June 2012 Archives

Roy Stevenson wrote this piece on the women' shot put. Jillian Camerena Williams won the shot put with her third round throw. The is taking a strong team to London.....

Dave Hunter has written a stellar piece on the 1,500 meter rounds. But, I have to admit, my award for the funniest line of the Trials, and I quote, with true respect, " In the men's first round, John Mickowski got treated like a rental car during the final 250 meters of his heat"--I wish that I had written that one! Enjoy the column!

Kim Conley made a gutty rush to the finish line as Julia Lucas' gutty run to make the team, came short, about fifty meters out from the finish line. Mark Winitz, long time writer for
California Track & Running News, wrote this piece about the Golden stater. Special thanks to Christine Johnson, Editor of CTRN, and Chuck Bartlett, web director for Running Network.com.

http://www.caltrack.com/read_new/usa-olympic-track-field-trials-coverage-kim-conley-captures-olympic-team-spot-women%E2%80%99s-5000m

Dave Hunter wrote about Ashley Higginson, who took a very close fourth in the women's steeplechase. I had met Ashley at a dinner for Saucony athletes around the New Balance Boston Indoor last February. She loved the sport and was excited to see how close she could come to qualifying for the Olympic Trials. She did more than that.....

Emma Coburn and Shalaya Kipp both made the steeplechase team. Elliott Denman focused on both, who are college students, and who held their own with the pro athletes in the field......

With a terrible start, Usain Bolt got out late, but was in the race, as Yohan Blake took the lead and ran his personal best of 9.75 in the Jamaican Trials 100 meter final. Asafa Powell ran 9.88 to Usain Bolt's 9.86. That was what we watched on the computer with our friends at Lets Run. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce ran a NR of 10.70 to win the women's 100m in Jamaica, with Veronica Campbell Brown with 10.86 and Kerron Stewart in 10.94.


With two more days in the 2012 US Olympic Trials, there will be some killer races, like the 200 meters, the 1,500 meters and the men's triple jump and women's long jump. And what about a settlement of the women's 100m dead heat?

The battle is on!

Our TV critic, James Dunaway is tough but fair. Four stars on the Friday broadcast is pretty darn good for our friends at NBC.

Track & Field has benefited so much from the digital world. As track fans left the TV coverage or lack of TV coverage, the digital world grew. Today, NBC is improving its coverage of the sport we love and we applaud that. What will be fascinating is how NBC embraces mobile apps and the digital world.  How NBC looks at this new world will determine how fans support their coverage.

Jon Gugala just sent us this story, about noon, so it is hot off the digital presses. Here is the latest on Gabriele Anderson's latest challenge. At 12.29 PM Jury of Appeals allows Anderson to advance to the final! Here was the background!

The women's 5,000 meters was one of the most exciting races of the Trials. Molly Huddle, the 5,000m AR, duked it out with Julia Culley, with Culley taking first and Huddle second. In third, Kim Conley caught Julia Lucas at the tape to make a most exciting 5,000m. Three different athletes, three different brands.

Molly Huddle, a Saucony athlete, took second in the race, and goes on to London. 

Even before the men's steeplechase final, I asked Roy Stevenson to write about Evan Jager. Jager has run four steeplechases, and look to have a long career ahead of him. Don Cabral, his number two in the race, also looks tough.

Roy Stevenson sees Evan as the perfect physical specimen for the steeple. I see the guy as the next American record holder.....

Our friends at PUMA invited RunBlogRun's reader's to come out and meet Delilah DiCrescenzo on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 1-3 p.m.

Galen Rupp fought back when Bernard Lagat went by with 200 meters to go, and won the 5,000 meters, giving him the 5,000m/10,000m double at the 2012 Trials, and also breaking the meet record of the late Steve Prefontaine.

Dick Patrick focused on the Men's 5,000 meters, Galen Rupp and Bernard Lagat's race. Final fact, out of 15 times that Rupp and Lagat have battled, this was Rupp's first victory.

The women's 5,000 meters and the men's discus were moving for different reasons. The close finish of the 5,000m, with Julia Culley winning over Molly Huddle and Kim Conley catching Julia Lucas at the finish, was, well, epic. And the discus throw by Lance Brooks, where he hit 65.15m, with the A standard being 65 meters, after inching, or centimetering, closer and closer for three throws!

Elliott Denman decided to write about both events, and we are glad that he did.....

How do we change the paradigm in track & field? How do we tell the story of our sport? Jon Gugala has interviewed Matt Taylor, a film maker and athlete. Read this, savor this, pass it around.

The stories of the Trials are what we will remember? How do we communicate this to new fans, old fans, and soon to be fans of the sport?

A thought provoking piece by Jon Gugala.....

