by Larry Eder
Guor Marial, 2012 RNR San Diego, photo by PhotoRun.net
The Olympics are more than a sporting event. In less than a week, the Olympics begin. In less than two weeks, Track & Field will begin. The men’s 100 meters will be one of the most widely viewed events in sports history as nearly one half of the world’s population, perhaps, even more, will see an Olympic broadcast.
Guor Marial is from the new country, South Sudan. His country does not have a flag, and he does not have a passport. However, with the support of many, Marial will run under the IOC flag in the Olympic marathon.
The significance of the Olympics, for the people of the world, is that, four times a year, athletes can come together to run, jump and throw, and yes, play basketball, representing their countries. The best of the world is named, from this every four year celebration. However, it transcends sports. The Olympics is about the people of the world sharing a celebration of sports once every four years.
One week to go……
Bolt for Lausanne
LAUSANNE (SUI): Sprint world record holder Usain Bolt confirmed his third meet in the
post Games period after Zurich and Brussels. He will compete on August 23 at
Athletissima of Lausanne. He will run on the Pontaise track for the sixth time.
The Jamaican champion will decide after the London Games whether he will line up in
the 100m or the 200m. The love story between Bolt and Ahtletissima started in 2006,
when the Jamaican ran in Lausanne for the first time. It was a 200m and he immediately
fell in love with the Lausanne curve: “It is always a great pleasure to run in Lausanne,
in a stadium which has one of the best curves I have ever seen.” The bronze medalist of
the Osaka and Berlin world championships, Wallace Spearmon, will run the 200 m against
European champion Churandy Martina and Monaco winner Nickel Ashmeade of Jamaica.
Sydney relay decision
LONDON (GBR): Nigeria were finally awarded the Olympic gold medal from the men’s
4×400 metres relay at the Games in Sydney 12 years ago, although it comes too late
for one of their team, Sunday Bada, who died eight months ago. The decison by the
International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board to reallocate the medals from 2000
came three years after they had decided to disqualify of the United States team.
They were disqualified because of the late Antonio Pettigrew confessing to having
used banned performance-enhancing drugs at the time. With Nigeria elevated to the top
position, Jamaica are promoted to silver and Bahamas the bronze. “Pettigrew was
disqualified in August 2008 but the EB delayed a decision on reallocation until
it had received information stemming from investigations into the Bay Area
Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) sports-doping scandal,” said a statement from the
IOC after they had met in London. It is one of six races at the Sydney Olympics
where the result has been affected by athletes admitting that they took drugs.
Medals in the women’s 200m, long jump, 4x100m and 4x400m had to be reallocated
after American Marion Jones confessed to having taken drugs prior to the Games.
The gold medal that Jones won in the 100m, meanwhile, has never been given to
anyone because the runner-up, Greece’s Ekaterini Thanou, was herself the subject
of drugs allegations. But he Executive Board was not able to decide about a result
regarding the US women’s 4x400m relay gold medal winners from the 2004 Olympics in
Athens despite Crystal Cox admitting afterwards she took steroids from from 2001.
Sanya Richards, Monique Henderson, Moushaumi Robinson and Crystal Cox after the first
round of the 4x400m relay at Athens in the 2004 Olympics. The final decision remains
with IAAF. In case USA will be stripped the gold it would went to Russia, silver to
Jamaica and bronze to Great Britain. Insidethegames informs.
Marial under olympic flag
LONDON (GBR): Guor Marial with 2:12:55 marathon life-time best who ran for his life
to escape a Sudanese child labor camp wil now get to run at the Olympics. Agencies are
informing. Marial’s heartwarming rise from a fearful kid who hid in a cave, fled his
war-torn homeland and finally arrived in the United States as a refugee took another
incredible turn Saturday. Despite having no passport and officially no country — and
at one time very little hope — the 28-year-old marathoner was cleared by the IOC to
compete at the London Games under the Olympic flag. His native country South Sudan
does not have an olympic committee.
