Taking bronze in a strong field, only a tenth from silver (Mo) and steps from gold. That has to be considered a great result no matter what.
But Chelimo is the Olympic silver medalist and expectations are very high. Also, the fact that he was so close to silver and clearly a threat for gold, leaves us to ask what might have been. So how do you grade his race?
I'd give him an A-. I'd say we couldn't ask much more from him.
1. He had the guts to go out hard and see if the field would let him go, and the smarts to realize they weren't letting him go, sit back and conserve energy.
2. He didn't do much of his previous flailing around or knocking into people, despite a very bunched-up tactical race.
3. He was in ok position as the race heated up -- it was hard because he was a bit boxed in on the inside for a long time. Maybe he could have done a little bit better with positioning?
4. I think he mentally gave up a little bit the last 50m when he saw he wasn't going to win. It looked like he lost a little fire in his step and that might have been the difference between silver and bronze.
Discus.