Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Comrade Blitz on March 08, 2017, 01:06:30 PM
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Second overall placing for Great Britain & NI at the European Indoors (behind Poland).
Diamond League meetings start on the 5th May:
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2djpiz6.png)
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I mentioned it in the running thread but this is better, if anyone hasn't followed the indoor season keep an eye out for Laura Muir this summer, she'll be running 1500m and 5000m in the worlds and she has a great chance of medals, she's been sensational in the indoors including 1500 and 3000 golds in the europeans and she has emphatic world lead times in both. You can find footage of both her wins on the bbc, the 3k is particularly impressive given it was her 4th race in 3 days.
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Didn't watch it. Any young Brits look like they could win medals for us at future Olympics?
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aside from Muir there were a few youngsters who looked decent.
Asha Philip (26 so not that young) got a new national 60m record and looked strong.
Richard Kilty won the mens 60m but it was the the other brit who finished that impressed me, Theo Etienne, only 20 and I think the pressure of the final (and a disqualification for the 3rd brit) got to him but he broke 6.60 is the semi which is a very good time for his age.
Andrew Pozzi looked strong in the 60m hurdles and won, he's 24 so should be close to his peak for the next olympics.
Lorraine Ugen got silver in the long jump but broke the national record to get it so she deserves a mention, she also gave a great interview afterwards and is very likable.
I'd say the cupboard is far from bare but there's no one besides Muir I'd be genuinely excited about however Muir is something very special in the making, I suspect she'll be a world leader i n 3k and 5k for a long time, 1500 might be a bit too sprinty in the last 200 for her at the very top level, she's very much a run from the front and wear them down runner and that's hard to do against the best in 1500.
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aside from Muir there were a few youngsters who looked decent.
Asha Philip (26 so not that young) got a new national 60m record and looked strong.
Richard Kilty won the mens 60m but it was the the other brit who finished that impressed me, Theo Etienne, only 20 and I think the pressure of the final (and a disqualification for the 3rd brit) got to him but he broke 6.60 is the semi which is a very good time for his age.
Andrew Pozzi looked strong in the 60m hurdles and won, he's 24 so should be close to his peak for the next olympics.
Lorraine Ugen got silver in the long jump but broke the national record to get it so she deserves a mention, she also gave a great interview afterwards and is very likable.
I'd say the cupboard is far from bare but there's no one besides Muir I'd be genuinely excited about however Muir is something very special in the making, I suspect she'll be a world leader i n 3k and 5k for a long time, 1500 might be a bit too sprinty in the last 200 for her at the very top level, she's very much a run from the front and wear them down runner and that's hard to do against the best in 1500.
Given her speed/endurance capability, I think she and her coach are smart enough to know she will not wait for the last 200, as she's gaining the confidence from this year's performances to be successful with a long run for home. Only probably Dibaba being the main threat.
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Tend to not watch the indoors as they are rarely a good barometer of the outdoor season other than if the very top athletes are performing.
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I normally agree but I saw some of Muir's races early in the indoor season and decided to keep an eye on her.
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I normally agree but I saw some of Muir's races early in the indoor season and decided to keep an eye on her.
That's fine, but you do have the right to remain silent you know. Anything you do say could be used against you as evidence in court.
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Tend to not watch the indoors as they are rarely a good barometer of the outdoor season other than if the very top athletes are performing.
I agree. It's like someone running round their living room.
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Philistines
https://spikes.iaaf.org/post/the-history-of-indoor-athletics
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UK athletes in action this past weekend at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships:
Tim Duckworth sets new British record for heptathlon (breaking his own previous record) - finishes 2nd overall
2015 European Junior 1500m winner Josh Kerr won the men's mile
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake was 4th in the 200m (false start in the 60 qualifier and DQ'd)
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The British team is expected to make “a big statement of intent” at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, on April 22-23, with nine Olympic relay medalists and 10 world relay medalists among those selected.
A 25-strong team has been named for the event, with British Athletics performance director Neil Black outlining how the 4x100m and 4x400m competitions are the focus, though with the squads selected GB could also contest the 4x200m. The event also offers 4x800m and mixed 4x400m competitions.
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/gb-selects-best-possible-teams-iaaf-world-relays-58802
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The British team is expected to make “a big statement of intent” at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, on April 22-23, with nine Olympic relay medalists and 10 world relay medalists among those selected.
A 25-strong team has been named for the event, with British Athletics performance director Neil Black outlining how the 4x100m and 4x400m competitions are the focus, though with the squads selected GB could also contest the 4x200m. The event also offers 4x800m and mixed 4x400m competitions.
