Is Webb vs Willis, the next Coe vs Ovett?

More like Harbour versus Byers.

First, Webb was 18 when he ran the 3:53, although he might've been 17 when he ran the 3:59i. Second, it will be an awesome rivalry, but to compare it to Coe vs. Ovett... they'd both have to win Oly gold, and they'd have to trade off WR's to be another Coe vs. Ovett. I think these guys can do GREAT things but we gotta be realistic here. Bekele vs. Kipchoge, maybe now we're talking.

Yes Coe and Ovett exchanged WR's and Olympic titles, but the sport has evolved so much now that regular record breaking is nigh on impossible. (legitimately).

Nowadays with obvious event leaders, who are quite a bit better than the rest, ie Bekele, El G etc the element of a close contest has gone.

In the abscence of this I think most American track fans would be more interested in a Webb vs Willis type pure contest than alot of others.

El G just lost, and if anything it is more difficult for there to be someone WAY better than everyone else these days, because the comp is so much tougher. Geb and Tergat/Komen traded off WR's for a few years. It can be done.

So is Willis gonna go pro and leave Nathan all alone in Michigan? I heard a Backstreet Boy wants to sponsor Nate.

Unfortunately, there are very few true "middle distance" runners these days. The structure of the Golden League is partially responsible.

Isolation leads to stagnation. Doubtless, El Guerrouj has more training and is iftter than he was six years ago, but has not PR'd at 1500m or the mile in 7 and 6 years, respectively. It's no coincidence that his last race shorter than 1500m was in 1995.

It would be nice to see the Golden League a little bit more varied; switiching off meetings and having GL events as "100/200" and "800/1500." Or you could just allow athletes to be eligible for the jackpot if they win 6 meets in any event.

No.

1. They are from different countries.

2. There are a whole lot of people ahead of them on the world lists and they are not threats to break world records anytime soon.

Interesting matchup? ...yeah...on par with coe ovett...not by a long shot.

willis was 18 as well when he ran his PRs in High School. He's only 3 months younger than Webb although a grade behind.

call me stupid but how fast did willis run in high school?

3:42.69 at World Juniors.

1:48.89 the same year.

thnx

Willis ran a 4.01 mile as a 17 y/o, which I think may be what is being referred to.

I think it is an interesting concept, the whole Coe v Ovett thing.

By some of the heat generated on this board at times you would be forgiven for thinking that Webb and Willis were world leaders.

I think in terms of a two way contest, that people really want to see it's right up there, others for me are:

Guerrouj vs Bekele @1500, 5000m

Saif Saheed Shaheen vs Bekele @ 5000m

Tergat vs Geb @ marathon

Fanny B-K wrote:

I think in terms of a two way contest, that people really want to see it's right up there, others for me are:

Guerrouj vs Bekele @1500, 5000m

Saif Saheed Shaheen vs Bekele @ 5000m

Tergat vs Geb @ marathon

I still agree with the intial thread starter. There is a great deal of comparison. The whole Coe vs Ovett thing also had to do with the differences in nature and their attitude towards racing etc .. maybe without the WRs

They were both from the same country so it boosted running in that country

The only comparable 2 1500m athletes the UK have at present is probably East vs Thie

It is all good for the sport in their perspective countries.

It wont happen again!!!!!

Africa now dominates track but have no media power - When the US or UK produce a pair of athletes who are breaking world records not just doing well,

Then maybe there is a possibility - unfortunately the general media public dont identify with any of the top athletes and dismiss races as - Some Kenyan guy won or they broke another world record.. The british press are the worse... every race includes a comment like he is doing really well for a non african runner...

Webb needs to marry Britney Spears and then actually turn out to be Gay and have an affair with Justin Timberlake and Willis would probably need to sleep with a sheep and declare that it is teh secret behind his success before it will get any media attention..or maybe take some drugs and get caught...that will get some interest back - right now its a brigade of african runners with names nobody can remember...

I'm not going to start a new thread, but while Webb's certainly not a clear favorite for a Gold, do you see many who have a better chance?

For Gold, I'd take either Webb or Meddi (sp?). The biggest question on Webb is his last 200m, but with his mid-race :53 at the trials and his pretty comfortable 1:52 start at Pre, not to mention his 1:46 800m (not impressive at the world level, but won by decent margin over quick runners) I think he can be wicked fast in a 3:30's type Olympic race.

In addition, watching the others race El G through the years, they always 'let him' get the jump at 450m to go. I think Webb will be fearless again in taking it out for a long kick and will win Gold in that fashion.

"...Isolation leads to stagnation. Doubtless, El Guerrouj has more training and is iftter than he was six years ago, but has not PR'd at 1500m or the mile in 7 and 6 years, respectively. It's no coincidence that his last race shorter than 1500m was in 1995..."

Why ever do you think that his handlers have not thought of this?

The answer to this question is a resounding no. There are too many other runners in the mix now, especially Kenyans and Moroccans and Kenyans and Morrocans running for France, Bahrain,or whereever. You may have noticed that in Rome, when El G kind of quit at the end and placed 8th, he still ran 3:32. There were seven guys running 3:30 or 3:31 ahead of him.

Webb vs Willis might be a good race in the semis.

J. Goodman wrote:

"...Isolation leads to stagnation. Doubtless, El Guerrouj has more training and is iftter than he was six years ago, but has not PR'd at 1500m or the mile in 7 and 6 years, respectively. It's no coincidence that his last race shorter than 1500m was in 1995..."

Why ever do you think that his handlers have not thought of this?

$$$$$$$$

I say its more of an "Alien vs Preditor" thing...

only in that its lame. Webb will always kick his piddly ass around the track. Willis only runs fast in fast races and finishes 5th, Webb will win, or come close to winning thoses races. And those few steps webb will have on him are enormous in that type of race; the diff. of 2nd and 8th.