There are really only 4 outlier performances in the 200.
Michael Johnson - 19.32, 1996 Olympics
Usain Bolt - 19.30, 2008 Olympics
Usain Bolt - 19.19, 2009 WCs
Yohan Blake - 19.26, 2011 Brussels DL
All of these are at least 0.2 better than any other athlete, which is now Walter Dix at 19.53 and was Tyson Gay at 19.58 before yesterday.
The first 3 all had good indicators beforehand that something special could happen. And they ran those times in Olympic or World Championship finals. Johnson had broken the world record earlier in the summer of 1996 and he was the world's best at 400 at the same time. Bolt broke the world record twice in the 100 in 2008. When Bolt ran 19.19 in 2009 he had broken the world record at 100 again just before.
So these guys knew they were in world record shape or thereabouts. Yet, when they crossed the finish line they were totally shocked by the results. Go back through the thread to see where I posted MJ's and Bolt's reactions at seeing 19.32 and 19.32 on the clock.
Clean athletes are surprised by these kind of performances even when they are in world record shape because they know what it really takes to get there. Great shape with no injuries, great weather, slight tailwind, great competition, great start and then absolutely perfect execution.
Blake gave us a good indication of the shape he was in by running 9.82. He won the world championships against a motley crew of those still standing. Four athletes (3 who are probably clean) who were faster than Blake didn't race - Bolt (FS), Powell (injury, mental and maybe doping), Gay (injury), and Mullings (doping).
Blake had a terrible start. It was so bad that the announcers noticed it immediately and were wondering why he was asleep in the blocks. His RT is indisputable. Blake did not lead coming off the turn. His execution to this point had been poor.
So a fast time was improbable and Blake knew it. Sprinters know when their start is slow. He knew he was behind Dix because he could see him. So when he saw the time he should have gone totally crazy. It should have been shocking to him. He should have been jumping around and smiling and looking to a coach or manager to tell him that it was real.
Yeah, Blake was a little surprised as he looked over at the clock. Overall, his reaction was subdued. Maybe he just thought there was a timing error. He fist pumped a couple of times, threw the bouquet into the crowd, then went to his knees for that pose that he does. Then he calmly walked back to the finish line. Watch the video, Bolt is more surprised than he is. Blake looks like he expected to run 19.26.
Clean athletes are surprised and elated with great performances because they are unexpected. Even when you know you're in world record shape you don't run a world record every time out. There are so many external factors that can't be controlled.
Dopers are not surprised by great performances because they know that external factors are largely irrelevant. They know before they even take the line that they should perform well. Dopers are scared by good performances because they think they might get caught.