Ashton Eaton, on June 22 and June 23, put ten performances together, winning seven of the ten events, to break the world record in the decathlon. The former world record, held by Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, for eleven years, was no more, with Eaton's score of 9,039 points.

The crowd of 21,000 will remember Ashton Eaton hauling over the last 300 meters, running a 4:14.47 for the 1,500 meters, which gave him his first world record.

Eaton was greeted by Dan O'Brien, 1996 Olympic Gold medalist and former AR in decathlon, as well as Bruce Jenner, Milt Campbell, Bill Toomey, Rafer Johnson and two sons of Jim Thorpe. In honor of Ashton Eaton's tremendous performance, the Shoe Addicts sent us this video on his performance!

Last night, Elliott Denman reminded me about a very special person, the late Bob Roggy. A wonderful athlete, probably the best javelin thrower this country has ever seen, who died tragically, in his prime. I asked Elliott to write about a man who made many stand in awe as he threw the javelin, and who, as Elliott reminds us, had the star quality and humor similar to
former Duck, Steve Prefontaine.

Tell us what you think about Bob Roggy, one of our country's great javelin throwers.....

Dave Hunter wrote his column about some of the deep thoughts that he received from various athletes and former athletes on the Trials and their performances, as well as others. A nice column with which to start today's day of Track & Field.

Dick Patrick wrote his piece on Bernard Lagat and the 5,000 meters. Dick told me at dinner on Wednesday night, "This article is about Bernard. Please get it posted as soon as possible. It should be read before the 5,000 meter on Thursday night."

We ask you to pass this one around. The bottom line is this. For Bernard Lagat, all of 36, this 2012 Olympic Trials is his road to London. This is, probably, his last Olympics. For Bernard, there is some urgency, and some pressure as he takes on Lopez Lomong, Galen Rupp and Andy Bumbalough, to name a few.

Our guess? Bernard Lagat should make the team and in London, it should be Lagat, Farah and a few others, fighting for the medals.

Lagat is tough. He just ran 3:34 to win the 1,500 meters at the adidas GP, on June 9. In less than 24 hours, it will come to the final of the 5,000 meters, and we will know, if Bernard Lagat makes the 2012 US Olympic team.

Geena Gall's tremendous run, from sixth to second, over the last 200 meters in the women's 800 meter final, had 21,000 fans on their feet. Gall, coached by Mark Rowland, per Dave Hunter, seems to be coming around perfectly, as her timing may mean great things for Geena as she heads to London for the Olympics.

This is how Dave Hunter saw it:

Shayla Houlihan ran the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where she finished 11th out of 12 in her heat. Jon Gugala sat down with her, and spoke to her about her last race, which she declared after the finish. Shayla had given it her best, and with no regrets will now focus on the next chapter of her life, being a coach.

Shayla is the story of many athletes here. My friend Dave Frank reminded me of this on Wednesday night, as we discussed the Trials. " I hope I never forget, that for most of the athletes here, making the Trials is a supreme effort, and their Olympic dream is made or broken here. This is their supreme effort." Frankie, as we call him, was making a point. And he was right.

Please keep that in mind when you read this article from Jon Gugala. Please also remember this as you quietly honor the athletes who have given you moments of pleasure, moments of sadness as you view their supreme efforts....

California Track & Field Running News' writer Mark Winitz wrote this piece for Caltrack.com about the huge part that coaches played in the success of the 800 meter runners. We wanted to share it with you. Thanks to Mark Winitz and Cal Track editor Christine Johnson for passing this piece along. Remember the Golden state is providing more athletes than any of the other 50 states!



http://www.caltrack.com/read_new/usa-olympic-track-field-trials-coverage-coaches-instrumental-ca%E2%80%99s-800m-olympic-team-members

The 100 meter dead heat, which has caused so much journalistic digital and print ink to be spilled, continues towards a decision. USATF announced this morning that, once the 200 meter final is run, on Saturday, June 30, 2012, USATF will announce a decision on how the dead heat will be resolved between Allyson Felix and Jenebah Tarmoh.


Here is the announcement we received:

Women's 100 meter tiebreaker update

USA Track & Field has consulted with the affected athletes and their support teams regarding the tiebreaker for the women's 100 meters. USATF will finalize the tiebreaker mechanism to be used after reconvening with the athletes and their coach following Saturday night's final of the women's 200 meters. USATF will announce the final tiebreaker Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
     
             
      About USA Track & Field

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, the World's #1 Track & Field Team, the most-watched events at the Olympics, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States: www.usatf.org.

Dave Hunter, being the Zen master that he is, came  up with Ten questions that will be answered over the next few days of the Olympic Trials. I liked them, just one caveat, on our friend, Christian Taylor. CT does not even train for the long jump anymore, that the guy came in fourth, he should have been pretty impressed.

