Can Great Britain Win the 4 x 100 Relay in Beijing?

Jimson Lee at Speedendurace.com wrote an great article asking can the UK 4×100 relay team repeat with Olympic gold from the ‘04 Games in 08/08/08?

Heck no!

Maybe the Brits’ 4×100 meter relay should take Michael Johnson’s advice to Asafa Powell and trip their competitors. That looks to be the UK’s best chances to win gold.

This summer is a big one for the UK 4×100-meter relay talent pool, and some of its biggest guns will be locked in a drawer. It looks more like the nation’s top sprinter, Dwain Chambers will be not be allowed to run in Beijing. Darren Campbell has hung up his spikes for retirement, and Mark Lewis-Francis is out this summer with an achilles injury.

Jamaica will make some kind of run. The Jamaican national team has two legit stars plus, a bunch of guys with international experience. After what we saw at the Penn Relays in April, the Jamaicans can be that much better in Beijing, right? Marvin Anderson, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Dwight Thomas ran 39.04 seconds without world record holder Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt, who as of this publication is the second fastest man ever at 100-meters.

Who knows which Americans out of the talent pool will make the team for Beijing. We’re not going to jump the gun and say that Tyson Gay is a lock for the team. So far Darvis Patton, Wallace Spearman, Xavier Carter, Mike Rodgers, Leroy Dixon, John Capel, and Shawn Crawford are in the mix. As long as Team USA doesn’t drop the stick, the relay team is almost guaranteed to run well below 38 seconds.

The Nigerians dropped the stick at the world championships in Osaka last year. If the ’08 relay squad led by Olusoj Fasuba, the fastest guy on the continent, holds on to the stick in Beijing, the Nigerians may surprise some in the Olympic finals.

The 4×100-meter relay results are so difficult to predict because there are so many moving parts, no pun intended. Many of the national teams do not necessarily run or practice together that much before the Olympics because track is an individual sport. No one wants to be remembered for medaling on the relay. But, this Olympics is shaping up to be an epic battle on the track in Beijing. We will have to tune in to see how it all plays out.

Jay Hicks for PreraceJitters.

2008 ÅF IAAF Golden League Brings New Age of Sport

Many of the sport’s biggest names are heading to the IAAF Golden League meets in Europe. Jeremy Wariner, LaShawn Merritt, Lolo Jones, and Bershawn “Batman” Jackson are running at the first stop on Sunday, June 1st at the DKB-ISA meet in Berlin, Germany.

What is surprising is that many big name stars have opted for the meets in the United States. This is a major coup for fans in this country but the decision to not run in Europe by some top athletes has left me scratching my head.

The IAAF meets in Europe have a $1 Million AF Golden League Jackpot. Both women and men athletes are competing for all or a portion of the winnings. On top of that, the bigger name stars get appearances fees and travel costs to run in Europe. Meets held in the U.S. offer performance money and travel costs–which is significantly less money.

The Adidas Track classic was fabulous and matchups at the 2008 Prefontaine Classic are ridiculous. Fans have complained about track & field in North America but the adidas Track Classic and Prefontaine Classic are now putting together meets that are normally reserved for the European circuit. But running in these U.S. meets means runners are walking away from potentially $40,000 to $1 million.

The improvements have come about because Adidas and Nike have put a great amount of resources into getting a superior product on the track at their U.S. track meets. The rival shoe giants have gone so far as to include the participation in U.S meets as a stipulation in athlete’s contracts.

More high profile meets in the U.S. means that low to mid-range athletes are getting pushed out of U.S. meets. Meet officials say athletes must be top 50 in the world at their respective events but there are eight lanes on the track. Real talk–it’s tougher than that. Athletes have to be top 10 to get in the Pre Classic depending on the event. Some of the low to mid-range athletes are getting pushed out of the U.S. races and struggle to get in good races in the weeks approaching the Olympic Trials.

Which means that some pros are sitting home this weekend during the Reebok Grand Prix, or running in a last chance meet. Moreover they certainly are not running in the IAAF Golden League meets because the European meets require even faster times.

By Jay Hicks.

Price Dominates & Shatters National 800 Record!

We wouldn’t be going overboard by saying this is the best high school victory you’ll ever see.

Chanelle Price took out what looked to be a 60 meter lead during the first lap as she delivered a thunderous 800 (2:02.90) at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (PIAA) last Saturday at the Track and Field Championships in Shippensburg.

She won the race 10 seconds ahead of the second place finisher Shaniel Chambers of Chester (2:12.18).

The 17-year-old’s time broke Joetta Clark-Digg’s four-time Olympian Joetta Clark-Diggs’ National Federation of High Schools record (2:04.50) and two-time Olympic medalist Kim Gallagher’s 28-year-old PIAA meet record (2:05.47).

She will run next at the Prefontaine Classic. Price’s performance might signal a changing of the guard. Former Olympic champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique returns for her 16th and final appearance in the PreClassic 800 at the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The young phenom, Price will attempt to make the Olympic team at the USA Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore., which begins on June 27.