4 meet records, S. Lewis 582 PV
SZCZECIN (POL, Jul 21): The 58th Janusz Kusocinski Memorial was also the farewell meet
for Poland´s Olympic Team and also last meet of the career of 2002 European indoor
champion Pawel Czapiewski. In total 4 meet records were registered. Poland stars did
well. Adam Kszczot won the 800 m in 1:45.78 over a strong field (second Job Kinyor
1:45.89), Tomasz Majewski was the best in the shot put 21.04 and hammer wins for
Pawel Fajdek 77.50 and Anita Wlodarczyk 76.81 meet record and season best (6th best
in the world 2012 over Cuban Yipsi Moreno 71.90). The result highlight of the day
was pole vault with Steven Lewis getting new UK and meet record 582 in second attempt
and tries at 592. Second olympic winner Steven Hooker made for recent disappointments
with 572 season best clearance as third still beaten by US Brad Walker also 572. Best
Polish of the day were Przemyslaw Czerwinski and Lukasz Michalski with 562 and world
champion Pawel Wojciechowski cleared only 542 as 8th. World leader Renaud Lavillenie
no-heighted at 562 cm. Fast sprint by Jamaican relay olympians Michael
Frater 10.09 (+1.9) ahead of Nesta Carter 10.10, third Mario Forsythe 10.11 still
beating Jacques Harvey 10.15. Best Polish Dariusz Kuc 7th in 10.30. Sudanese Yusif
Rabah won the 400 m in 45.69 and Kenyan Gideon Gathimba was the best in the 3000 m
7:50.34. All-time hero Virgiljus Alekna of Lithuania showed top shape with 68.50 discus
win (and meet record) over Australian Ben Harradine 64.92 and Poland´s star
Piotr Malachowski 64.29. 225 was enough to win the high jump for Lithuanian Raivydas
Stanys on count-back over Wojciech Theiner. Jamaica (MVP sprinters) won the
4×100 m in solid 39.11. In remaining women events the 100m was wind-aided (+2.3)
otherwise Ezinne Okparaebo would clock national record 11.13 ahead of Jamaican
Aleen Bailey 11.16. Sara Petersen won the 400 m hurdles in Danish record 55.68
(second Anna Jesien 55.78) and Russian Olesya Zabara the triple jump 14.48
(+2.6, legal 14.25 +1.3). Kenyan junior Purity Rionoripo was the best in the
3000 m 9:07.57, new meet record.
Pishchalnikova 69.34
YERINO (RUS, Jul 20-21): During first two days of Russian U23 Championships Darya
Klishina won the long jump with 662 (+1.5) and beat as guest jumping London bound
Anna Nazarova 658 (-0.3). Another guest former Eurowinner and current world leader
Darya Pishchalnikova achieved high quality 69.34 after top series: f, 66.11, 69.34,
68.64, 69.13, f. 400 m Hurdles world leader Natalya Antyukh showed top shape with
200 m personal best 22.73 (+0.6). Also to note Marina Pospelova winning the 800 m
in 1:59.70, Yelena Korobkina getting the 5000 m in 15:26.03 and Anzhelika Sidorova
clearing 450 in the pole vault. From men events to note 50.43 400 m hurdles win for
Nikita Andriyanov.
Ross 10.23, Friedrich 184
PERGINE VALSUGANA (ITA, Jul 21): A very cold and rainy day for italian meeting of
Pergine, near the Alps. Australian Joshua Ross won the 100 m in excellent 10.23 (-0.1).
Italian star Andrew Howe was second in the 200 m in 20.82 behind Ecuador national record
holder Alex Quinonez (20.80, +0.4). Pacer Nicholas Kipkoech continued and won the race
in
1:48.48 at the 800 m. Yeorgios Tsakonas of Greece was the top long jumper here with
1:48.48 at the 800 m. Yeorgios Tsakonas of Greece was the top long jumper here with
792 (+0.8). Kenyan junior Geoffrey Barusei won the 3000 m in solid 7:55.19 ahead of
Stefano La Rosa 7:58.58. Another Australian win after the 100 m in the 400 m for John
Steffensen 46.37. German high jump star Ariane Friedrich won with only one jump at
184 followed by three failures at 187. Swiss Beatrice Lundmark also had 184 but one
more failure for second. Best female result the 51.30 for Libania Grenot to win the
400 m with second place for Indira Terrero of Cuba 51.71. Photofinish win for Micol
Cattaneo in 100 m hurdles 13.18 (0.0) over Derval O’Rourke 13.18 and Veronica Borsi
in 13.21. Elisa Cusma clocked 2:02.64 to be the best in the 800 m.