The Trials have been a huge success so far. The overwhelming success, the WR of Ashton Eaton, the Wild Duck Cafe parties each night, where even Princes are welcome, have just added to the OT celebration.

Here is David Hunter's column on Ten Olympic Trials questions....Enjoy....

Tyson Gay had not raced between July 2011 and June 9, 2012. On June 9, 2012, Tyson Gay ran 10.00 into a negative 1.5 wind at the adidas Grand Prix. On June 23, 2012, Tyson ran the first round of the 100 meters at the US Trials, winning his heat. On June 24, 2012, Tyson Gay ran the semi-final, moved to the final, with a 10.04. In the final, on the evening of June 24, 2012, Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin dueled, with Gatlin taking first and Gay taking second.

Tyson Gay, the AR, is on the 2012 Olympic team for the 100 meters. This video is of an interview, produced by the Shoe Addicts, on Tyson Gay, held on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

We found Tyson Gay very thoughtful about his upcoming race. Special thanks to Global Athletics & Marketing and adidas for the opportunity to interview Tyson Gay.

You can win Bernard Lagat's spikes, which he will use in the Thursday night final of the 5,000 meter at the US Trials. We have link below!

Alysia Montano and Nick Symmonds were the focus of last nights cheers as the 800 meter finals rocked the 21,000 fans in Hayward Field and 6,000 at the Expo. Montano ran from the front, and Symmonds gutted out a 27.06 last 200 meters, both taking wins in races that were polar opposites.


Sanya Richards, after her superb 400 meter victory, has decided to run the 200 meters at the US Olympic Trials next weekend.


Yelena Isinbayeva is postponing the beginning of her 2012 season. Sounds like an issue of fitness and not an injury. She will probably open her season at Monaco, on July 20. 

This is Jon Gugala's column for Tuesday, June 26, 2012. It is called the Fear. You will get it, as the elite athlete's do. I remember seeing Evan Jager hit the last water barrier with the back of his foot, and I knew, he was taking a dive.

But, Jerry Schumacher, his coach, got it too. He knew that Evan had to screw up, and it was better to do it in the Oxy than the Trials. To be a great distance runner, one must run on the red line. For the steepler, one must also overcome the barriers while oxygen deprived, so tactics, hurdling experience and strength all play a part.

In my mind, a sport's writer's job is to communicate experiences that the reader never has had, and give them an insight into the situation. Jon Gugala has done that here.

We hope that you are enjoying our coverage of the Olympic Trials as much as we love presenting the great athletes and events that make up the 2012 US Olympic Trials. 

Stephanie Brown Trafton, the 2008 Olympic Trials champion, finished third in the 2008 Olympic Trials. In 2012, she not only won, but busted it open with her last throw of 213-07. Stephanie also set a new AR this past spring. Here, Mark Winitz, one of Cal Track's long time journalists, writes about one of the Golden States greatest athletes, along with some comments on several of the California athletes who are making the 2012 Trials simply an amazing event! Special thanks to editor Christine Johnson for alerting us to this one!

Stephanie Brown Trafton, 2012 Trials, discus,

photo by PhotoRun.net

USA Olympic Track & Field Trials Coverage: Stephanie Brown Trafton's Mental Focus, Faith Produce U.S. Trials Discus Victory  http://www.caltrack.com/read_new/usa-olympic-track-field-trials-coverage-stephanie-brown-trafton%E2%80%99s-mental-focus-faith-produc

Geena Gall surprised many with her fantastic run, from sixth to second, over the last 200 meters of the women's 800 meters, to make her first U.S. Olympic team. Gall, coached by Mark Rowland of the Oregon Track Club, held up in the pressure cooker that is the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Roy Stevenson, one of our columnists during the Trials, wrote this piece on Geena Gall!

While we will not see Alan Webb in the 5,000 meter final, nor the 1,500 meters, do not give up on Alan. The high school record holder for the mile, the AR holder in the mile, a man who has run 27:35 for 10,000m and 1:43 for 800m, Alan Webb's quixotic journey was seen by all yesterday, as he finished 11th in his 5,000m heat, in 14:01.

Alan Webb spoke to Elliott Denman, who wrote this about a runner who has warmed us and charmed us for over a decade. Alan Webb has huge potential, will he ever make his dreams his reality? Right now, he is headed home to be with his wife as they welcome a new baby into the world. He did tell Elliott to watch out for Robbie Andrews.....

Nick Symmonds rocked the track & field fans in US when as a Divsion III athlete, he came on the scene and started shaking up the 800 meter world. Dick Patrick wrote his column on the 800 meter race, and Nick Symmonds, who is a solid chance to reach his goal of a medal in London.