Jay Hicks for PreraceJitters.

2008 Reebok Grand Prix Preview

Saturday, May 31st – Sunday, June 1.

The 2008 Reebok Grand Prix is shaping up to be an extraordinary night and day. Meet organizers have landed some of the hottest races. The meet is run at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, a 480-acre park anchoring Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens in New York City.

The meet airs on May 31st from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and June 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

Second year pro 400-meter runner Natasha Hasting plays hosts this week. Hastings ran high school at A. Philip Randolph Campus in New York City. With a field consisting of top ranked athletes, in its fourth year meet should provide great drama this week.

Tyson Gay is the defending 100-meter World Champion and has his work cut out for him. Gay is undefeated this season but Usain Bolt has already run an amazing 9.76! The favorite coming in is Tyson Gay, who is on a roll and is gearing up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Is there anyone hotter than Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown? She is coming off a photo finish victory at the adidas Track Classic (ATC). If you factor in that Allyson Felix will be seeking revenge after a fourth place finish at the ATC—this race will be scorching. Add in a field of Mershevet Hooker, Lauryn Williams, Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight, Torri Edwards, and Muna Lee—this field is out of sight. So many talented runners, but it will be interesting to see if anyone has a break out meet to break Veronica’s winning streak.

If you don’t succeed, try, try again. Terrence Trammell has a stellar track record in the 110-hurdles, and his season opener at the ATC was fantastic. A victory against Chinese megastar Liu Xiang is the only thing missing.

After breaking her own American record at the ATC, it would be hard not to pick Jenn Stuczynski this week. She is getting better with each meet and when she is on, she is unbeatable. Jillian Schwartz, Stacy Dragila, and April Steiner will have something to say about that. You have to love competition.

Don’t call it a come back, she’s been here for years. Sanya Richards is back to focusing on her bread and butter race—the 400 meters after running the 100 at ATC. The fierce some force of Natasha Hastings, Dee Dee Trotter, and Jamaica’s Shareefa Lloyd will make this a race to watch.

The men’s 400 is up for grabs. Jeremy Wariner is not running. Derrick Brew and Xavier Carter are the odds on favor to win, but don’t count out Andrew Rock and and David Neville.

Kerron Clement is facing a field with Bayano Kamani in the 400 hurdles.

Khadevis Robinson debuts for the 2008 outdoor season. The eight time national champion at 800-meters will face up to Nick Willis of New Zealand.

Check PreraceJitters.com for instant analysis after the meet.

For more information, visit www.reebokgrandprix.com or www.visachampionshipsseries.com. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 1-877-TIX-TRAC or on-line at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com.

What Is Going On In The 200?

It is utterly shocking that so far this season, not one runner has cracked 20 flat. This after last season saw five runners broke the 20 second barrier almost at will. Last season Tyson Gay (19.62), Xavier Carter (19.63), Wallace Spearmon (19.65), Walter Dix (19.69), and Usain Bolt (19.75) all made a major impression on the 200’s all-time list.

Tyson Gay holds the world leading time this season at 20 flat from his performance at the Jamaican Invitational. The 20.08 that Gay ran at the Adidas Track Classic was run into a -1.2 headwind. Which means he could have possibly dipped under 20 seconds had it not been for the twister blowing during the race.

Usain Bolt has not run a 200 this year and who can you blame him? Meet directors have been showing him the money to run the 100 ever since running the impressive 9.76. The 21-year-old Jamaican is set to run his first 200m at the Golden League Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 12. You can look for Bolt to be in the mix this season when it counts.

The most surprising name not on this list is that of Walter Dix, the reigning NCAA 200-meter champion. He has been sidelined most of the indoors and outdoors with injuries. So far this season Dix’s fastest time has been 20.90, which he ran in Atlanta on May 18.

This time has to be a disappointment to Dix after last season when he burned up the track with a 19.69. That time set the new NCAA outdoor record at 200-meters. But don’t count him out. Dix is a tremendous talent and has the ability to summon his entire being to beat a talented NCAA 200-meter field led by Brendan Christian of LSU, who has already run a 20.21 this season.

Top 10 World Performance List Courtesy IAAF

20.00 Tyson Gay, 5/3/2008
20.08 LaShawn Merritt, 5/09/08
20.08 Tyson Gay, 5/18/08
20.12 Brendan Christian 5/08/08
20.17 Churandy Martina 4/12/08
20.21 Brendan Christian 5/17/08
20.25 Xavier Carter 4/12/08
20.29 Gerald Phiri 5/18/08
20.30 Xavier Carter 5/18/2008

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Track & Field Really Needs Oscar Pistorius

You can’t take one more story about the doping scandals in track and field.

You’ve heard it all: the current Trevor Graham trial fingering some of the sport’s biggest names in Marion Jones, Justin Gatlin, and Tim Montgomery. Or, the once great coach being charged for lying to federal officials about Balco. Or, Dwain Chambers battling with UK officials to run in the Olympics.