National records for Ecuador and Haiti
NINOVE (BEL, Jul 21): The 22nd Rasschaert Memorial meet in Belgium registered good
5000 m won by Dejene Regasa of Bahrain 13:20.43 over US Ben True 13:20.54 PB, fourth
Byron Piedra improved to 13:23.72, new Ecuador record. Maggie Vessey clocked 1:59.98 to
win the 800 m over World indoor medalist Erica Moore 2:00.05. Rafith Rodriguez of
Colombia was the best in the men 800 m 1:45.88. Ken Medwood from Belize was the best
in the 400 m hurdles (49.92) and US Elizabeth Maloy triumphed in the women 1500m 4:09.98.
Adrian Deghelt won the hurdles in 13.64 (+0.7) and French Toumane Coulibaly dominated the
400 m in 45.81. Australian Melissa Breen clocked twice 11.36 in heats and finals (0.0 and
+1.1). Carlos Jorge of Dominican Republic won the 100 m in fast 10.23 (+0.7) over
Jonathan Juin of Haiti 10.26 national record. Juin also won the 200 m in 20.73 PB (+1.3).
Eaton in 3 events
MARBURG (GER, Jul 21): In the 19th Thorpe Cup Germany leads after first day 19 894 over
USA 19 498. In decathlon overnight leader is Kai Kazmirek 4295 points
(10.86-740-13.42-207-47.53) over US Gray Horn 4007. Bryan Clay no-heighted
in high jump and had before 10.82-709 and 14.96. Olympians competed in selected events.
Ashton Eaton 10.46 in the 100 m, 14.78 in shot put and 204 in high jump. Trey Hardee
leaped to 727 and had 14.95 shot, Jan Felix Knobel 714 and 14.99 and Rico Freimuth
703 and 13.93.
OTHER RESULTS
TOLEDO (ESP, Jul 21): Eusebio Caceres won the long jump with windy 831 (+2.1) at
Spanish U23 Championships (legal 799, +0.1) and was second in the 100 m with 10.37
behind Bruno Hortelano 10.36.
SOLIHULL (GBR, Jul 21): At the BMC meet Canadian Hilary Stellingwerf won the 800m in
2:02.01 from Kenyan Jane Jelagat 2:02.52. Jemma Simpson was the best in the 1500 m in
4:10.07 ahead of comebacking Hannah England 4:10.43 and steeple specialist Barbara
Parker 4:11.52 PB. In sixth place fellow olympian Eilish McColgan also a PB, 4:13.19.
Caryl Jones won the 5000m in a PB 15:37.3. Niall Brooks topped the 1500 m in 3:40.04
with Andy Baddeley no better than 3rd (3:41.50).
HENDON (GBR, Jul 21): Lawrence Okoye won the discus with 64.96. In women discus Seema Antil registered 62.30 from second Indian Krishna Poonia 61.22.
AMSTERDAM (NED, Jul 21): Jamaican sprinter Ramone McKenzie achieved a good double at Amsterdam Open meet with 10.30 (+0.4) and 20.55 (-2.2). Teddy Venel of France won the
400 m in 46.28 and Brazilian Fabiano Pecanha the 800 m in 1:47.48. Other Brazilian winner
was Rosangela Santos at 100 m in 11.30 (+0.4) over world medalist Debbie
Ferguson-McKenzie of Bahamas 11.41. In the 200 m Ferguson-McKenzie clocked 23.25 (-0.2) to beat another top Brazilian sprinter Ana Claudia Lemos 23.29. Brazil won both relays
in 39.12 and 44.14. Eric Cadee got 62.56 in discus and Belgian Tom Goyvaerts achieved
in javelin his second best career mark 81.35.
