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Micah Ward · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:25 am Post subject: Olympic Trials

The first day of the trials has brought us a distance running conundrum. Meb and Dan Browne have qualified in the 10K. Meb set a new Trials record in the process BTW. So Meb and Browne are qualified for both the 10K and the marathon so which one will they run? Browne says he is thinking of running both. Since he doesn't have a realistic shot at winning a medal in either then why not run both just for the fun of it?

Remember Melissa Buttry? She advanced to the finals of the 5K. It was too late last night to watch the TV coverage but I will be tuned in tonight. Too bad that they are only giving it an hour, but that is a discussion we have had before.
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Conway · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 8:57 am Post subject:

I think they should run both ... I doubt if either can make it out of the rounds in the 10K ...
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Conway
Speed Thrills

Micah Ward · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:

I agree. Without a realistic chance at medaling why not run both, and while you are at it see the sights and mix and mingle with other athletes and fans and absorb as much of the experience as possible? Very Happy

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Conway · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

Hey the Games "originated" as much for the social aspecdt of sport as for teh competitive aspect ... If you can qualify to go at all get teh most out of it ... Until our distance runners become more comptitive that's about all they can hope for !!!!
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Conway
Speed Thrills

Micah Ward · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

Remember the winter olympics when there was the big showdown between Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski? I think it was in Japan....anyway, Michelle arrived late and sequestered herself and did nothing but concentrate on the skating. Tara, on the other hand, marched in the opening ceremonies, lived in the athletes village and enjoyed the social aspect to the max. Remember who won the gold? Wink

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Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 9:39 am Post subject:

I think Meb should focus on the 10k. He's shown the ability to mix it up with the better runners there. I don't see him making any noise in the marathon. Browne should focus on the marathon, but knowing his affinity for over racing to the nth degree, I'm sure he'll do both.

Dan
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kinginexile · Lurker Joined: 25 Dec 2003 Posts: 6

Hi, guys.

Any of you assisting at the Sacramento trials?
I may try to go up maybe for a day or 2, from SF, next week, if work allows.
That women's 100 was a bit of an anti-climax, no? never thought Marion would not make the cut, though she never looked that good this season.

On the other hand, The joy of the winner Colander was fun to see, and i am very happy that little bullet (Lauryn Williams) made it. Her quarter was most impressive yesterday. Do any of you see her as the next big champ on the distance?

About Marion, never mind the 200 and long jump, i think today was her swan song as the talk of the track. Unfortunately, she may still be the "talk of the town", which brings me to ask if it's not too undiplomatic to wonder aloud about her doping scandal. Some of you who have your 2 feet in the sports, may have a very educated opinion about it. 2 hubbie/BF deep in the doodoo, and she'd have been totally clean?

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:29 am Post subject:

Can't say I'm surprised about Marion. I didn't think she'd come back last year, for a variety of reasons that are unfolding before us now...

Lauryn Williams could well be the future, or she could be this year's Tayna Lawrence or Angela Williams or Allyson Felix or... Neutral

Give her a year or two of holding this level or improving, then we'll know something.

Dan
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Conway · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:11 am Post subject:

I'm here and its one big track and field party ... Yesterday was awesome ... I k new Marion was not going to make it ... And I knew that Lauryn was ... Awesome race ...

Marion hasn't been at superstar status since Sydney ... Her times have been down and her vulnerability has been there for some time - ask P-Block ... This season has been a disaster for her from the start ... Not that good indoors ... Blitzed at Mt SAC ... Blitzed at Prefontaine .... And Blitzed yesterday ... Nothing new this year ...

Hey Dan I wore my lucky red and white ...
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Conway
Speed Thrills

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 1:29 pm Post subject:

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject:

All the men's 100m favorites are through to the final. In fact, probably the top 8 on paper all qualified. Crawford is cementing himself as the guy to beat, and Gatlin suddenly looks to be regaining form. And, of course, Mo is as consistent as he's been in 3 years. Should be a good final.

Dan
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kinginexile · Lurker Joined: 25 Dec 2003 Posts: 6

Give her a year or two of holding this level or improving, then we'll know something.
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May be the case. i was blown by her powerfulquarter, but her lack of experience in big occasions showed in the semis and final. How she came back and edged Devers in the last meter showed great spirit. I wonder actually how come Gail did not plunge to the finish, her straight back may have cost her another 100 selection. Passing of the generations....

I agree about marion, but these days, athletes are not only taking care of their legend, they work too. I wonder if she would rather not go home and take care of her kid, as she just said afterwards. She may gain the long jump (and 200?) spot, but my feeling is she will go into the Olympics a bit broken in spirit. Consider Her best chance may be with the 4x100...As an alternate!

She is a great woman, her pride may very well tell her to pass the whole thing over. Mildly educated guess, don't hold it against me if she flies to Athens Wink

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Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject:

Conway · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject:

Hats Off to the Best 100 meter team ever sent to a Games !!!!

Hats off to Mo … Best big meet sprinter in history (Carl Lewis be damned) !!! Mo ran his race … And his start was average … But he showed that mid race pick up and “ya’ll can’t beat me” attitude …

Hats off to Gat … I’m eating crow right now cause I thought he had no chance to make this squad … But homebody went home and worked on the one thing that plagued him all season - his first 30 !!! I said with his first 30 he’d never be close enough to use his closing speed, but he made that moot by being right there at the start in every round …

Hats off to Crawford … He was focused for four rounds and two days … Something no one thought he could do a year ago !!! And right now he may be the best closer in the event !!!

And yes I said this is the best Olympic squad ever … Prior to today I would have said the ‘68 squad … But these dudes are all the real deal and all are threats for gold !!! 2 9.8’s and a 9.9 !!! And Gat just might get there (9.8 ) before the season is done …

Now, having said all that, it’s a bit premature to be talking sweep … If for no other reason than Asafa Powell is out there - and he has proven to be both fast and consistent this year … But right now he’s the only one with a shot to break up this trio … Asafa and injury <praying for the trio> …

One other prop … This was probably the last hurrah for Jon Drummond … And few have performed as well at the Trials as Jon has … He had a great run and my hats off to him … I know his life is changing and few at his point in life - older, raising a child, etc - could do what he did this weekend … You don’t always have to win to be successful !!!!
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Conway
Speed Thrills

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject:

That was a hot final. Thumbs Up

Interesting that the two 200m specialists (Gatlin and Crawford) seemed to have the better top end speed than the 100m specialist (Greene). Mo won the race in the middle, but it got pretty darn tight at the end.

I just hope Mo plays it smart and leaves the 200 alone...

Dan
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