Symmonds took his fifth US title in a row, with his OT title. KD Robinson, rid himself of the demons from 2008, running a perfect race for KD. Duane Solomon made his team, as he and coach Johnny Gray made their dreams a reality.

But, in this 800 meters, Nick Symmonds hit goal 1, now, on to London, where Nick should be in the battle for medals. Here, Dick Patrick gives you a view into Symmonds racing brain and his race  in Eugene.

We met Ryan Bailey last night. What a nice guy, and how genuinely happy, and tickled, I have to say, on making the team. Bailey took third, running from lane one.

Roy Stevenson caught up with Ryan Bailey, the third placer in the men's 100 meters. Here is his piece:

Jon Gugala has had a journalist breakthrough. His column today is about the ability to appreciate the athleticism and work of the field eventers, sprinters and jumpers, when one, perhaps, is ensconced in the world of middle and long distances. We are so proud!

James Dunaway is our media critic for the 2012 US Olympic Track & Field Trials. A man who has been writing about the each Trials since 1964, this is his first miss. So, we asked James to rate the TV one a scale of one to five stars, plus also add how he would improve the viewing.

At the end of the day, bad TV is not good for anyone, if you have comments on our coverage, email me at larry.eder@gmail.com.

David Hunter writes on one of the key players in the steeplechase, Donn Cabral, who should battle in the final with Evan Jager in the final. Hunter, a Princeton grad, is quite happy that Princeton has some tough distance runners, which makes his feature on Donn Cabral that more special!

Roy Stevenson wrote on the women's pole vault. A nice team, but make no mistakes, Jenn Suhr is our country's Isinbayeva. Jenn Suhr, when she stays healthy, will be in the fight not just for the silver, but for the gold in the women's pole vault. London's pole vault will be an epic battle between Yelena Isinbayeva, Jenn Suhr, and Holly Bleasdale.

Here is Roy Stevenson's column:

Elliot Denman did his column on the conundrum of the 100 meter dead heat. My viewing of the photo is that there is a dead heat. Here is how USATF plans to work out the 100 meter dead heat in the third position:

Dick Patrick's column for June 24 concerns the men's 100 meter team. As Dick so ably writes, anyone who discounts Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey does so at their own risk!

Jeneba Tarmoh surely made her presence felt last night in the 100 meter final. While the top two, Carmelita Jeter and Tiana Madison, were dueling, with Jeter winning in 10.92, and Madison taking second in 10.96, Tarmoh and Felix were in an epic struggle. Who would take third.

Well, twenty four hours later, it is still a dead heat as Jeneba Tarmoh, is shown at third in 11.07 and Allyson Felix is also shown in third in 11.07.

While USATF is sorting out how they will determine who goes to London, we thought you might want to know more about this young sprinter from the Golden State. Special thanks to Mark Winitz for his writing and Christine Johnson, editor of California Track & Running News for her suggestion on this piece: http://www.caltrack.com/read_new/jeneba-tarmoh-interview

Jon Gugala wrote today's column on Alysia Montano, Nick Symmonds, two of our premier 800 meter runners. Montano is running like a women possessed with a mission-to medal in London. Symmonds is making the right moves, and looks to be holding back for the 800 meter final.

Here is how Jon Gugala observes these fine runners.

Common sense is not that common anymore. That is why we asked James Dunaway, our editor at American Track & Field to offer some sensible solution on the 100m third place imbroglio in the women's final....Here is is.

Dee Dee Trotter looked good in her semi-final. She has battled injuries Here is what David Hunter had to say about his visit with the veteran 400 meter runner!

Oh, and Dee Dee Trotter just made the Olympic team, as her second place, in 50.02, put her on the 400 meter team. Trotter's dream became her reality.

The decathlon yesterday gave us a World record of 9039, by Ashton Eaton. In attendance were all the living US Olympic gold medalists in the decathlon. Also, many of the top coaches, including Fred Samara and Harry Marra, the coach of Ashton Eaton.

Elliot Denman, wrote his column on the depth of the decathlon and the increadible human theater that encompasses the ten events.

California Track & Running News is one of oldest running magazines in North America, definitely the oldest in California. Mark Winitz has been one of its' key voices for the past two decades. Christine Johnson, Cal Track & Running News editor, sent us Mark's piece on Amy Hastings, whose run was fantastic and made her a member of the London 2012 Olympic team!
Here is the link: http://www.caltrack.com/read_new/usa-olympic-track-field-trials-coverage-hastings-realizes-olympic-dreams-women%E2%80%99s-trials-100


Amy Hastings 2012 US Trials 10,000m champion, photo by PhotoRun.net

Roy Stevenson was fascinated with the challenges that Jeremy Wariner has had, and despite his naysayers, believes that the 2004 World Champion's best days could and should be ahead of him. Here is Roy's story:

We have asked Jim Dunaway, editor of American Track & Field, to rate each TV broadcast of the Olympic Trials. Here is what he had to say about the June 23 broadcast!

