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.

Universal Sports to Provide LIVE Broadcast of Aviva British IAAF Grand Prix

As 400meteroval called it, WCSN / Universal Sports recently announced that it is providing free broadcast and webcast of their events until November 9, 2008. This coincides with the launch of the new WCSN/Universal website.

The benefit to fans is that the temporary offer covers the Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, Great Britain which airs Sunday, August 31, 2008, along with some other great track & field and running competitions.

Headliners at the Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, GBR:

The meet free from Gateshead, GBR should be hot. Sprinter Lauryn Williams, Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon in the 200-meters, 400-meter champion Christine Ohuruogu, and 800-meter runner Nick Symmonds have all confirmed their participation in the track meet.

Free WCSN/Universal Sports webcast and broadcast of the following track and running events.

August 31, 2008: Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, GBR

September 7th, 2008: Rieti 2008, Rieti, ITA

September 13th - 14th, 2008: IAAF World Athletics Final at Stuttgart, GER

September 28th, 2008: Berlin Marathon at Berlin, GER

October 12th, 2008: IAAF World Road Running Championships at Rio de Janeiro, BRA

October 12th, 2008: Chicago Marathon at Chicago, IL, USA

November 2nd, 2008: New York Marathon at New York, NY, USA

Click here to view the free events Universal Sports.

By Jay Hicks.

When Athletes Blog - David Oliver

There's a reason that David Oliver is one of the world's top three hurdlers. He recently placed second by a hair to world record holder and Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba by .01 seconds in Zurich. The results were 12.97 to 12.98.

Oliver is arguably his harshest critic and is constantly striving to improve his hurdling technique. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion will get another crack at Robles in Lausanne, Switzerland where the two go head-to-head again.

Immediately after the race Oliver took to his blog to share with fans exactly what is on his mind. Here is what David Oliver had to say:

110 Hurdles (+0.3)
1) Robles 12.97
2) D.O. 12.98
3) Noga 13.37
4) Merritt 13.41
5) Svoboda 13.48
6) Yo-El 13.55
7) Phillips 13.60
8) Van der Westen 13.68
9) Moore DNF

"I really thought that I had a chance to pull of the win, but I floated the first hurdle and was playing catch up the entire race, which I did a good job of. I haven't seen the race yet, but I will watch it on the Slingbox tomorrow. I am happy with my performance this evening, but not satisfied."

Click here to read David Oliver's full blog.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis - Bolt Makes It Reign In Zürich

Usain Bolt meet the world’s sports fans. World sports fans meet Usain Bolt of Jamaica—the track's newly crowned megastar.

-Zurich, Switzerland-The Golden League meet in Zürich was the perfect setting for lightening quick times. A sold out crowd of 22,000 spectators provided an electric atmosphere that produced some extremely fast times. A bit of fatigue from the Olympic Games appeared evident on the part of distance runners, but the sprinters put down some fast times.

Before the gun went off, it was the usual routine. Usain Bolt was bobbing and weaving and playing it up before getting into the blocks. When his name was called out, the fans gave went wild for the man who less than two weeks ago was apart of three world record performances. The Olympic champion could have at least made it look somewhat difficult. Bolt gave the fans their money's worth. He got out to a slow start before blazing 9.83 seconds over 100-meters. The reigning Olympic champion was ahead of Walter Dix (9.93) and Richard Thompson (10.09).

Where was his kick when Wariner needed it the most two weeks ago? Reigning Olympic champ LaShawn Merrittt had the inside lane today, but it was not good enough to beat Jeremy Wariner. Coming down the final turn, Wariner had a one step lead that he opened up to about five meters winning in 43.82 over Merritt (44.43).

Lolo Jones picked up where she left off before hitting a hurdle in Beijing. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion won in 12.56, beating a field which included 110-meter hurdle Olympic champion Dawn Harper. Harper (12.73) finished in a distant seventh place.

It was certainly a win, but it was not the win that Sanya Richards has been dreaming about for quite some time. After winning bronze in Bejing, Richards won a commanding race today in a season’s best time of 49.75. There have been assertions that Richards choked in the 400-meter Olympic final. The real story is that Richards didn’t run fast enough to beat the world’s best. The looming question is why this season the American record holder has not been within a second of the 48.70 that she ran back in 2006.

