IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW PART 2

MEN'S SPRINTS & HURLDES PREVIEW


1. 100 METER DASH

There are multiple questions going into this event. Is the United States really that thin at the elite level of the 100 meter dash? Can Asafa Powell finally claim a world title, does Bolt have it this season?

Let's start with the former. Never has the United States looked so thin it what was once the country's most dominant event. Without Tyson Gay and a now suspended Michael Rodgers the United States must rely on Walter Dix to represent the country and push for gold. Justin Gatlin was once champion here in 2005, but is coming off a drug suspension. Here's hoping that talented group of youngsters stick to track and field and not football and the future will remain bright.

Asafa Powell of Jamaica has been somewhat of a time's guy. Meaning, he has produced some of the best individual performances in the 100 meter dash ever. However Powell has no gold to show for it. With his fellow countryman Usain Bolt not looking like his usual self, now is the best time for Powell to claim the gold.

ASAFA POWELL (JAMAICA)

2. 200 Meter Dash

Only two athletes look capable of claiming the gold for this half lap sprint. Dix and Bolt. Bolt is currently the only athlete to have gone under 20 seconds this season legally. Dix's national championship performance was barely wind-aided and was under 20 seconds. However Dix is capable of challenging Dix for the title in this event. Bolt may not be at his best but he still could possibly claim gold.

USAIN BOLT (JAMAICA)

WALTER DIX (USA)

3. 110 Meter Hurdles

Dayron Robles of Cuba is back after missing last season with an injury. Last season David Oliver of the United States dominated, winning every race and dipping under 13 seconds multiple times. Oliver has not look like himself most of this season. He has beaten Liu Xiang of China at the Prefontaine Classic and won the national title, other than that he has dealt with very notable losses. Former college and high school superstar American Jason Richardson has been able to beat Oliver on two occasions this season. Richardson maybe ready to claim the American crown and pushing Oliver to 2nd.

DAVID OLIVER (USA)


DAYRON ROBLES (CUBA)

4. 400 Meter Dash

Never has this event been so open. It is also the first time in a while since Clyde Hart has not had a threat to win it all. With Jeremy Wariner out with an injury and Lejerald Betters no where to be found the United States will have to rely on young talent such as Tony McQuay to compete for the world title.

However this season it seems as if the United States dominance over the event may come to an end due to youngster Kirani James of Grenada. James had a solid collegiate season defending his NCAA title. He recently defeated a strong group of professional sprinters at the London Diamond League clocking in a world leading 44.61. Although James is young, still a teenager, he is a serious threat for the world title.

Chris Brown of the Bahamas maybe the veteran favorite because of his personal best and ability to perform well at the Champion meets, keep an eye on him an do not be surprised if he wins the event.

KIRANI JAMES (GRENADA)

5. 400 Meter Hurdles

This maybe the United States best chance for a gold medal in the sprints. All four representatives have run under 48 seconds in their career, Jeshua Anderson, Bershawn Jackson and Angelo Taylor have all ran 47 seconds this season. Kerron Clement the defending champion has been a bit of disappointment this season and ever since he left Florida. Clement has only ran a season best 48.74. I think the speed training Holloway provided was under appreciated by Clement and is definitely showing. Clement may still claim the world title but will have to set a personal best against a strong American core and world leader Russian L.J. Van Zyl.

KERRON CLEMENT (USA)

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IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

We will break the preview up into a 5 part series.

MONDAY- WOMEN'S SPRINTS & HURDLES

TUESDAY- MEN'S SPRINTS & HURDLES

WEDNESDAY- MEN'S & WOMEN'S DISTANCE EVENTS

THURSDAY- MEN'S AND WOMEN'S FIELD

FRIDAY- MULTI EVENT PREVIEW & RELAYS

During our preview of the upcoming World Championship we will not discuss every event in each category, but the noteworthy athletes in the noteworthy events.

Women's Preview

1. 100 Meter Dash

Many newspapers in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom are asking is this race all about Carmelita Jeter of the United States. Jeter is currently the number ranked 100 meter sprinter in the world with a time of 10.70. Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica is a closed second in 10.76. I understand how many feel in regards to Jeter excellent performances, but it is different during the rounds. It is easy to run a great 100 if it is one round. Jeter was great in 2009 but did not win the gold. I feel history will repeat itself and Campbell-Brown will finally claim the gold.

VERONICA CAMPBELL-BROWN (Jamaica)

2. 200 METER DASH

This race will be all about whose legs are more fresh, Campbell-Brown or Allyson Felix of the United States. Campbell-Brown may be on an emotional high after winning the 100 meters. Felix may be exhausted from her rounds in the 400. Campbell-Brown has been able to beat Felix at the past Olympic Games. When it comes to the past three world championships it has been Felix. Felix will be looking for the double in the 200 and 400. No one has been able to complete that double since Marie Jose-Perec of France and Michael Johnson of the United States did it at the 1996 Olympic Games. Shalonda Solomon also of the United States has been a youth star and is coming off a big win at the National Championship. Solomon maybe the best prepared since she is only competing in the 200 meter dash.