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/gb-selects-best-possible-teams-iaaf-world-relays-58802
That would be a great event to attend. Sitting in the sun in The Bahamas watching relay after relay.
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I take it you can't fly direct.
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Sweet baby Jesus - 200m in 23.46 seconds.
OK, not that hot, you may think. Usain Bolt did it in 19.19 after all.
Oh, did I mention that it was a 12-year old ? Girl ?
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/12/champs-conveyor-belt-keeps-jamaican-sprintings-speed-feed-flowing (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/12/champs-conveyor-belt-keeps-jamaican-sprintings-speed-feed-flowing)
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Spent most of the weekend watching the NCAA Athletics championships on ESPN. One of the surprise winners was England's Charlotte Taylor (U of San Francisco) who took the 10k title. It turns out she previously won the U20 International Triathlon Union Olympic Distance World Triathlon in 2013.
University of Florida and the University of Oregon claimed the men's and women's team titles respectively.
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Oh, and the University of Arkansas was represented in the women's pole vault by identical twin sisters Alexis & Victoria Weeks:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/ci4F8Q/Arkansas_Track_006_r600x400.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ci4F8Q)
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Enjoyed watching the British Trials yesterday and today - however a bit concerned by the number of empty seats at the Alexander.
1) This is what happens when you turn athletics into a glory-hunter sport and convince people that only the big names (Mo, Bolttwat etc) are worth seeing - as evidenced by this load of shite in the Grauniad:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/jul/02/british-athletics-needs-new-stars-fill-seats-sports-stature-tumble
2) Be careful Brum. You just know that there is no shortage of people who would be glad to move it all to Manchester if it isn't properly supported.
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Enjoyed watching the British Trials yesterday and today - however a bit concerned by the number of empty seats at the Alexander.
1) This is what happens when you turn athletics into a glory-hunter sport and convince people that only the big names (Mo, Bolttwat etc) are worth seeing - as evidenced by this load of shite in the Grauniad:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/jul/02/british-athletics-needs-new-stars-fill-seats-sports-stature-tumble
2) Be careful Brum. You just know that there is no shortage of people who would be glad to move it all to Manchester if it isn't properly supported.
They've got a regional athletics stadium that hold about 2k so that isn't happening any time soon. Brum just needs to redevelop the Alex and sort out the public transport from The city centre. Job done.
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Not PC I know but Somenya, you're having a laugh.
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When did Seb Coe turn into Philip Hammond?
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When did Seb Coe turn into Philip Hammond?
hahaha
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Just on my feet cheering Mo Farah on to win.
In my kitchen!
I'm sure it affected his performance, somehow.
Well done Mo, I think In his place, I might have swung for the guy who kept tripping him up on the last lap. Clearly, Mo is world champion because he doesn't get mad, he just beats the cheats.
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Unbelievable stuff yet again from Mo Farah. To produce on the big stage on such a consistent basis is really something special. One of the sporting greats.
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Why's that bloke running in the womens 800, is he a pace setter?
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Why's that bloke running in the womens 800, is he a pace setter?
Caster Semenya, has been tested previously. I feel very sorry for her.
My seven year old daughter said, "why are men running with women".
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Gatlin can fuck right off.
Disastrous for the sport, very, very pleased with the reaction of the crowd.
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Denise Lewis is a moron.
Lewis: It says a lot about KJT that she picked herself up after the high jump
Commentator: Yes but she didn't pick herself up for the shot put
Lewis: She was probably still thinking about the high jump
Moron
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Gatlin can fuck right off.
Disastrous for the sport, very, very pleased with the reaction of the crowd.
Agree. Gatlin should've been banned for life, especially for cheating twice! If Athletics wants to clean up its act, cheats should receive an automatic lifetime ban. No two or three years to come back.
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Gatlin can fuck right off.
Disastrous for the sport, very, very pleased with the reaction of the crowd.
Agree. Gatlin should've been banned for life, especially for cheating twice! If Athletics wants to clean up its act, cheats should receive an automatic lifetime ban. No two or three years to come back.
US Athletics has to clean up.
If young Russian athletes are competing here without official identity because of doping in their national Athletics organisation, then how can Gatlin be competing under his national association having actually been caught twice?
It demeans the sport, the farewell of a global star, Usain Bolt and the achievement of Christian Coleman.