The 110 hurdles was a close one. David Oliver, the only man to defeat Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba, almost accomplished that feat for a second time this season. Oliver raced Robles down to the end, but came up short.

It may not have been as clean as the 400 hurdle victory in Beijing. But Angelo Taylor (48.07) took it out extremely hard the first half of the race before finishing ahead of Kerron Clement (48.20) of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Danny McFarland (48.40). Bershawn Jackson (49.18) finished in seventh place.

By Jay Hicks.

Can't Forget About the PUMA Clyde - Tommie Smith Gold List

Let the celebration of Usain Bolt ripping up the track in Beijing continue. It is only proper to remember the PUMA shoes that honor Tommie Smith. Everyone knows how Smith and John Carlos raised their hands on the medal stand in 1968 in honor of those who were suffering in the United States.

On the tongue - 19.83 appears to commemorate Tommie Smith's record time.

By Jay Hicks.

Lightning Bolt To Strike In Zürich

Will Usain Bolt send Jamaica rockin' by dropping another world record in Switzerland?

The international community is experiencing sleep deprivation from staying up late nights for the past two weeks watch Olympic coverage while at the same time going through track & field withdrawal from the Olympics.

That all ends very soon.

The ÅF Golden League picks up in Zürich, Switzerland on Friday 29 August. At this point, the race for the $1 Million Golden League Jackpot is two to two: 800-meter Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo and Olympic silver medalist Blanka Vlasic of Croatia.

Olympic medalist will compete in front of sold-out crowd of 26,000 in the venerable Letzigrund Stadium.

Olympic Medalist Heading to Zürich.

The 100-meters will look very similar to Beijing. Will Bolt run through the line this time and shock the world with another world record?

Six runners from Beijing final will step on the track in Zurich: Usain Bolt, Richard Thompson, Walter Dix, Shawn Crawford, and Churandy Martin.

The athletes headling in Zürich include: Blanka Vlasic, Lolo Jones against a field including Olympic champion Dawn Harper, Olympic champion Dayron Robles, new 400-meter Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt, Jeremy Wariner, Angelo Taylor, Yelena Isinbayeva, Jenn Stuczynski, Allyson Felix, and Sanya Richards.

Watch the Meet From Zürich:

• Web: Live at Trackshark or USA Track & Field.

• TV: Aug. 29, 3:00-5:00 p.m., ESPN Classic
• TV: Aug. 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m., ESPN2
• TV: Aug. 30, 7:00-9:00 a.m., ESPN Classic

By Jay Hicks.

Should Reggie Be Worried?

Celebrity Kim Kardashian will spend countless hours working on her dance moves with former 100-meter Olympian Maurice Green.

Does New Orleans Saints star running back Reggie Bush have a reason to be worried?

Ok, so they will not be exactly dancing together.

The "Kansas Cannonball" will put his fast feet to work dancing with Cheryl Burke and Kardashian will shake her stuff with Mark Ballas.

Kim Kardashian and Maurice Green have confirmed as contestants on the seventh season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.

Fellow Olympian Misty May-Treanor, who won her second gold medal for beach volleyball at this year's summer Olympics is also slated to appear on the program. Also joining the cast is recently retired defensive tackle Warren Sapp, Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Susan Lucci, and other celebrities.

The series premieres on Sept. 22.

By Jay Hicks.

Usain Bolt Should Be Thanked, Not Criticized

Steve McGill at Hurdlesfirst.com wrote a great piece about the ridiculous criticism of Usain Bolt’s exuberance and excitement that he displayed in making Olympic history and realizing his dreams.

McGill wrote:

“Costas [Bob] spent a whole week kissing Michael Phelps’ butt, then when something other-worldly happens on the track, the first thing he does is find something critical to discuss. “

“Personally, I had no problem with Bolt’s celebration. Bolt is a breath of fresh air in a sport filled with a whole lot of pollution. He’s funny, he’s gregarious, he’s playful, and he gets down to business when it’s time to get down to business. What more could you want? And your boy Ato Boldon (shown on left) had the chance to school Costas on his ignorance, but instead, he agreed with him. You mean to tell me that someone who trained with Maurice Greene, Jon Drummond, and Larry Wade would agree that Usain Bolt needs to tone it down? Please tell me I’m dreaming, because this can’t be happening.”

