If you had heard that Marty Liquori played in a jazz band in Florida, you could confirm that at the link above.
Another piece of interest is the upcoming invitational 800 meters race at the Prefontaine meet.
A bunch of 1:43 guys and better are in it. Additionally it was announced that Galen Rupp would be in that race as well. Don't know what his pr is for 800, but he could probably get sucked along in the vacuum following that pack and break it.
John Bork brought this to our attention.
Look at this line up so early in the season!
WR HOLDER RUDISHA COMES TO PRE!
Eugene, Oregon – Racing fans, be prepared. World record holder David Rudisha is eager to lead a world-class 800-meter field at the Prefontaine Classic.
Rudisha, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, is no stranger to racing the best in the world, having shattered the 1:41 barrier in his London victory against them. But competing at the 39th Prefontaine Classic on June 1 will be his first chance to display his incredible talent at historic Hayward Field. The Kenyan superstar recognizes the significance of the event.
“I’ve heard about the great crowd at Eugene. Bernard Lagat tells me it’s where they have a special interest in middle distances,” says the 24-year-old Rudisha. “So I’m excited to go and run there for the first time. I hope to run well and give the crowd something to enjoy.”
When Rudisha runs, crowds enjoy. His talent in the 800 meters is at historical levels, as he now owns 6 of the 8 fastest times in history, including his world record 1:40.91 set while winning the Olympic gold in London. For his stellar 2012 season, Rudisha was named men's Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News magazine.
Rudisha’s confirmation makes for a phenomenal Pre Classic field, as every 2012 Olympic finalist is confirmed. This also makes the men’s 800 meters the 5th of 5 events announced by the Pre Classic that will include every medalist from the London Olympics.
The silver and bronze medalists from London may still only be teenagers but they are already record setters in their own right. Silver medalist Nijel Amos of Botswana is one of only 5 men to run under 1:42, and the World Junior champion and record holder (1:41.73) is the fastest of any 18-year-old ever. His PR equals that of legendary Sebastian Coe, whose 1981 world record was set more than a decade before Amos was born. Bronze medalist Timothy Kitum of Kenya extends the youth movement, as his best of 1:42.53 is the fastest ever by a 17-year-old. Amos and Kitum were ranked No. 3 and 5 in the world last year by T&FN.
Only one man has defeated Rudisha in the last 3 years, and he has done it twice. Amazingly, that person is still only 19 years old, Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia. Aman, the 2012 World Indoor champion, has spoiled undefeated seasons for Rudisha in 2011 and 2012. A finalist in both the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics, his aim is on this summer’s World Championships in Moscow. Aman was ranked No. 2 in the world last year by T&FN.
Two more world-class teenagers grace the Pre Classic field in Leonard Kosencha and Abraham Rotich, both of Kenya, ranked No. 4 and 6 in the world last year by T&FN. Kosencha won the 2011 World Youth Championships over Aman, Kitum, and Amos. While still 19, Rotich is the only teenager in the field not eligible for Junior records this year, as he will turn 20 before the end of the year.
Can any American compete with Rudisha and the speedy young threats? The Pre Classic includes the two best in Duane Solomon and Oregon TC favorite Nick Symmonds. Just out of reach of the Olympic medals in London (4th and 5th, respectively), each ran lifetime bests in that epic Olympic final. Both are using the Pre Classic to continue improvement, as they are the Nos. 2 and 3 fastest Americans ever.
Since 2007, no one in the world has a better record against Rudisha than Abubaker Kaki of Sudan, who defeated Aman in a thrilling race to win last year’s Pre Classic. A 2-time World Indoor gold medalist, Kaki was World Championships silver medalist behind Rudisha in 2011. A year younger than Rudisha, Kaki was 5-1 head-to-head with Rudisha through the 2009 season. It wasn’t until the end of the 2011 season that Rudisha pulled ahead (Rudisha now leads 8-5). Kaki has had great success at the Pre Classic, having won the 1K in 2010 as well as the 800 in 2011 and 2012. His 2011 victory in 1:43.68 is still the Meet and Hayward Field Record. Kaki was also the World Junior record holder from 2008 (1:42.69) until Amos’ run at London.
Three more sub-1:44 runners complete the field. Andrew Osagie of Great Britain is a London finalist who won bronze at the 2012 World Indoor Championships. Adam Kszczcot of Poland is holder of the bronze from the 2010 World Indoors. Job Kinyor is a steadily rising Kenyan anxious for a return to Eugene, having started his best season at the Pre Classic last year. Taken all together, this is a field as good as any seen in any invitational meet ever, anywhere.
| Men’s 800 Meters | Personal Best | |
| David Rudisha (Kenya) | 1:40.91 | |
| Nijel Amos (Botswana) | 1:41.73 | |
| Abubaker Kaki (Sudan) | 1:42.23 | |
| Timothy Kitum (Kenya) | 1:42.53 | |
| Mohammed Aman (Ethiopia) | 1:42.53 | |
| Duane Solomon (USA) | 1:42.82 | |
| Nick Symmonds (USA) | 1:42.95 | |
| Abraham Rotich (Kenya) | 1:43.13 | |
| Adam Kszczcot (Poland) | 1:43.30 | |
| Leonard Kosencha (Kenya) | 1:43.40 | |
| Job Kinyor (Kenya) | 1:43.76 | |
| Andrew Osagie (Great Britain) | 1:43.77 | |
Oh Yes and That Finger Pointing DQ in Texas
This story got a lot of play this weekend when an anchor runner on a 4x100 team got disqualified for pointing his finger up in the air after winning a qualifier to move on to the state meet in Texas. The comments I've read from several friends are all about the same.
1. The rule is probably not anti religion, but anti showboating. That's why it's there.
2. Too bad an act of faith is not allowed. You see it in the olympics with people praying on the track after a win.
3. It's hard to distinguish an act of faith, ie. pointing to the heavens and a 'we're number one , in your face ' sign.
4. So if the rule is the rule and you don't like it, lobby to change it. If not, then coaches teach your runners not to do it just like you teach them not to pass the baton outside the exchange zone.
No comments:
Post a Comment