ALLYSON FELIX (USA)

3. 400 METER DASH

Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States is making a comeback of sorts. Although Richards is the defending champion it has been a difficult year for her. Richards initially struggled to get under 51 seconds and then 50 seconds while on the way losing race after race. Richards suffered a season injury in 2010 and struggled to regain her form. Richards finally broke through with the number 2 ranked time in the world at the London Diamond League clocking in at 49.66. Anastasiya Kapachinskaya of Russia currently has the world number 1 time in 49.35 and will be a tough challenge for Richards.

Felix will also be a challenge currently ranked number 4 with a time of 49.81. Felix also had the number 1 time in the world for majority of the season. Her speed maybe her best asset. Amantle Montsho of Botswana is the biggest threat to winning the race having won against Richards at least 3 times and is the current Diamond League points leader. Montsho has a season's best time of 49.71 and is currently ranked number 3.

SANYA RICHARDS ROSS (USA)

4. 100 Meter Hurdles

Australia's Sally Pearson has been excellent all season. Pearson has an excellent blend of speed and has been dominating the Diamond League meets. Pearson has a world leading time of 12.48 and with her speed maybe able to lower that time. Kellie Wells and Danielle Carruthers of the United States have both been able to run 12.5 this season and have equally challenged Pearson to the line in their races. Tiffany Porter of Great Britain is the lone European hope and may need a personal best to get on the podium, which would not be a surprising if she did.

SALLY PEARSON (Australia)

5. 400 METER HURDLES

This event has become one of Jamaica's best and may stay that way for a while. Kaliese Spencer has sat in the shadow of Melaine Walker for quite some time. She may have broke through that this season, Spencer has a world leading time of 52.79. Spencer seems to be getting better meet by meet. Walker has not been herself this season, unable to claim a major victory over her closest competitors she will have to bring that championship magic. Lashinda Demus of the United States and Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic will also challenge for the title.


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Summer Track Volume 1

It is now August we are sadly reaching the final strech run of the track and field season. The World Championships are the end of this month. This has been such an up and down season for all events in track and field. Let's take a look at 6 major stories.


1. Lashawn Merritt returns

Whether you like it or not, Merritt has returned back to the track. His recent performance in Stockholm finishing in a close second clocking in at 44.74 instantly puts the defending champion in the driver's seat for the world title. Wariner not only has been inconsistent but he is now injured. Chris Brown of the Bahamas and Jermaine Gonzales will be strong challengers for the title.



2. Allyson Felix will double

To some this does not seem like a great decision. Allyson Felix recently announced that she will compete in the 400 meter dash as well as the 200. This is the toughest double for sprinters. The last athlete to complete the double was Michael Johnson and Marie-Jose Perec in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Felix has been more consistent in the 400 this season than the 200. We have yet to see Felix dip under 22 seconds. However do not rule out Felix, if anyone can do it she can.




3. David Rudisha thinks of sub 1:40 800.

Yes it is freakish to think that a human can dip under 1 minute and 40 seconds in the 800 meter run. As american we are convinced it cannot be done and what is his 400 time. However Rudisha a Kenyan may just be that guy. Rudisha's world record performance last season clocking in at 1:41.01 may just be the beginning.

4. Brittany Reese the best American female jumper since JJK?

The answer simply, yes. Reese's performance the past 3 seasons have been simply remarkable. Tianna Madison was expected to be the athlete to replace Kersee and has slighlt gone off course. Reese claimed the title at the 2009 World Championship and will look to defend that title already currently ranked the world the number 1.

5. Jamaican Sprint Dominance

Yes they have caught us and our now surpassing us. The Jamaican men currently dominate the short sprints. In the 100 meter dash there are currently five Jamaicans running sub 9.90. That does not include Yohan Blake who ran a barely wind-aided 9.8 early in the season. The lack of an American 100 meter threat can be contributed to many things, drugs, lack of interests and better coaching in Jamaica.

The youth this past season does give us very encouraging signs for the future however majority of our best sprinters are lost in football. Jamaican Jazeel Murhpy is the next big sensation and has no other focus than track and field. There have been great American sprinters who have become nobodies or average athletes on NFL teams. Sprinters such as Trindon Holliday and Jacoby Ford make you wonder what could have been. Holliday was exceptionally gifted, if he had a solid track and field base he would have run 9.8 in college. Where is Holliday now? There is still room for optimism but even more room for concern.




6. Sally Pearson threatens American sweep in the 100 meter hurdles

Pearson has been on a tear this outdoor season in the hurdles. Currently with a world leading time of 12.48 Pearson is the Diamond League leader in the event having won 4 times. American's Danielle Carruthers, Kellie Wells and Dawn Harper are capable of defeating Pearson but haven't. All have ran 12.5 this season which should make for an interesting World Championship.


With the world championships coming around the corner, expect our next post to be the first of a 4 part preview.