Originally, I thought that somehow I had missed something. They don’t get the fact that Usain Bolt single-handily resuscitated the premiere event at the Olympic Games from the dark alleys and back into the mainstream.

Track is cool again.

IOC President Jean Rogge suggested that Bolt “showboated” too much. "I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands, give a tap on the shoulder to the other ones immediately after the finish, and not make gestures like the one he made in the 100 meters," Rogge said in an interview. He also said of Bolt's actions that "you just don't do that."

Those sentiments are stuck in the past and smack of being out of touch. Let the 22-year-old Olympic champion have his day in the sun.

As far as I can tell, Bolt is well liked by the world and by his competitors. The NBC cameras revealed a light-hearted man who joked with his countrymen and competitors a like. There was not a statement of issue from any competing athlete on the matter.

Rogge ‘s criticisms are wrongly aimed at an athlete who brought excitement to the Olympic Games. Maybe the Belgian bureaucrat should have spent more attention focusing on the Chinese age scandal that unfolded right in front of the world‘s eyes. That is the kind of issue that really does chip away at the credibility of the games.

The IOC and folks at NBC should sending Bolt flowers and singing his praises for putting down three world record performances that the world is still talking about and that delivered better than anticipated television ratings.

The aforementioned parties should remain silent on the matter of showboating and just cash their bonus checks at the bank.

By Jay Hicks.

Beijing Olympic Games Close With A Bang

-USA Didn’t Fair Badly At All On The Track.

Winning an Olympic gold amounts to catching lightning in a bottle. Elusive. Precious. Difficult. No matter how great an athlete, in order to win an Olympic medal of any kind, everything must go perfectly.

If an injury develops, such as the case for hurdler Terrence Trammell, or if like Lolo Jones you clip a hurdle, then it’s done. There is nothing you can do if the recovery time is not enough for Tyson Gay to be 100%. Or, if your body is not feeling at its best, as was the case with Sanya Richards, then the favorite comes out with a bronze.

For the world, Usain Bolt walked away as the new megastar of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games—mainly because most countries care more about track than swimming. The precocious Jamaican cleaned up in the 100, 200, and 400-meter relay in world record time in all three events, along with the successes of his countrymen.

The outing for Team USA on the track was not quite as bad as the media would lead one to believe.

Sure the U.S. men and women botched hands-offs in the 4x100 meter relays. That almost certainly would have added to the medal count.

However, Team USA had an extremely good showing. Maybe, head coach Bubba Thornton saying, "This is probably the strongest team we've ever sent to the Olympic Games," was an overstatement, but never the less, the US had great successes in Beijing.

Here’s a quick look at the facts.

USA Track & Field earned 23 medals. Of that seven gold, nine silver, seven bronze. That is just one gold and two total medals fewer than Athens, which had been the best U.S. performance since 1992.

Bryan Clay is the world’s greatest all-around athlete after dominating the decathlon, LaShawn Merritt scored an upset in the 400, Stephanie Brown Trafton unexpectedly won the first U.S. discus gold medal in nearly a century, Angelo Taylor led a U.S. sweep of the 400-meter hurdles, and Sanya Richards ran a legendary anchor leg to win gold for Team USA.

By any account that is pretty good stuff.

Yeah, USA Track & Field as an agency is in dire need of improvement, but that does not in any way diminish the U.S. athletes and their performances while representing this country.

Maybe the slight by NBC in television coverage, the disastrous relays results, and the less than desired results on the track will light a fire for change with USA Track & Field executive management.

The international landscape of track & field has been changing for at least the last decade, and much like USA Basketball, the Olympic selection process for track needs some minor modifications. I think some of the performance issues related issues were due to dead legs or fatigue in Beijing.

The process to provide for more recovery time after the grueling Olympic Trials must now be a priority. In order to earn a paycheck , a majority of Team USA ran in Europe at least several times after the Olympics Trials and before heading to Beijing.

