Max MF Burgin 1:43.53 FTW huge PB at Paavo Nurmi Games

And you know he is "untarnished" by doping, like most other top athletes, who are also "clean" as a whistle?

I have no idea if he's doping, and nobody on here does either. So let's discuss the performance not whether he's doping.

I love front runners and have been hoping he would finally break through with a great time. He's still young but this has been a long time coming!

Well, Max has been far the best young European 800m runner at virtually every age level., and so if he is doping, he started very young.

Also, shoutout to Rasmus Magi, PRd in the 400mh 47.82

Guy keeps getting better.

13.22 for Mallett very solid. Firmly in the running for the US team with Allen and Trey Cunningham likely getting onto it way ahead. Roberts, Eric Edwards and some others in that 13.15-13.30 mix.

And just like that he's your world leader and the man to beat in the WCs. Was hoping there would be someone throwing down a respectful time in the 800 soon. Looks like him and Zahafi will have a nice battle for gold. WCs only a month away.

You can choose to do that. But in sport today you can also take the position that he probably is. At the least it means there is always a question hanging over great performances (as his was), and at his age, in particular. In this era, I take the achievements of prodigies with a grain of salt.

We’ll see. I think 800m runners are extra-cagey this year. Last year plenty of guys ran fast indoors or early season and then were non-factors at the Olympics. Maybe an over-correction this year to some degree. I think some of the usual suspects (Rotich, Amos, Korir, Tuka, Brazier, Murphy, Arop) will be in 1:43.0 shape when it counts.

Here is a video of the race. Nice attempt by Van Deipen to catch up but in the end not close.

Championships require three rounds - not the same as a one-off. See if he can handle that first before awarding him the gold medal.

What a looser you are.

He has the world lead but that’s it. You don’t hand someone the gold after one good performance.

Max will not take top 3, even with the weak field. Quote me please

If he doesn't get injured, he will finish in the top three. For a start, his annual progress has been stalled by injury, and therefore I would have expected him to be running in - at least - 1min 42 times - by 20. Indeed, it might need a 1min 42 to beat him on Eugene....if he stays free of injury

It's two good performances already. He would have won in Ostrava if he hadn't been knocked off his stride at the start. Of course his ability to handle the rounds and to get through the season uninjured are the big unknown factors. Another thing is that British athletes have the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games this summer, so him and his dad might prioritize one of them over Oregon. He's certainly going to grow in confidence with every race this year.

Correct. He needs to hit the gym and tone up those loose muscles.

Is that really a consideration? Weird if so.