The Reason El Guerrouj Won: Last 700m: 1:32.25, Last 300m: 38.97, Closed Faster than Cacho in 1992

Racer1 wrote:

Today, he let the race go slow at 2:01 through 800 and closed the last 700m in a phenomenal 1:32, as fast as Fermin Cacho in 1992, except Cacho came through 800 in 2:08. That pace is around 1:46 for the last 800, a Bile-esque finish.

I just watched my tape of the race and El Guerrouj came through 700 m in 1:47.4, which means his last 800 was in fact right around 1:46.7

Congrats to El G for ending the curse!

Rui Silva's last 700m was even faster.....because he was last when ELG took the lead.

Incredible

lets see if he gets thru the drug test......

mustapha wrote:

lets see if he gets thru the drug test......

You, good sir, are a poor, confused cretin who sucks off the success of others like a ridiculously idiotic leech to feed your own sick mind and maliciously slander others without evidence.

I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

This is crazy, but I also believe that Silva should now be the Olympic champion. The only thing is that he did not belive in it and only put himself in a position to win a medal and not win the gold medal.

react wrote:

Rui Silva's last 700m was even faster.....because he was last when ELG took the lead.

He ran very well especially considering that last 700 meters.

I wonder if EL G is the oldest male to win the gold? If memory serves, Seb Coe was 27 when he won in '84.

absolutely incredible it is well deserved

the nbc commentators are shit, i'm glad elg proved them wrong and kicked in when he did

what time was the 1500 shown on the east coast? i'm on the west coast and I don't want to miss it.

Well that's part of racing - it's not just about who's fastest, but also who is smartest. It's a little surprising since Silva is better tactical runner than he showed today.

But anyway, his last 700, and more so, the last 400 were really impressive. Does anyone have a split for him? If ElG ran 51 high for his last 400, Silva must be close to 51.0-51.2. Craziness.

[quote]Racer1 wrote:

El Guerrouj finally figured out that sending out a pacemaker is not the way to go.

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Having watched the race, I am not sure that El G "figured" it out. It seemed rather that the Kenyan plan failed, because El G. made sure they couldn't carry it out.

If you look at the first 100 meters, there was an all out sprint by the Kenyan team to get three up front and ensure a slow pace. The Moroccan "pace maker" never got to the front to do the work for El G. So, instead of making the fatal flaw that we have all seen (and made) so many times, El G. didn't sit back and wait for a kick but rather picked up the pace to make sure that the best man won.

Hoovis

unattached wrote:

what time was the 1500 shown on the east coast? i'm on the west coast and I don't want to miss it.

i'd like to know that too. anyone know?

el g's last 400m was 52.0

The 1500 final was shown around 11:30pm -- right after the decathlon 1500.

Tune in at 11:00 and you'll be fine.

Rui Silva was 51.2 for his last 400 and 1:46 low for his last 800. Absolutely amazing and he let up a bit at the end as he knew he couldnt catch the leading two.

thanks.

i second that thanks

CBC had El g's final lap at 51.91

Steve Ovett is a good announcer, he is awesome.

Marty Liqouri is most definitely not awesome.