The closing of the games feel as though something important is coming to the end. Something magical. Something we will have to wait another four years to see.

It's safe to say they do everything big in China. The 2008 Beijing Games displayed state-of-the art venues, a sense of history & culture, and amazing athletic performances that sometimes left you in utter disbelief.

The ball is in your court now, London.

By Jay Hicks.

Air Force 1 Closing Ceremonies By Nike

Nike seems to have thought of everything except for... signing Usain Bolt to the company. With that the closing ceremonies are about to begin at any moment now.

Nike Air Force 1 “Closing Ceremonies” is Nike's way of closing the games with a bang. It comes in a gold upper of course, along with a laser etched graphic all over the upper. The shoe as well as a special 080808 box will be released on August 25th.

By Jay Hicks.

U.S. Sets Olympic Record in 1,600-Meter Relay

-Beijing-The Team members were all smiles at the “Bird’s Nest” and why wouldn’t they be?

The winner of the 1,600-meter relay was never in doubt.

LaShawn Merritt (44.35) got the U.S. out to a comfortable lead before handing off to Angelo Taylor who blazed a 43.70 leg. On the third leg, David Neville added to the lead before Jeremy Wariner (43.16), nearly ran a 42 second anchor leg that added an exclamation point to the victory.

The team of LaShawn Merritt, the 400-meter champion, 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor, David Neville bronze winner and Wariner the 2004 gold medalist and 400 silver medalist recorded a time of 2:55.39 in Saturday's final.

The time was good enough to establish a new Olympic record, in an event that the U.S have dominated. The previous record of 2:55.74 was set by Americans Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson and Steve Lewis in 1992 at the Seoul Games. The U.S. continues a tradition of owning this event, having now won the 1,600-meter relay at the last seven straight Olympic Games.

Olympian Kerron Clement and former Baylor standout Reggie Witherspoon ran in the qualifying heats and also share in the Olympic gold.

That is not a bad way at all to close out the track and field events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

By Jay Hicks.

Sanya Richards Leads U.S. Women to 1,600-Meter Relay Victory

Relays performances often times tell you a great deal about an athlete. The biggest factor in running is not statistics or splits--it's heart.

Sanya Richards showed major heart when she got the stick seven meters behind Anastasia Kapachinskaya of Russia and quickly made up that ground in leading Team USA to victory.

The relay is the first gold medal for Richards and Allyson Felix at these games.

Mary Winberg (51.0), Allyson Felix (48.55), Monique Henderson (50.06), and Sanya Richards (48.93) brought home the gold in 3:18.55. It should also be noted that Natasha Hastings ran in the qualifying heat and will share in the gold medal victory.

By Jay Hicks.

Usain Bolt Reigns In Golden Era

-How PUMA put the smack down.

The images are everywhere on television and online of Usain Bolt wearing the Theseus II spikes by Puma. It serves as a painful reminder to the executives of Nike and Adidas that they have been beaten.

The first blow was the sight of Li Ning, China's former Olympic champion gymnast, circling the roof of the Bird's Nest stadium to light the Olympic flame wearing his own line of shoes. Bolt hammered the second blow.

Bolt created an iconic moment as he crossed the line and held up the Theseus II as he circled the stadium while basking in the crowd praise. The world will remember his gold shoes, golden laces, and golden upper and soles.

Not only that. Bolt won the most highly anticipated 100-meter race in modern history. The results are legendary.

Three gold medals. Three world records.

PUMA received more value without spending nearly as much money as Adidas (reportedly $200 million) and Nike. Adidas star athletes in Beijing were: Jeremy Wariner, Tyson Gay, Yao Ming, and Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Nike tried to make some noise in Beijing with LaShawn Merritt, Sanya Richards, Asafa Powell, and Liu Xiang. But no one shined as bright in Beijing as the 6 foot, five sprinter.

The Jamaican national team is sponsored by PUMA, but Bolt is only athlete who is individually signed to PUMA.

PUMA not only has the hottest track superstar on the planet, it has soundly beaten Nike and Adidas in the shoe war.

By Jay Hicks.

