Gail Devers, awful TV analyst

Gail Devers was a great athlete. She should leave it at that. It’s cringe-worthy to hear her totally empty commentary.

She barely speaks unless prompted by the British guy and none of what she says provides expert analysis, insight or even colour.

surely there’s someone better.

Take away the coaches, international fans and the old geezers in attendance, and your fan base isn't very big. It is a disappearing act.

Damn. I must be the only person here who loves her. Sure, Mr Walker is the main commentator, but as a sidekick/foil, I enjoy Miss/Mrs Devers's low key but highly informed approach. I'm sick of track commentators trying to be THE BE ALL END ALL. She is smart, low key, and pertinent.

Sue me.

Informed? Repeating that guys got out well and nailed their starts doesn't take a genius to figure out.

I'm just glad she's alive with all the sh¡t she took back in the day.

Ato Bolden is the best analyst of any sport in the world bar none.

I'll take it over listening to the God awful national broadcast

Gail’s commentary on any sprint event appears to be limited to “[he]/[she] [did]/[didn’t] get out”. Although the BBC coverage tends to spend too much time profiling athletes and doing glossy interviews instead of showing the actual events, at least they have commentators who actually add value to the event!

I think the team of Tim Hutchins and Steve Cram are the best track announcers in the world today. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and entertaining with little quips like, “He’s keeping his powder dry”.

I also like Kara Goucher but I think she’s spent too much time around Sonya Richards- Ross. Her insight is good but she seems too scripted.

He is not. He has dirt on many PED guys and won't tell on them.

Nah, you're not alone. I thought she was delightful and interesting and had good chemistry with the Brit. I'm surprised to see the negative reactions.

I'm sensing sarcasm (I hope). She barely speaks and when she does she repeats what he says- "She DID" "It WILL" .....
The only thing I credit it her for is keeping quiet.

It's obvious she didn't prepare. If you don't know anything about Middle Distance events, then you study. It's not like they called her the day before and said they needed someone tomorrow!

She's got great rapport going with Hannah England right now during the heptathlon LG/Jav. No great analyst or anything, but Devers seems much more comfortable than the first day.

I havent had a massive problem with Devers since the first day when she just didn't talk. She's not adding a ton, but at least was more comfortable and engaging since. However, it is malpractice if they put her on tonight instead of Hannah England with the women's 1500 and men's steeple on the schedule. I mean come on, this is completely obvious.

Did Kara mention that she had her mouth closed?

Hmmm... you must not have heard many analysts. He's really good, don't get me wrong. But I'd say the Aussie female commentator's far better. She has insight into running, jumping, and throwing. Michael Smith from Canada, retired decathlete, is also fantastic. Maybe less glamourous than Ato, but he can dissect any event. He's great.

Devers is nice and relaxed, but adds nothing. "He got out... he really got out...". "Yes he did...", Yes, you're right, she will...".

Ummm... what?

Perfect example of a great anaylst - Dan O'Brien explaining Javelin and how Decathlon training works. Insightful, deepens our understanding, broadens our vocabulary, gives us something to watch out for in future events.

The Canadian commentary does the same. When Michael Smith commentates, I feel like I learn something. No wasted words. Articulate. Smooth.

I have to say, Devers sounds like a friendly, fun person to be around, and she adds a nice lightness - but absolutely nothing else.

I have to say, the absolute worst commentator I've ever heard was Joyner-Kersee at the Olympics last year. Her comments were as vacuous as Devers, but she talked far more. Had to mute.

If she doesn’t talk it’s hard for her to be irritating. If I go to a meet, I don’t need anyone to tell me what I m watching and I would be fine with no T.V. commentary at all. In Japan, there’s a button on the remote where you can turn off the commentary and I wish I had that option here in the U.S.