World Champs - Day 6 - Official discussion thread

First women’s 5000m heat is stacked

Pretty solid pace in the first heat - just under 6:00 at 2k

Japan graciously providing pacers again

First 8 go through, time doesn't matter?

Lots of US fans aren’t watching the 5000 heats this year.
Tanaka of Japan has been pushing the pace in the women’s 5000. 10:10 with 4 to go.
Top 8 in each heat make it.

Why are there hardly any Chinese athletes? Which sport is taking all their physical talent?

Shelby for the win. Will win the final as well.

Cranny dropped after Tanaka's surge; Houlihan still in qualifying position

Swimming

Shelby for the win- will win final as well. Go USA!!

Yeah I was wondering why there don't seem to be many in distance running. Air quality related maybe?

Much bigger crowd tonight than last night. I guess the Japanese aren’t as crazy about the 1500 as we are.
Cranny is dropped with 3 to go and won’t make it. Shelby in 6th - looking safe.Lead pack of 9 so 8 of 9 will make it.
12:31 with 2 to go.

13:41-2 with a lap to go. 8 in lead pack. Nuttal of GBR was originally 9th but caught up to the pack. Somehow an Ethiopian is way back in 9th and won’t make it.

1st heat of the 5000 feels like a final.

The Doper qualifies, should be a life ban.

14:45 for heat 1.

Birke Haylom - 19 - is the Ethiopian who ran poorly. 14:24 this year. 14:23 last year but Hadn’t finished a 5k since June. Only 3:59 in DL final in 1500.

Time for cranny to retire

Loved that tactic from Tanaka, throwing in a fast lap every other lap, easy way to break down the field.

Very comfortable-looking 14:46 from Houlihan. I don't see a medal, but she should be a factor in the final.

Rojo:
Lots of US fans aren’t watching the 5000 heats this year.
Tanaka of Japan has been pushing the pace in the women’s 5000. 10:10 with 4 to go.
Top 8 in each heat make it.

Huh.... I expected Rojo to state that Tanaka had made 2nd place a line of segregation between Asians and non-Asians.