Jamaica Sprinting Inspires Kicks

Nike iD has refreshed their Dunk High’s and Low’s for the Fall 2008 collection.

The second pair feature a floral jaquard in white or black, and the third are based a hero from the Olympics, Jamaican runner Asafa Powell the former world record holder as the fastest man on Earth. The pattern borrows the Jamaican Flag colors and a cheetah pattern seen in Powell's custom Olympic spikes and makes a bold and bright Dunk High and low. Act quickly because availability is short. Nike iD Studios.



Via Kickaholic.

Bryan Clay Wins Decathalon, Becomes World's Greatest Athlete

-Beijing - The prestigious title of "World's Greatest All Around Athlete" belongs to Bryan Clay.

In past years, the event had star power. Remember the likes of Bruce Jenner, Jim Thorpe, Rafer Johnson, and Dan O'Brien becoming household names after winning the ten event competition? Bringing back gold almost guaranteed being featured on the front of the Wheaties box.

Well that is no longer the case.

NBC bypassed showing a major portion of the decathalon competition in order to air the BMX competition. Oh, how the sport and event have fallen from that pedastal.

So what that means is that millions of Americans saw very little of Clay's impressive performance. He brought the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" back to the U.S., something that has eluded Team USA since Dan O'Brien's victory in 1996.

Clay put forth one of the most dominant performances of a generation. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion led from the first event and opened up an insurmountable lead, while never relinquishing the top sport during the grueling two-day competition.

The 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2005 world champion, Clay finished with 8,791 points, including a solid 1,500 meter race to close out the competition.

“I hope the Wheaties box and all those types of things happen,” Clay said. “I’d love for this to be a spark for the decathlon and bring it back to the forefront of track and field.”

Bryan Clay is king now,” said Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, the world record holder and 2007 world champion who finished sixth, “and I was before. It was just about me giving him the crown for the next four years.”

By Jay Hicks.

U.S. Win Silver & Bronze In 110-Hurdles

Payne & Oliver Shine in Hurdles.

-Beijing-David Payne and David Oliver accomplished what they came to do.

The U.S. hurdlers had dreams of getting on the medal stand. And it wasn't an easy task while watching hurdling standouts Liu Xiang and Terrence Trammell, see their dreams end in the qualifying heats.

They stayed focused and kept their eyes on the prize. David Payne (13.17) earned silver, while Howard University alum David Oliver (13.18) captured the bronze. Cuba's Dayron Robles (12.93) won the gold.

It certainly was not easy, but the U.S. hurdlers achieved this on a day when both the men's and women's 400m relays dropped the baton in the wet conditions but then again that's what champions do.

By Jay Hicks.

Bolt Strikes For Third Gold Medal in 400M Relay

Is this the best team performance ever, for a nation of 1.8 million?

-Beijing-The good times kept rolling on Friday for Usain Bolt and the Jamaican national team. Bolt ran a lightening fast third leg that helped to crush the World Record previously held by the United States. The U.S. had poor hand offs and did not make the final.

The Jamaica squad was made up of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Bolt and Asafa Powell. Jamaica recorded 37.10, which improved on the record of 37.40 set by the U.S. relay team at the 1992 Olympics.

By Jay Hicks.

Bungled Handoffs Derail U.S. Relay Hopes

-Beijing - It was the worst thirty minutes of the Olympic Games for Team USA. The rain probably didn't help matters much and neither did the limited practice time typically committed to relay handoffs before the Olympics.

Somebody needs to find Tyson Gay and give him a hug. His Olympic Games were officially labeled a nightmare for the 2007 World Champion at 100 and 200-meters. Doc Patton's handoff to Tyson Gay on the anchor leg ended up bouncing around the track.

The bobbled exchanged between Torri Edwards to anchor leg Lauryn Williams was met the same result. Williams picked up the baton and finished the race, but it didn't count. Both U.S. teams were disqualified from their respective races.

This makes back-to-back Olympic Games that the women have dropped the baton. These results are a continuation of past errors that beg for a look at restructuring the Olympic team process.

USA Track and Fields needs to take a page out of the USA Basketball book because the current Olympic system dates back to the Cold War era and fails to represent the best that the country is capable of delivering.

