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The answer to the sport’s prayers.
The situation couldn’t be more volatile in track and field today. It’s an exciting, treacherous, and cynical time in U.S. Track and Field, as newly anointed CEO Doug Logan takes the reins of the national governing body.
In his first teleconference on Friday with the press as CEO of USA Track and Field (USATF), Doug came off as approachable and open to the challenges facing him as the organization’s new leader.
In his office, he keeps a picture of himself in a clown suit that was taken nearly twenty years ago to remind him never to take himself too seriously. That sense of humor may come in handy, as the former Commissioner of Major League Soccer gets the lay of the land and develops a plan to address track’s nearly countless areas that need attention.
His experience and business acumen is the reason the USATF Board of Directors believe he is the answer to the organization’s issues and the answer to the sports prayers.
The first 100 days will set the tone of his tenure at the organization. Managing USA Track & Field is no task for an inexperienced executive, as the organization oversees more activities than any of the other national governing bodies, such as swimming and gymnastics. Currently, USA Track & Field oversees youth running, elite running, trail running, road running, and race walking.
“In the first 30 to 60 days, I'm going to be a huge sponge. I will talk to fans, coaches, athletes, officials, members of the press and sponsors - everybody involved in the sport at one level or another,” said Logan. “It would be a disservice for me to jump in and be presumptuous that I have answers before I undergo that process.”
The honeymoon period for Logan will more than likely be extremely short with the Olympics only three weeks away. He will have get up to speed quickly, as his new role at CEO of USATF will require him to meet with the leaders of international track organizations.
Regarding the pending Olympics, Logan stated, “I think we've got a great team, and I look forward to that competition and supporting our team in the best way we know how. Beyond that, we've got a wonderful Olympic Team that I hope to be joining early in the process in Beijing, and hopefully, we will come out of that competition with a number of medals greater or equal to what we've had in the past.”
There are complex issues facing USA Track & Field such as the sport’s doping issue, the board reorganization, and of course, how to grow the sport to soccer moms across America.
“We've got a reorganization going on and a series of meetings. I'd like to offer whatever resources I've got to those organizational efforts,” said Logan. “I've got other stuff to do. I've got a very able staff that Craig [Masback] put together to sit down with and talk to, let them know what doing business with me is all about, and what being my colleague is all about.”
Logan seems unwilling to get caught up in the frenzy coming off the Olympic Trials and the energy leading up to the Olympic Games. He seems to have a sense that all of the momentum will probably not carry over to next year.
By Jay Hicks.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Doug Logan’s First 100 Days Running USA Track & Field
Friday, July 18, 2008
Instant Analysis on IAAF Golden League Paris, France Meet!
Image details: IAAF Golden League - Gaz de France served by picapp.com
Paris, the city known the world over for love and romance, was anything but that today to LaShawn Merritt. Jeremy Wariner (43.86) showed no love for new rival LaShawn Merritt (44.35), in a race that Wariner dominated every aspect of the race except the start.
Today, Wariner ran a bold and daring race strategy that has become his trademark as he broke 44 seconds for the second time this outdoor season. With 100 meters to go, Wariner was too much for Merritt, laying on his kick and opening up a blow out win over Merritt down the homestretch.
You knew it wouldn't take very long before the times starting dropping. Over the last month, as the media has been writing about what is wrong with Wariner, I have been curious what the race would look like when the times dipped under 44 seconds. Today, we got a great show as to what that race looks like.
The three previous races between Wariner and Merritt have been in Merritt's comfort zone, ranging anywhere from 44 flat to 44.5, and today, the stakes were raised--literally. This latest development in the 400-meter rivalry is far from over. Merritt will go back and analyze his race today and come back firing in the next race and in Beijing. That is the beauty of this sport.
Did Dayron Robles even touch a hurdle today? He ran like a beast, crossing the line in 12.88 - just a hair off his current World Record of 12.87 which he set earlier in the season. The Cuban hurdler won because of his technical precision.
Can anyone catch Pamela Jelimo? She ran 1:54.97, nearly 4 seconds ahead of the next fastest 800-meter runner.
In the women's 200, Sanya Richards (22.56) pulled out an upset victory over Muna Lee (22.59), who won the 100-meters and placed second in the 200 (21.99) at the U.S Olympic Trials less than two weeks ago. The winning time was not impressive, but racing is about winning, so it was a good win for Richards in that respect, especially considering the 400 is her specialty event.
Is the U.S. setting up to run a 400-meter hurdle sweep in Beijing? Today, three American 400-meter hurdlers ran under 49-seconds. Kerron Clement (48.43) is on a tear winning his second straight race since losing to Bershawn "Batman" Jackson at the Olympic Trials earlier this month. Clement won, because he ran with reckless abandonment over Angelo Taylor (48.91), and "Batman" in fourth place with (48.92).
By Jay Hicks.
Mavado's Music Video About Asafa Powell Is Jamaican Culture!
Jamaica "home of the fastest man alive," loves their sprinters. Below are a pair of customized pair of Nikes in honor of Mavado and Asafa Powell and have 9.74 etched on the side.
Nike sponsored the project which looks like fun times were had by all, especially Asafa. The song is also available for purchase on I-Tunes, as well as Asafa’s Train For Speed Workout Playlist.
The 30 minute soundtrack includes hits by Sister Nancy, Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, and of course Mavado. You can check out Asafa’s Train for Speed soundtrack at I-Tunes.com.
Click here to watch the official music video on youtube.
