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Guess whose not running anymore? Tyree Washington calls it quits. The standout 400-meter runner is known by many as the best runner to never make an Olympic team. Read BBC
Who could have guessed the latest twist in the Dwain Chambers saga. Since being frozen out by meet directors, Chambers made a dramatic career change to the Rugby Footbal League. Read Timesonline
Oops. Alan Webb’s DNF ended up being a bit embarrassing as 10,000 fans came to see him win. Read New County Times
Angela Williams triumphs over obstacles to win first 60-meters title.
The medal count for Team USA is off to a good start on the first day of the 2008 World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain. The U.S. has two athletes competing in each event. Participating athletes won roster spots at the U.S. indoor nationals two weeks ago in Boston.
It was an exciting first day for Team USA in Valencia, beginning a weekend of what is expected to be high level performances. The first day was filled mostly with preliminary races and three final events.
Angela Williams won her first elusive 60-meter title and prepared to shake up the female sprint world come this summer. The 28-year-old American sprinter won gold and collected a $40,000 winner’s prize for a superb effort and a confidence booster for Beijing. Williams was timed in a very respectful 7.06.
After the race Williams said, “It feels awesome, I’m so excited. Just confirmed that working hard and believing in yourself pays off. I was confident, but I didn’t want to be cocky. I said ‘today is the day Angie’. It’s about staying calm and focused on my race. I’m so happy. Now it’s a new beginning with the outdoor season.”
Great Britain's Jeanette Kwakye battled to the end before finishing second in 7.08 to set her nation's new 60-meter record. Back just a hair was Taheisa Harrigan of the British Virgin Islands finishing in 7.09--which was another national record.
After the incredible indoor season by American shot putters, it would have been quite disappointing if they didn’t make some serious noise in Spain. But they brought their A game.
American shot putter Christian Cantwell is back to his winning ways by taking another world indoor title after besting American Reese Hoffa. Cantwell’s 71 feet, 5.25 inch heave solidified his come-from-behind victory. The world title ends Christian’s streak of track meets since 2004 in which he has failed to medal in major meets.
When asked how he felt Cantwell said, “I’m happy with the win. My training has been going ok so far. There is no one in the world that can compete with us (Americans) in the shot. We’re expected to win.”
Americans fail to win men's 60-meters.Africa has found the continent's next elite sprinter since Nambias' Frankie Fredricks in Nigeria's Olusoji Fasusba, who sprinted to a dramatic victory in the 60-meter finals in 6.51. It marks the first title for Africa and Nigeria.
UK's controversial runner, Dwight Chambers ran a close second with a late charge and was followed by Kim Collins of St. Kitts & Nevis in third place. Both sprinters were credited with a joint silver medal in 6.54. Chamber is making his second come back after struggles to get reinstatement to British national team after serving a two-year drug suspension.
Michael Rogers of the United States ran a personal best of 6.57 and finished fourth after a sluggish start out of the blocks. The slow start probably cost him a medal. American Leroy Dixon took seventh in his heat in 6.75 and didn't advance.
Fans can watch Team USA online via live, daily Webcast at WCSN.com.
Go to IAAF for reviews of the day's preliminary races in the men's 400, 800, 1500, triple jump, and the women's 400, 800, pentathlon long jump and pentathlon 800-meters.
By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist
Chinese air quality in the dumps! Maybe MJ was ahead of his time. Prerace Jitters (PRJ) is proud to introduce a new segment, The Final Lap, which brings the hottest news from around the world in a weekly format. I am big enough to admit, it’s a shameless effort to increase readers of the blog.
There is a lot of news lately coming out about China and the Olympics. The closer the games approach, the more concerns start bubbling to the surface.
As far as coverage goes, a lot of this stuff has been floating around for a long time, no pun intended. For instance, the fact that the air in Beijing is slightly more breathable than the windswept plains of Venus doesn't bode well for those hoping to demonstrate their aerobic prowess.
For the world's Olympic athletes, Beijing's air is a performance issue. The concern is that respiratory problems could impede athletic performance and prevent records from being broken. Maybe the USOC should ship over a few of Michael Jackson’s oxygen chambers.
The rancid skies rated an eye-popping 421 on a scale of 1 to 500. 500 being the worst. In the United States, pollution this bad might qualify as an emergency. In Beijing, doctors advised people to stay indoors, but residents there are accustomed to breathing foul air. Earlier this year, the city actually recorded a 500. Yikes!
2/12/08 – News & Views on the Fast Life!
By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist
