Emily Freeman 400 m

[ldnbloke]

Many posters will be happy with the news Emily Freeman is moving up to 400 to strengthen the relay squad. How fast can she go in her first season?

[Sportsman29]

I saw that she was down to compete over 400m at the trials so did wonder whether she woud be making the move up in distance this year.

I would say that she will do more than just strengthen the relay squad and could well be in the 400m individual.

Ohurugou/Freeman/Shakes-Drayton/Sanders to medal in Daegu please

[Geoff]

A good move for Emily with every chance it will succeed. Our challenge is to keep everyone healthy and then we have a chance of medals in Daegu and London. Good luck to her.

Linked to this are discussions we've had over a long period about athletes changing events. It seems some are very reluctant to experiment perhaps because they have been lottery funded for one particular event or there is little incentive to move. It seems things are a little different now with Freeman moving up and some athletes being persuaded to turn their attentions to steeplechase. The latter has still to recover from decision not to take qualified athletes to the Olympics.

It does seem that anyone who meets the qualifying standards subject to numbers per event will be selected for London. An early selection policy for endurance athletes and multi eventers is on the UKA website and says IAAF standards will not be changed. We have to give incentives for athletes at all levels including those just below the elite level and couldn't understand making selection so tough that many thought of giving up. I remember the old dual international matches including 3 a side ones against France which gave a real incentive to those ranked in the top 5 or 6 in the country including those in our weaker events. Perhaps we are realising that competing for your country is as big an incentive as lottery funding?

Sorry I digressed!

[SteveK26]

Just to play devils advocate, will her decision damage the prospects of the short relay? With Kwakye back and Williams progressing , the 4x100 could be about to step up substantially over what they have achieved in recent years.

I certainly think she can achieve more over 400, provided her body stands the test.

Good luck to her in any event, and it will be very interesting to see what she can do. A good year to experiment.

[TheRealSub10]

She moved last year but got injured during the transition so you never saw her compete at the quarter.

[sidelined]

If she's got injury problems, is the extra work the 400 demands actually a good idea?

[Sportsman29]

Looks like she is down to make her debut at 400m in a GB vest at the Glasgow Indoor International on the 29th.

[Ivanski]

Its getting crowded for the likes of Sotherton, innit?!

[Oleg]

I agree, I think Sotherton will regret choosing the softer option and trying to make the 2012 Olympics as a relay member - I don't think she will make the cut. She could have qualified for the heptathlon I guess but wouldn't have been on the podium so the relay seemed like the best option. Maybe she will make it as a squad member who runs the heat?

[paulouk83]

Freeman

this excites me I hope this is Kathy Merry Part II... Im sure she can run 50-51 given her 200 speed

Sotherton

Stop writing her off, why would she regret this move, its injuries that are stopping her doing teh heptathlon and she wants to be in that stadium in 2012! She is good enough to get out in the heats of the 4x400 if not the final, Sotherton ran 50.3 with no core 400 training in a relay! Thats amazing, she is someone who can do a good leg thus saving faster girls for the final, i'd have her with 400 training on a leg any day over Barr/Okoro! If Kelly was younger she'd probably try 400 hurdles again. But lets not forget she ran the fastest time indoors over 400m in the uk at the end of a 3 event multi event. This girl can run 51-52! Rosolova is running 50s and she lost by someway to Kelly indoors Kelly has a faster 200 than Rosolova! Kelly knows what shes doing!

[paul]

I have nothing sensible to say.
It's just good to be back.

[mump boy]

This is really exciting news for the 4x4 and maybe for the individual and there is no reason why she can't still run great leg for the 4x1 as well there are many people who have competed in both including Gwen Torrence, Irina Privalova and Allyson Felix

With Lee, Kelly, Maz also in the running things are lookig very good

We still have the eternal problem of who to put on first leg though

[ldnbloke]

Now, Sanders and Ohurougu in the final plus two of PSD, Sotherton, McConnell and Freeman who would be in the SF or any other combo - barring injuries that should be a medal. Mind you USA, JAM and RUS will all be there...