James is rating the TV broadcast one 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best rating. 

I have to admit that I get a real kick out working with young writers. Jon Gugala, one of our newest writers, has huge enthusiasm for the sport, and an eye for details that, as a publisher, I truly admire. This is Jon's column for June 23, we hope that you will enjoy it!

Clay, Eaton, Hardee, 2012 Trials, photo by PhotoRun.net

Here are the thoughtful clarification from USATF's Jill Geer on the Bryan Clay disqualification in the 110m hurdles in the decathlon:

Bryan Clay decathlon clarification

Bryan Clay was initially disqualified from the decathlon 110m hurdles on Saturday for two infractions: knocking over a hurdle with his hand and for failure to attempt to clear the next hurdle.

Clay's coach protested the disqualification. Upon review, the jury of appeals revoked the DQ for Clay's hand knocking over the hurdle, ruling that it was inadvertent. The DQ for failure to attempt to clear the next hurdle, however, was upheld.

Clay therefore has no mark in the hurdles.

The 10,000 meter races last night drew the fan into the events. Great stories, great challenges. Jon Gugula, who loves distance running and track and field, told me last night that he was drawn to the redemptive stories of Dathan Ritzenhein and Amy Hastings.

For both Ritz and Amy, their races had redemptive powers, not only for themselves, but for the fans who watched, and also for our writer, Mr. Gugula. Here is how he viewed the theme:

Bridget Franek is a fine steeplechaser. I first got to really watch her run in the 2011 Golden Gala Roma meeting. Franek ran a great race at the 2012 Oxy Performance meeting. David Hunter decided that Bridget would be the focus of his column today, Day 3, June 23, 2012.

We hope that you enjoy this one!

Quick question. Have you heard of Li-Ning? You may remember  a Chinese  gymnast, the first Chinese athlete to win Olympic medals way back in 1984. Li-Ning became a huge hero in China with his six gymnastic medals in the LA Olympics. Or, perhaps you remember that the same famous Chinese gymnast who flew around the famous Bird's Nest stadium during the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Or, perhaps, if you are a sneaker geek, you might know that Li-Ning is the largest Chinese owned sports footwear and apparel company in existence.

"In fact, all are correct.. Li Ning is not just a former Olympic champion. He also owns the largest sports footwear and apparel brand in China. My job, is to make Americans aware of the next big brand from China-Li-Ning." noted Craig Heisner,  VP of marketing for Digital Li-Ning USA.

Focusing on footwear and apparel in basketball, running and women's fitness, Digital Li-Ning USA, is launching its brand quietly across the country on a digital platform. "We are very focused with our market entry strategy and aware of the pitfalls that exist if you aren't smart about introducing a brand to a new, and highly competitive, marketplace. Digital communication, grassroots events, and product reviews play an important part in that introduction. Our site is easy to maneuver, and we are getting strong reviews of our products," noted Heisner. "Runningnetwork.com's Cregg Weinmann reviewed our Liede model in the Spring 2012 shoe review. Just being reviewed is a recommendation, as The RunningNetwork reviews a limited number of top brands each review period."

Many of you have known James Dunaway through his sixty plus years of covering our sport. Dunaway decided, at the age of 85, he just would not be comfortable walking up and down the stairs of Hayward Field to cover his 15th Olympic Trials, I believe.

We asked Jim, instead, to review the TV broadcast each and every day, of the 2012 US Olympic Trials.

Our TV critic, James Dunaway, Editor of American Track and Field, has worked on hundreds of track and field telecasts for ABC, CBS and NBC's Triplecast, and has covered track and field action at fourteen Olympics.

Here is his first column.

Dick Patrick is one of the most respected and prolific writers in our sport. For nearly two decades, we could rely on Dick for a wonderful column in USA Today. Since 1990, Dick has written for American Track & Field.

All things change. Dick Patrick has continued to write for American Track & Field, and we are grateful that Dick will be writing a column for Runblogrun, from June 22 to July 2. This is his first column for Runblogrun.

We hope that you enjoy it!

Kenenisa Bekele has been racing into shape this season. " I was running poorly," Kenenisa Bekele told RBR at Pre only a few weeks ago. There, he ran a 13:01.48. Five days later, in ExxonMobil Bislett, Kenenisa ran a second faster, 13:00.54.

