• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Track & Field

Doha Diaries: David Oliver, the Gladiator of the Hurdles

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
May 6, 2016
0
0 0
0
SHARES
9
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

David Oliver has been world class for a decade. Early in his career, while battling in his event, he sold shoes at FootLocker. Oliver has a low key, almost devil may care attitude, but that is not David Oliver.

David Oliver is the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and 2013 World Champion. In between those races, he has had highs and lows. Oliver knows that comes with the territory.

RelatedPosts

All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others

Coffee with Larry, June 11, 2025, Some thoughts on Rome, Oslo Diamond League

This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy

Oliver_David-Paris15.jpgDavid Oliver, photo by PhotoRun.net

When you are a world class athlete in athletics, and you choose the 110m hurdles, you are always on the brink.

The 110 meter hurdles requires controlled speed, focus and agility. The athletes who run the 110m hurdles or the 100m hurdles for that matter, consider themselves the finest athletes in our sport.

There is no hiding in an event like the high hurdles. It is popular, but not like the 100 meters or the 1,500 meters. So, hurdlers race alot, to make a living as well as getting their timing down.

Oliver_David1-PreC15.jpgDavid Oliver, photo by PhotoRun.net

The astute track fan loves the high hurdles, as the top athletes battle, week after week, year after year. David Oliver is one of those athletes.

In Doha, David Oliver, 2013 World Champ, will battle Omar McLeod, the 2016 World Indoor Champ and current World leader, Hansel Parchment, the 2015 World Champ silver medalist and 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist, Dimitri Bascou, 2016 World Indoor bronze medalist, and Aries Merrit, 2012 Olympic Champion, 2012 World Indoor Champion, World record holder, 2015 World Outdoor bronze medalist and recent recipient of a kidney transplant from his sister.

If you think that is a full field, you have not counted such fine athletes as Orlando Ortega, former Cuban, now Spanish citizen, Spencer Adams, World Indoor finalists and Antonio Alkana, a fine hurdler from South Africa.

David Oliver has seen them come and go. Hence, his comment yesterday: ” I just focus on those ten hurdles, I do not worry who is around me. I try and run my race.” After over a decade at the top of the world, David Oliver knows how fickle the world can be. In 2010, he was king of the world, in 2012, he was just off a bit, and in 2013, he won the World Championships.

This is 2016, and David Oliver knows that his days as an elite hurdler will come to an end, sooner than later. But this year, the veteran of the 110 meter hurdle wars will give the races he chooses in 2016 the focus of his decade of world class experience. David Oliver knows what it feels like to win an Olympic medal. David Oliver knows what it feels like to win a World Championships medal, and the top one at that. David Oliver knows what it feels like to come just short of the promised land as well.

The 110 meter hurdles give you ten times to screw up. In a race where you have the best at their craft, one screw up and the party is over, you are fighting for fourth or fifth.

Oliver is a tall, muscular man who competes in an event that demands exactness and precision. David has probably forgotten more about the 110m hurdles than most of his contempories will ever know.

In a few hours, we will see how he begins the Diamond League season. His three races this season, a 13.41 in Austin, a 13.30 in Nassau and his 13.31 in Des Moines show a man rounding into shape, at one of the toughest events in our sport.

The Gladiator of the hurdles is in Doha.

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

The 2016 DOHA Preview

Next Post

Doha Pre-race Presser with LaShawn Merritt and Femi Ogunode

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Night of the British PRs – and a National record.
Uncategorized

Night of the British PRs – and a National record.

June 13, 2025
All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others
Diamond League

All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others

June 13, 2025
Six take-aways from the Golden Gala (Golden Gala Roma 2025)
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, June 11, 2025, Some thoughts on Rome, Oslo Diamond League

June 13, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy

June 13, 2025
Viva Italia (Golden Gala Roma, June 6, 2025)
Spring Training

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, June 12, 2025, week 13, day 4, Second week of sharpening, Second week, transition from track to cross country.

June 13, 2025
Coffee with Larry, Bauhaus Stockholm was a rainy success, but what about the protesters?
Diamond League

300m hurdles clash, 5000m WR attempt, Alfred’s 100m debut, and … Mondo (Preview of Oslo Diamond League)

June 12, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Night of the British PRs – and a National record.

Night of the British PRs – and a National record.

June 13, 2025
All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others

All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others

June 13, 2025
Six take-aways from the Golden Gala (Golden Gala Roma 2025)

Coffee with Larry, June 11, 2025, Some thoughts on Rome, Oslo Diamond League

June 13, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy

This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy

June 13, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Night of the British PRs – and a National record.
Uncategorized

Night of the British PRs – and a National record.

June 13, 2025
All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others
Diamond League

All Diamond Leagues are equal but some are more equal than others

June 13, 2025
Six take-aways from the Golden Gala (Golden Gala Roma 2025)
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, June 11, 2025, Some thoughts on Rome, Oslo Diamond League

June 13, 2025
This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field, June 12, Walter Tewksbury was first American to break 11 seconds (1900), Kjell Isaksson sets PV WR (1972), written by Walt Murphy

June 13, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

Doha Pre-race Presser with LaShawn Merritt and Femi Ogunode

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved