Athletics 2023

Thought this race was simply brilliant to see and one of my sporting highlights of the year. Two Irish athletes on an International stage duking it out over the last lap was a joy to see. It took a pb from Sophie to beat Sarah and the next time they race each other you could easily see the result reversed. Sarah has more experience on the international stage and probably more of a known quantity whereas I think Sophie has probably surprised people this season but clearly has taken a big step forward in performance.

This is simply great as like what we've had in women's 400m and 800m the last number of years they will draw a crowd in and more interest to the sport. Best wishes to both athletes for the remainder of the season and hopefully many more occasions when we see them race against each other as will bring the best from each other.

Just 0.02s off her national record. Her run over 400m later in the week should give us more insight into her current form, as presumably that is the distance she will compete at in the WC.

Yes, they were originally known as the Empire Games. Looks like the only way forward for them now is if what's left of the Empire - i.e. Britain - takes on permanent hosting duties. Nobody else wants them at this point, they're pretty much all cost and next to no return, especially with construction costs gone the way they have.

They wouldn't be much of a loss if they disappeared entirely, in truth.

I think the death of the Queen last year is a big factor in all this. Enthusiasm for the Commonwealth Games and for the Commonwealth itself appears to be waning, even in the stalwart places like Australia.

Bit of a stretch to suggest the queen dying has caused this.

Victoria’s model was ridiculous. They could have had an affordable games in one place using existing facilities but wanted to spread it around the state building new stuff. The costs ballooned and that was that.

There’s less and less places able to absorb the costs of multi sports events

Yes, it's very noticeable that Australia is now seriously talking about becoming a republic and ditching the monarchy. This wouldn't disbar them from the Commonwealth Games of course, but they may be questioning just what is the point of remaining in them if the direction of travel is to become a fully independent republic.

Great run by Mageean in the mile behind Kipyegon beating Sonia's NR.....that was a world class field.

Is Rhasidat a bit ring rusty I wonder? She seemed to blow up in both races this week in the last 30m or so.

Very quiet here considering an Irish lass has just become 5th fastest miler ever..

Could be the knock on effect of a training program that was no doubt intending for her to peak at the NCAAs. Would be great to see her back under 49.5 again this season but it might not be possible.

Given that Boards was down for three hours, I think it's "quite" unsurprising

is the kenyans time not a little bit crazy? 5 seconds off a world record for the mile....hmmmmm....

I’m sure she will be fine. However, I think some folks are underestimating her competition in Budapest.

Sydney McLaughlin will inevitably run low 48.xx in Hungary. Mariledy Paulino will run below 49.xx if required. Sada Williams, who took bronze in Eugene, has just run her fastest time this far out from a major champs.

That’s before we even consider the somewhat unknown quantity of Salwa Eid Naser. Natalia Kaczmarek is in the form of her life and will run low 49.xx, breaking the 50-year old Polish record. Lieke Klaver won’t be too far behind. I don’t know if Femke Bol plans to double, but if she does, that’s another formidable opponent.

It’s probably going to take 49.6x or 49.7x just to make the final in Budapest. Whilst Adeleke has every chance of doing well, it’s going to very tough out there this year.

Yes, it is a lesser run distance of course. But to have 4 or 5 records in the same race and by such margins as well, it has to be questioned.

There are lots of records falling recently and some athletes have spoken openly to say the new spikes are effectivley cheating.

Of course the tracks are improving also.

There are lots of records falling in recent years. Many of which have stood for decades.

Spikes and Tracks are at a level now that you cannot compare athletes to their predecessors anymore.

And thats not to mention the fact the PEDs are almost certianly still rife, although much harder to detect.