By Jay Hicks.
Doug Logan Is Chosen As CEO of USA Track & Field
The USA Track & Field Board of Directors on Thursday approved top sports executive Doug Logan, the former Commissioner, President and CEO of Major League Soccer, as its next CEO.
Logan most recently has run Empresario, LLC of New York, a sports consulting and entrepreneurial firm that in 2001 was a consultant in the creation of the National Rugby League since leaving the MLS.
After three months of an executive search and much consternation from the track and field community, a decision has finally been made. Craig Masback abruptly left USA Track and Field in January for new endeavors with Nike as Director of Global Sports Marketing Division, leaving the organization in a lurch just eight months before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Masback is credited with holding the organization together through arguably the sport’s toughest days during the doping era that brought down some of the biggest names at the time such as Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery, and Justin Gatlin.
Who is Doug Logan, you ask, the man charged with saving the sport from the brink of irrelevance?
For the last twenty years, Logan has been highly respected in sports circles as a very capable leader with extensive experience in the sports management game. He is considered the country's highest-ranking Hispanic American in sports management. By selecting Logan, the USATF Board gets an executive who is well known—a key factor in the relationship-driven world of sports marketing.
Although track and field is a sport, it is also a business, and Logan’s selection reinforces the governing bodies desire for a new business strategy. He transformed Major League Soccer’s television contracts from a time-buy to co-ventures, negotiating five-year broadcasting agreements with ABC, ESPN and Univision that more than doubled the number of national MLS games on the air. During his tenure MLS assets soared from $5 million per team to $20 million per team.
"We have said since we started the process of hiring a new CEO that it was more important to do it right than to do it quickly," USATF President Bill Roe said. "In Doug Logan, we know we have found the right CEO to take us into the next phase of growth. We are so pleased to get a person of his caliber to lead our organization, and we are excited to welcome him to the USATF family."
Logan is a bilingual sports and entertainment leader with a proven track record of generating long-term sponsor partnerships, television outreach and high fan attendance. In 1996, Sports Business Daily named Logan and MLS Sports Industrialist of the Year.
The MLS under Logan's leadership generated $120 million in multiple-year sponsorship commitments from Nike, AT&T, adidas, Puma, Umbro, Honda, MasterCard, PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch and Bic.
The news of Logan’s hiring comes as a relief to many who were concerned about going into the Olympic Games without new leadership in place.
In its 29-year history, USA Track and Field has not had a CEO with such an extensive background in developing sponsorships, partnerships, and television deals. At first glance, Logan appears to be an ideal fit for the organization. He may be just what the doctor ordered for the sport.
USATF Board members also picked a seasoned businessman in Logan, who has experience in one of the most persistent challenges facing the sport – how, if at all, to deliver a user-friendly sport to the fan, while growing revenues and exposure in the United States.
"I believe the sport is poised for a major leap of growth," Logan said. "It may seem presumptuous for me to express goals at this early juncture. However, I will devote my energies to maintaining and improving the U.S. position at the top of the medal charts in World Championships and Olympic Games, and I will be a passionate messenger in our battle against Performance Enhancing Drugs.”
The first hurdle he will face as the new CEO is the pressing matter of dealing with the USOC’s demands to restructure of the USATF Board of Directors.
In Logan, the sport has an executive who has managed and grown another niche sport in Major League Soccer to the next level. He has been in the board rooms before and sealed some major deals.
That is what you get in Doug Logan.
By Jay Hicks.
Seed Runnerspace
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Gaz de France Paris, France Preview
Friday, July 18, 2008
TV: July 18, 2:30-4:30 p.m., ESPN Classic
TV: July 18, 4:00-6:00 p.m., ESPN2
Online: USA Track & Field
Online: Trackshark.com
The IAAF Golden League circuit, also known as the European circuit, picks up again on Friday from Paris. The $1 Million Golden League Jackpot will be shared between the athletes capable of winning all of the six events in their own discipline. If no one completes this feat, the athletes having won 5 events will then have to share a $500,000 jackpot.
In a league of her own, Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo is a candidate left to win the $1 Million Golden League Jackpot along with Russian high jumper Blanka Vlasic. She ranks 6th on the all-time list at 800-meters with a stunning time of 1:54.99.
Will the freshly paid Walter Dix win his professional debut? Nike broke Dix off nicely after the Olympic Trials, making him one of sports highest paid athletes. The scenario looks much different now that Asafa Powell has withdrawn from the meet due to a tweaked groin. The question for Dix this week is how well-rested is he just twelve days after winning the 200-meters and running second in the 100-meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
By Jay Hicks.
Chanelle Price Named 2008 Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year
Chanelle Price may be one of the greatest in a generation. The University of Tennessee committ, ran a staggering 2:01.61, recording the second-best time in scholastic history at the Prefontaine Classic against a world-class field.
Price is a well-rounded individual. She maintained a 99.28 average in the classroom, placing her in the top 5 percent of her class.
Easton Area High (Easton Area, Pa.) middle-distance runner Chanelle Price captured the 2008 Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year award. She accepted the award from 2003 Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year Allyson Felix, 2004 Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year Candace Parker and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm preceding the 2008 ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre, where all 12 Gatorade National Player of the Year award-winners will walk the red carpet as special guests.
"They’re putting me up there with the Candace Parkers and the Allyson Felixes, the Lebron James, so I think that’s what, deep inside, I really enjoy," said Price. "That really says something. Now I feel like I have a tradition and a legacy that I have to carry on, so these next few years I know that there are things that I have to achieve – world records, Olympic gold medals that I have to achieve for myself, but that’ll motivate me to uphold the Gatorade tradition."
Justin Timberlake hosted the 2008 ESPY Awards at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Los Angeles. The show airs Sunday, July 20th on ESPN at 9 pm EST/PST.
By Jay Hicks.
A Look Back at The Olympic Trials!
Withdrawal from the Olympic Trials has been setting in since returning from Eugene and coming down from the adrenaline rush. Part of that is because eight days is a long time sleeping on a hotel mattress, and I have finally gotten some good sleep since returning home.
I've found myself communicating with colleagues that shared the Eugene experience because we shared something very special in Eugene '08, which turned out to be a de facto track and field national holiday.
What is there not to miss? Eight days of riveting action on the track, coupled with an exhilarating atmosphere. The days were spent comparing and contrasting athletes of today and the past, while interviewing the world's best track athletes about the greatest sport on the planet.
Here are a few pictures of the athletes and the action.
The tough Bershawn "Batman" Jackson puts his heart on the line to win the 400-meter hurdles.
Is Hyleas Fountain the greatest female athlete in the world today after her compelling win in the heptathlon at the Trials?
"I'll be back" says 37-year-old Allen Johnson. The 1996 Olympic champion has at least several more seasons left in the tank.
Mary Wineberg (l), Sanya Richards (c), and Dee Dee Trotter (r) are looking for a 400 sweep in Beijing.
"No, I was never worried during the race about making the 200 team," says Wallace Spearmon.
Count em' four, that is the number of Olympic teams high jumper Amy Acuff has made in her illustrious career.
Raw emotions of joy were going through champion Lolo Jones' body after her victory.
Usain who? Tyson Gay after running a crazy 9.68 (+4.1) to win the Olympic Trials.
Usain Bolt is the real deal says legend Michael Johnson.All pictures and content by Jay Hicks.
The Final Lap: Keep It Pushin’
A picture is worth 10,000 words. 'Beijing-or-Bust' read the t-shirt of Lolo Jones at her hometown send-off as she heads for her first Olympic Games. Since winning the Olympic Trials, Lolo has been rolling, and the world is slowly finding out that she is just as energetic and charismatic in person even after flying across the country with no sleep.
The Iowa native is doing her thing before the opening ceremonies of the Olympics--taking in the moment. The 100-meter hurdle champion surprised a single mother of two whose home was damaged by flooding with a $12,000 check. What a class act. Wasn't it just a minute ago that Lolo was so broke she sat in her Baton Rouge apartment sweltering after practice because she couldn't afford air conditioning?
- Are we there yet? Hopefully, we have traveled past the Trevor Graham exit on the track and field highway. Reuters.
- Lolo Jones gets a flashy hometown send-off. WCF
- Usain Bolt probably has a few more tricks up his Puma. IAAF
- She may need help counting all of her money. Allyson Felix cashes in on the Olympic year. MW
- It doesn't stop. Does Baylor have another 400 champ in the making? IAAF
Track is Ready to Grow Into Bigger U.S. Sport
Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Five served by picapp.com
Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Give a track fan an out of this world track experience, and he’ll be starved for more—more action, more entertainment, and more star-studded competition on the track.
Fans wanted more from the sport, and there is a great deal to celebrate after the U.S. Olympic Trials. The atmosphere in Eugene was magical, mystical. There were some sick performances and incredible athletes over the eight-day meet.
The emergence of Eugene as the leading track venue and city couldn’t be better timing. Eugene certainly lived up to the billing of “Tracktown USA” while hosting the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. The sport just helped to dig itself out of a big hole titled ‘irrelevancy’ and back to its rightful place at the center stage of the Olympic Games
The American consumer craves a spectacle. The sport is notorious for hosting track meets in medal bleachers that are less than half full. Not this time around.
The military jets that flew over the stadium during the National Anthem on the first day of competition really set the tone for a high caliber affair.
The $8 million renovation to Hayward Field looked the part as a professional venue for a professional sport and played host to some 167,123 spectators over the ten days of competition. The stadium even included corporate viewing areas.
Fans wanted an elaborate event, and the Eugene ’08 organizers delivered the Eugene Festival that included live music, booths, food, and the competition on jumbo screens for those without tickets.
Where does the sport go from here?
Not wanting to sound the least bit cynical, how does the sport get on live television? Eugene is no where close to hosting fan meets in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago?
It is not enough to have a bastion of the sport that resides in Eugene. A lot of people left Atlanta in 1996 after the Olympics thinking the sport had turned a corner, only to realize at the beginning of 1997 that the sport actually was scheduled to have less meets that year, rather than more.
Vin Lananna, University of Oregon's director of track and field, is not leaving anything to chance or USA Track and Field. “I think the leadership of USA Track & Field and the USOC need to get serious about looking at the sport as a professional sport, and one that is a spectator friendly event. Create schedules that make it exciting,” said Lananna at a press conference last Sunday.
The sport must relentlessly sell itself to grow from a marginalized sport to where every meet is on live television. Lananna said he envisions an annual summer circuit of three West Coast meets starting next year. His preferred rotation: Eugene-Portland-Eugene.
U.S. Olympic track coach Bubba Thorton said, “Many Americans think of track and field as a summer sport, yet there are not any professional competitions in the United States. There are other competitions in the spring, or meets that include all-age competition, but there isn’t any pro competition.”