JESSHEIM (NOR, Jul 21): During first day of Nordic Baltic U23 Championships Silvestras
Guogis of Lithuania clocked senior national record 50.39 in the 400 m hurdles and Swedish
sprinter Odain Rose clocked 10.47 (+3.5) in the 100 m.
GRAN CANARIA (ESP, Jul 21): At Canary Islands Championships Mario Pestano confirmed top
discus shape with 67.15 m.
FRIBOURG (SUI, Jul 21): The last Swiss Meeting of the season saw German Verena Sailer
getting the 100 m in fast 11.23 (+0.6). Nadine Hildebrand won the hurdles in 13.13
(+0.2) and Swiss Lea Sprunger clocked national all-time best at 150 m 17.24 (+1.1).
Briton Joel Fearon improved to 10.25 (-0.1) when winning the 100 m over home Olympic
bound sprinters Alex Wilson 10.38 and Amaru Schenkel 10.44 (10.37 in heats).
RIJEKA (CRO, Jul 21): European champion Sandra Perkovic day after securing Diamond
Race win in Monaco dominated also at the first day of National Championships with
66.94. Second Serbian guest Dragana Tomasevic 60.19. Another top event was men shot
put there Marin Premeru improved to 20.45 and beat Nedzad Mulabegovic 20.37. But the
best mark came from Serbian Asmir Kolasinac 20.85 with Bosnian Kemal Mesic 20.13.
ANTRIM (GBR, Jul 18): Solid 800 m here by Aynleh Suleiman of Djibouti 1:47.45 ahead of
Egyptian record holder Mohamed Hamada 1:47.97.
KLAGENFURT (AUT, Jul 21): First day of Austrian Championships in rain and 13 degrees
saw discus thrower Gerhard Mayer winning with 60.08.
LENS (FRA, Jul 21): Wilhen Belocian (from Caribbean area) clocked new world youth
best at 110 m hurdles (91.4 cm) at French Youth Championships with 13.12 (+0.8).
The former mark of Wayne Davis at that time USA now Trinidad was 13.18 from World
Youth Championships 2007 in Ostrava. In the girls 100m hurldes (76.2) fast 13.36
(+0.4) by Chryste Lange. Correct please Friday information about junior girls hammer,
that was only qualification. In the finals Alexia Sedykh won with 65.30 over world
junior champion Alexandra Tavernier 64.10.
MONCHENGLADBACH (GER, Jul 21): Maya Rehberg achieved German junior record in 2000 m
steeple 6:22.06. Alexandra Burghardt improved to 13.45 (+1.4) at junior 100 m hurdles.
World junior champ Shanice Craft won the shot put 16.05 and Lena Malkus the long jump
654 +0.1.
DALIAN (CHN, Jul 21): Throwing meet saw Continental record holder Zhang Wenxiu getting
74.00 in hammer and Lu Huihui 64.86 in javelin.
OTHER NEWS
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): Jamaica Observer informs that the decathlete Maurice Smith will
not take part in the Olympic Games after the flare up of a nerve injury in his back,
the Jamaica Observer has learned. Assistant coach of the team Maurice Westney confirmed
the news following a church service for the Jamaican and American team at the Birmingham
Cathedral. A disappointed Smith had told the Jamaica Observer about the injury a few days
ago and said he had sought top medical advice but had to
reluctantly withdraw from
reluctantly withdraw from
competition.
NEW YORK (USA): Runners World informs that Desiree Davila, the women’s runner-up at
the U.S. Olympic Trials, has been struggling with a right hip flexor tendon injury as
she prepares for her marathon at the London Olympic on August 5. “It’s been a rough
segment trainingwise,” says Davila’s coach, Kevin Hanson. “I’m trying to get her
healthy enough to get her to the starting line.” Davila is currently “doing okay on
the Alter-G,” which makes lower impact running possible, but she’s having painful
difficulty on solid ground.
LONDON (GBR): Latest Pat Butcher blog at www.globerunner.org is called Emil Zatopek´s
golden treble.
CORRECTION
LONDON (GBR): London will host the World Championships in 2017 and not in 2015.