By Jay Hicks.

New USA Track & Field Boss Sounds Off!

The past days of issues may be left behind. Bill Logan is not offering up any excuses or explanations about the baton drops by Team USA.

Logan is making a great first impression. In past, there have been inquiries (this blog included) about where the Olympic selection process fields the best possible team. The past answers have been "we have done it this way in the past and it has worked."

Well that is no longer the attitude. Here is what Logan had to say late last night.

"In the last week-plus of Olympic competition in track and field, perception and
reality have collided for Team USA.

The perception is that we've managed to muck up several key events. Some people have taken that "key event letdown" and applied it, somewhat unfairly, to the entire team.

The reality is that, at the close of competition Thursday night, we had 20 medals, which was
exactly twice that of the second-best team. We are likely to match our medal
total from the 1996 Olympics Games - one that was considered a huge success for
Team USA - and far exceed that of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Our women, in
particular, have done extremely well. They already have won eight medals, which
more than they won in all of '96 (seven), 2000 (four) and 2004 (six).

But we won't have nearly as many gold medals as we've won the last two
World Championships, and gold is what gets it done.

The other reality is, we could win the gold medal in every single track and field event, but if we
don't win a single thing in the sprints and relays, the public will view our performance as a disaster. When we drop the baton in back-to-back relay races, the public views our performance as a disaster.

The Olympics are about good timing, good luck, good preparation and good execution. All those things have to come together. There is no denying we have had more than our share of
bad luck. Several medal-contending athletes got hurt at or right before these
Games, but they're not the only ones. Think Liu Xiang, Susanna Kallur and Paula
Radcliffe. The public sometimes sees these things and sees only failure, rather
than the nature of the Games.

In the men's and women's 200, I'm not sure there was any stopping the Jamaican juggernaut, at least not when it comes to gold medals. Nobody from any country was going to beat 9.69 and 19.30. The women's 200 was won in the fastest time this century.

The relays and the overall perception of our weak points are another matter.

I have received emails from people across the country, particularly about the relays.
They all say more or less the same thing: the dropped batons were reflective of
a lack of preparation, lack of professionalism, and of leadership. I agree.
Dropping a baton isn't bad luck, it's bad execution. Responsibility for the
relay debacle lies with many people and many groups, from administration to
coaches to athletes. That's why, when these Games are completed, we will conduct
a comprehensive review of all our programs. It will include assessments from
inside and outside the USATF family, and included in the assessment will be the
way in which we select, train and coach our relays.

Ultimately, the athletes on the track are the only ones who can successfully pass the stick
around the track. But they need the proper leadership and preparation. These are
professional athletes who are the best in their field, and anybody who ever ran
a high school relay cringes when that baton hits the track. It reminds me of NBA
players who have horrendous free-throw percentages. All it takes is repetition,
preparation and focus to make a free throw. The same goes for baton-passing. As
an organization, we owe it to our athletes to provide the preparation they need
to succeed. We will do everything we can to figure out what went wrong and to
make sure it doesn't happen again.

In the next three days, I will watch the remainder of track competition as a fan and as the person responsible for leading the programs that produce the World's #1 Track & Field Team.

When the men's marathon concludes on Sunday, we'll still be the World's #1 Team in
terms of medal count. We can be a much better team. And we will be."

Doug Logan is CEO of USA Track & Field. To read more of his Shin Splints blogs, click here.

Reprinted with permission from USA Track and field.

Merritt Wins Big Over Wariner In U.S. 400 Sweep

Merritt Upset Wariner's Effort to Win Gold

-Beijing-LaShawn Merritt did something that many weren't sure he could pull off. He upset defending Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.

As I have written, in the past it has been Wariner the runner putting up the race of his life to win big in August. This time it was a brilliant race by Merritt at the perfect time that drew the world's attention.

Only four runners, have bested the 43.75 that Merritt blazed in the finals. Wariner came off the turn in the lead but faded big time down the stretch finishing second in 44.70.

David Neville clocked 44.80 seconds and secured Team U.S.A. the bronze.

By Jay Hicks.