Speed Kills wrote:
The IAAF has Silva as #8 and Webb as #11. Both ran 3:32-point going into the Olympics.
But what was Silva doing when he was 21?
Advantage Webb.
First, you may understand that IAAF rankings this doesn´t mean nothing. El Guerrouj - he would change all IAAF ranking top 1 for a gold olympic medal. What i´m saying it that for Rui Silva the target goal season that´s medals in Continental Champs, World Champs, or Olympics indoor or outdoor what he did both, and also in 2 distances 1500m and 3000m.
Why do you think that since a long ago almost every year they break world records in Olympic ditsnce events (800m to the marathon) and why do you think that the same contenders, they don´t broke a world record in the Olympics since 1976 Montreal Olimpics. 28 years ago! The runner that did it a last time it was Andrees Garderud from Sweden in the 3000m steeple. Why do you think that this happens, since a long ago that ther´s no WR in the olympics in running distance events? Let me ask: because in the olympics all the best try to be there in their best shape BUT all want to win, that´s a true competition since the gun shoot, that´s not a somewhere meeting in Golden League. In the meetings not all the best are there. There are there those who did an invitation and THOSE who have good managers that manage an acess to those meeting competitions.
Do you think that if all world top runners do have free acess to all meeting that Alan Webb did this season that he will have that same place classification that he did in that meeting? or that he will do 3:32 in that meetings, if ther´s no pacemakers? The answer is in the Athenes olympics...
Now, another detail, what´s IAAF rankings? With your brillant conclusion "Advantage Webb" based on criteria Alan Webb will be in a top place classification in 2004 Track and Field News magazine than Rui Silva - ther´s a real chance, but the real goal tagets - olimpic medals, world medals, world champion - that´s Rui business and not Web, that he is doing that since a long ago, since 21 years old, and we are still waiting for Webb...
Another ridicoulos idea that´s "What was Silva doing with 21 yeras old, AdvantageWebb ?" You may send that idea to the Olympic Comitee, and in the future ther will be "Olympic medals by the age".
The Finn site that you mention Tala....that´s out of date !
If you are intersted in knowing a littel bit about Rui go to
http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/athlete=50437/BioPopUp.htmlBut even that IAAF one that´s not correct. Rui did 7:38 in 3000m and also 13:19 in 5000m.
Rui did win JUST European Champs, World Champs, European medals, world medals and Olympics medals=6 medals total. And he did win also golden league meetings. he did win a 1500m indoor world champ winning over Bernard Lagat among other.
Alan Webb, as far as i know ZERO.
PS- What would you say for Carlos Lopes an olymopic winner at 37 years old ! With 21 years old his PB that´s 4:01 in 1500m !
This Carlos Lopes don´t deserve a medal so old he did that.