by Larry Eder
Bolt Mania, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
My love of track & field began with watching the 1968 Mexico Olympics on TV with my father, in our kitchen, in St. Louis, Missouri. I recall seeing Bob Beamon setting the world record. I remember, on that black and white TV, the emotion revealed by Beamon when he set the WR: I was transfixed.
My running in high school, college and then coaching, just cemented the love of the sport. In my mind, track & field has everything: drama, competition, great stars, great stories. It is through that love of the sport, that fascination with the small details that I try to reveal in my writing, that I try and communicate the uniqueness of athletics to you, our readers.
For decades, my friends have told me about the Golden Gala, about Hengelo, about Zurich, Lausanne, London, you name it, the key idea was track meets in Europe.
Italy’s own, Andrew Howe, taking the 200 meters, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma,26 May 2011, photo by PhotoRun.net
My first meets, outside of World Championships, in Europe, were seeing the AVIVA meetings, and asking Ian Stewart lots of questions about his meetings. I was fascinated (still am), how his team draws in such strong crowds of sporting fans, and the precision with which the meetings are run.
This is my first time to the Eternal city. I have one day to tour before I head to Amsterdam and view the FBK Hengelo Meeting, so I am going to try and visit some of the main sites. However, i will be back to Rome, many times, I hope.
The 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, has lived up to all of my expectations, and then some! A tight scheduled meet, with three hours of real competitive sport, which had something for everyone.
Usain Bolt was a huge draw, but it was the whole competition that was tremendous. From the shot put (best field around), to Blanka Vlasic in the high jump and Renaud Lavillenie in the pole vault, to Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross running a gutty 200m/400m double, to the women’s 100m hurdles, to Phillips Idowu’s WL triple jump, to the crowd-pleasing victory by Andrew Howe, in the 200 meters, the meet was, well, spectacular.
Blanka Vlasic, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
I loved the closeness of the 100 meters, the gritty battle between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, and the electricity in the crowd when Bolt arrived. I have to admit that Imane Merga and Isaiah Koech battling in the 5,000 meters, and the relentless pace was mesmerizing for me. I also followed the women’s long jump and Men’s shot, round by round. I was fascinated to see Brittney Reese pull out the 6.94m jump and Funmi Jimoh battle it out. I love the honesty of the men’s shot put: no quarter given, none asked. Armstrong, Majewski, Hoffa, Cantwell, Nelson, all tough competitors, and they, like the women 100m hurdlers, compete against the best nearly event meeting they attend. Bianca Knight showed, once again, that she is quite dangerous over 200 meters, and is becoming a real medal contender.
Nice to see Aretha Thurmond throw well and Kara Patterson throw the javelin as well. Like distance runners, US field eventers, need the competitions to get a feel for their competitors. Thurmond and Patterson, Patterson especially, continue to grow as throwers getting more experience with their toughest competitors. For that, they must throw in Europe.
In closing, I wanted to thank the meet management at the Compeed Golden Gala, Roma: Meet Director Anna Ricardi, Elite Coordinator Bettina
Borner and Media Manager Marco Sicari. A masterful meeting, and superb media conditions, probably my best seating ever (50 meters into 100 meters, with good colleagues nearby. A special thanks to Bettina Borner, who has been gently encouraging me to attend for years-you were right, amazing meet.
Fidal and the Italian Olympic committee should be pleased as well, as they explore an Italian bid for a future Olympics, the sporting world can see first hand, that 47,000 plus fans at the 2011 Compeed Golden Gala Roma only portends what the Eternal City can do to host a future Olympics.
Special thanks to Franco Favo, one of Italy’s great runners and an even greater writer, who graciously helped me figure out how to get to the media area, and who knows everyone. Seeing Franco in his own country makes him even more grand a figure.
And with that, I bid you good day, and thanks once again for sharing my travels and viewings of the world’s greatest sport!
