by Larry Eder
RunBlogRun’s Larry Eder and Maurice Greene, 2000 Olympic champion, 100 meters, at adidas Hospitality at London World Championships, August 2017, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts
Christian Coleman has captured the interest of track fans worldwide with his winter of sprinting. On January 19, 2018, at Clemson’s Athletic Fieldhouse, Christian Coleman ran a 6.45 in the semi finals, then, 90 minutes later, ran 6.37. The time bettered Maurice Greene’s World record of 6.39, which Maurice, who dominated sprinting from 1997-2001. Maurice Greene ran 6.39 twice, in March 1998, and in March 2001.
Christian Coleman, photo by PhotoRun.net
Through no fault of his own, Christian Coleman’s time of 6.37 would not qualify for a World Record. There was no electronic blocks in Clemson, nor a Zero Gun, which allows the officials to test the blocks and see if they can identify a false start. The final nail in the record coffin was the lack of drug testing at the event. So, the 60 meter WR stayed with Maurice Greene.
At the US Indoor Champs February 16-18, Christian Coleman ran 6.46 in round 1 and his obvious shut downs just after midway in the races had the fans excited. On Sunday, February 18, Christian ran 6.43 in a very relaxed manner in the semi-final.
His final, the last event of the meet was a perfect send off for the US Indoor nationals. The start was not that good, yet, Christian Coleman began to fly just around 30 meters. Christian Coleman stretched out his arms, and took the finish line in 6.34, a new World Record, if ratified, by .05!
Christian Coleman, Ronnie Baker, USATF Indoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
Christian Coleman sure picked the right place to set this WR. There were electronic blocks, a Zero Gun, and of course, drug testing. The IAAF released a press release about the pending WR within an hour of the event.
We reached out to Maurice Greene, World Champion in 1997, 1999 and 2001 in the 100 meters, Olympic gold medalist, 100 meters in 2000 and Olympic bronze medalist over 100 meters in 2004. Maurice also won the 200 meters in 1999, and gold medalst at 4x100m in 1999. In the Olympic 4×100 meters, Maurice, as a member of US team, took silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004. And finally, in Maebishi, Japan Maurice took the 60m title at World Indoors in 1999!
Larry Eder (RunBlogRun) and Maurice Greene (adidas Ambassador), London World Champs 2017, August 2017, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts
Maurice Greene is a great observer of the sport. In 2016 Rio and in 2017 London, RunBlogRun hosted the Maurice & Larry show, where Maurice and I spoke about observations on competition in there rareified global venues.
We texted Maurice and asked him three questions. Here’s Maurice’s responses:
