This feels like if Jeremy Wariner had actually made the jump. Validation for those always yelling “move up!” when someone appears to have potential at a longer distance. I can’t wait to watch!
Another: Edwin Moses only ran the 800 once. Early season 1:48
But let's not limit this to just 400m hurdlers. Bol also a top notch 400m star. And there have been several 400m/800m world class runners [ Juantonera at the top of that list]. Of course it's more common for 800m stars to also be world class at 1500m rather than 400.
Bottom line, it's not common for someone as good she is at 400m/400m H to also be world class at 800m, but, it certainly has been done, and maybe more could have done it if they tried.
Another: Edwin Moses only ran the 800 once. Early season 1:48
But let's not limit this to just 400m hurdlers. Bol also a top notch 400m star. And there have been several 400m/800m world class runners [ Juantonera at the top of that list]. Of course it's more common for 800m stars to also be world class at 1500m rather than 400.
Bottom line, it's not common for someone as good she is at 400m/400m H to also be world class at 800m, but, it certainly has been done, and maybe more could have done it if they tried.
If she is that good at 400M as you claim, she should switch to the 400 flat as SML did.
If she wanted to push her limits, she should do so in the 400 flat where the current crop of top three are the four best runners that have ever run the event. Now that would be a challenge. She however will not do so because of one SML who is running that event now.
Good for her to move to an event with lesser mortals in it.
Right. But I didn't ask simply how many 400m hurdlers also ran the 800m did I?
Harald Schmid, similar to Juantorena and Kratochvilova, was a dual athlete his entire career, so hardly any difference to the names above. David Patrick exactly the same.
Of course the one difference that I made sure I explicitly referenced was the level of performance. David Patrick was a very good athlete - but was not the 2nd fastest 400m hurdler of all-time and his best performance was making an Olympic and World final over the hurdles. Very good - not the level of Bol.
Schmid was better - as you know, he won a bronze in LA over the hurdles as well as in Rome and was at one time the 2nd fastest man ever. But again, Bol is a two-time world champion, also has a silver medal and matches Schmids OG bronze but also has another one. She is significantly more decorated and of course, the main differences is that Schmid was a dual exponent of the 400H/800m his entire career which makes this scenario completely different.
So they didn't move UP to the 800m because they always WERE 800m runners. Hence why this is extremely rare and unique. Bol is midway (2/3?) through her career and is committing to a distance she's competitively not been seen running before. Certainly at a high level.
Maybe we are ignorant - at least the reading and comprehension skills are there buddy.
Very exciting news! Do we think she can run 600m under 1:20? Moraa ran 1:21.63 when she was in 1:56 shape and she is 50.50 400m runner, so I think it is possible for Femke. Not sure about 800m, but coach Meuwly can do wonders and this will be the biggest storyline of the 2026 season for sure.
Long time posters have had enough of you. The sad thing? You have no problem bashing people online or being super creepy but you get scared nervous and angry when anyone pushes back. When people tell you to post your race results, you get quiet. You have none. When people ask you to talk about your thons, you get quiet. You never ran one. When people ask why you talk about Edmonton so much, you get quiet. You blush. We'll keep coming after you the more garbage you post. And you'll keep getting banned. And you'll keep worrying about lesbian militants. You got issues bro. You're soft, and weird. And for the record we are proud conservatives. Step up to the plate pal.
Right. But I didn't ask simply how many 400m hurdlers also ran the 800m did I?
Harald Schmid, similar to Juantorena and Kratochvilova, was a dual athlete his entire career, so hardly any difference to the names above. David Patrick exactly the same.
Of course the one difference that I made sure I explicitly referenced was the level of performance. David Patrick was a very good athlete - but was not the 2nd fastest 400m hurdler of all-time and his best performance was making an Olympic and World final over the hurdles. Very good - not the level of Bol.
Schmid was better - as you know, he won a bronze in LA over the hurdles as well as in Rome and was at one time the 2nd fastest man ever. But again, Bol is a two-time world champion, also has a silver medal and matches Schmids OG bronze but also has another one. She is significantly more decorated and of course, the main differences is that Schmid was a dual exponent of the 400H/800m his entire career which makes this scenario completely different.
So they didn't move UP to the 800m because they always WERE 800m runners. Hence why this is extremely rare and unique. Bol is midway (2/3?) through her career and is committing to a distance she's competitively not been seen running before. Certainly at a high level.
Maybe we are ignorant - at least the reading and comprehension skills are there buddy.
This is an example of how we are narcissistic though. I don’t read every post necessarily. You decided to address me. I did not make that decision. I was addressing the collective and not you specifically. My reading skills are excellent, as I am guessing yours are.
I am surprised at the level of ignorance here, even among ostensibly informed posters.
as an "ostensibly informed poster", why are you trying to pretend this isn't newsworthy?
The facts that that you had to go back well over 30 years for your 2 examples should tell you that
Many things are newsworthy that are much ado about nothing. It is not that big of a deal. It is OK if it is an earthquake in your world. I am offering my perspective.
Two of my favorite track crushes, Keely & Femke, in the same event now. Not sure who I'll pull for when they're in the same race. Femke has a lot of work to do before she's at Keely's level but she should be able to get there.