26/05/2011
Samsung DL Golden Gala
Roma, 26/05/2011
Men’ results
100 Metres – Men Wind: +0.6 m/s
Pts
1 Bolt , Usain JAM 9.91 4
2 Powell , Asafa JAM 9.93 2
3 Lemaitre , Christophe FRA 10.00 1
4 Collins , Kim SKN 10.12
5 Thompson , Richard TRI 10.13
6 Edwards , Monzavous USA 10.20
7 Forsythe , Mario JAM 10.21
8 Clarke , Lerone JAM 10.31
9 Samuels , J-Mee USA 10.40
Usain Bolt, 100 meters, Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net200 Metres – Men Wind: +1.1 m/s
1 Howe , Andrew ITA 20.31
2 Anderson , Marvin JAM 20.49
3 Sorrillo , Rondel TRI 20.68
4 Crawford , Shawn USA 20.82
5 Malcolm , Christian GBR 20.95
6 Callander , Emmanuel TRI 20.99
7 Pessonneaux , Pierre-Alexis FRA 21.01
8 Hession , Paul IRL 21.06
9 Baptiste , Leon GBR 21.16
Andrew Howe, 200m , 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net400 Metres – Men
1 Brown , Chris BAH 45.16
2 Gonzales , Jermaine JAM 45.43
3 Borlée , Jonathan BEL 45.53
4 Nixon , Greg USA 45.62
5 Quow , Renny TRI 45.83
6 Neville , David USA 45.94
7 Vistalli , Marco ITA 46.02
8 Rooney , Martyn GBR 46.12
9 Torrance , Jamaal USA 46.22
800 Metres – Men
&
nbsp; Pts
1 Robinson , Khadevis USA 1:45.09 4
2 Mulaudzi , Mbulaeni RSA 1:45.50 2
3 Al-Azemi , Mohammad KUW 1:45.52 1
4 Kiprop , Asbel KEN 1:46.02
5 Lalang , Boaz Kiplagat KEN 1:46.10
6 Mutua , David Mutinda KEN 1:46.64
7 Kiplagat , Richard KEN 1:46.88
8 Solomon , Duane USA 1:47.27
9 Reina , Antonio Manuel ESP 1:47.43
10 Rimmer , Michael GBR 1:47.68
11 Yego , Alfred Kirwa KEN 1:48.73
Tangui , Sammy KEN DNF
Khadevis Robinson, 800m , 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
5000 Metres – Men
Pts
1 Merga , Imane ETH 12:54.21 4
2 Koech , Isiah Kiplangat KEN 12:54.59 2
3 Chepkok , Vincent Kiprop KEN 12:55.29 1
4 Gebremeskel , Dejen ETH 12:55.89
5 Sihine , Sileshi ETH 12:57.86
6 Kiptoo , Mark Kosgey KEN 12:59.91
7 Rotich , Lucas Kimeli KEN 13:00.02
8 Kuma , Abera ETH 13:00.15
9 Longosiwa , Thomas Pkemei KEN 13:06.62
10 Kipsiro , Moses Ndiema UGA 13:09.17
11 Kigen , Mike Kipruto KEN 13:11.65
12 Yator , Vincent Kipsegechi KEN 13:11.69
13 Mbishei , Titus Kipjumba KEN 13:14.85
van der Westhuizen , Peter RSA DNF
Rono , Vincent KEN DNF
Imane Merga, 5,000m, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
400 Metres Hurdles – Men &nbs
p;
Pts
1 van Zyl , L.J. RSA 47.91 4
2 Greene , David GBR 48.24 2
3 Taylor , Angelo USA 48.66 1
4 Culson , Javier PUR 48.86
5 Gordon , Jehue TRI 49.09
6 Gaymon , Justin USA 49.31
7 Dutch , Johnny USA 49.43
8 Williams , Rhys GBR 49.94
9 Clement , Kerron USA 50.03
LJ Van Zyl, 400m hurdles, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.netPole Vault – Men
Pts
1 Lavillenie , Renaud FRA 5.82 4
2 Mohr , Malte GER 5.72 2
3 Mazuryk , Maksym UKR 5.62 1
4 Mesnil , Romain FRA 5.42
5 Lobinger , Tim GER 5.42
5 Holzdeppe , Raphael GER 5.42
5 Miles , Derek USA 5.42
5 Clavier , Jérôme FRA 5.42
Renaud Lavillenie, pole vault, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net Triple Jump – Men
Pts Wind
1 Idowu , Phillips GBR 17.59 4 -0.6
2 Olsson , Christian SWE 17.29 2 -0.2
3 Copello , Alexis  
; CUB 17.14 1 -0.5
4 Sands , Leevan BAH 17.13 -0.2
5 Schembri , Fabrizio ITA 17.08 -0.2
6 Compaoré , Benjamin FRA 16.91 -0.3
7 Donato , Fabrizio ITA 16.77 +0.0
8 Oprea , Marian ROU 16.70 +0.0
9 Oke , Tosin NGR 16.51 -0.6
Phillips Idowu, Triple Jump, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shot Put – Men
Pts
1 Armstrong , Dylan CAN 21.60 4
2 Majewski , Tomasz POL 21.20 2
3 Hoffa , Reese USA 21.13 1
4 Cantwell , Christian USA 21.09
5 Whiting , Ryan USA 20.88
6 Nelson , Adam USA 20.70
7 Lyzhyn , Pavel BLR 20.21
8 Martin , Cory USA 20.04
9 Bartels , Ralf GER 19.71
4×100 Metres Relay – Men
1 Canada CAN 38.65
2 Italy ITA 38.89
3 Germany GER 39.09
4 Poland POL 39.24
5 France FRA 39.37
6 Spain ESP 39.88
7 Portugal POR 40.00
Italy U23 ITA DQ
Netherlands NED DNF
Dylan Armstrong, Shot Put, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
