World Champs withdrawals

[pegleg]

Quite a few already:

Jana Pittman, Ionela Tirlea, Jolanda Cpelak, Jan Zelezny, Asafa Powell, Phillips Idowu, Paul Burgess, Svetlana Feofanova, Wilson Kipketer, Hicham El Guerrouj, Alice Timbilil, Nathan Deakes (20kmW).

Anyone else...?

[The Ginger Vet]

Shame about the withdrawals, but I'm looking forward to a very interesting championships - hopefully we can come away with some medals and silence some of the critics.

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Kelly Holmes.

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Kelly Holmes.

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Paula's main marathon rival... Mizuki Noguchi.

[The Ginger Vet]

Chris Rawlinson - a shame as I was looking to see the Rotherham Rocket actually make it round

[Beatrix Kiddo]

did anyone see the article by john rawling in the Guardian on Monday, saying no one had any interest in the championships because of all the withdrawals? It was a bit OTT. Everyone will be glued to it on telly this weekend, I'm sure...

[The Ginger Vet]

agree the withdrawals haven't helped the profile in the media - you can be sure there would be more column inches written if Kelly Holmes was there - but Paula is still a big attraction - especially after her Athens experience.

[pegleg]

True, and with most of the British withdrawals, I'm just left thinking "is it that big a loss....?" (not naming names of course )

[Laura of Barnet]

Brits historically perform well with their backs to the wall. What price five British medals from Paula Radcliffe, men's 4x100, men's 4x400m, Sotherton and Douglas watch out too for Benjamin.

[pegleg]

Bekele has withdrawn from the 5000m

[Bryn R]

I reckon Benjamin has got a great chance this year, be interesting to see if he can make the final. At the very least he stands a decent chance of getting a new PB and proving himself against the world's best. Needs to maintain the form that let him gain a win over Wariner

[Timmins]

i dont tune in to watch just cos paula is running or kelly, i just love watching athletics and our withdrawls does not affect me watching it

[slowcoach]

Brits historically perform well with their backs to the wall. What price five British medals from Paula Radcliffe, men's 4x100, men's 4x400m, Sotherton and Douglas watch out too for Benjamin.

A million to one?

Benjamin has at least 3 tough races, a bit different from the one-off GP races. At this stage, I have no faith in PR. Maybe she'll prove me wrong. The relays are unpredictable and competitive, but I expect Sotherton to medal, and maybe Douglas, too. See if he can handle the pressure.

[Greysubfour]

You can only compete against what is there. I attended the 1960 Olympics as a kid. We won one gold medal in the 50K walk. It was a terrific week. If you love athletics, you love the sport not JUST British gold.

[pegleg]

You can only compete against what is there. I attended the 1960 Olympics as a kid. We won one gold medal in the 50K walk. It was a terrific week. If you love athletics, you love the sport not JUST British gold.

Well said.