The Ethiopians had the right idea but they didn’t execute it properly. Kejelcha should have pushed it from the front without stepping off the gas but instead, he ran this like a fartlek. It’s like he doesn’t believe in his own strength and would rather leave it to chance in a final lap sprint.
This might be an overreaction but I think the 21st lap screwed over all the Ethiopians.
Whoever was supposed to lead didn't, and it was around 70. Everyone in that lead pack is too good to give them a 70 to prepare for a fast final mile. If someone had kept the foot on the gas, I think we see a minimum of two Ethiopian medals.
Please ignore if this has already been discussed but it looked to me that Kejelcha was impeded at about 100 to go from Kiplimo. Did anyone else see that? Now keep in mind, I was watching this on my Iphone in a car but it looked like Kiplimo was boxing him in and put his arm out. Now I have no idea if Kejelcha would have come close to medalling but that was not a good look from the Ugandan.
Team tactics when all three guys believe they had a legitimate medal chance are doomed to fail. You need a fall guy, a clear Number 3 who enables the gold medal threats to perform at their best by sacrificing their own race. Ethiopia didn't have that, they had three studs who all fancied their chances of gold.
Also Kejelcha completely gave up in last 100m seeing Mo, Fisher and Kiplimo ahead of him. Aregawi was way behind and still fight till the finish line. Aregawi could have given up and have accepted Bronze but he still sprinted till last. Kejelcha was looking behind when he was 5th like what the f bruh
Kejelcha is tall, skinny and has little acceleration. If he and teammates had waited to 5k to crank up the pace and increase the speed a little more each and every lap, all 3 might have beaten Joshua. And yet the pacing the Ethiopians did in this race was the best I have ever seen in a 10,000!
Guy with hisform, speed, and credentials? I cant help thinking while watching him leading the pack: "Yeah, but hes gonna fold when things heat up..." But that was still a courageous performance!
jamese1045 wrote:
Guy with hisform, speed, and credentials? I cant help thinking while watching him leading the pack: "Yeah, but hes gonna fold when things heat up..." But that was still a courageous performance!
Well, at least he can run fast on the roads...