Run-Down Forums

[Conway]

Been watching a lot of track and field the past couple of weeks ... Tapes of everything from Golden League meets (Zurich, Berlin, etc) to US Champs and Trials and Worlds and Olympics ... Been tapin em since 1983 ... Focusing a lot on the meets from 1990 to last year ... Just some observations ...

Mo and Ato were much more effective when they were smaller .. 98 and 99 especially they were like clockwork ... Smooth, efficient, great bursts of speed ...

Interesting that times have slowed this past season as sprinters are becoming more technically sound and more efficient ...

If Capel ever develops a real start he will go sub 9.90 ... No problem ...

If the Nigerians ever got a decent program going - solid coaching, continuity, cohesiveness - they could rise to the top of the sprint world ...

The US is currently "deeper" in the sprints than ever before ... The top 16 athletes (semifinals for nationals or trials) are almost interchangeable as far as who can make a final ... Up to around 2000 picking finalists were almost a lock ...

Conversely the 400 is in shambles ... No one is progressing ... Whatever happened to Brew, Mills, and Maybank ??? Q-milers seem to have less pure speed, poorer technique, and less conditioning than their pre-Johnson (ie MJ, Quincy, Butch, S.Lewis, D. Everett) counterparts ... Why are no Q-milers seeking out John Smith or Jim Bush ??????

Marion deteriorated under Trevor .. Came back in 97 .. Major jump in 98 for a 98/99/00 plateau ... Then backwards ... On all accounts ... Start, general technique, long jump technique, etc ... And, while she may not like it, she is a natural Q-miler and if she ever truly wants a WR that is where she needs to be !!!

Does not seem to be confined to just Marion, seems to be a trait of Graham athletes ...

Oba Thompson ... Most wasted talent ever ...

Gwen Torrence may have been the most underrated woman's sprinter ever ... Had she stayed in the game and moved up to double 200/400 could have challenged both records ...

Linford's Christie's closing ability was underrated ... Was very "strong" at the end of races ...

Jon Drummond is ALWAYS tough and at his best in big meets ...

Christie Gaines ... Why did it take her so long ??? And why did she stop running the deuce ??? Could've been a factor today ...

Santa MOnica TC (Tom Tellez) produced the "smoothest" group of sprinters ever Carl, Marsh, DeLoach, Baptiste .. Smooth and relaxed ...

Gail Devers ... Has anyone been simultaneously so lucky (100 meters) and unlucky (100 hurdles) at the Olympics ???
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Conway
Speed Thrills

[Dan]

Agreed on pretty much all counts.

Are this year's crop of sprinters really more technically sound and efficient, or do they just look more under control because they aren't pushing the envelope as much? It seemed like most people were staying in a comfort zone this year...