First off, props to those who delivered: Emma Coburn within a second of her American record, while the 2 Kenyans in 1st & 2nd straddle 9-flat. Elijah Manangoi & Ronald Kwemoi battle for the line with both them & Timothy Cheruiyot going sub-3:50. Christian Taylor & Will Claye both over 18 meters in the triple jump. Four guys over 21m in the shot put, Ryan Crouser well over 22m. Maria Lasitskene wins the high jump in 2.03. Where is she from? I have no idea what country code ANA is. Regardless, women's high jump is hot, and she was over 2m. Other solid performances here & there, but those were my favorites.
Now, on to the wtf's.
Silas Kiplagat: 3:57.59 for 12th?
Asbel Kiprop: 3:58.24 for 13th?
Okay, maybe the jet lag got to them...but, then again, 5 other Kenyans were sub-3:54 in that race, 3 of them sub-3:50. Hmmm.
Nobody but LaShawn Merritt goes sub-45 in the 400??
Justin Gatlin goes 9.97 for 5th...with a +2.4 wind in his favor? Downright spanked by Ronnie Baker (9.86).
Ben True: 13:28 for 22nd?
Chris Derrick: 13:33 for 24th?
Molly Huddle: 15:09 for 8th?
Molly said she was coming down from altitude. Were Ben & Chris doing the same?
Renaud Lavillenie: 5.81m. Was it windy? I'd like to see his scorecard. Did he try for 5.91 on his last attempt & miss?
Last, but definitely not least:
Jenny Simpson: 4:04.16 for 8th?
Shannon Rowbury: 4:04.69 for 9th?
Some of the foreigners might deserve a pass on jet lag, but were all those Americans training in Europe or Africa, too? I doubt it. Anyone have any insight on any of the lackluster performances?