[paul]

If Freeman really gets the hang of it, then
Freeman, Sanders, Ohuruogu
should be just enough to hand over to PSD with a small lead over Felix.
Felix would burn past PSD on the straight and PSD would dig in around the bend.
Eyeballs out down the home straight.
I'd back PSD to win the eyeballs out contest, Akabusi style.
So. Gold Medal.

[sidelined]

But if Sanders gets back to her best, wouldn't you put her on the anchor? She ran 48 something when she overtook the Russian just before the line, when the team won world bronze and set the British record. PSD doesn't have as much experience yet.

[mump boy]

But if Sanders gets back to her best, wouldn't you put her on the anchor? She ran 48 something when she overtook the Russian just before the line, when the team won world bronze and set the British record. PSD doesn't have as much experience yet.

Nicola should always be 4th

The eternal problem we have is who's going to run first leg i don't think we have anyone capable of running 50 which is what is needed. In form Nicola and Christing have the potential to run 48's on a later leg and Perri can run 49 but who ...can run 50 first leg ??

The first leg is always considered slower and people often fail to replicate their individual times in the relay (gwen ran 49 in 93 and she was a novice 400m runner so there is no reason why it can't be done) do runners train specifically to run this leg, practice with the different stagger etc ?? if not they should

[paul]

But if Sanders gets back to her best, wouldn't you put her on the anchor? She ran 48 something when she overtook the Russian just before the line, when the team won world bronze and set the British record. PSD doesn't have as much experience yet.

I used to think that. But if you put Sanders in 5m down on Felix on the last leg it is just asking too much, even for her.
For GB to win gold, one of the wild cards has to do something special. Spending the bona fide 400m runners on the earlier legs is my way of setting up the circumstances for that to happen.

But I admit I am thinking of the Olympics here. This year is the experience-gaining year. Any medal at the WCs would be fine.

[paulouk83]

When does freeman first race? Anyone know if Kelly is running indoors?

[jambob]

When does freeman first race? Anyone know if Kelly is running indoors?

Kelly is down as accepting 400m invite for Euro Trials. Freeman on the list on invitees but not accepted as yet.

[jjimbojames]

If Freeman really gets the hang of it, then
Freeman, Sanders, Ohuruogu
should be just enough to hand over to PSD with a small lead over Felix.
Felix would burn past PSD on the straight and PSD would dig in around the bend.
Eyeballs out down the home straight.
I'd back PSD to win the eyeballs out contest, Akabusi style.
So. Gold Medal.

I would imagine the USA will keep their 'Allyson 2nd, Sanya 4th combo' for the next couple of years, and I'd rather Nicola against Sanya

To be honest, Christine either needs to prove her worth on a relay this year, or face getting dropped from it. I can see McConnell, Freeman and Sotherton all with potential to get into low-mid 50s, and if they do so consistently, they will be on that first leg. Nicola and PSD are givens if in shape, which makes it difficult to justify Christine, unless she's prepared to push herself and run faster than the other girls.

Olympic Champion or not, I'm not convinced CVC is sacrificing a medal to keep her happy

[paul]

If Freeman really gets the hang of it, then
Freeman, Sanders, Ohuruogu
should be just enough to hand over to PSD with a small lead over Felix.
Felix would burn past PSD on the straight and PSD would dig in around the bend.
Eyeballs out down the home straight.
I'd back PSD to win the eyeballs out contest, Akabusi style.
So. Gold Medal.

I would imagine the USA will keep their 'Allyson 2nd, Sanya 4th combo' for the next couple of years, and I'd rather Nicola against Sanya

Fair enough on the USA running order but it doesn't make any difference. You don't want to race either having given them a 5m start.

To be honest, Christine either needs to prove her worth on a relay this year, or face getting dropped from it. I can see McConnell, Freeman and Sotherton all with potential to get into low-mid 50s, and if they do so consistently, they will be on that first leg. Nicola and PSD are givens if in shape, which makes it difficult to justify Christine, unless she's prepared to push herself and run faster than the other girls.

