GB Grand Prix Instant Analysis - Tyson Gay Back On Track!

A number of runners competing in Gateshead, Great Britain had arrived in Beijing several weeks ago with gold on their mind, but things did not quite work out as they had originally planned.

The races in Aviva British Grand Prix for Lauryn Williams, Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, and Asafa Powell were partly about exacting revenge but more about proving to themselves and the world that they are still great athletes despite the results in Beijing. The Olympic Games are history and each got back to having success in their own right.

He seems to be a decent enough guy. Despite inclement weather conditions Asafa Powell ran 9.87 in the cold rain.

Which provokes the idea that maybe Powell should employ the services of a sports psychologist. It might be money well spent considering that Powell ran 9.95 in the finals to place fifth in Beijing. He might regret it years from now if he does not exhaust all means to achieve at the highest level.

"Pretty easy, 9.87, I'm very happy," said Powell.

It was great to see the Tyson Gay of old win in 20.25, over OlympianWallace Spearmon (20.41). Gay did not make the highly touted 100-meter Olympic final after losing conditiong from the hamstring injury sustained at the Olympic Trials. Spearmon had locked up bronze medal in the 200-meter finals in Beijing, or so he had thought until learning that he had been disqualified after stepping on the line during the race.

"Getting the victory means a lot, it's nice to get a win under my belt," Gay told the BBC after the race.

Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Gay said: "It was very frustrating, I was going there to get the gold.

"It was tough to watch (Bolt), I know I would have given him a better race."

Lauryn Williams 11.24 won over the Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (11.29) from Jamaica. Williams placed fourth in Beijing behind three Jamaicans. Later in the meet Williams won the 200-meters in 22.65.

She has nothing to prove and no regrets. Reigning World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain won the 400 meters, in an unimpressive 51.27 seconds.

Click here to watch the Universal Sports video on demand of the Aviva British Grand Prix track meet.

By Jay Hicks.

Jamaicans Go 1-2-3 in Women’s 100

Lauryn Williams takes fourth place.

-Beijing-The Jamaicans proved they are the fastest humans on the planet. First, Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the men’s 100-meters while doing dance moves the last 15-meters of the race. The only thing missing from the performance was a dj and spinning some of that legendary reggae dance music.

Oh wait, that came after the race.

The Jamaican women picked up where Bolt left off. Shelly Ann-Fraser finished first in 10.78 seconds, well ahead of silver medalist Sherone Williams and bronze medalist Kerron Stewart, who were both timed in 10.98.

After the race Ann-Fraser jumped up and down in celebration after witnessing her wide margin of victory on the jumbo screen, similar to Bolt’s win yesterday.

The Jamaican sprinters came in with top times and put together consistent races leading up to Beijing.

Lauryn Williams, the silver medalist in Athens, was fourth, and Muna Lee, the Olympic Trials champion, was fifth. Veteran sprinter Torri Edwards was eighth.

After the race Williams said, "It was incredibly close. The only thing I could say about the photo finish was 'oh-oh, not again.' I thought the photo was between me and Sherone for third, but it wasn't. I put what I had on the line today. I'm not upset. 10.78 was a great time."

By Jay Hicks.

When Athletes Blog - Beijing Bound Lauryn Williams

So you wanna know who keeps Lauryn Williams fired up? Well she shares that with fans on her WCSN.com blog.

Not only is she realy fast and one of the U.S. best hopes to win big in Beijing. Lauryn is humble and down to earth in a way that only a women who runs a sub-11 second 100-meters can be.

"Stockholm Victory"

"I won Stockholm! My first 100m ever on the circuit, (Great trivia question right?) As excited as I am, I am also very nervous. I don’t know what to do now. I never get on the line with the intention to lose, but somehow I always seem to come up short until the major championship. It has been a major goal of mine to become more consistent and as a result - dominant. Winning against a great field in Stockholm it would seem that I am headed in the right direction. What I am fighting mentally now is if I achieve this consistency what should I expect for the major championship… a WR?? LOL! I know that is very wishful thinking.