Some of the nation's best track and field athletes might return to Hayward Field this month for an Olympic tune-up, kicking off what could become a summer circuit of meets in subsequent years, officials said Sunday.
Vin Lananna, University of Oregon's director of track and field, said he is working on bringing a national-caliber meet back to Hayward on July 27. "It won't be a great, big monstrosity, but we'll have a couple events," Lananna said. "We'll try it out. But when we do it (in 2009), we're going to blow it out."
Bill Roe, USA Track & Field's president and acting chief executive, said he supported the summer circuit concept. If Vin's interest was to have one here, we would definitely put one here," Roe said of Hayward. "I don't see it as being any detriment to having nationals here. I see it as more opportunities we have to put our athletes in front of these fans. Obviously, our athletes respond in front of these fans."
There seems to be some forward momentum from the 2008 Olympic Trials. Cynicism says to wait and see how things progress with the sport because we have heard this before. It is evident after the 2008 Olympic Trials the casual sports fan is secretly cheering for the sport to return to its rightful place at the top of the
By Jay Hicks.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Who Will Win Wariner vs. Merritt IV?
When Jeremy Wariner sat down before the season with his agent Michael Johnson and his coach Michael Ford, it was recognized that LaShawn Merritt would be a foe to be dealt with in the ’08 season.
Not that Wariner could have ever forgotten the man he had to run down in final 30-meters in Osaka to win the 400-meters at the 2007 World Championship.
What could not have been anticipated before the season is the hamstring injury suffered by Wariner on May 9 in Doha, Qatar, that slightly set back his conditioning and training. The tightness in the right hamstring is a recurring injury dating back to his Baylor days and is a recurring issue from time to time.
Another unforeseen development is LaShawn Merritt currently leads the matchup 2 to 1 over Jeremy Wariner this season. In the first show down Merritt won over Wariner in Berlin, Germany on 1 June, at the opening leg fixture of the ÅF Golden League 2008. Their tussle could not have been much tighter - 44.03 to 44.07. In a big upset Merritt (44.00) edged Wariner (44.20) at the the U.S. Olympic Trials.
There is a certain feeling in being a marked man. The freshly minted World Record holder Dayron Robles (12.87) is running with a bulls eye on the back of his uniform in the 110-meter hurdles. Rising U.S. star David Oliver ran close to the world record at 12.87 with a +3.2 wind at the Olympic Trials, making the head-to-head match interesting. Oliver is running with tremendous confidence making this one of the highlight events of the meet.
The women’s 100-meter hurdles promises to be thrilling on Friday. Fresh off a U.S. Olympic Trials championship Lolo Jones (12.29 with +3.8 wind) is poised to take on the red hot Brigitte Foster-Hylton (12.50). The heat will also come from Josehine Onyia (12.50) Delloreen Ennis-London (12.54) in the race.
The women’s 200 is another loaded event. The dominant Kerron Stewart of Jamaica comes into the meet with the second fastest time in the world in 21.99. The third fastest time of 22.11 in the world is owned by Jamaica's Sherone Simpson, who will also be in the race. Sanya Richard is dropping down from 400-meters again to work on speed but she may very well have met her match in these two runners. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion at 400-meters ran her seasons best time of 22.49 last week in Rome.
By Jay Hicks.
Michael Johnson is Prepared for Records To Drop
Change is a constant. Records come and records go—no one understands this better than Michael Johnson. At the time he set the 200-meter World Record of 19.32, conventional wisdom said it could stand for at least generations of runners. Until last year, no runner has come within a smell of 19.32 seconds.
That was until Usain Bolt blasted on the brink to the 200-meter record. Michael Johnson provides invaluable insight looking into the metamorphosis of Usain Bolt.
"I'm ready to kiss it [200m record] goodbye...if he keeps on doing what he's doing," said Johnson at the U.S. Olympic trials.
Sprint legend Michael Johnson is, of course, talking about Usain Bolt and the work he had done to run 9.77 in June to set the new World Record at the 100-meters. What is ironic is that Bolt has traditionally been seen as a 200-meter runner. This year, Bolt broke the 100-meter world record, and that feat now sets him up to break the 200-meter world record. 
“He ran 19.75 [a year ago], which was amazing enough, given that he's not the most technically sound 200-meter runner,'' Johnson said of Bolt. "Whatever technical flaws you have at 200 are going to be highlighted at 100. But, you take a look at his 100 when he broke the world record...he has fixed a lot of things [technically] in the off-season.”
The drama continues to mount as last Friday in Rome, Bolt ran just his third 200 of the year and delivered 19.67, the fifth fastest time in track history. Bolt is finding his way closer and closer to 19.32 each time he steps on the track.
Usain Bolt broke his own Jamaican national record in the 200 meters last night, clocking a spectacular 19.67 seconds at the Tsliklitiria Super Grand Prix at Olympic Stadium in Rome.
"If he is as technically sound at 200, or the improvement at 200 in technique matches what we have seen at 100, there's no telling what he is going to run," Johnson added.
It has been the 400-meter record of 43.18 that Johnson set in 1999 that was predicted to be the first record of his to fall. Johnson is now an agent, and his star client, Jeremy Wariner, is nearing that milestone with a personal record of 43.45. Records tend to come when athletes are running easily so, the 400 record may fall but it probably will not be broken at the Olympics.
MJ, who remains one of the biggest forces in the sport, is ready for the times to move down the performance list. Spoken like a true champion, Johnson went on to say, “I don’t wake up every morning thinking, ‘I’m still the world record holder, and it’s another good day because of it.’”
