Let's face it, it's GB vs Kenya in the 800m this year, and probably for the next few years, so the Commonwealth Games is equal to the world championships in that event.
GB is an 800m POWERHOUSE with zero global medals in the 800 over the past 5+ years, and only one 800 runner in the top 30 times this year. Scary!
Let's face it, it's GB vs Kenya in the 800m this year, and probably for the next few years, so the Commonwealth Games is equal to the world championships in that event.
GB is an 800m POWERHOUSE with zero global medals in the 800 over the past 5+ years, and only one 800 runner in the top 30 times this year. Scary!
If an athlete prioritises Comm Games over Worlds it's because Comm Games give better exposure to the general public and is thus better for sponsors. It's essentially a financial decision. I know of quite a few elite swimmers from Commonwealth countries that are doing exactly that this year but normally Worlds and Comm Games don't happen in the same year.
That said I can't think of a single reason why someone would prioritise Euros over Worlds.
Especially as the Commonwealth's is in England this year. As much as the nature of it will confuse people from countries not involved, it's actually a pretty big deal here. It's like a mini-Olympics, and there will be sold out stadiums across just about all events.
There is that. The Commonwealth Games will have a better atmosphere than Eugene. The stadium is already sold out for the finals of the T&F events. One thing the UK is good at (maybe the only thing these days) is filling stadiums for important events. You'd also say that the competition should be just about as good at the CWGs, at least on the men's side, with only Hoppel, Brazier, and Murphy who can't be there. Even so, having World Champion on your record is so much better than CWG Champion.
Sorry, but what's the purpose of Armstronglivs on this board? To s*** on every good performance? This kid runs the kind of race we've been asking to see all season and just like clockwork he pops up to ruin the moment. What a sad, dour, creature you are and I hope you can disencumber yourself from your lonely, friendless life to be able to be happy for others and learn to celebrate instead of sowing doubt.
I think a good rule for this forum would be for doping accusations to only be allowed in their own specific threads, not in threads that are celebrating a particular performance.
Burgin isn’t doping, look at his annual progression
14 1.53, 15 1.49, 16 1.47, 17 1.45, 18 1.44.
There is certainly some logic to what you post, however plenty of dopers had great early success with natural progression and simply topped it off with some doping.
Kiprop's teenage performances ranging from 1:43.1 800m to World Junior cross-country champion showed he was capable realistically of 1500m or 5,000 World Records. 3:26 is not unrealistic for that type of talent. But..... he decided to dope anyway I guess.
A thread where Coevett is making good suggestions and rational points with insight, I am pleasantly relieved. I really hope Burgin pursues Worlds, though now I have better insight why Commonwealth might be a huge hit for his notoriety/brand.
As far as the timing of everything, I think European Champs are where things get stretched out. Full confidence that the top contenders at Worlds/Commonwealth (e.g. Kenyans, Canadians + Brits) can be in close to top form at both. If Brazier's saga from 2019 on should teach Burgin/his dad anything, it should be that he shouldn't take anything for granted and should try to win as much as possible this year.
Burgin isn’t doping, look at his annual progression
14 1.53, 15 1.49, 16 1.47, 17 1.45, 18 1.44.
There is certainly some logic to what you post, however plenty of dopers had great early success with natural progression and simply topped it off with some doping.
Kiprop's teenage performances ranging from 1:43.1 800m to World Junior cross-country champion showed he was capable realistically of 1500m or 5,000 World Records. 3:26 is not unrealistic for that type of talent. But..... he decided to dope anyway I guess.
Agreed. Doping isn't like some on-off switch where everyone can tell the difference. It's like any other training modality, except for being banned. You could make the same argument about any other part of training, such as lifting weights, long runs, or (legal) supplements.
"He can't be lifting weights in his training. If he is, when did he start?"
In reality, he probably was lifting weights a little bit already at age 14, and slowly increased the intensity over the years.
I have no idea whether any particular athlete is doping, but the same thing is probably true there. Dopers probably start with legal supplements and then gradually move into illegal drugs, increase the dosage, and get the timing right. I bet this is the case especially now that they have to get around anti-doping.
the world championships,commonwealth games,and european championships,are all coming up.its unlikely that all the top athletes will be able to compete at all 3.theres also the asian games.
