London Grand Prix

[petersmith]

I am really looking forward to the athletics at Crystal Palace this weekend, especially the Gay/Powell clash, but how fast do you reckon they can run in good conditions? Also looking forward to Mr Idowu, says he can jump 18.40, I feel that is slightly ambitious from the 29 year old but I think a world record is within his reach. Any thoughts?

[Javelin Sam]

you say that Idow is being ambitious about saying he can jump 18.40m yet you reckon he can do a WR.. well 18.40m is only 11cm better than the WR.. it's not far.. it's not like we are talking 11cm on the HJ record....

[Patriot]

I'd like Idowu to do well - but he hasn't even cleared 17.70 yet (outdoors), so he is still over half a metre away from the WR. Such talk is dangerous. I'd sooner he stopped that and concentrating on winning at the Games (where I'd be quite happy for him to jump 16.29 if it took gold).

[Maza1987]

If conditions are absolutely perfect, the genius of Gay can run a 9.75.
I think this race has come alittle too early for asafa and he wont win it.

Btw, I doubt the conditions will be perfect, and the time will most likely be nearer 9.86 or something around there.

Moreover, Bolt in the 200m is gonna be great. Another 19.75 or something from him if conditions permit.

Also, looking forward to mens and womens 400m metres for obvious reasons.

[nevetssllim]

I am really looking forward to the athletics at Crystal Palace this weekend, especially the Gay/Powell clash, but how fast do you reckon they can run in good conditions? Also looking forward to Mr Idowu, says he can jump 18.40, I feel that is slightly ambitious from the 29 year old but I think a world record is within his reach. Any thoughts?

But Jonathan Edwards was in his late 20s when he broke the world-record. Age is pretty much irrelevant because he is having the season of his life, although I do think the WR is quite ambitious. However, 18m is possible - he jumped 17.58m at the trials and was some 20-25cm behind the board and the conditions weren't the greatest.

I'm going to the Palace for the 2nd time this year (already done the Birmingham Indoors, World Indoors and European Cup this year) and cannot wait! I have the best possible seats as well.

[Sotomayor]

Just looking at the updated start lists, no simeon williamson anymore, any1 no y our number 1 isnt running?

[nevetssllim]

The start-lists are depleting very rapidly indeed - no Vlasic, Spotakova, Saladino, Bekele, Jackson and not Scott and Twell in the w1500m

[Sportsman29]

Steph Twell is now in the womens 3000m

[Maza1987]

Steph Twell is now in the womens 3000m

good news.

and where are you getting the lineups?

[muscroft5.freeserve.co.uk]

Nothing unusual with a goodly number of withdrawals, at this particular time before the the OG. if I had a pound for every meet I have been to ,and heard...''The following are non starters'' I would be a rich man.

I am sure there will be other withdrawals. The marketing boys always disappoint the punters.

[Maza1987]

yep.
Tyson's out too

[muscroft5.freeserve.co.uk]

And Robles is out.!!!

[Maza1987]

And Robles is out.!!!

what!

I may aswell not bother watching.lol

[muscroft5.freeserve.co.uk]

No Kwakye, as well as Williamson.

It would appear that our nationally rated athletes are granted the perfect excuse; the OG is too near. Interesting to note that area few world class athletes who will be at CP this w/e.

The fans here see little enough decent elite standard athletics involving world class athletes, because its so much easier to do your best performances away from this country.

Anyway, our athletes, generally speaking, are not able to get GL status.

It must have been really tough for our sprinters to actually perform in the Trials.

Why do our athletes frequently do one or two days of hard training followed by some injury??

[lsabre]

Some people have to realise that many athletes are far too beware of getting late injuries just a month before the Olympics, no matter what their nationality is, because there is hardly going to be time enough for them to get back into shape.
Steve Cram paid dearly that one race too many at Rieti three weeks before the 1988 Olympics while in great form and hot favourite to win gold that season, getting injured. He did made Seoul but nowhere near that form.
Of course, it's not rather fair for spectators but it's an ugly truth we have to respect. Still, I have no doubt that we're going to see plenty of exciting performances over this couple of days, both from British and overseas athletes.

[lsabre]

Great runs by the two juniors in the B Men's 400m with Nigel Levine setting a big SB of 46.40 and Louis Persent a substantial new PB of 46.71 secs. A shame for the former to hit form a few weeks too late as concerns the World Junior Champs.
There is some headwind down the home straight by the way...

[Sotomayor]

whos the guy doin the interviews lol?

[Kermit]

believe it or not Soto he is the BBC's boxing correspondent, but BBC no longer do boxing which is a shame becuase Britain is sending 8 boxers to the games. Those who know british boxing are waxing lyrical over the 8 and are saying that at least 6 medals will be won.

[lsabre]

Kelly Sotherton goes out to a superb 6.79m PB in the long jump, a huge confidence booster for the Heptathlon in Beijing and fancy that; it's an A standard in the event as well! Well done!

[Kermit]

I am very impressed with Badley's run AND his attitude. I hope he does well at the Games.

[lsabre]

I agree Kermit on Andy Baddeley, he ran a superb race and he is looking all the way like a potential medallist in Beijing.

But concerning some controversial non-selections, what about Mike East's 5th in 3.55.54 just shy of Craig Mottram and ahead of Tom Lancashire - who also had a very good race. How can anyone justify now his omission from the Olympic team, having the A standard? I said that something was wrong with him at the UK Trials, and today's display shows what a huge mistake has been made...

[Sotomayor]

orte cheers kermit.....learn sumin new everyday.......n ye im not the biggest middle distance brainbox, but did they take someone else instead of East or did they jst decide not to take him? If thats the case that is perfetic even if he did have a bad race they might aswell fill in the spaces no harm would be done and he could he even produce the goods, i hope the selectors are kicking themselves now

[lsabre]

No Soto, there are going to be two Britons in Beijing, Andy Baddeley and Tom Lancashire...

[Kermit]

I know this is slightly off thread, but I just had to let you all know. In the small hours of the morning I was alerted to a piece of software that allows you to watch/listen to a verity of tv/radio stations from around the world. One of those is the NRK station that we tune into to watch the Golden League. Another being ESPN.

For further details on how to get your hands on it please mail me.

[usedtoit33]

Great runs by the two juniors in the B Men's 400m with Nigel Levine setting a big SB of 46.40 and Louis Persent a substantial new PB of 46.71 secs. A shame for the former to hit form a few weeks too late as concerns the World Junior Champs.
There is some headwind down the home straight by the way...

I still say those 2 should've been named in the 4x400 team, not Garland or Strachan. In a team where only 2 men have broken 46 seconds more than once this season, you're better blooding your talent when you've no chance of a medal.

[Kermit]

You have no argument from me on that used

[Kermit]

wow what a cock up with the 3rd set of hurdles

[usedtoit33]

That must be really embarrassing for the organisers. Quite funny to watch though!

[Sotomayor]

Mason just cleared 2.31

[Kermit]

The 400 was a bit disappointing and the splits showed it. Am glad that both Christine & Nicola felt that way as well. Both girls look in good shape, perhaps another 1% bodyfat loss wouldn't go a miss come the start of the qualifying rounds.