But Kenenisa running in the 2012 AVIVA Trials 10,000 meters, an open race, showed that he is racing into shape, by sprinting, per observers, 12.54 for the last 100 meters in the race, to take a very close race over his brother, Tariku Bekele, and Gebre Gebremariam.

The Ethiopian selectors had noted that Kenenisa Bekele, the World record holder at 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters, had to show his fitness. The world knows he  is back.

As one top coach noted, when telling us about Kenenisa's race,"Well, Bekele is back!"

Well said.

This is columnist David Hunter's first column on the 2012 US Olympic Trials. He traveled to the Nike campus to join the festivities over Hammer Time, the actual Hammer Throw Olympic Trials event, so wonderfully sponsored by Nike.

Here is David's Column:




Kibwe Johnson, 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, Photo by PhotoRun.net

The Hammer Time event, held on the Nike campus shows us what track & field should be and could be. Using the power of the Nike brand, as one observer so ably put it, the hammer throw was shown as the beautiful and challenging event that it is, and the athletes were given the pleasure of throwing in front of a crowd, my estimate, at 5,000 for the day.

Nike, Vinn Lananna and Lance Deal should get the credit here. The event was amazing, and one of our most under rated events in track & field, an event that, if presented well, could rock the average sports fan, finally got its due.

Elliott Denmann, one of our RBR daily columnist, tells the story as he observed:

Welcome to our coverage of the 2012 US Olympic Trials! Here is Jon Gugala's first column, on Vashti Thomas. Jon will be one of our five columnist, writing daily, on the Trials, which will also be part of the coverage supported by Runblogrun and , our RunningNetwork publications.

Jon has a great voice, and his admiration of the athlete comes through in this article. His understanding of the high standards at this, the nine greatest days of Track & Field in the US every four years also comes through. We hope that you enjoy!

So, the USOC sends a cease and desist letter, to a knitting group that has an event called the Ravelympics, within which is an event called the afghan marathon. Our observant editor at California Track & Running News, Christine Johnson, told RBR about the USOC's actions, and then, their near apology. See link to story below:

In one of the most competitive events at the Olympic Trials, LoLo Jones will need her A game, as all the top athletes do, to make the Olympic team at the 100 meter hurdles. Jones, the World Champion indoors in 2008 and 2010, will be seeking her second Olympic team. With sponsors ASICS and Red Bull, LoLo Jones was able to get some technical support that she sees as key to her future success. You can read more about the Red Bull Project X below:

Here is the complete schedule of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Track & Field, to be held in Eugene, Oregon, June 21-July 1, 2012. Anyone who witnesses Eugene 2012 will know that they have seen nine of the best days of track & field anywhere, period.

In order to know when and where to worship the track gods, we have posted the entire official schedule of the Trials, courtesy of Tracktown2012, the official website.


We also encourage one and all to visit the Wild Duck Cafe, just a five minute walk from Hayward Field for the various events sponsored by the industry each and every night of the Trials.


Note that Runblogrun & the Running Network will have four daily columnists each day, plus some surprise columnists as well as Live blogs on each and every session. We will post the links each day, or you can check them out in our digest each night. Remember to tell your friends!

What is fascinating to me is the amount of time, money and energy that running footwear companies spend on causes. Why? The consumer today believes that corporations are living, breathing entities. They want, in my opinion, to work with companies that contribute to their community, support causes, take stands.

The fact that American consumers give brownie points (my term) to corporations that support such events as the Olympics, is a case in point. When Visa's John Bennett, in 1990, supported the VISA Decathlon program, they had a pleasant surprise. Not only did the bank employees love the visits from the decathletes, the American consumer supported VISA in a quantifiable percentage increase of business, due to VISA's support of the Olympic movement.

ASICS support here of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is part of ASICS outreach into the women's market, and of course, the company's desire to support significant cause related groups.

This is not new, but it is positive to see so much growing support of causes in running businesses even with an economy that gets scared of it's own shadow.

Nice job, ASICS. Nice job, running community.  

Yes, this is a big deal. NBC actually broke away from gymnastics to show Tyson Gay's 10.00 run into a -1.5 headwind, his first race since July 2011.


That twitter trended Tyson Gay, which means for the non twitter folks, that Tyson Gay was a large object of interest on the twitter, where one must learn to be succinct, using only 140 characters. Tyson Gay is a favorite on twitter as he answer many of his queries and shows his shoes, and talks about his life as one of the best sprinters in the world.

Hannah England, World Championship silver medalist at the 1,500m, will not be running at the UK Athletics Aviva Trials. England sustained an achilles injury when she was spiked at the FBK Hengelo Meeting last month. She is recovering well, but will not race until the Aviva London GP in mid August.