And just like that he's your world leader and the man to beat in the WCs. Was hoping there would be someone throwing down a respectful time in the 800 soon. Looks like him and Zahafi will have a nice battle for gold. WCs only a month away.
We’ll see. I think 800m runners are extra-cagey this year. Last year plenty of guys ran fast indoors or early season and then were non-factors at the Olympics. Maybe an over-correction this year to some degree. I think some of the usual suspects (Rotich, Amos, Korir, Tuka, Brazier, Murphy, Arop) will be in 1:43.0 shape when it counts.
Remember that age is particularly unkind to 800 runners. Rotich (32) was great last year, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen for him this season. I would bet all of my money that Tuka never breaks 1:44 again. In fact, I’m poor enough that I’d bet all my money that none of the guys you listed break 1:44 this year, except maybe Korir and Arop.
The “usual suspects” will be cycling out in the next year or 3, many of them replaced by younger guys like Burgin, Wanyonyi, Zahafi, et al.
In my view, Wanyonyi is a slight odds-on favorite for the WC gold, followed by Burgin and then Zahafi. I wouldn’t say any of them have a huge % chance to medal, because they’re less established and we must consider the prior years’ guard, but it’s June 15th and none of the old guard are performing.
Also, shout out to Algeria, who have 4 of the top 15 performers so far this season, including #3, #5, and a 19 year old at #15 (1:44.67).
And just like that he's your world leader and the man to beat in the WCs. Was hoping there would be someone throwing down a respectful time in the 800 soon. Looks like him and Zahafi will have a nice battle for gold. WCs only a month away.
That is simply not true. just because he’s world leader does not make him the man to beat. A month is a long time to sharpen and peak for an 800m runner. There are a lot of amazing runners who have not run that fast yet, but will be fit at the WC’s. Grant Fisher has a world best but is not the man to beat…. there’s also rounds to be run which factors in to the final big time. You basically have to be strong/fast/tactical enough to beat 1:43 runners three times to win (even if the heat time is slower) Have you not watched track before?
I think a good rule for this forum would be for doping accusations to only be allowed in their own specific threads, not in threads that are celebrating a particular performance.
the world championships,commonwealth games,and european championships,are all coming up.its unlikely that all the top athletes will be able to compete at all 3.theres also the asian games.
Don't forget the World Junior Championships. I'm hoping Wanyonyi is going to see sense and prioritize them and the Commonwealth Games above Oregon.
Remember that age is particularly unkind to 800 runners. Rotich (32) was great last year, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen for him this season. I would bet all of my money that Tuka never breaks 1:44 again. In fact, I’m poor enough that I’d bet all my money that none of the guys you listed break 1:44 this year, except maybe Korir and Arop.
The “usual suspects” will be cycling out in the next year or 3, many of them replaced by younger guys like Burgin, Wanyonyi, Zahafi, et al.
In my view, Wanyonyi is a slight odds-on favorite for the WC gold, followed by Burgin and then Zahafi. I wouldn’t say any of them have a huge % chance to medal, because they’re less established and we must consider the prior years’ guard, but it’s June 15th and none of the old guard are performing.
Also, shout out to Algeria, who have 4 of the top 15 performers so far this season, including #3, #5, and a 19 year old at #15 (1:44.67).
Yeah no doubt it's true. I'm skeptical of Rotich (who has to make it out of Kenyan trials) and Tuka (also old) as well. I think Korir, Arop, McBride, Hoppel, Murphy and Brazier will likely all be heard from. Dobek is not to be underestimated. I guess this is all to say it would be tempting to say this year's 800 will be a totally new mix of Burgin, Noah Kibet, Wanyonyi, Moula, Ermias Girma, Zahafi, Sedjati, and Van Diepen. Almost all young (some really young), and new on the scene for the most part. I suspect only 3 or maybe 4 of this group will make it and we'll have some vets in there to round out the field.
Don't forget the World Junior Championships. I'm hoping Wanyonyi is going to see sense and prioritize them and the Commonwealth Games above Oregon.
Does it really make sense for him or Kibet to go back to the junior level when they are succeeding at the senior level and none of their compatriots have clearly outperformed them?
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