But try to sit still for just one more report. This one is an especially important piece. It explores the bigger picture of track and field which as a sport is embattled for its survival and its integrity because it has lost the public trust. A dark cloud hangs over the sport which blocks the public’s attention from arguably one of the most talented group of athletes at one time in this country’s history.

The sport is hurting. Track and field needs Oscar Pistorius and should welcome the sight of him, considering the sport’s current gloomy state.

The sport’s federation did what it had to do when the organization ruled that Pistorious could not run in Beijing. The Blade Runner clearly gets a physical advantage from the carbon fiber legs when his competitors run on foot.

But Pistorius is not a threat to make the 400 in Beijing. The Olympic qualifying standard is 45.55, and his personal record stands at 46.55. Which means that he has to drop a second off his time in less than 60 days. In other words, his best chance is four years from now at the London Games.

He’s a hero. A pioneer with the drive to be the best, like every other champion. The pursuit to defy obstacles stacked sky high by the double amputee born without fibulas is inspiring.

In fact, the sport’s history is steeped in such inspirational figures—Jesse Owens defeating Hitler, Joan Benoit shattering glass ceilings, or Cathy Freeman representing the Aboriginal people of Australia. Pistorius may be remembered later for changing perception. Disability may now become ability.

Maybe the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has given the sport a gift in overturning the ban against Pistorious. Maybe, it’s an opportunity to right a wrong.

Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. “When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It’s a great day for the sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people.”

I hope South Africa decides to include him on the 4×400-meter relay, if it qualifies one. Track needs an inspirational figureto overshadow the depressing drug stories.

Olympic Hopeful “Hey There” Delilah PRs Again!

Delilah DiCrescenzo, the steeplechaser and muse of the Grammy Award winning song “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, ran under the Olympic Games “A” standard for the second time this season in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Rio IAAF Wat Meet. She also ran a personal record of 9:43.57.

Keep your eyes peeled. If DiCrescenzo continues to drop her times, she will contend for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Delilah is currently the third ranked American at this point in the season, and her time in Rio also gave her the #9 all-time spot for U.S runners.

By Jay Hicks.

Running Film Festival Comes to Olympic Trials!

Hollywood is coming to Eugene, as the city hosts the first film festival ever devoted to the subject of running: the Running Film Festival (RFF), scheduled for July 3 – 5 on the University of Oregon campus.

A portion of the proceeds from the RFF will be donated to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund, an organization established in memory of distance runner and Olympic hopeful Ryan Shay, who died suddenly during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City in 2007.

For more information, visit the festival website at runningfilmfestival.com.

Jay Hicks

Ponce Grand Prix in Puerto Rico!

Hazel Clark is getting back into fine shape, running 1:59.82 to get her first sub 2:00 minute at 800-meters this outdoor season at the Ponce Grand Prix in Puerto Rico.

Former University of Houston sprinter Eboni Floyd placed third in the 100 and came back hard to win the deuce in 22.8. That will help get the up and coming sprinter get into the big races coming up.

Danny McFarland ran an impressive 48.77 in the 400 hurdles and former Baylor standout Bayano Kamani of Panama took fourth in 49.64.

World indoor 60m champion Angela Williams on the U.S. brought her success outdoors winning in 11.32 at 100-meters. Olympic champion Dwight Phillips was upset by Brian Johnson in a great long jump battle.

David Payne made a successful season’s debut over the barriers with a 13.49-second victory in the 110m Hurdles, ahead of Aubrey Herring in 13.52 and Jamaica’s Richard Phillips ran 13.56.

Kellie Wells of the U.S. ran 12.71 over the women’s 100m hurdles to equal that time for the second time this season.

Click here for the full meet results.

By Jay Hicks.

Trevor Graham Trial!

Everyone knew going in the Trevor Graham trial that it was going to be a public relations train wreck and a major distraction at the very least. And so far the trial has lived up to those expectations.

At the Adidas Track Classic press conference last Thursday, the reporters asked what seemed like an endless number of questions on doping in the sports. So far, there have not been any courtroom theatrics, and let’s hope it stays that way.

Marion Jones’ husband injecting her with banned drugs. Tim Montgomery going into Mexico with an admitted steroids dealer to test his blood for drugs. Antonio Pettigrew routinely receiving overnight packages stuffed with the oxygen-boosting drug EPO.

Graham is charged with three counts of lying to federal authorities investigating a massive sports doping ring centered at the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO, in Burlingame, California.

Yeah, yeah. We know all of these sordid details already. Oh—and the government’s witnesses have accused the former coach of many great sprinters from the 90s and early 2000s of lying about knowledge of the drug game. While this is all shocking, for now track fans can hope for a speedy trial.

Is there a smoking gun? With just three months before the Olympic Games, let’s hope not. But the honest answer is that we will have to wait and see.

By Jay Hicks.

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