 

Chris Thompson, the European silver medalist at 10,000m, will not be running in the AVIVA Trials due to a back injury. Thompson trains in Eugene, Oregon with the Nike Oregon Track Club. 

The story was featured on the UK Athletics site today: http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/june-2012/19-06-12-england-trials/

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field, held in Eugene, Oregon, June 22-July 1, are about to begin. Athletes, coaches, media and fans are making their treks to the Cathedral of American track & field.


This is the best nine days of track & field, outside of the Olympics. In fact, the battle to get into the top three is epic, in all events. After having read over the last few months about how other countries pick their teams, the US system, with all of its drama, is, in my opinion, the best for our particular needs.

If you can not get to the Trials, then, please, watch it on TV. Follow us at Runblogrun.com and our new LIVE blog (you can participate by using the hashtag, #eugene 2012), you can view it from runblogrun.com, or watch twitter as we send out the daily links! Remember, you can follow runblogrun on your mobile (as you can from any RunningNetwork site). 

Here is the TV schedule for the Trials, which will be on the NBC Sports Network and NBC:

Vin Lananna noted that he would like to see a World Championship in Eugene, Oregon. The IAAF is known to support a World Championship Outdoor in the US, but there have been challenges. The problem has been how the prize money is taxed, but real issue is stadium that would buid, not embarrass the sport.

Vin Lananna, it is now said, is setting his eyes on a World Champs in the US. Let's see what happens with this one. Vin has put together some of our best championships, two tremendous Olympic Trials, and he was head coach of the USA team in Daegu. The guy is goal oriented so lets stay tune on this one.

And thus, begins our coverage of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials-Track & Field. We will have columnists, Dave Hunter, Jon Gugala, Eliot Denman and Dick Patrick. You will also get to see coverage from our regional editors within the Running Network, plus video and daily live blogs on Runblogrun of each sessions within the Olympic Trials.

Dave Hunter's column will begin to set the stage, we hope that you enjoy!


A Daily Journal from the U.S. Olympic Trials/ Track & Field

The Cathedral: Nothing Compares to Hayward Field,

by Dave Hunter

Highlights from Hayward

A belated happy Fathers Day to all the fathers in our audience. We hope you had a great day. I took of Sunday to spend with my mother, father and son. A wonderful day. Please enjoy the compilation of great results from this past weekend!

Athletes are coming out of the woodwork, as national championships and selections begin. Lots of exciting competitions to witness. The US Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field will start this Thursday, June 21 and finish July 1.

During the US Trials, the British will have their Trials, June 22-24, and the Jamaican Trials are one week later!
 

Another wonderful piece by Dave Hunter on one of our hammer gods, Jud Logan. Emil Zatopek, the great Czech distance runner once told me how hard it was for an elite athlete to be a coach. "Sometimes, it was easier for me to just run for them, than to coach them." Jud Logan gets that. He has developed a sanctuary to celebrate the hammer, in Ashland, Ohio.

The Dream Mile and Dream 100 meters, sponsored by adidas, is the way adidas promotes their support of high school track & field. This year, without rain, but on a warm, humid day, bot the miles and the 100 meters lived up to their hype.

Chris Lotsbom, Junior Editor of Race Results Weekly gives us his take on last weekend's excellent races....

Caroline Feith, manager for Dwight Phillips, the four time World Championship gold medalist at the long jump, and 2004 Olympic Champion at the long jump, will not be competing in the 2012 US Olympic Trials next week.

Here is the statement from Caroline Feith:

Reigning World Champion and 2004 Olympic Champion Dwight Phillips, will not compete in the US Olympic Trials next week in Eugene, due to injury.

Dwight Phillips is aiming to come back even stronger and will be part of the USA team next year for the World Championships in Moscow.

The US Olympic Committee announced the new Nike sponsored Team USA footwear and apparel for the London 2012 medal stands. I like the Windrunner apparel. We have sure come a long way since Kappa was doing the team uniforms!




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2012


NIKE, U.S. Olympic Committee unveil Team USA medal stand footwear and apparel for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

NEW YORK, N.Y. -Nike and the United States Olympic Committee today unveiled the Team USA medal stand footwear and apparel for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the first time, Nike will offer three distinct medal stand outfits for the athletes of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Each outfit will be worn by medalists of different
sports; however, every athlete will receive all three looks.

"Nike has developed a groundbreaking concept for U.S. athletes on the medal stand in London with innovative looks and thoughtful details that speak to American pride," said USOC Managing Director of Consumer Products and Licensing Peter Zeytoonjian. "At the pinnacle moment in their drive for Olympic and Paralympic greatness, our athletes will be outfitted in the most revolutionary and eye-catching Nike products."