Johnson understands that his time on the track is behind him and today he readily embraces his new role helping today’s runners realize their goals and dreams.
The looming question is whether the 200 or 400 record will fall first?
By Jay Hicks.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Check Out Reese Hoffa Tonight With Jay Leno
Reese Hoffa is Mr. Personality of the U.S. pro track & field athletes. Jay Leno has called on the big guy to occupy the hot seat tonight for what will be Hoffa's second appearance on the Tonight Show. Leno is no match for Hoffa. Look for the reigning World and U.S. Olympic Trials shot put champion to have the best jokes tonight.
By Jay Hicks.
Puma Blaze of Glory 1968 Mexico
With the ’08 Olympics less than a month away everyone is catching the Olympic fever. Puma has released the 1968 Olympics based model, their performance shoe for the ’08 Games.
For Now available via eBay and is scheduled to be released at Puma retailers soon. Via SneakersBR.
By Jay Hicks.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Usain "Lightening" Bolt Blazes 19.67!
Do you know what that sound is?
It is Usain Bolt knocking on the door of the 200-meter World Record of 19.32, which is currently held by Michael Johnson.
On Sunday night, Usain Bolt put down 19.67 in the 200 without any heat in the Athens race. At this point, he's seeing where he is training-wise going into the Olympic Games, and at the same time, playing mind games with his competitors.
By Jay Hicks.
Newly Launched Spikes Magazine is Good Luck
It’s all a matter of perspective, but gracing the cover of Spikes magazine has the opposite affect of the “Madden Cover Curse.” Whether you think it's a silly urban legend or an undeniable truth, the Madden Cover Curse has become an entrenched part of football lore.
Yelena Isinbayeva was featured on the first copy of the edgy new British track and field magazine, officially launched June 3, 2008.
On Friday, Yelena upped her own World Record in the pole vault to 16 feet, 6 inches and again comes into Beijing as the favorite. Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb could only be so lucky. Yelena got a bounce from appearing on the cover, and hopefully, the sport will also.
The IAAF, in partnership with UK Athletics, launched a major drive to promote athletics globally with a new cutting edge magazine and interactive global website - SPIKES.
Is Spikes magazine the new hero of the sport? Without a doubt, it is a witty and humorous new jaunt.
Spikes magazine and Spikesmag.com couldn’t come at a better time. They will help promote the sport at a time when there is a great deal of competition for young people’s attention. The organization’s mission is to bring the world of track and field to life and help put it back where it belongs: on top of the world.
Enough said.
By Jay Hicks.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wariner Beats Merritt and Powells Pulls Up in Rome!
-Rome, Italy.
The ÅF Golden League 2008 resumed today with fireworks in Rome.
It has been a rough week for world-class sprinters in the crazy world of track and field. First Tyson Gay went down in the 200-meters after running four of the fastest 100-meter races ever recorded.
Now, Asafa Powell pulled up in his 100-meter heat after feeling something in his groin, which will certainly put a dent in his preparation to take on countrymen Usain Bolt in Beijing. Powell’s manager Paul Doyle talked to reporters afterward to explain the latest turn of events.
“It's nothing," Paul Doyle told reporters. "He just felt his groin cramp up. He'll be fine, but he's not going to take any chances in an Olympic year.” "He's had problems with his groin in the past and got over them every time."
Who said track lacks excitement? It was a quick role reversal in Rome today. Last week challenger LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner at 400-meters to win the U.S. Olympic Trials.
This week Wariner beat Merritt by .01 seconds. Wariner (44.36) had a big lead before LaShawn Merritt (44.37) poured on his kick down the stretch, making it a close race. Merritt is a formidable opponent. Are we witnessing the beginning of a new rivalry since both of the runners will be around for a while?
Afterward, Merritt said, “He was ahead at 300; I knew how the race was going to play out. I feel good about the race and as you can see, the part of the race that I’ve been working on is coming, the finish. So when I put it together, there’s going to be problems.”
Allyson Felix (50.25) is making a strong case to be included on the U.S. 4x400-meter relay in Beijing. But the U.S. women had better pick up the pace or Sanya Richards will be the lone American contender to win an individual medal in Beijing. Mary Wineberg ran 51.27 and hopefully there is an reasonable explanation such as she was fatigued from the Oly Trials or there something ailing her. Otherwise 51 seconds at this point in the season is not close to being among the top runners in the world.
Running at the U.S. Olympic Trials combined with a flight across the pond did not deter 100 hurdler Candice Davis from placing third (12.72) against top end competition of Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London. Even though Davis did not make the U.S. Olympic team, she is a young, talented runner with a lot of upside especially if she improves on the first three hurdles of her race.
In a change of events, Sanya Richards ran the 200-meters to continue working on her speed in the races leading up to the 400-meters at the Olympic Games. Richards ran a very respectable 22.49 against winner Kerron Stewart (22.34) of Jamaica.
The gloves have come off in the 400-meter hurdles, and the fight will continue all the way to Beijing. Last week Bershawn Jackson beat favorite Kerron Clement to win the U.S. Olympic Trials. After the race Clement was visibly shake and disappointed by the loss. This week Kerron Clement (48.23) narrowly beat Bershawn “Batman” Jackson (48.34) in the 400-meter hurdles.
