Thoughts anyone?
Thoughts anyone?
No.
Would love to see it, but historically 800m record breakers get two seasons where they're pushing the envelope timewise. Juantorena had '76/'77, Coe '79/'81, Cruz '84/'85, Kipketer '96/'97. By my count, Rudisha just had his two fast years. He says himself that he won't focus on time until after the London Olympics.
I think if you look at the progression last season, it can be concluded he was very near his max potential. To get the perfect race in Rieti yet only shave a few hundredths off the record, I'd have to conclude that was it. Another full second is an eternity at his uber-elite level.
No. Will take a Bolt-like talent at the 800 (whether doped or clean) that can completely revolutionize the times thought possible.
Yes. Nicely put.
nightline wrote:
Would love to see it, but historically 800m record breakers get two seasons where they're pushing the envelope timewise. Juantorena had '76/'77, Coe '79/'81, Cruz '84/'85, Kipketer '96/'97. By my count, Rudisha just had his two fast years. He says himself that he won't focus on time until after the London Olympics.
I think if you look at the progression last season, it can be concluded he was very near his max potential. To get the perfect race in Rieti yet only shave a few hundredths off the record, I'd have to conclude that was it. Another full second is an eternity at his uber-elite level.
he might be running 1:40 high, but I don't see him go sub-1:40 (not trolling).
I think, given the progression over the last thirty years, that we are getting pretty close to the limit for the 800. It's taken thirty years to take 7/10 of a second off; given that, another 1.02 in the next few years seems like a tall order.
Like everyone else though, I would love to see it happen and am rooting for Rudisha to do it!
Wise Guy wrote:
I think, given the progression over the last thirty years, that we are getting pretty close to the limit for the 800. It's taken thirty years to take 7/10 of a second off; given that, another 1.02 in the next few years seems like a tall order.
Like everyone else though, I would love to see it happen and am rooting for Rudisha to do it!
I tend to agree. I'd say most of that 7 tenths improvement is due to better spikes and faster mondo tracks over 30 years anyway. Given a level playing field there is little if nothing between Coe, Kipketer and Rudisha.
A sub 1:40 will only come if, a) tracks get faster due to improved surfaces, or b) another EPO type of drug comes along which is undetectable, or c) use of PEDS becomes legal.