Official 2013 Worlds Men's 800 Thread - Discuss it here

Why do people say Solomon goes out fast because he has no kick? He has more speed than Symmonds, why wouldn't he be able to close fast off a slow pace? Serious question, since I am not an 800 runner nor have ever been one. Just seems like front running is something Rudisha and only Rudisha can win with.

If Symmonds had risked Amman's strategy--risking getting boxed in but running less distance by running on the rail--he might have avoiding the rig and won.

But saying Symmonds did anything wrong is like saying Johnny Gray did something wrong in 1992. Symmonds ran a great race.

Good point wrote:

Mo Farah would have won this race.

Mo could not win a cotton pickin NCAA 800.

Mo could not beat Christine Ohuruogu in a 400 and could not beat Allyson in a 200.

One thing you seem to be forgetting is when you are a superior runner you can win using various strategies. Aman likely could have won using a few other tactics than he did, because he was the best runner in the race. People who have ever been in that situation (being the best in the race) inherently understand this.

Wottle's Hat wrote:

If Symmonds had risked Amman's strategy--risking getting boxed in but running less distance by running on the rail--he might have avoiding the rig and won.

But saying Symmonds did anything wrong is like saying Johnny Gray did something wrong in 1992. Symmonds ran a great race.

What a poorly run race by Souleiman, that guy was all over the place.

I hope he medals in the 1500.

Let's not get too excited here. The 800 is not a tactical race, Symmonds is no where near the WR which was recently set and nearly broken again. And without injuries to others....he doesn't even sniff the awards stand. Lucky year, which is what it took for him medal. He is far from the 2nd best 800 meter runner in the world.

Duane Soloman ran a horrible race, he wanted to take lead coming off the curve which forced him to go sub 24 seconds for the first 200m- WAY TOO FAST! First 200 way to fast and he ran the 2nd 200m too slow which allowed people to stay in contact with him.

First 200m 23.9 then ONLY 50.3 - 50.5 first 400m for a front runner in a Championship final!

After his semi I said only way Duane has a chance to medal is to take it out under 50 seconds get a gap and rely on his endurance to hold more then 2 people off. No way he was going to medal with the first lap in 50.3 to 50.5 as too many people would (AND ACTUALLY WAS) still in contact with him.

WHAT ALOT OF non 800m runners/PEOPLE DON'T realize that some 800m runners with good speed actually have to use it in the first lap to get a gap on their competitors because they're strong suit isn't closing! Duane Soloman is one such runner!!!!!

NOTE: To Merkina didn't you see the stats yesterday in which the last several championships (3 out of 4) in which didn't involve Rudisha was won by front runners!

Great race by Nick, the other runner was better today. Got to love the disappointment in his face as he crossed the line. Unlike Rupp who was elated by his silver in '12, Symmonds wanted and believed he could get gold. Great race by him, as others have said, a Silver Medal in a WC race is an incredible lifetime achievement that so very few Americans can claim to have achieved. But you can definitely feel his agony as he watched the gold go by him in the last few meters of the race. Go Symmonds! What a race to watch.

I didn't think Aman raced that badly to be honest. He forced Solomon to go out too fast, which gets rid of other contenders that can't stay with that pace, and also getting rid of Solomon himself. Incredibly clever. Aman stayed on near the front for most the race and defended his position well, clipping Solomon's heels here and there. Just outkicked everyone, we knew he had the greatest kick. Great racing.

Alright, where is Nick's black page? Come on, let's have it.

hurdle555 wrote:

Let's not get too excited here..

Symmonds won the silver in the World Championships, regardless of circumstances, that's something to get excited about.

So much for my 2nd place in the prediction contest! I was 2nd at the beginning of the day, but will drop while my nemesis (ha ha) xygo gets points for picking Aman for first.

I picked who I wanted to win (Symmonds) rather than who the best chance. Ah well!

watched the universal sport video. they spent the whole race not talking about the race except reciting the 1st couple places. Also, apparently there was a guy who won named Imon Mohammed....

hurdle555 wrote:

He is far from the 2nd best 800 meter runner in the world.

He is today, which is what counts. If the missing guys were on the track today, they would not have beat him because they are injured. So yes, he was #2 on the track today, and in the world.

hurdle555 wrote:

He is far from the 2nd best 800 meter runner in the world.

Except, on this day in 2013 he is the 2nd best 800m runner in the world.

You can't be in contention for world champ if you can't make it to the line...

This was a great performance by Symmonds. He and Solomon executed it perfectly (boxing Aman) and it almost worked. No doubt that Aman was the strongest runner in the field today

Fastnbulbous wrote:

hurdle555 wrote:

He is far from the 2nd best 800 meter runner in the world.

He is today, which is what counts. If the missing guys were on the track today, they would not have beat him because they are injured. So yes, he was #2 on the track today, and in the world.

Wrong! I am the 2nd best runner in the world; I am just injured, out of shape, and would have gotten lapped in today's race if I ran today...but a year ago that would have been a whole different story. Had I not been injured and out of shape I would have gotten silver today because I am the 2nd best runner in the world! Where's my medal?

hurdle555 wrote:

Let's not get too excited here. The 800 is not a tactical race, Symmonds is no where near the WR which was recently set and nearly broken again. And without injuries to others....he doesn't even sniff the awards stand. Lucky year, which is what it took for him medal. He is far from the 2nd best 800 meter runner in the world.

Good thing they hand out medals based on the results of RACES and not just have each runner do a time trial and hand out medals to the top 3 fastest times.

Nick was healthy when it counted and earned his silver.