by Stuart Weir
Christian Taylor, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
Omar Craddock, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
Pedro Pichardo, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
The Inspiation Games had a good triple jump competition. Stuart Weir did this piece on the TJ.
Don’t tell anyone – triple jump in an age of prohibition
Two surprising things occurred in the Inspiration Games. I’m honestly not sure which is the more shocking. A triple jump competition took place under the umbrella of the Diamond League – and the umbrella was certainly needed in the heat of Florida – and secondly Christian Taylor did not win!
The three jumpers were in different locations – 3000 miles apart – presumably for their own safety in an era when being a triple jumper is not a safe occupation. I’m looking over my shoulder as I type this in a secret location. My epitaph already chosen “the man who dared to write about the triple jump in 2020”.
Pablo Pichardo, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
The bare facts are that Pedro Pablo Pichardo won the competition with 17.40m, Taylor was second (17.27m) and Omar Craddock third (17.04m). Pichardo (in Portugal) achieved a winning jump with his second attempt but he was aided by an illegal wind. Christian Taylor (in Florida) was jumping with the wind of up to 4.8m behind him. However, such a strong wind is more likely to upset an athlete’s rhythm than assist. Taylor had two fouls and two sub-17 meter attempts, achieving 17.27m with his final attempt. Omar Craddock (in California) had less wind to contend with but could only manage 17.04m.
Omar Craddock, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
Pichardo said of the competition: “Despite the adversities caused by this pandemic, I felt strong and I think I achieved a good result here today. Despite the difficulties with training, I feel this was a really good competition, and I’m pleased with my performance.
Pablo Pichardo, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
[This competition format] is something really innovative, and it was a fun competition. It’s not the same atmosphere as when we are competing all together, and because you are jumping on your own, it almost feels like when you’re at practice. However, I think it was a really good event.
You can always count on me to give it my all every time I come out on the track. Even if I don’t get a good result, I will always persevere and try to jump at my best. I’m really grateful for all the support I had [from the crowd]* here today, including my family, who came out here to support me.
*”from the crowd” is an intriguing editorial insertion, given that it was a behind closed doors event!
Christian Taylor, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
Taylor commented: “I want to be positive. It was progressive. Last week it was 16.75 so to come out here and jump 17.27 is moving in the right direction. It’s unique here nonetheless. We are still making the best of the situation. I am a championship. performer, so we always get it done when it counts so we just have to find positive takeaway”.
Please destroy this post after you have read it. We don’t want the Diamond League hierarchy to find out that we have been watching and illicit TJ competition.
Omar Craddock, photo by Inspiration Games / Wanda Diamond League
