I'm the most ridiculous poster on letsrun.
I'm the most ridiculous poster on letsrun.
Steroids are from the fifties at the latest, amphetamines go back earlier last century, Viren was accused of blood doping at the 72 Olympics...
Whether or not one agrees with ventolin's crazy calculations, his quest is noble: to put new life into old numbers. +1
Ventolin what is the time advantage that a current runner has wearing a decent pair of running spikes over what Ryun, Keino etc. wore in the 60s?
There is no doubt that Filbert Bayi was one of the all time great. In fact we decided to run the steeplechase in the 1980 Olympic Games after he ran it in Stockholm. He ran 8:17 that was the fastest time in the world at that time It was his first Steeplechase race since 1972. The race was also ran about a week before we headed for Moscow. In fact, Edwin Moses offered to meet with us the next morning after Filbert ran the 8:17 for a crash program over the hurdles.
To make a long story short Filbert ran the world record for 1000m and 2000m, and was 200m at least ahead of the rest of the runners. He was something like 6:52 with one lap to go but fatigue move in on him. He placed second in 8:12 to win Tanzania's first ever Olympic Games medal.
Nyambui won Tanzania second medal, silver, in the 5000m a few days later.
Filbert never needed a rabbit like runners today. He trained hard particularly on the hill training we had. The hill was called Mt. Gold Medal and about 300m to get to the top. Running repeats on the hill Filbert trained so hard he collapse.
The hill was called Mt. Gold Medal because it was so steep that to train on the hill one was to win Gold Medals if he could endured the repeats.
Bayi was the Greatest! He was also a pleasure to coach.
There is no doubt that Filbert Bayi was one of the all time great. In fact we decided to run the steeplechase in the 1980 Olympic Games after he ran it in Stockholm. He ran 8:17 that was the fastest time in the world at that time It was his first Steeplechase race since 1972. The race was also ran about a week before we headed for Moscow. In fact, Edwin Moses offered to meet with us the next morning after Filbert ran the 8:17 for a crash program over the hurdles.
To make a long story short Filbert ran the world record for 1000m and 2000m, and was 200m at least ahead of the rest of the runners. He was something like 6:52 with one lap to go but fatigue move in on him. He placed second in 8:12 to win Tanzania's first ever Olympic Games medal.
Nyambui won Tanzania second medal, silver, in the 5000m a few days later.
Filbert never needed a rabbit like runners today. He trained hard particularly on the hill training we had. The hill was called Mt. Gold Medal and about 300m to get to the top. Running repeats on the hill Filbert trained so hard he collapse.
The hill was called Mt. Gold Medal because it was so steep that to train on the hill one was to win Gold Medals if he could endured the repeats.
Bayi was the Greatest! He was also a pleasure to coach.
Dude, you sound like ventolin.
John Walker was Olympic champion. On that occasion he won the gold medal in the face of competition he had no business beating... Wohlhuter and Van Damme, for example, who'd just run 1:44.1 and 1:43.8 in the 800. Coghlan, who clearly outkicked him... but from a position that was crap. Ahead of Ovett, who could have won the race...if he'd even made the final. Etc. If anything, it's Coghlan who should feel the brunt of your critique of underachievement vs ability.
As for the 1974 CG, well, Walker ran 1:44.9 and 3:32.5 for medals in both races. Both are all-time classics. Remember that even Ventolin spooges over the 800. What more could he have done? Really!
I agree he dropped some clangers too - 77 WC and the laughable 82 CG 1500 final. Just look at Walker's maniacal sprint - after he tripped himself up by running into another runner off the final turn.
I don't think Walker was one of the greatest of all time. I do think he raced to his ability, won when it counted. There are so many thousands of athletes who would make the exchange of everything else they achieved in their careers for that gold. If Walker didn't race well, what do you say about - for example - Wilson Kipketer in 2000?
savagesquid wrote:
I don't think Walker was one of the greatest of all time. I do think he raced to his ability, won when it counted. There are so many thousands of athletes who would make the exchange of everything else they achieved in their careers for that gold. If Walker didn't race well, what do you say about - for example - Wilson Kipketer in 2000?
Bullshit. Walker was basically an unknown before the '74 Commonwealth Games. Bayi was already an established star and WR threat. From '77 on Walker was battling a crippling leg problem, he didn't have proper training for almost a decade. You actually didn't see the best of him. But because you worship Coe so much, we know who you are, you refuse to admit the greatness of others.
KnockitoffDeano wrote:
savagesquid wrote:I don't think Walker was one of the greatest of all time. I do think he raced to his ability, won when it counted. There are so many thousands of athletes who would make the exchange of everything else they achieved in their careers for that gold. If Walker didn't race well, what do you say about - for example - Wilson Kipketer in 2000?
Bullshit. Walker was basically an unknown before the '74 Commonwealth Games. Bayi was already an established star and WR threat. From '77 on Walker was battling a crippling leg problem, he didn't have proper training for almost a decade. You actually didn't see the best of him. But because you worship Coe so much, we know who you are, you refuse to admit the greatness of others.
Lol!
I've just read this thread and think it's amusing that you think savagesquid is me! He's not, so you're doing him a disservice. In fact if memory serves me well, I've had quite a few disagreements with savagesquid over the years.
I have absolutely no idea why what he's saying has any relevance to Coe anyway!
WWIW, I think both Bayi and Walker were great runners.
Perhaps a touch paranoid.
* CLANG *
Doo-fus!
Read what deano said. Although, now that you've brought it up, Coe was much better than Walker. Twice as good in fact, when measured by Olympic Gold medals.
My point was that Walker was a great athlete, an Olympic champion, multiple CG mid-D medalist and WR breaker back when it meant a lot. I wouldn't criticize him for underachievement. I think that's your point also, so I am puzzled why you'd need to be a doofus about it. But that's your prerogative.