on the runs wrote:
Please put up a link to the results to the meet where El Guerrouj ran 1:42.
It was in training, so there are no results to link to, but I believe it for a few reasons:
1)the Morrocans were very scientifically trained, I don't see them making up a time just for kicks
2)he is the fastest 1500m/miler of all time, it makes sense that he can put up a good 800m
3)If Webb can run 1:43.8 and be 1 second/lap slower at both 1500 and the mile (3:30 and 3:46.9 compared to 3:26.00 and 3:43.13) then it makes sense that El G would be faster at 800m then Webb. Also compare to Cram-who ran 1:42.88 and was 3 seconds slower the El G at 1500m and the mile. I just don't see El G being far off what cram could do at any distance, even as short as 800m.
4)El G has ran 1500 races with the first lap in 53ish, chilled with 700m at 59-60s/400 pace and still ran the last lap in 52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTNBLDrkJH85)Not to mention closing the last 800 of a race in 1:46 (in 2004 when he was slightly past his prime at 1500m) with the last 400 in 51.9
6)And he closed a pretty slow (4:04ish) mile in either 49high or 50low. He would have won too but was passed in the final 10 meters and didn't have time to respond.
7)closed his 3:26 race in 53.5
8) His 1500 wr is sub 55 seconds/lap. I would think he could have at least strung together two 51s for a 1:42