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I think the booing of Gatlin is distasteful. He's served his time and now free to run. Disagree with the rules if you like but that's on the rule makers. Not Gatlin.
Also lets not pretend he is the bad apple in a basket of virtuousness. Of the fastest 33 100 metres times ever, 24 are drugs cheats, the other 9 are Bolt. Just mull that one for a while.
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I think the booing of Gatlin is distasteful. He's served his time and now free to run. Disagree with the rules if you like but that's on the rule makers. Not Gatlin.
Also lets not pretend he is the bad apple in a basket of virtuousness. Of the fastest 33 100 metres times ever, 24 are drugs cheats, the other 9 are Bolt. Just mull that one for a while.
I hope Gatlin gets booed at the medals ceremony! I hate athletes who cheat. There is evidence that the drug he took could still enhance his performance now. Don't forget he was caught twice! Lifetime bans are the answer for a first offence. While these cheats think even if they get caught there's always a way back, they'll continue to do it.
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I think the booing of Gatlin is distasteful. He's served his time and now free to run. Disagree with the rules if you like but that's on the rule makers. Not Gatlin.
Also lets not pretend he is the bad apple in a basket of virtuousness. Of the fastest 33 100 metres times ever, 24 are drugs cheats, the other 9 are Bolt. Just mull that one for a while.
I hope Gatlin gets booed at the medals ceremony! I hate athletes who cheat. There is evidence that the drug he took could still enhance his performance now. Don't forget he was caught twice! Lifetime bans are the answer for a first offence. While these cheats think even if they get caught there's always a way back, they'll continue to do it.
The biggest problem is the standardisation of drug bans. The drugs Gatlin took are the sort that should be considered for lifetime bans but there's plenty of others that don't deserve that at all.
On subject Gatlin has no one to blame but himself and he needs to just accept that this is how he's going to be treated by fans all over the world. Being banned once and coming back is one thing, deciding to carry on doping despite having been banned is unforgivable and he should never have been allowed to compete again.
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Double standards when other drugs cheats aren't booed.
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Double standards when other drugs cheats aren't booed.
How many people have been involved who've been banned for drugs offences twice?
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So being a drugs cheat is ok but twice you get booed?
His first offence was for medication he'd been taking since childhood for ADD, apparently. The IAAF reduced his ban on appeal.
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So being a drugs cheat is ok but twice you get booed?
His first offence was for medication he'd been taking since childhood for ADD, apparently. The IAAF reduced his ban on appeal.
No, being adrug cheat isn't ok but if you've been banned and then take something else and get banned again then you can't have too many complaints if you get booed.
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He should be booed mercilessly. The dickhead organisers have moved the medal ceremony to avoid widespread booing. Spoilsports.
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It's not just the cheating it's the sheer lack of remorse. He presents himself as some sort shining light for those who have been through tough times.
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It's not just the cheating it's the sheer lack of remorse. He presents himself as some sort shining light for those who have been through tough times.
I very nearly wrote the same earlier. I wouldn't boo him, I don't boo anyone, but I think suggesting that he somehow doesn't deserve it is a massive stretch all things considered, he's right up there with the biggest dickheads in sport for me.
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A shocking statistic that 1 in 10 of all athletes at the London Olympics have been found to have tested positive for drugs, unless the governing body get tough with the cheats with life time bans then they will continue to take the risk and cheat and athletics as a sport will lose any credibility.
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A shocking statistic that 1 in 10 of all athletes at the London Olympics have been found to have tested positive for drugs, unless the governing body get tough with the cheats with life time bans then they will continue to take the risk and cheat and athletics as a sport will lose any credibility.
The extension of this is that athletes like Bolt, Farah, Radcliffe, etc all get tarred by the same brush and all of them have their accomplishments questioned. I suspect Van Niekerk will start getting questioned soon as well, even if there's no evidence that he's done anything wrong.
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Medal ceremony now , quick, bbc
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Not a great day for Britain, three potential medallists all missing out. Looking like Mo will be our only contribution the medal table unless we can sneak one in the relays.
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Got to say Johnson-Thompson always flatters to deceive.
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KJT and Bradshaw rarely look as if they are enjoying competing.
Got to say Johnson-Thompson always flatters to deceive.
Indeed. Usually also looks scared shitless when competing - but Bradshaw even more so. Can self-belief be coached into an athlete?
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Women hammer throwers look large!
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Women hammer throwers look large!
Sophie Hitchon makes me feel tingly in my pants. Oh dear.
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Laura Muir gave it a really good go there. She's a proper 110%er. First name on Ron Saunders' team sheet.