Each of the three medal stand looks features a contemporary approach to classic silhouettes, combining performance, innovation and sustainability from head to toe. Soulful details, some of which are only visible to the athlete but are detailed below, complete each unique look.

"The medal stand is a pinnacle moment for these athletes," said Global Creative Director, Martin Lotti. "The world is watching and we want to make sure the athlete looks and feels good in celebration of their achievement."

The three Team USA medal stand looks for the London 2012 Games are as follows:

There are always pluses and minuses with any job. Charles van Commenee, the UK Athletics high performance boss, is preparing for the onslaught. With the high popularity of UK Athletics, and the London 2012 Games less than two months away, can Commenee gets queried about all things track & field.

His recent wincing in an interview was observed by several journalists, until van Commenee admitted to falling off his bike in Amsterdam recently, and breaking a few ribs.

The most recent was that Jessica Ennis, who set the British heptathlon record at the recent Hypo Meeting in Gotzis, Austria, was called "fat" by a high ranking UK athletics official. Charles van Commenee seemed slightly amused, or perhaps, bemused by the situation, but denied that the official was him.

Does not really sound like his way of operating. Charles van Commenee is seen at many meets observing the coaches and athletes, taking notes, and purposely staying out of the limelight.

With the likes of Phillips Idowu, Mo Farah, and Jessica Ennis, UK Athletics should do quite well in the medal department. Either way, van Commenee will be under intense media scrutiny. That comes with the job, as van Commenee would point out, not admitting that the scrutiny is either frustrating or just plain time consuming. 

That will not happen over the next two months, as the UK Athletics top coach will be accused of everything but global warming and perhaps, creating the internet.

Here is a recent piece that appeared in the New Zealand Media:
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/athletics/news/article.cfm?c_id=19&objectid=10811761

Usain Bolt shows that he is king of his domain, once again, with a fine 9.79 in the 100 meters today in the ExxonMobil Bislett Games. In second, Asafa Powell, running 9.85, and looking better than in Rome, has now reach either number 79 or 80 sub ten second 100 meter races.

Asbel Kiprop loves the mile. He won the Nike Pre on Saturday, June 2, and wins the ExxonMobil Games on June 7, with a time of 3:49.22.

Dejan Gebremeskal, the bronze medalist in the 5,000 meters from Daegu, won the so called Ethiopian 5,000 meter Trials in Oslo. Running 12:58.92 to Hagos Gebrehewit's 12:58.99 and Imane Mergas' 12:59.97, Gebremeskel looks good for London, although nothing is official until the selectors comment. Tariku Bekele was fourth, in 13:00.42 and his brother, World record holder, gobs of Olympic and World Champ medals in his drawer, Kenenisa Bekele, was fifth in 13:00.54, one second better than his 5,000m race at the Nike Prefontaine on Saturday, June 2.


Javier Culson ran world leading 47.92 for the 400 meter hurdles. Britain's David Greene, Euro and World Champion at 400 m hurdles, was fourth in 48.98.  Renaud Lavillenie, who recently had a sore back, was fit enough to win here, at 5.82m. Malte Mohr, Germany, was second at 5.62m.

In the triple jump, Pre champ Christian Taylor took second, with a jump of 17.06m to Russia's Lyukman Adam's 17.09m.



Andreas Thorkildsen took third in the javelin, with a throw of 82.30m, with Czech Vitislaw Vesely's massive 88.11 meter throw taking the premier position in the throw.


On the women's side, the women's steeplechase saw Milcah Chemos run 9:07.14 world leader, holding off Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia, in 9:09.00, and Hiwot Ayalew, also of Ethiopia in 9:09.61. In ninth place, GBR's Eilish McColgan ran 9:38.45, which is close to her pb, I believe. Eilish is the daughter of GBR great Liz McColgan.  

The races in Oslo are over. Usain Bolt ran 9.79 for the 100 meters and Asafa Powell ran 9.85, an improvement on his Rome race.


On Saturday, Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay will be running the 100 meters, except, in different races. For Tyson Gay, it is a test of his body, to see if the rigors of the sprint wars will allow him to race well this year. For Yohan Blake, it is a time to see where he is with a 9.84 and 19.91 this year, for the 100 meters and 200 meters.


Looking forward to seeing the adidas Grand Prix NYC this weekend! Just arrived in New York, and will be working on a few pieces. It is all about the competition.

Stay tuned.

We forgot about this one, sorry! The Athletes Only Digital issue has been out for a while. Shooting Star Media now offers the print and digital issues, and if you go to www.atf-athlete.com, you can subscribe to the digital issue for FREE and have it delivered to your very own email address. Next issue comes out in July, and will feature a piece on the twelve high school athletes who have made US Olympic Track & Field teams, plus tips for fall conditioning and fall cross country training.