He said he would a year ago, and so far this season has only run 3 track races, and is not entered in Helsinki invite, Stockholm, and Oslo meets before the World Champs.
2000 m steeple
5:14.53 AR PB (1) 1 GP Doha 13 May
3000 m steeple
7:57.28 1 Tsiklitiria Athína 14 Jun
7:56.34 SB (1) 1 GGala Roma 8 Jul
He could enter Helsinki World Champs...
3k sc heat aug 7
3k sc final aug 9
5000 heat aug 11
5000 final aug 14
Will he do it? Can he win? Yes to both
he isn't even qualified for the 5k, the 12:48 was in 03
He IS qualified in the 5k, he ran 13:14 last year. In that race he fell and was on the ground for 10 seconds, which explains the slow time. If he runs that, he'd probably get 3rd-5th
Renato's the one to ask. He SHOULD do the 5K; he has nothing more to prove in the steeple. We know he's the best. He has beaten all comers and has the WR. Now he should attack the 5K. A 12:48 and he doesn't do it again? That's the 5th fastest time EVER!
He HAS run the 5k again after the 12:48, last year in Stockholm he ran the 5k, going after a fast time, but it didn't work out, I'd like to see him double in Helsinki....but I think he should still run the 3k sc because he needs Olympic gold medal
Hicham El Guerrouj will not compete in Helsinki, now it is a better chance for Shaheen to medal or win in the 5000m.
Predictions...
Mens 1500m
1. Daniel Kipchirchir Komen
2. Rashid Ramzi
3. Mehdi Baala
4. Ivan Heshko
Mens 5000m
1. Kenenisa Bekele
After that Songok/Kipchoge/Shaheen fighting over medals
Don't count out Mottram. That guy knows how to race.
Michael Bautista wrote:
Hicham El Guerrouj will not compete in Helsinki, now it is a better chance for Shaheen to medal or win in the 5000m.
Predictions...
Mens 1500m
1. Daniel Kipchirchir Komen
2. Rashid Ramzi
3. Mehdi Baala
4. Ivan Heshko
Mens 5000m
1. Kenenisa Bekele
After that Songok/Kipchoge/Shaheen fighting over medals
Michael, I agree with you about the men's 1500.
Bekele might get double gold because the programme is just too favourable for a 5k///10k runner. He might only win because they are spaced well.
Saif Shaheen cannot win double gold. Infact, if he doubles, he won't medal in the 5k. Watch this space.
I like poops.
Native Son wrote:
I like poops.
This is not me.
Please stop impersonating me. You know it is a federal crime.
Saif S. Shaheen in my opinion may have thought about the double and awaiting the federation decision; however, I don't know if he have the stamina to pull off the double. He is very talented and could medal in either but he is more of a speed runner than endurance. The fact that the steeple and 5000m have heats and the athletes will exploit Saif and attempt to weaken him by making the heats fast. The Kenyans know that can't let him waltz into the finals without making him pay in both events if he decides to double.
NativeSon wrote:
[quote]Native Son wrote:
I like poops.
This is not me.
Please stop impersonating me. You know it is a federal crime.
Impersonating someone who is hiding behind a pseudonym is a federal crime? You have got to be joking.
Im in agreeance with the posters that have said that Shaheen has nothing left to prove in the steeple (until 2008). Lets be honest and say that steeple is predominatly for 2nd string athletes that can't make it big in the flat races (ie. the 450000kenyans that are good at it because they run 13:20something 5ks).
Shaheen is an awesome athlete and it would be good to see him have a crack at beating some of the greats (and its not like Bekele is gunna come out and run a steeple)
He wont be remembered for winning just a steeplechase, but if he could run near the WR or something and get some WC medals in 5k it would b awesome....
Either that or can we see the first ever 4minute steeplechase mile?
Disagree about lack of quality in the steeple. If the guys who ran were only 13:20 guys we could get some medas, but we don't even come close. Many of the fastest guys like Shaheen, Moses Kiptanui, Barmasai, and BOit Kipketer have run 7:30ish or sub 13 with few attempts. Steeplers who win medals are guys are top notch runners who can ALSO steeple, not runners who can't run.
It would be great to see him take on Bekele, who would also be doubling. On the track I have a hard time seing Shaheen not getting a medal. Kipchoge, Bekele and Shaheen would be a great race.
gav800 wrote:
Im in agreeance with the posters that have said that Shaheen has nothing left to prove in the steeple (until 2008). Lets be honest and say that steeple is predominatly for 2nd string athletes that can't make it big in the flat races (ie. the 450000kenyans that are good at it because they run 13:20something 5ks)
gav800,
You have such warped logic. It is pitiful.
Vipam wrote:
Saif S. Shaheen in my opinion may have thought about the double and awaiting the federation decision; however, I don't know if he have the stamina to pull off the double. He is very talented and could medal in either but he is more of a speed runner than endurance. The fact that the steeple and 5000m have heats and the athletes will exploit Saif and attempt to weaken him by making the heats fast. The Kenyans know that can't let him waltz into the finals without making him pay in both events if he decides to double.
I had the same thought. The Kenyans 5k team will pull a very fast heat to burn him out because an 'in form' Shaheen can turn the tables inthe 5k. I don't think Shaheen has the endurance that Bekele has to compete in a 6000m steeplechase and a 10k (two 5ks) in the space of a week. I believe that he is intelligent and won't dare.
Another thing, the Kenyan steeple team will take him thro the heats in crazy times. Shaheen cant gamble because Kenya B from Bahrain will be there.
Sorry to inform directly from Kenya all the supporters of Shaheen that, in Helsinki, he goes running only steeple. The idea of running mainly flat distances starts from next year, when the real goals can be 3:30 / 7:25 / 12:40, with may be one attempt in 10000.
Stephen wants to last long time, and this year had some problem with the weather in the last period. So, now he is ready for running fast till 3000m, but not for being at the top in 5000 (may be 12:50, but after steeple and with so strong competitors, this time is not enough for winning). One virtue of a big champion is also to know his limits, being humble. I prefers top athletes not speaking, that good speakers not running.
I cannot understand a word you typed.
Huh? wrote:
I cannot understand a word you typed.
What can't you understand? It is your comprehension skills bloke.