Is it crazy to say that I think he could get the WR this year after what he's done + today?
No. And that’s scary to think about. How many 800m runners have opened their season with a 1:42.70? That’s wild if you think about it. Cooper looked so strong and relaxed - no strain on that face when passing Arop. When he said “let’s send it” he wasn’t kidding. Imagine being 17 years old and running your first DL 800 ever. I’ve never been more excited by an athlete in T&F history.
I don’t know what race you watched but Cooper looked maxed out at the end. I’m not trying to bring him down but he wasn’t relaxed lol.
I don't think anything is going on with him - his time has just passed.
It's easy to forget he's 28, but unlike Brazier has just been at a high level since 2019 where he was 4th in the world championships - every year running at the highest level, supreme consistency - easily one of the best 800m runners of this generation.
But nobody can do it forever, he might run 1.43 high this season mid/late pack in Monaco but that will be his level.
Gosh that was impressive from someone so young and in that field. The way he went past Arop!
His team is doing such a great job. He is so humble and composed and seemingly grounded. He races like a seasoned pro and it is crazy but I already assume he is going to win. He is such an incredible talent.
No. And that’s scary to think about. How many 800m runners have opened their season with a 1:42.70? That’s wild if you think about it. Cooper looked so strong and relaxed - no strain on that face when passing Arop. When he said “let’s send it” he wasn’t kidding. Imagine being 17 years old and running your first DL 800 ever. I’ve never been more excited by an athlete in T&F history.
I don’t know what race you watched but Cooper looked maxed out at the end. I’m not trying to bring him down but he wasn’t relaxed lol.
I agree. I thought he was slowing. Yet he still beat Arop going away. I didn't see his form cratering at all, but yes--he smoothly slowed a little.
I don’t know what race you watched but Cooper looked maxed out at the end. I’m not trying to bring him down but he wasn’t relaxed lol.
I agree. I thought he was slowing. Yet he still beat Arop going away. I didn't see his form cratering at all, but yes--he smoothly slowed a little.
Of course he was - this notion that it was like a smooth training rep for him is just part of the emotional hype. This is what the best 800m runners do - they can be flat to the boards (as CL was) and make it look like they aren't. Steve Ovett has a great comment in his autobiography about exactly this.
He's just the total package - at 17. He positioned himself as good as he could today after a slightly untidy start thanks to Moula deciding to balk the field by leaving lane one and running into lane two by the time they hit the 200m mark, and then just stayed calm, let the race open up for him and used this innate ability to not fight the final 120 to maximum advantage.
Well it is only to back your final two bullet points. He is so good that he can prioritize a smooth run, running extra for positioning (to win the race, not maximize time) and lack of jostling. Few can do that.
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