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She should've set off faster. Could even have got gold if she had given herself a lead after two laps. Still relatively young, though, so could improve like Holmes and Radcliffe did.
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Women hammer throwers look large!
I had the pleasure of checking tonight's hammer finalists in the call room. They are big girls! The French girl took her tee shirt off to put her vest on (she was wearing a bra) but they were not very securely held in place. Don't think she did very well, but it made me smile! Maybe her loose boobs give her extra momentum when she is turning in the circle.
I bet many reading this will not believe this comment is actually true. But I am here in London for the second time this summer, working as a technical official. Even got out on track tonight. The pink uniform takes a bit of getting used to and we don't walk back to the hotel alone wearing it!
A lot of comment has been made about the booing of Gatlin - I just remind people this is where Wet Spam play and the home supporters must be used to booing.
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The IAAF medical team have made a real cock up about not allowing the Botswanan sprinter Isaac Makwala to compete in the 400M final.
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I've just been watching this unfold. Seems very bizarre !
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If he's got an infectious disease, he should stay home. Hate people who come to work and make other people ill.
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Women hammer throwers look large!
It's not even a proper hammer. You'd have no chance trying to bang a nail into a wall using that ball on the end of a chain.
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They should throw West Ham players.
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Latest shock news from London Stadium.
If it rains tonight Men's Hammer will be postponed to Thursday morning as they don't want the 7.26 kg hammers sinking into the grass and buggering up the under soil heating. Can't have Wet Spam playing on a frozen pitch. They are bad enough when it is not frozen.
IAAF won't let sick athletes run, but have not said anything about the pigeon who lives in the south tunnel where we are working in the call room. Pigeon likes to crap on the athletes as they are being checked out.
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Embarrassing levels of rudeness, ignorance and un-professionalism during the inquisition of Dr Venning by Gobby, Duh-neez et al
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I'm taking the kids tomorrow evening. Any tips for me, SashasGrandad? I'll be getting the DLR to Stratford from Lewisham - I imagine it'll be even busier than usual?
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We moved from the seats to the bottom tier to watch the final race standing behind the disabled section last night. Queues were fine but apparently it can build up quickly if you're not careful.
It's a little queue getting in but only minor.
The restaurants were all fully booked in Stratford so we ate at Canary Wharf.
Really enjoyed it. The crowd is so well behaved going quiet as races start.
Beer prices match those of Wembley.
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Ha ha ha! What the fuck???
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I'm taking the kids tomorrow evening. Any tips for me, SashasGrandad? I'll be getting the DLR to Stratford from Lewisham - I imagine it'll be even busier than usual?
Get there early to avoid the crowds. Don't bring big bags as they have to be searched. No bag means you can sometimes jump the queue. DLR from Lewisham is fine. Get off at Pudding mill Lane if you want to avoid crowds, but you have to walk around the stadium to get in.
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I'm taking the kids tomorrow evening. Any tips for me, SashasGrandad? I'll be getting the DLR to Stratford from Lewisham - I imagine it'll be even busier than usual?
Get there early to avoid the crowds. Don't bring big bags as they have to be searched. No bag means you can sometimes jump the queue. DLR from Lewisham is fine. Get off at Pudding mill Lane if you want to avoid crowds, but you have to walk around the stadium to get in.
Thanks - and to Lovejoy.
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YAAAAAASSSSSSSSS
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I loved the footage of the Female British relay team cheering on their male counterparts
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Top banana
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Well done to the 4x100 men.
Would still of won even if Bolt had finished.
Great stuff.
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I love it....the top headline on Mo/Bolt night was the GBR 4x100 win. Awesome race executed to near perfection.
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Just watched the womens 4x400m relay team win silver - or should I say almost watched them win silver - as the camerawork was abysmal.
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Cracking atmosphere in the stadium tonight with unexpected medals. The respect given to all athletes and anthems and the silence at the start of races is something to behold and something football could learn from.
A crap place to watch football I would guess.
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Cracking atmosphere in the stadium tonight with unexpected medals. The respect given to all athletes and anthems and the silence at the start of races is something to behold and something football could learn from.
A crap place to watch football I would guess.
I was there too.
I loved the evening of top class sport without being too bothered about winners. Very supportive audience for all athletes in all events, though the Brits obviously got etra backing. The noise for the 2 relays, in particular the women's event, was fantastic. There also appears to be genuine respect and camaraderie among competing athletes.
All in all, a cracking evening.