Jennifer Stucyznski was named USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week for improving her own American record to 16 feet, 1.75 inches on Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Today, Russian, World, Olympic, and European pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva sent an international message to her rivals in just her first competition of the outdoor season. She improved her world record in the women’s pole vault at the IAAF Golden Gala meeting in Rome. Isinbayeva vaulted 16 feet, 5 inches. Stucynzski will certainly have her hands full in Beijing.
By Jay Hicks.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The final day of competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials!
-From Eugene, OR
Jon Drummond summed things up best, "It should have been called the 'fall trials'." In reference to the athletes who hit the track in their quest to make the Olympic Team.
On Monday night, Christian Smith dove across the finish line in the 800-meters to take third place, and it started a domino effect.
Marshevet Hooker survived bumps, scrapes and a fall to claw her way on the Olympic team in the 200. “All I remember is pushing my chest forward, because I knew it was going to get me in the race,” said Hooker. “They are battle wounds that I’m proud of having," she said after finishing third in the 200-meters.
“I told her that the 200 is the race you run when you don’t make the 100-meters. Marshevet didn’t want to be breakfast. You know that commercial airing right now about the Olympic Trials. She said fourth place was toast…I don’t want to be toast,” said Hooker’s coach, Jon Drummond.
Allyson Felix played it cool while pulling out a major win on the last day and the last chance to qualify for Beijing. No worries, no pressures because she knew she could win all along. The field was not up to her world leading time of 21.82.
Unfortunately, Anwar Moore will have to wait another four years to realize his dreams. Moore was in third place with about 12 meters left, but stumbled over the final hurdle in the 110-meter race and found himself spilled all over the track.
Overcome by emotions afterwards Moore said, “Ahhh…this is a major disappointment for me. I guess God has something else in store for me.”
Terrence Tremmell was confident coming into the meet that he would make his third Olympic Team. He finished second in the 110 hurdles but ran with financial pressure of sorts riding on him. With a big smile on his face, Trammell said, “I was thinking about the airplane tickets I had bought for my family members to Beijing when I was getting in the blocks.” It was more than good news that he accomplished his goal and added his name to the Team USA roster heading to Beijing.
David Oliver was arguably one of the most focused athletes at the competition. Arriving at the games a few days before the 110 hurdles competition started, he did not watch any of the Olympic Trials on television prior to arriving. Oliver finished with his domination of the hurdles, winning four races with the fastest time each round in his first U.S. Outdoor Championship. “I came here to finish top three, and I did that this weekend,” said Oliver.
The comeback story of the meet is that of Shawn Crawford. He struck 200-meter gold at the 2004 Olympic Games and since has gone through peaks and valleys fighting injuries during the last four years . His story is that of perseverance and redemption.
She did it. Lolo Jones (shown above) won the 100 hurdles final. The race was considered wind-aided (+3.8), if it hadn’t been, she would have broken Gail Devers’ American record of 12.33 that was set in 2000. The trials and tribulations of Lolo Jones after the 2004 Olympic Trials were behind her, or so she thought until suffered a hurdlers worst nightmare by falling in practice. “It was nerve racking, because I hit a hurdle and crashed badly, but I didn’t have time to figure out why that happened because I was leaving for trials the next day,” said Jones. She fought past the physical and mental hurdles on Sunday and ran into the record books.
The only athlete to win two events was Bernard Lagat. The Kenyan born and naturalized U.S. citizen is the U.S. Olympic Trials champion at 1,500 and 5,000.
Alan Webb finished fifth in a competitive 1,500-meters.
Another record fell Sunday. This time Jennifer Stucynski jumped 16 feet, 1.75 inches to better her own American record that she set back in May. She was relieved after clearing the opening height. “I think I was more happy to make the opening height. I made progressions in between the jumps -- I just went with it,” said Stucynski.
By Jay Hicks.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tyson Gay Update!
-From Eugene, OR
After falling to the track yesterday and shaking up the 200-meter field, so far the news on Tyson Gay is looking good. Gay’s publicist said that he underwent an MRI late Saturday afternoon. The MRI showed a mild strain in the semitendinosus muscle. Which means the hamstring was not pulled.
The nation can release a collective sigh of relief.
The reigning 100 and 200 World champion is expected to engage in "active rest" for up to 12-14 days, with light physical activity increasing through that period, and then resume training. Tyson's only confirmed pre-Olympic competition is the 100-meters at the Aviva London Grand Prix on July 25, and that is still on the schedule.
The London Grand Prix will provide a look at the health of Gay's hamstring and the level of his physical conditioning heading into the Beijing.
Gay has qualified in the 100-meters and is eligible to run on the 4x100 meter relay. His hopes of competing in the Olympics at 200-meters were dashed yesterday. Track and field, unlike gymnastics, does not allow for an appeal. He is in the same position as Sanya Richards a year ago, when she was unable to compete at the World Championships after finishing fourth at the U.S. nationals, even though she had dominated the sport during the season. Regardless of his world rankings, he will not be able to compete in the 200 in Beijing.
"I believe in the system, remember in 2000 [Sydney Olympics] when two of our marquee athletes went down in the 200-meters. You can't say that politics are involved in the process. The athletes made the team. It wasn't someone's opinion or what an athlete did earlier in their careers, they earned the spot. It is what it is," said U.S. Olympic Team head coach Bubba Thorton.
Great. How about instituting a fail safe switch in the process if an athlete is a world champion or comes into the trial ranked #1 in the world, there is a provision in the case of a freak situation that would keep them from making the U.S. Olympic team.
