Archived Homepage For July 31, 2021
Archived Homepage For July 31, 2021
The Olympics Have Started
The Olympics Have Started

Full LetsRun.com recap. Barega outkicked a ton of guys in contention at the bell, including Grant Fisher of the US, as Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo got silver and bronze respectively.

Day 1 Tokyo Track and Field Recap and Video Show: Ethiopia is Baack, Barega Wins, Grant Fisher 5th

Most of the major favorites advanced to the semifinals including all 3 Americans led by an impressive Clayton Murphy. The stellar women's 400m hurdles also got underway.
*LRC Nijel Amos, the “last man standing” from historic 2012 Olympic final, starts quest for his first Olympic gold with a solid opening round win Amos, who has twice run 1:41 for 800, says he's recently done some "impossible" training sessions as he strives for his first global gold.

Saturday AM US Viewing Guide
Time (East)SEXEVENTTV/ Stream
6:10MLong JumpStream here
6:15W100 Metres SemiPeacock, stream here
6:45M100 Metres R1Peacock, stream here
7:15MDiscus Throw FinalStream here
7:50W800 Metres SemiPeacock, stream here
8:35X4x400 Metres RelayPeacock, stream here
8:50W100 MetresPeacock, stream here

The Olympic action got started this morning and it was full of drama as the US, Kenyan and Ethiopian champs in the men's steeple all failed to make the final. Benard Keter will be the only American in Monday’s steeple final but Canada has two guys in it. In the sprints, we learned the Tokyo track is FAST as in the women’s 100, 6 women broke 11, led by Marie Josee Ta Lou’s 10.78 African record.

Tokyo Drama / COVID Crap
Tokyo Drama / COVID Crap

The former Commonwealth champion from Nigeria tested positive for HGH.

The Tokyo 100m Races Should Be Great
$$$

Want to get rich? Read this. Four years ago, if you followed our favorite picks, you earned a ridiculous 80.2% on your money. Here we tell you how you can bet total studs Joshua Cheptegei, Jakob Kiplimo and Lamecha Girma, plus Kenyan Trials champ Michael Saruni and win 61.69% if any of them wins.

Now COVID Comes For Track And Field
Olympic Sprint Stuff
More Olympic Previews
More Olympic Previews

Our Jonathan Gault thinks an upset is in the cards and picks Josh Kerr to win it.

Only Seb Coe (1980 and 1984) and Tatyana Kazankina (1976 and 1980) have ever repeated as Olympic 1500 champs. Faith Kipyegon hopes the exclusive club increases in size by 50% this year. *Discuss

The GOAT David Rudisha will not be in Tokyo, which means we will have a new Olympic champion in 2021. Can world leader Nijel Amos finally get it done on the big stage? If not, this race is wide open. *Discuss

Three women in the field have won global titles but none have ever won Olympic gold. This should be a great one. *Discuss

Previous Olympic Previews
Previous Olympic Previews

2016 medalists Conseslus KiprutoEvan Jager, and Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad are all absent, as is the 2019 Diamond League champ, Getnet Wale. Is this finally the year when Kenya's dominance (nine straight men's Olympic steeple titles) comes to an end? *Discuss

Only seven women have won three individual Olympic golds in their career. Hassan is trying to do that in the span of nine days. *Discuss

    In the history of the Olympics, only two American women have ever won Olympic gold in an event longer than 400. Could 19-year old Athing Mu make it 3? Yes she can. *Discuss

    This Drama is Fascinating and Important

    The Ethiopian Olympic federation wants its stars in Tokyo - Girma and Edris may be running despite not finishing top 3 at the Trials. Might the GOAT Kenenisa Bekele be next?

    Rojo and Wejo Both Agree - This Is The Best Piece Jonathan Gault Has Ever Written

    Before you can climb the Olympic podium, you have to survive the call room. "There’s a real stench of BO," says Nick Symmonds. "There’s a smell of Bengay in the air. It’s kind of musty. You don’t want to be in a call room a long time. The goal is to be in the call room as little as possible."

    Doping News

    Switzerland's anti-doping agency had cleared Wilson of his positive test from March, accepting his story that it came from eating contaminated beef, but World Athletics appealed to CAS which ruled to reinstate his provisional suspension.
    *MB: Alex Wilson - who ran European record 9.84 out of nowhere - tests positive but AIU turns down his "Jamaican beef" Ajee Wilson excuse

    Another Ban For Salazar

    This ban comes after accusations Mary Cain made in 2019 that Salazar verbally and emotionally abused her. This is not the same as a doping ban and Salazar would still be eligible to coach in most settings, but not at USATF events. He has 10 days to appeal.

    (Sponsored by On)

    Jake Riley's rise to the top of the US marathoning world has not been an easy one. He's got his sights set even higher in Tokyo.

    The Olympic Distance Roster
    Sunset Tour

    Josette Norris's great 2021 continued as she defeated Konstanze "Koko" Klosterhalfen, who returned from injury to race before the Olympics. Festus Lagat went sub-1:45 for the first time to win the 800.

    Compete in the Olympics and Never Return Home?

    Luis Gijalva got his waiver and can go to Tokyo for the Olympics.

    Distance News

    Your latest American stars share their insights.

    Three legends of the sport.

    One of the greatest US runners ever.

    We chatted with Frank on the 50th anniversary of his Olympic Marathon gold

    American Record Holders
    American Record Holders

    Keira D'Amato, the new American record holder in the marathon, was joined by Deena Kastor, who held the record for 15 years.

    Sisson was the guest on the LetsRun.com Track Talk podcast after she became the first American to go sub 67 in the half marathon on a record-eligible course. Podcast highlights above. Full pod here.

    Woody Kincaid joined us after he broke the American record indoors at 5000. He talks above why he left the Bowerman Track Club. Podcast highlights and link to full podcast here.

    Coogan's New Balance Boston team had 3 Olympians in 2021 and 2022 could be the biggest year yet for the program with 2 new additions and the TRACK at New Balance coming on March 1st.

    Danny Mackey has taken the Brooks Beasts from an unproven club to the Olympic podium in its first decade.

    Dathan Ritzenhein is the first of the top pro coaches to sit down and talk about his club heading into the 2022 campaign.

    Best of Jon Gault
    Best of Jon Gault
    Embed from Getty Images
    Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level
    Take Your Love of LetsRun to the Next Level