byLarry EderDafne Schippers has a wonderful dilemma: does she run the sprints, does she do the heptathlon, or does she try and do both?
In Gotzis this year, Dafne took third in 6,545, pretty darn good for 2014.
It all changed the weekend of July 11-12, when, at the Glasgow DL, Schippers ran 11.03, NR and 22.34 in the 200 meters, for the NR. Two national records on one weekend!
Dafne Schippers, 200 meters, 2014 European Champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
The Glasgow Diamond League opened many people’s eyes to the talented athlete from the Netherlands.
Her multi-events standards have been quite impressive. With a World champs bronze in the heptathlon, a Europeans silver medal in the heptathlon, her sprinting is what has been really taking the athletics world by storm.
The weather in Zurich was either breezy and chilly or rainy and cold, with intermittent sunlight. In the 100 meters, Dafne surprised Myriam Soumaire, who thought she could win, 11.12-11.22.
But, it was in the 200 meters, that Dafne Schippers truly shined. On a cold night, with wind and some rain, Dafne Schippers ran a screaming 22.03 to take the gold and set a new NR. Only the East German sprinters from before 1989 had ever run faster in a European Championships!
“I was surprised by the time. I did not think I had run so fast.” noted a smiling Dafne at the Weltklasse press conference.
Dafne Schippers, European Champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
She is pounded by questions on which events will she choose, and Dafne Schippers does not flinch: she is up to the task:
“Next year after Gotzis, I will make a decision (for the World Championships), on what I should do.” noted Dafne.
When I asked Loren Seagrave, one of athletics’ top technical coaches (coaches Tianna Bartoletta, LaShawn Merritt, Darlya Klishina, former U of Wisconsin Badgers head coach) and director of IMG Sports Academy in Orlando, Florida, about Dafne Schippers, and her dilemma, Loren was sanguine:
“The speed Dafne has worked on this year will totally benefit her in the heptathlon next year. Her 200 meters, her long jump, and not to mention, her hurdles! Speed is speed, and Dafne has a great coach and will show improvements next year with her sprinting in 2014.”
Well, now, then, all Dafne needs to focus on tomorrow is the 100 meters. Should be fun to watch her in the 100 meters tomorrow night.
And then, who knows, perhaps she will run the 4×100 meters?