What exactly was it that came together for me? Was it that I was warmed up from the 4×100m relay? Everyone says I am better when there are rounds. Was it something I ate? (you laugh but every since I witnessed Asafa Powell drowning his eggs in salt the morning before the world record I definitely don’t think twice about my salt intake as it is not nearly as much as he ate in one sitting) Was it the massage? Was it that my Swedish Aunt and Uncle were present? Was it a inspirational email from Chief Inspirer? Who knows, nor do I have the time to dwell on it hopefully whatever “it” is will continue to keep me FAST!

I would however like to elaborate on the Chief Inspirer I just spoke of. In 2005, I received the Runner’s World Magazine Heroes of Running award and Dottie was one of the other recipients. After hearing the stories of all the other recipients I felt incredibly unworthy of the honor but was grateful for the experience. Dottie and I kept in touch and I am so grateful to have met her she is such an inspiration. Oh I guess I should tell you who she is… Dottie Lessard-O’Connor is a two-time transplant athlete. In 1994 she underwent a 12-hour, life-saving bi-lateral lung transplant as a result of cystic fibrosis. Twice during the operation her heart stopped.

Well now you know I am surrounded by people like Dottie who keep me grounded and so it is hard for me to lose sight on the fact that is this at the end of the day just a game and as long as I have done the best I can who cares what everyone else thinks. I know no matter how bad I think it is there are situations that could be far worse so I am always grateful for life breath and health. It is ok to whine sometimes but I limit all negative behavior to 24hrs then I MUST move on otherwise you will spend your life being miserable.

I am really looking forward to one more great run in London before I head home for three days then depart for Beijing. I will report back with the results."

Click here to read Lauryn Williams' full WCSN blog.

By Jay Hicks.

Aviva London Super Grand Prix, IAAF World Athletics Tour—Preview

Catch the Aviva London Super Grand Prix broadcast on WCSN.com and WCSN TV.

The big draw of Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at 100-meters, will have to wait until Beijing. As a precaution, Gay has cancelled his appearance in the 100-meters, just to make sure he does not re-injury himself before the Olympic Games.

According to meeting director Ian Stewart: “Tyson gave himself absolutely every chance to be fit for the Aviva London Grand Prix – and I know he was absolutely desperate to run here. But at the end of the day the meeting has come just a fraction too soon for him and I understand the reasons why he has had to pull out.”

But don’t discount the London Aviva Super Grand Prix because the meet, which has been expanded to a two day format boasts an impressive line up.

First starters, Usain Bolt has promised something ‘special’ for his appearance in the 200-meters, after dropping 19.67 last Friday in Rome. Might that something 'special' be a run at Michael Johnson’s World Record of 19.32?

If it is somehow possible, the women’s 100-meters continues to add drama. U.S. Olympian Lauryn Williams will face Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown and Allyson Felix of the U.S.

Williams, who qualified at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100-meters with a third place finish, will definitely bring the heat on Friday against two formidable opponents just three weeks before the Olympic Games.

Timing is everything, especially in the hurdles. If David Oliver beats Cuba’s Dayron Robles, then track and field may have yet another new rivalry. Robles the reigning World Record holder in the 110-meter hurdles is a beast right now.

Can Lolo Jones continue her winning ways? Former Olympian Joanna Hayes and Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster-Hylton make for an exciting precursor to Beijing.

Going into Beijing, the question mark on Kerron Clement in the 400-meter hurdles, is whether the 2007 World Champion can establish consistency in the grueling one lap race. Fridays race may provide some indication of how consistent Clement is running since his lost to Bershawn Jackson at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

By Jay Hicks.

When Athletes Blog – Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams took her blog to discuss the hot 100-meter race at the Adidas Track Classic. What’s funny is the pro sprinter takes pride in another Lauren Williams, the daughter to Trackmom.com winning L.A.'s Fastest Kid race.

Read what Lauren had to say.

"Wheww! I survived it!! The toughtest field ever…well as far as I am concerned.

Track should have far better following than it does! After all in other sports u spend all year building up for 1 big event then once it is over you have to wait a whole year for it 2 bulid up again and then your team might not be in the championship!! Not in track! You get GREAT races with all the hot names and constant excitement with surprises in the plot on a regular basis. This weekend was a perfect example. 8 of the hottest women in the sprints ALL capable of running sub11 times on the line at the same time!! I can guarantee it was a better line up than any final you can put on the line in Beijing because u can only have 3 people per country and America and Jamaica have far more qualified depth than that! There was a B race where the winning time would have been 4th place in the A heat! Then there are those who chose to either run another event or just weren’t present that you must also watch out for. ( ie. Muna Lee, Miki Barber, Sharone Simpson and Simone Facey just to name a few.) It wasn’t just our event either I could write a book about how much talent was at the adidas track classic. Hopefully you tuned in so you know just exactly what I am talking about.

