byLarry EderLast year, in the heat of Osaka, Bryan Clay had to drop out of the decathlon with an injury. This year, his herculean effort puts him three hundred points ahead of the field, with Trey Hardee fighting for third.
EME NEWS (AUG 22, 2008) MORNING SESSION
50km walk
2005 and 2007 world bronze medallist Alex Schwazer of Italy (Sudtirol part) claimed the title of the men’s 50km walk in 3:37:09, lowering the previous Olympic record of 3:38:29. Australia’s Jarred Tallent added a silver medal to his tally after the bronze from the men’s 20km in 3:39:27. World record holder Russian Denis Nizhegorodov, who had two warnings, took the bronze in 3:40:14. Long time fourth Jianbo Li of China eventually dropped to 14th (3:52:20). Osaka silver medallist Yohan Diniz of France withdrew from the racecource 2:24 into the race in fifth position.
110m hurdles decathlon
The 110m hurdles didn’t bring any changes in the top four, leader Bryan Clay of the USA recording the second best time of the event, 13.93 behind Cuban Yordani Garcia’s 13.90. With 984 points for his effort for an intermediate score of 5505 points, Clay gained another 36 points over Andrei Krauchanka from Belarus (5381 points) and Trey Hardee of the USA (5377 points), who clocked 14.21 and 14.20 respectively. Ukraine’s Oleksiy Kasyanov remained in fourth (5335 points) thanks to a new personal best of 14.37. With 14.71, defending champion Roman Sebrle lost two places to seventh (5197 points)
Discus decathlon.
American Bryan Clay has now extended his lead to almost 300 points, outperforming all the field with a 53.79m first attempt in the discus, and tops the standings with 6455 points. Surprising second is Ukraine’s Oleksiy Kasyanov who gained two spots after improving his previous personal best by more than two meters to 48.39m (6172 points). Belarus’ Andrei Krauchanka and American Trey Hardee stand in third and fourth wih 6139 points (44.58m) and 6114 points (43.55m). Thanks to his 50.91m result, 2007 world champion Maurice Smith of Jamaica moved up from 8th to 5th with 6070 points.
OTHER NEWS
E. Kemboi thinks about marathon in 2012
NAIROBI: Kenya’s Olympic 1,500 metres silver medallist Asbel Kiprop, who received his glittering medal on Wednesday from middle distance running legend, Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, is among two medalists who will arrive in Nairobi on Thursday night after their tour of duty at the Beijing Olympic Games. Steeplechase bronze medallist Richard Mateelong will also be aboard the Emirates Airlines flight that will touch down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 6.50 pm. The two make up part of a Kenyan delegation that leaves Beijing at dawn for the long trip and that includes sports commissioner Gordon Oluoch and National Olympic Committee of Kenya treasurer Fridah Shiroya. Also among those arriving back home on Thursday night are the women’s 10,000m trio of Lucy Kabuu, Linet Masai and Peninah Arusei, Vincent Mumo, who was eliminated in the 400m first round, and marathoner Salina Kosgei. Others include former Olympic steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi who failed to retain his title and who spoke of his intention to switch to the marathon ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London.
“I will take it easy and maybe run a few races in the Grand Prix season that is remaining and then continue with my training. I hope to make the Kenyan marathon team for the 2012 Olympics,” he said at the Olympic Village. Kemboi developed stomach cramps after clearing a barrier on the last lap of the final won by compatriot and world champion Brimin Kipruto. In Kenya also discussion are beeing held to explain the reason behind 400m runner Elizabeth Muthuka’s failure to travel to Beijing despite having qualified and despite having shown top form that climaxed with national records in the one-lap race.
More on Bolt: third leg in relay, great second half at 200 m
BEIJING: Usain Bolt will run today in the relay the third leg, that means he will give the baton to Asafa Powell. His halves at 200 m were impressive 9.96 and 9.34. Nice piece in The Times getting back to IOC president Jacques Rogge and his criticism on Usain Bolt. Here some parts: “Jacques Rogge, a deluded individual who is the organisation’s president. Commenting on Usain Bolt, the man who is single-handedly dragging athletics’ reputation from the gutter back into the mainstream, Rogge was a tad miffed that the Jamaica sprinter had not taken a break from redefining the parameters of physical endeavour to shake hands with his rivals. Which goes to show how little Rogge knows about sport. He may be good at garden parties and probably has impeccable table manners, but he is a lone voice of dissent. Sport is a show and Bolt has become P.T. Barnum. His celebration as he crossed the line in the 100 metres was an indelible Olympic image. Rogge is an old man but will never learn. People love a winner with character and Bolt has it. He danced, he made his signature lightning gesture and he waved his gold shoes around. These have been his Games. Rogge’s attitude sums up a myopic approach to sport. He wants it played by some draconian code of ethics instead of enjoying the beautiful drama and mind-boggling entertainment of the moment. “Flash, I love you but we only have 14 hours to save the earth,” Dale Arden said in the film Flash Gordon. Bolt says he is not Flash Gordon and, indeed, it has taken him only 9.69sec to save his sport. Rogge is too consumed by his own importance and a deeply simplistic view of sport to realise all this. As for Bolt, he must feel like shaking his head rather than hands.”
Wariner quote
BEIJING: Interesting quote from Jeremy Wariner after he is now 2:3 against LaShawn Merritt this season: ” I’m disappointed. If I had run like I did in the semifinals, I think I would have won. LaShawn just ran a better race than I did.”
Nizhegorodov quote
BEIJING: Another interesting quote by Russian 50 km world record holder Denis Nizhegorodov (all three Russian walking medalists are from Saransk and coached by Viktor Chegin): “When I got the second warning, the coaches shouted on me. Ok, do not follow him, go for bronze. Otherwise it could be that I will be disqualified and without any medal. I think I did the right thing. When it would be about gold maybe I would risk.”
Spotakova thinks about Javelin God
BEIJING: “There must be a javelin God who helped me to achieve my best result in last throw,” said Barbora Spotakova. The Czech javelin throw golden series is continuing after Jan Zelezny who also helped a lot with advices to the olympic winner.
US 4×4 line-up
BEIJING: US 4×400 m women line-up for the heats today will be Mary Wineberg, Monique Henderson, Natasha Hastings and DeeDee Trotter. Sanya Richards and possibly Allyson Felix are saved for finals.
Used with permission of Alfons Juck, publisher of EME news.
