In her first race I was surprised, thinking the time was slower than I expected. Then I realized it was just are hard effort, not all-out because the target was the Euros.
The woman's stride is very impressive. She didn't really need to increase turnover to pull away from rivals today. But why did she have a shocked look and hands to her face after the finish? We expected nothing less.
The woman's stride is very impressive. She didn't really need to increase turnover to pull away from rivals today. But why did she have a shocked look and hands to her face after the finish? We expected nothing less.
I'm sure she didn't expect to run that fast. It's her second fastest outdoor 400, barely behind the 49.44 at European Championships 2022. Before that meet she targeted the 400 because she was attempting the double for the first time, and no doubt only time. The 400 flat was the more difficult race and it came first on the schedule, hence the extra emphasis.
Today was extremely hot. Bol was placing bags on ice on her forehead beforehand. She hadn't prepared as much for 400 flat because she's been working on the new hurdles stride pattern of different trail leg in the blocks and going over the first hurdle with her weaker right lead.
She was shocked because, as she has said recently, she's not in her best form yet at all.
Compared to Ostrava she had a much better last 120m. That was clearly a run to shake away the cobwebs, and now she's showing more of her form.
The question is what is going on with Bukowiecka? She had a slight injury indoors, but has raced a fair bit already outdoors. She set a SB here, but wad much further behind Bol than in Ostrava. Early days yet, but not looking right now like she will medal in Tokyo.
Very hot but apparently a fast new track. Lots of personal bests in that women's 400. Both heats. Natalia was the only one who was well off her bests. It's been that way all season for her.
So this is like a slightly less competitive NCAA meet?
Downvoting doesn’t make me wrong. Bol’s time was slower, 2nd places time was slower, etc.
Of course you're not wrong.
It's more the issue of why anyone wouldn't expect the NCAA finals to be a bit stronger than the European team championsionship. The NCAA is fed by a genuine global talent pool.
Right where she needs to be before her inevitable move to the 800, and subsequent dominance.
She has never indicated an interest in moving up in distance.
Bol has said on numerous occasions that she will NOT run the 800. The Chef Gordon idiot guy knows that but he just likes to fantasize about Bol in the 800.
Buuut.... Bol has absolutely stated that she will run the 600 moreover will race Keely while doing so.
Great! I'm still waiting for the announcement. I like it when the athletes identify the interesting matchup and have guts to propose it themselves. BUT!! Minus points to Bol for mouthing off if she has no actual intention to do this....
Buuut.... Bol has absolutely stated that she will run the 600 moreover will race Keely while doing so.
Great! I'm still waiting for the announcement. I like it when the athletes identify the interesting matchup and have guts to propose it themselves. BUT!! Minus points to Bol for mouthing off if she has no actual intention to do this....
I think her words were more nuanced than that.
Re this 800m chat, I've no doubt she will run one at some point in the future, her coach will make sure of it.
I've never understood the downplaying of Bol's 400m flat ability when the facts show otherwise. She's the fastest all time indoors, in a time that would have won the majority of World and Olympic titles. She's ran a 48.0 relay leg, a split only Felix and McLaughlin have beaten in the last 20 years I believe. She obviously doesn't run the open enough outdoors to showcase her ability, but we see it.
Buuut.... Bol has absolutely stated that she will run the 600 moreover will race Keely while doing so.
Great! I'm still waiting for the announcement. I like it when the athletes identify the interesting matchup and have guts to propose it themselves. BUT!! Minus points to Bol for mouthing off if she has no actual intention to do this....
I think her words were more nuanced than that.
Re this 800m chat, I've no doubt she will run one at some point in the future, her coach will make sure of it.
I've never understood the downplaying of Bol's 400m flat ability when the facts show otherwise. She's the fastest all time indoors, in a time that would have won the majority of World and Olympic titles. She's ran a 48.0 relay leg, a split only Felix and McLaughlin have beaten in the last 20 years I believe. She obviously doesn't run the open enough outdoors to showcase her ability, but we see it.