Although my 9 race winning streak came to an end there was a Lauren Williams that was not only lighting fast but victorious! I believe she’s 8 but had the composure of an adult as she raced down the track to a first place finish from lane 1. She showed that lanes don’t decifer who wins races heart, training and talent does. I wish her the best in her budding career and hope she continues to represent the Williams name well!"

By Jay Hicks.

Photo courtesy Matthias Clamer.

Reebok Grand Prix Update!

NEW YORK—Allyson Felix and four other top female athletes have been added to the field for the fourth annual Reebok Grand Prix on May 31.

Felix, who won three gold medals at the 2007 World Championships, will be joined by Sanya Richards, Maryam Yusuf Jamal, Jenn Stuczynski and Lisa Barber.

Richards is ranked No. 1 in the world at 400 meters; Jamal, of Bahrain, is the reigning 1500-meter champion; Stuczynski is the American record holder in the pole vault; and Barber won the gold medal in the 60 meters at the 2006 World Championships.

The field also includes Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Lauryn Williams.

Felix, ranked No. 1 in the world at 200 meters, will run the 100 meters.

At last year’s Reebok Grand Prix, Stuczynski became the first American woman to jump 16 feet. She broke that American record last week at the Adidas Track Classic, cleared 16 feet, 0 3/4 inches.

The Reebok Grand Prix will begin at 5 p.m. on May 31, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. On the heels of a sell-out last year, 1500 bleacher seats have been added on the backstretch to accommodate the expected demand in this Olympic year.

Grandstand tickets range from $50-$24. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 1-877-TIX-TRAC or on-line at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com, where information about special buses to Icahn Stadium is also available.

When athletes blog - Lauryn Williams

There are 85 days until the Beijing Olympics. In the last week, Lauryn Williams has started to run some open 100-meter races. The Olympic hopeful explains on her WCSN blog.

“Penn Relays was great!! I love being back in my home state! The crowd is great the atmosphere is wonderful! It is also nice to be on the track with all the big names in US sprinting and not be against them but operating as a unit and we were unstoppable!! USA read and USA Blue finishing in 1st and 2nd and there was even a USA white team that although they didn’t compete was composed of premiere sprinters as well. This just goes to show the depth that US sprinting has and how hard it is going to be to be one of the three that makes the cut at the trials. I am up to the challenge and making sure I am as prepared as possible.

Well I am off to the races! My Theme for the year is DO NOT wish me luck! Luck is for those who have not prepared. All I need is hard work and GOD so if your up to it please pray for me I have definitely worked hard so that part is done! I will report back so with the results until then…GODSPEED!!”

Click here to read the full blog.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

When athletes blog: Lauryn Williams at WCSN.com

Lauryn Williams opens up about her first-time experience strutting her stuff on a different runway - a modeling runway. She premiered as a model for a good cause in her hometown of Miami.

The former 100-meter champion took time on her WCSN.com blog to chat with fans about her races, night life, and who she cheers for when she isn’t running.

Says Lauren:

”March 29 was my big debut in the Jockstarzz Fashion Show to benefit the Kevin Everett Foundation, which raises money for spinal cord research. It was so nice to be able to support a fellow Hurricane alumnus and Kevin’s fiancée, Wiande, who is my good friend, in anyway I can. Kevin is a living miracle and a true testament that you can’t take a single moment of life for granted and that you need to be appreciative of what you have, because in seconds your world can shatter.

I was sooo nervous about being in the fashion show. First of all, I was scheduled to wear a PINK dress and very high heels, which would make me about one foot taller. I have to tell you that I am not a good example of how a female should walk in heels. I am truly an athlete. Second, I am very shy. I am not at all good with being on stage in front of an audience. Even though I was terrified, I was determined to do my best. But halfway down the runway, my shoes, which were too big, started to slip off. I didn’t’ want to ruin the show by bending down and fixing them, so I slowed down my walk, which was already awkward, and took my time.

Click here to read her full WCSN.com blog.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist