jjjjjjjjjjjj wrote:
1 second improvement for a high 20 second 200m runner is not comparable to 1 second improvement for a sub-20 second 200m runner. Of course, no one has done the second move yet. But there is a fair number who drop from 20.9 to 19.9, but no one makes a drop that destroys the world record as much as Bolt is about to do. Bolt's 100m drop is unbelievable. We all knew that he was a fantastic talent when he ran sub-20 at 16 or whatever, but 9.58??? Until Ben Johnson, nobody had ever broken 9.93 and runners had been sub-10 since 1968. For 20 years, the world record barely dropped, approaching 9.90 asymptotically, and now another .3 drop?
One big difference with most sprinters who set world records in big finals that later got caught cheating:
They all looked in all out effort, pushing to the max to get that lowest time possible like it might be their last chance (until they get caught).
Bolt does it effortlessly.
The guy has fun running 9.69 jogging the last 20 yards and everyone is surprised he can run faster when pushed.
When you cheat you don't slowdown in an Olympic final especially with a world record on the line.
He is new at the event and still young, From what I have seen he has room to improve on his start and looks like he could push a little harder through the last 10 yards. Sub 9.54 to 9.48 is possible within the next 3 to 5 years.
From his current fitness and speed he should be able to run 19.10 to 19.20 in the 200m.
within the next 2 to 5 years...sub 19.00 should not be a problem. I can see an 18.88 in Bolt.
His body type is much more suited for the 200m than the 100m (scary I know). Just think, MJ ran 19.30 and was shorter and much slower that Bolt.
The only obstacle to his improvement.....finding someone good enough to push him.