Solinsky - medal contender

As it is, He's too slow and sports a negligible kick internationally. You think a 1:55 last 800 is going to shake off Bekele/Sihine/Tadesse/Kiprop/Masai etc. at 27:00 pace? Not in your wildest dreams.

He has a better chance at 5k but he still lacks the tools to take it to the best 3 in the world.

Consider kickers' races:

2005 WCs, the pace was very slow - 13:32 for washed-up Ben Limo having the race of his life.

Within half a second were Sihine (12:47.04 PR) and Mottram (8:03.5 2m), both of whom easily put clods like Solinsky away (not Teg though!).

Not as slow as in Osaka however where Lagat's winning time of 13:45.87 was IIRC the slowest winning ever time.

Taking the lesser medals there were Kipchoge (12:46 #4 AT) and Kipsiro (12:50 with a blazing kick).

And barnburners like Beijing OG's. Going 1-2-3 are

Bekele 12:57 w/ last 2k @ 4:57 IIRC

Kipchoge

Edwin Soi (PR 12:50 with a blazing kick)

These guys are simply on a higher level than Solinsky in every way. I'm not saying that he can't get to that level, but it's foolish to think this before we've seen any real indication.

i.e. 12:50 with a blazing kick

Chris Solinsky (USA) is a legitimate medal contender over 5000m or 10,000m. For those of you unawares, Solinsky possesses a world-class kick, capable of closing a 5000m race in under 54-seconds. Remember, the Olympics are mostly tactical affairs with the win going to the strength runners (multiple rounds) in the 5000m and those with the ultimate best kicks in the 10,000m (final only). Many thought that Bekele had the greatest kick of all, yet he has been run-down by El Guerrouj and Kipchoge in the past.

Hopefully Solinsky has a brilliant 2012 leading up to London and we can see him in the final against the Africans.

For reference, can someone please state the last time a non-African medaled in the 5000m or 10,000m at the Olympics?

en action avec ma bite wrote:

Within half a second were Sihine (12:47.04 PR) and Mottram (8:03.5 2m), both of whom easily put clods like Solinsky away (not Teg though!).

You should discuss Mottrams mile speed (sub 3:50) because Solinsky and him are pretty much equal at longer distances with Solinsky getting the huge edge at 10000m.

Mottram was as fast as Solinsky but is not anymore. He may get back to form, but that's not certain. Solinsky is obviously a medal contender at either 5k or 10k. The fact alone that he can run 27:00 will allow him to medal in the 10k. Remember the Ethiopians and the Kenyans can only bring 3 guys each. Bekele and Sihine will dope and go 1-2 but there's a great shot for Solinsky to get a bronze.

Under Ultra wrote:

Chris Solinsky (USA) is a legitimate medal contender over 5000m or 10,000m. For those of you unawares, Solinsky possesses a world-class kick, capable of closing a 5000m race in under 54-seconds. Remember, the Olympics are mostly tactical affairs with the win going to the strength runners (multiple rounds) in the 5000m and those with the ultimate best kicks in the 10,000m (final only). Many thought that Bekele had the greatest kick of all, yet he has been run-down by El Guerrouj and Kipchoge in the past.

Hopefully Solinsky has a brilliant 2012 leading up to London and we can see him in the final against the Africans.

For reference, can someone please state the last time a non-African medaled in the 5000m or 10,000m at the Olympics?

You're delusional:

2008 saw OR 12:57 annihilation by Bekele followed by 2 top-flight Kenyans.

2004, more "tactical" still reflected the unholy fitness of El G and Kipchoge.

Get a grip!

If Sols keeps using the same doctors and protocols then the likeihood of medalling is good. Conte says it's easy as pie to skirt the drug testers.

Under Ultra wrote:For reference, can someone please state the last time a non-African medaled in the 5000m or 10,000m at the Olympics?

Baumann 1992

Das Doper

Under Ultra wrote:

For reference, can someone please state the last time a non-African medaled in the 5000m or 10,000m at the Olympics?

This link has medalists in all events:

The last non-African medalist in the 10000 is Salvatore Antibo of Italy for the silver in 1988.

In the 5000, Baumann won gold in 1992 and silver in 1988. If you discount him, Kunze of East Germany won bronze in 1988. If you discount all East Germans, Ryffel of Switzerland won silver in 1984 and Letaio of Portugal won bronze in 1984.

Todos dopers.

Oly games are a long way away.

World champs , we shall see if he was a one season wonder.

2012 is a long way away? It is 2011 now you realize, blink of an eye for those training for it.

5k in 2011? I don't see it. World class kick is one thing. Having the kick to medal in the 5K is another. He'll be in the mix if he doesn't have any injuries but realistically I don't see him winning. I think the 10K in 2012 looks better.

Btw, is this article saying he is committed to the 10K in 2012? That would be making news wouldn't it?

correct!

ljajladf wrote:

Mottram was as fast as Solinsky but is not anymore. He may get back to form, but that's not certain. Solinsky is obviously a medal contender at either 5k or 10k. The fact alone that he can run 27:00 will allow him to medal in the 10k. Remember the Ethiopians and the Kenyans can only bring 3 guys each. Bekele and Sihine will dope and go 1-2 but there's a great shot for Solinsky to get a bronze.

Pretty sure your "Big Cheese" is doping too.

He is on record in his twitter saying he plans to do the 5000 in Deagu and 10000 in London. He seems to be planning to do the 5000 in Deagu because of the expected heat.