I think this year, if his training goes right and it should because they've had years to really nail down what gets him ready exactly as he needs to be, Webb has a 50% chance at winning gold. He seems to planning right so far. He's probably building tons of strength like he did in the past(during the 'off-season') and then crank out some serious times come july/august(whenever the goddamn olympics are). I think last year they gave him too much time to maintain really top form or maybe just zapped all his good energy a little too soon with going for the AR. It was a great season for him by all means, made it to the final, got whatever place outside the top 3, old news, but I think this summer will be different, and this is the first time I've said that about him. My predictions:
800m: 1:43.6 - 1:44.3
1500m: 3:30.00 - 3:31.00
mile: 3:47.5 - 3:50.00
It isn't crucial for him to run PR's. If he really cares about gold more than anything, nothing else matters, just being ready to be the best on the day of the 1500m final. Forget trying to break records and get the gold, and I think that is what he's going to do because 4.5 years from now he will probably not be as fast. I could see him maybe trying for the 1500m AR if he didn't have to schedule an extra race or anything like that. In 2004 he realized how tough championship races at the world level can be, in 2005 he realized what it can take to make it to the final, in 2006 he took some time off, and in 2007 he learned how important each heat is setting one up for the next race(how much energy did he have to extend in the 2nd heat last year when he was at the back of the pack with 300m to go?- think that took any wind out of his sails going in to the final?).
Top contenders:
Rashid Ramzi
Bernard Lagat
Alan Webb(at best this season, I could see him doing 1:43.5, 3:29.5, and 3:46.5 but not likely this year)
Asbel Kiprop
Daniel K. Komen