Olympic Champion or not, I'm not convinced CVC is sacrificing a medal to keep her happy

Very interesting point. But if a fit TBO is ever dropped I will eat my bobble-cap.

[jjimbojames]

Very interesting point. But if a fit TBO is ever dropped I will eat my bobble-cap.

You're probably right, as they may be clinging to the hope that she will come and run the 48.high/49.flat of which she should be capable, but she's already mentioned herself about Berlin and not getting the leg she asked for. CVC had no other options in 2007, but looks likely to have a few in 2011...

[1937]

So thats settled then.. a Gold medal in the 4x400 in London.
Seriously, Sanders is not known for her general 100% fitness ; McConnell has never really done as well as some of us expected. We will see soon enough, maybe, at Daegu whether Sotherton can run in a Relay in the mid 50 secs;PSD looks like the real business and will be an invaluable member of the team. CO ? well lets hope her relay runs are a little more helpful than on previous occasions; Freeman is the most intriguing one of a potential team for this and next year.

[Flumpy]

To be honest, Christine either needs to prove her worth on a relay this year, or face getting dropped from it. I can see McConnell, Freeman and Sotherton all with potential to get into low-mid 50s, and if they do so consistently, they will be on that first leg. Nicola and PSD are givens if in shape, which makes it difficult to justify Christine, unless she's prepared to push herself and run faster than the other girls.

Olympic Champion or not, I'm not convinced CVC is sacrificing a medal to keep her happy

I've been saying this for a while. Completely agree. I love TBO but it's like she just can't be bothered in the relay and therefore shouldn't be there.

[speedyg2012]

Does Freeman have any official indoors/ouitdoors 400m times?

Should be interesting what she does this season.

[SteveK26]

Since this topic has inevitably turned in part to W4x400, I'd like to add a word of reservation. I dont think that GB yet will be able to challenge USA or Russia; not enough strength in depth. One significant injury to the likely top 4(CO, P S-D, NS and Emily)will surely scupper our chances. Lee ( much as she has been a stalwart in the past) is not going to get any better, and some of the other names mentioned are nowhere near world class.
Too much emphasis on top four, one of whom will almost certainly not get through the season if history is anything to go by.

[hemlock]

That's a good point Steve. But if Kelly Sotherton is fit and concentrating on the 400, don't you think there is a chance she could be a solid reserve (at very least)? There is arguably more evidence of potential for her than there is for Emily.

[SteveK26]

Hemlock
I'm a big Kelly fan, and her 200 and 800 performances would lead us to believe she is/was capable of a very respectable 400.
My concern would be that she too is injury-prone, and (maybe) past her best. If she could run 51.something then she would be a valuable asset to the squad. I'd love to see that happen, and keep her going on to the Olympics.
Dont get me wrong, I think the likely quartet GB may put out this year will be a very good squad.....but good enough to beat USA or Russia? The Jamaicans will have a good squad as well, just to add to our problems!
I'll just hope for the best, and am certainly looking forward to see what Emily can do.

[mump boy]

I don't think anyone is being entirely serious about beating US and RUS but at least we could be in contention this year and anything can happen in a relay.

Lee can always be counted on for a 50 leg in the relay both Maz and Kelly have run 50 before as well. Jenny, Vicki and Eilidh could all be used in heats as well to keep the big guns fresh (they may even be faster then Kelly or Emily who we are judging on expectation not on anything concrete yet)

What is very positive is that for the first time since the early 90's team of Sally. Phillis and Linda we have a team with 3 people who we will expecet to run under 50 legs and another who could run a 50.

Will this actually happen ? but it's a good position to be in at the begining of a season

[BigGut]

I for one can't wait to see how Emily and Kelly go. They both have the potential to run excellent legs, I would personally select Emily on leg 1 if her times get her onto the team. She should be the best from blocks and have the smallest diferential for not having a rolling start.