prep, also a possibility. But I insist, a 3.5 second improvement in the 1500 after running it for 12 years or so, c'mon!!! You don't think it's a little suspicious?

Happy to see a discussion on the improvement and the NR for Ciara.

I posted earlier that I expected her to go under 4:00 based on her sustained good form over the summer and also her more astute tactical running. The shoe technology also helps. Even she herself was surprised at a 3:56.

As to her hopes of getting a medal at Worlds next year I think it's a long shot although she should make the final if fit.

The standard in the event is historically high and with Faith Kipyegon possibly the best of all time, a rested Laura Muir and Ethiopians and others with potential to run 3:54 or lower it's a big ask.

Whatever. You clearly implied that PBs at 30 should raise a flag. Quit trying to wriggle out of this. You said what she did is not normal. That’s nonsense, and insulting to her.

There will always be people ready to piss and moan over someone’s great achievements. No different to you here.

Ciara raced brilliantly. It all went so well for her. Great conditions, good track, and most importantly, a class athlete for that night feeling great and performing great. She ran 3:56, not 3:50.

She is clean. So stop trying to sully her name here.

I agree with you on the actual point you made about had it been an athlete from another country. So no idea why you’re wasting your time trying to argue that. World is full of people who are stupidly suspicious and OTT about sports performance

I did.

IMO speculation is a thinly veiled accusation.

However, to quote the forum charter

• “No doping talk! Please no speculation on which athletes may be doping”

Numerous posts here are contravening this.

Again, maybe a mod could clarify?

Thanks

As to last nights race - arguably its her best performance of the season.

Faith Kipyegon is the greatest 1500m runner of alltime, the race was of a standard that would not be out of place at World Championship final.

Arguably the pity is that she didnt run the World Championships given her form, but thats by the by- she is doing it now and on a big stage.

Another terrific performance from Ciara which is great to see the consistency there now. The confidence has really grown there to match the ability, it was great that she pushed on at the end to nab the second place where if she has checked out at all she could have easily ended up in 4th but backed herself and again rewarded.

I did wonder did she regret not being more aggressive with 400 to go, and challenging Kipyegon.....

Look, there's lots I could pull out of that but I'll keep it to that last bit. The world is full of people who stupidly think no-one (cept maybe those nasty Russians) dopes in elite sport. That's what the world is full of.

I'd like to think CM is clean but yes I have my doubts. Ten or more years running the distance but she never had a well paced race on a decent track till now. She been running around muddy fields all this while? Ten or more years at 1500 and not once under 4. Think about it.

Unless of course the new New Balance shoes are extra extra special.

I did wonder at the time but given the race had been slow to that point I guess she knew what she could do over the last lap. Not sure how much clear thought they can have in strategy around in this but if you know the runner moving ahead of you has got a faster lap than you there's always that stick or twist thought. It worked for her to go against Muir in the previous race but she was just too far back from Kipyegon and maybe hoped that she might come back to her if she could get herself into second/third place.