Hopefully, this will spark a new dialogue about whether a modification needs to be made to the U.S Olympic team selection process to ensure the best athletes represent the country at championship events.
By Jay Hicks.
Is It David Oliver’s Time to Shine?
-From Eugene, OR
Sure Allen Johnson isn’t in the finals of the 110 hurdles, but rising star David Oliver is running at an instinctual level that is unaffected by the loss of the 37-year-old American hurdling legend. Look for the heat to come from Anwar Moore, Antown Hicks, and veteran Terrence Trammell.
Oliver has been on the grind and is hoping that the hurdles are his best friend, and not his worst enemy, tomorrow in the finals.
“That's what's important. Whether you're first or 16th, we're all going to the semifinals, and we all have a chance to make the team still," said Oliver.
Women’s 200m Final Looks Very Familiar to 100m
The main difference going into the 200-meter final is that Allyson Felix has the fastest time (22.22) run by an American this year. The 100-meter U.S. Olympic trials champion Muna Lee has the second fastest qualifying time (22.33), Shalonda Solomon put down 22.48, and Bianca Knight won the first heat in 22.53.
Felix, Lee, Lauryn Williams, Torri Edwards, and Marshevet Hooker all appeared in the 100-meter final, and they are all now in the 200-meter final.
This race is simply too close to call. Felix is the favorite going into tomorrow. Hooker is motivated by not getting left home. Solomon is a beast, and Knight is the picture of consistency at the half lap distance. Not to mention that Torri Edwards has veteran experience that can not be underestimated.
Get your popcorn ready, because this is going to be entertaining.
All content and photos by Jay Hicks.
Tyson Gay Injury Troubling!
-From Eugene, OR
Today was definitely a hard day at the office for the athletes, but who would have ever thought that Tyson Gay would not be in the 200-meter final? It was hard to watch a warrior fall, but after the 100s I was wondering how much all of those sub 10 second 100-meter races took out of him.
The injury is reported as a ‘severe cramp', and everyone should hope that is the extent of the injury. Tyson was complaining of soreness in the hamstring during the 100-meter rounds.
The men’s 200-meter is completely wide open. Wallace Spearmon is a likely figure to win the race, but Walter Dix has been running extremely well. And don’t count out the reigning 2000 Olympic champion Shawn Crawford. The winning time will probably be under 20 seconds.
Another warrior, Allen Johnson, did not make it to the finals of the 110- hurdles due to an injury.
Everything seems to be falling into place for Lolo Jones in the women’s 100 hurdles. She told me that she is feeling good and feels that she is in a good place going into the finals. The reigning Olympic champion, Joanna Hayes, is putting together her race through the rounds, so look for a good final tomorrow.
Check out my full coverage on TheFinalSprint.com.
By Jay Hicks.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sights of the Day!
-From Eugene, Oregon.
One of Sudan's "Lost Boys", Lopez Lomong, talks about how happy he is to be at the U.S. Olympic Trials and in the 1500-meter final.
16-year-old high school junior Jordan Hasay says that it is an honor to break the 1500-meter high school national record (4:14.50) and make the U.S Olympic Trials finals.
Bernard "Kip" Lagat says that he expects a fast beginning, slow middle, and extremely fast end to the 1500-meter final.
Alan Webb says that he can win the 1500-meter final.All photographs and content by Jay Hicks.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sights of the Day!
It's great to be queen for a day says Sanya Richards...
Mary Wineberg, runner up in the women's 400, tells NBC she is happy to be on the team.
It was good to be LaShawn Merritt tonight, as the clock reads 44.00.
Making it through the preliminary round was all that Jenn Stuczynski was concerned with tonight.
Winner Sanya Richards chatting it up with the press after running 49.89.
Can anyone say "sweep", says LaShawn Merrit (l) and David Neville (r).Merritt and Richards Win and Qualify for Olympic Team!
A pin drop could have been heard before the gun went off in the men's 400-meters. At this point, everyone knows that LaShawn Merritt (44.00) beat Jeremy Wariner (44.20) in the head-to-head match up. After the race, I had a chance to speak about the race with track legend Michael Johnson, who is also Jeremy Wariner's agent.
MJ said that LaShawn Merritt is a beast and a force to be reckoned with in the 400-meters. He seemed to alude to the fact that being on top means beating challengers as they arise. The current 400-meter world recorder holder also said that at this point and up to this point, Jeremy is the better 400-meter runner. He thought the race strategy in which Jeremy did not get out was the issue in the race tonight.
Simply put: Jeremy has to put his race together in order to win because Merritt did not run a time that Wariner is incapable of running.
After her race, Sanya Richards was estatic about winning and qualifying for the Olympic team. You got the impression that placing fourth at the U.S. nationals last year is something that she has thought a lot about since that race. As we predicted, Mary Wineberg made the team, and veteran Dee Dee Trotter pulled out her mojo, even with an injured knee to make the team.
Tonight was a great night for track and field.
Read my full article as it appears on TheFinalSprint.com.
By Jay Hicks.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Running Film Festival Unlike Anything Else!
The first annual Running Film Festival (RFF) kicked off today, July 3rd and runs until Saturday, July 5th at Columbia Hall (corner of University and 13th Street) in Eugene, OR. The film festival has met with major success from the fans and media alike.
This film festival based on running films is unlike anything else in the United States. A total of 19 movies are to be previewed, and select films have director question and answer sessions afterwards. Today, I was especially taken by Chasing Bolt, a Matt Taylor film chronicling the journey of 100-meter record holder Usain Bolt to Beijing. What is interesting is that the project was put together well before Bolt's run at the 100-meters emerged on the scene.