Women’ results
200 Metres – Women Wind: +0.9 m/s
Pts
1 Knight , Bianca USA 22.64 4
2 Stewart , Kerron JAM 22.74 2
3 Ferguson-McKenzie , Debbie BAH 22.76 1
4 Felix , Allyson USA 22.81
5 Richards-Ross , Sanya USA 22.88
6 Williams , ChaRonda USA 23.20
7 Moore , LaShauntea USA 23.26
8 Fedoriva , Aleksandra RUS 23.26
9 Moore , Consuella USA 23.54
Bianca Knight, 200m, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, Photo by PhotoRun.net400 Metres – Women
Pts
1 Felix , Allyson USA 49.81 4
2 Montsho , Amantle BOT 50.47 2
3 McCorory , Francena USA 50.70 1
4 Dunn , Debbie USA 50.79
5 Richards-Ross , Sanya USA 50.98
6 Shakes-Drayton , Perri GBR 51.47
7 Williams , Shericka JAM 51.53
8 Milani , Marta ITA 52.75
9 Grenot , Libania ITA 53.50
Allyson Felix, 400m, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net1500 Metres – Women
Pts
1 Jamal , Maryam Yusuf BRN 4:01.60 4
2 Assefa , Meskerem ETH 4:02.12 2 &n
bsp;
3 Burka , Gelete ETH 4:03.28 1
4 Mishchenko , Anna UKR 4:03.53
5 Langat , Nancy Jebet KEN 4:03.66
6 Wurth-Thomas , Christin USA 4:03.72
7 Jelagat , Irene KEN 4:04.79
8 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei KEN 4:04.87
9 Hilali , Siham MAR 4:04.97
10 Dobriskey , Lisa GBR 4:06.35
11 Belete , Mimi BRN 4:07.17
12 Kibiwot , Viola Jelagat KEN 4:08.64
Gezahegne , Kalkidan ETH DNF
Luchkina , Anna RUS DNF
Tverdostup , Tamara UKR DNF
Maryam Jamal, 1,500m, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
3000 Metres Steeplechase – Women
Pts
1 Cheywa , Milcah Chemos KEN 9:12.89 4
2 Assefa , Sofia ETH 9:15.04 2
3 Ghribi , Habiba TUN 9:20.33 1
4 Adamu , Birtukan ETH 9:20.37 JR
5 Rotich , Lydia Jebet KEN 9:25.16
6 Dean , Hatti GBR 9:37.95
7 Hall , Sara USA 9:39.48
8 Franek , Bridget USA 9:48.24
9 Kowalska , Katarzyna POL 9:50.33
10 Casandra , Cristina ROU 9:50.89
11 Bekele , Mekdes ETH 10:14.21
Chepkurui , Ludia KEN DNF
Milcah Chemos Cheywa, Steeplechase, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, photo by PhotoRun.net
100 Metres Hurdles – Women Wind: +1.1 m/s
Pts
1 Harper , Dawn USA 12.70 4
2 Wells , Kellie USA 12.73 2
3 Carruthers , Danielle USA 12.80 1
4 Urech , Lisa SUI 12.84
5 Vukicevic , Christina NOR 12.86
6 Felicien , Perdita CAN 12.88
7 Crawford , Ginnie USA 12.89
8 Ofili , Tiffany GBR 12.91
Jones , LoLo USA DNF
Kellie Wells, Dawn Harper, 100m hurdles, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Photo by PhotoRun.net High Jump – Women
Pts
1 Vlašic , Blanka CRO 1.95 4
2 Spencer , Levern LCA 1.92 2
3 Melfort , Melanie FRA 1.92 1
4 Styopina , Vita UKR 1.92
5 Shkolina , Svetlana RUS 1.92
6 Green , Emma SWE 1.89
7 Beitia , Ruth ESP 1.89
8 Dusanova , Nadiya UZB 1.85
9 Frenkel , Danielle ISR 1.85
Blanka Vlasic, High Jump, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma,photo by PhotoRun.net
Long Jump – Women
 
; Pts Wind
1 Reese , Brittney USA 6.94 4 -0.4
2 Jimoh , Funmi USA 6.87 2 -0.1
3 Lesueur , Éloyse FRA 6.64 1 -0.1
4 Proctor , Shara GBR 6.62 -0.5
5 Montaner , Concepción ESP 6.60 -0.3
6 Kotova , Tatyana RUS 6.58 +0.4
7 Španovic , Ivana SRB 6.51 +0.0
8 Radevica , Ineta LAT 6.41 +0.4
9 Pusterla , Irene SUI 6.29 -0.3
Brittney Reese, Long Jump, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, photo by PhotoRun.net
Discus Throw – Women
Pts
1 Perkovic , Sandra CRO 65.56 4
2 Barrios , Yarelis CUB 64.18 2
3 Müller , Nadine GER 63.17 1
4 Li , Yanfeng CHN 62.55
5 Thurmond , Aretha USA 61.68
6 Glanc , Zaneta POL 59.91
7 Grasu , Nicoleta ROU 59.63
8 Bordignon , Laura ITA 55.42
9 Breisch , Becky USA 53.86
Sandra Perkovic, Discus, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma, Photo by PhotoRun.netJavelin Throw – Women
Pts
1 Abakumova , Maria RUS 65.40 4
2 Obergföll , Christina GER 63.97 &nbs
p; 2
3 Špotáková , Barbora CZE 63.32 1
4 Patterson , Kara USA 62.76
5 Ratej , Martina SLO 60.84
6 Viljoen , Sunette RSA 60.61
7 Bani , Zahra ITA 59.28
8 Palameika , Madara LAT 58.75
9 Stahl , Linda GER 58.65
photo by PhotoRun.net