The Running Film Festival entrance.
Newly minted 800 Olympian Nick Symmonds (r) and RFF co-organizer Adam Jacobs (r) of TheFinalSprint.
Getting out the word on the one-of-a kind Running Film Festival.
Emmy-Award Winning broadcaster & journalist Toni Reavis & Matt Taylor, director of 'Chasing Bolt", discussing Taylor's latest film.
By Jay Hicks.
The Big 400 Meter Show down!
Tonight's show down between challenger LaShawn Merritt and reigning champion Jeremy Wariner is arguably the Olympic Trials' hottest race. The favorite at this point is Wariner, considering how well he has looked in the rounds, coupled with the fact that he has won virtually everything there is to win in the sport. But Merritt has already proved in a win over Wariner to be a formidable opponent. Merritt will probably use his speed to get out quickly the first 200, and Wariner will get out well the first 60-meters and settle into a comfortable pace. Merritt will lead going into the third curve, and Wariner will hit the gas at 250-meters. The homestretch will be about which runner is in the best position and who has the biggest will power to win.
The woman to beat at 400-meters is definately American record holder Sanya Richards. Look for Wineberg, Trotter, and Hastings to all be in contention the final 60-meters. Don't be surprised to see Wineberg challenge the race from the start, while reigning national champion Trotter has the experience to win the race. Former 400-meter NCAA champion Hastings is also a threat as she's been putting together her race well throughout the rounds.
Women's 400 M Final - Lane Assignments:
1 467 Ebonie Floyd Nike 51.49
2 564 Monica Hargrove unattached 51.88
3 423 Debbie Dunn unattached 51.79
4 1387 Mary Wineberg Nike 50.57
5 1081 Sanya Richards Nike 50.75
6 592 Natasha Hastings Nike 51.04
7 1291 Dee Dee Trotter adidas 50.90
8 610 Monique Henderson Reebok 51.07
Men's 400 M Final - Lane Assignments1 773 Lionel Larry USC 45.55
2 966 Greg Nixon Asics 45.20
3 1194 Calvin Smith Florida 45.43
4 1382 Darold Williamson Nike 45.16
5 1326 Jeremy Wariner adidas 44.66
6 891 LaShawn Merritt Nike 44.76
7 1390 Reggie Witherspoon Nike 44.99
8 959 David Neville Nike 45.03
By Jay Hicks.Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Campbell-Browns Comes Back Hard in 200!
A champion may be momentarily down, but never out for the count. Not only did Veronica Campbell-Brown win the 200, she redeemed herself by running the best 200-meters of her life, dipping under 22-seconds for the first time in her career.
After finishing fourth in the women’s 100-meters, Veronica ran like a star, driven by passion and determination to win (21.94) the women’s 200. It is amazing that an island of roughly 2 million currently has some of the best sprinters in the world.
The rest of the Jamaican sprint crew, Kerron Stewart (21.99) and Sherone Simpson (22.11) were on her heals in the quick race.
Sources at the meet have said that Usain Bolt shut it down with 60-meters and still ran 19.97 to win the men's 200. In what seemed like a practice jog, Usain Bolt completed his double with a strategy to merely qualify for Beijing.
Michael Blackwood won the men's 400 in 45.21.
In the women's 100 hurdles, Brigitte Foster-Hylton won in a very respectable 12.50 seconds.
There is a looming battle brewing between the Jamaican Olympic and U.S. Olympic teams in both the individual events and the 4x100-meter relay.By Jay Hicks.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Three Oregonians Make U.S 800 Olympic Team!
-From Eugene, Oregon
All I can say is... that might be the best 800m that I've ever witnessed. Khadevis Robinson took the race out hard the first lap (50.03). At the 600 meter mark, Nick Symmonds (1:44.10) laid down the kick that eventually won the race.
At the train wreck finish, University of Oregon runner Andrew Wheating (1:45.03) placed second, followed by Oregon Track Club runner Christian Smith (1:45.47).
Khadevis Robinson reached out in the race's final steps to keep from falling and hit Lopez Lomong.
The always friendly Robinson said, “We both fell, and I was hoping that anyone was there. If Jesus would’ve been there, I would’ve grabbed him.”
Check out the full coverage on TheFinalSprint.
By Jay Hicks
The Hardest Team to Make by Nike Is Hard to Miss!
-From Eugene, Oregon
The sights in and around Hayward Field are overwhelming figures of Nike. The place is bought and paid for Phil Knight and company.
The presence of the Beaverton, Oregon-based apparel maker is beyond strong. Many of the greater Eugene area employees from hotels, restaurants, bars, and vendors all sport the ‘08 Eugene shirts boldly displaying the Nike symbol.
The city buses have various billboards featuring the Nike swoosh, and the Hayward Stadium is plastered with the company's images. Look to buy a t-shirt with an Adidas logo, and you would be out of luck because they are not here.
Nike is reportedly a seven-figure contributor to the Olympic Trials, and most businesses are forbidden to sell any product that competes directly with Nike. Without the company's support, the best Olympic Trials ever hosted would not be possible.
Adidas has set up booths at the Villard Street Pub, which is a pub located near the track. The Adidas logo is also plastered on the feet and bodies of the Olympic Trials’ biggest stars, such as Tyson Gay and Jeremy Wariner.
By Jay Hicks.
