2012 Olympic Games - Track and Field Sprint/Mid Distance Preview

Athletics Starts in 2 Days

With the London 2012 Olympic Games already underway, the countdown to the Athletics (Track and Field to us North Americans) is on, and in two days the events that are the reason for the Olympic slogan of Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) will be underway. For most casual viewers, this portion of the Olympics is the most exciting with events like the 100 meter dash drawing gasps from all corners of the world as 8 men race to earn the title of World’s Fastest Man. For others, events like the 3000 meter steeplechase, or the Games’ closing event, the men’s marathon, pique their interest the most. Stepping away from hockey for a moment, Weekend Warriors previews the track and field programme of the XXX Olympiad. Today’s entry covers the sprint and middle distance events.

Men’s 100m Dash

Since bursting on the scene during the 2008 Beijing Olympics with world records in the 100, 200 and running the penultimate leg on the world record Jamaican 4x100m relay, Usain Bolt has quickly become the face of track and field, especially with his captivating personality, and lightning-bolt quick times that include current 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, and 200m world record of 19.19 seconds. However, Bolt hasn’t quite been the same since a false start in the 2011 World Championships and a string of injuries. Enter in Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake. The heir apparent to Usain Bolt, and this season’s fastest man over 100m and last season’s fastest man over 200m in what is the second fastest 200 of all time at 19.26 seconds. In this event expect a duel between these two teammates, as well as 2004 Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin of the United States to challenge for a medal alongside former world record holder Asafa Powell and current American record holder, Tyson Gay. Canadian Content: Justyn Warner represents Canada in this event, entering the meet with a personal best of 10.15 seconds. Expect Warner to make a push to get into the quarter finals and potentially the semi finals.

Predictions: 1) Usain Bolt - JAM 2) Yohan Blake - JAM 3) Justin Gatlin - USA

Men’s 200m Dash

With much the same cast of characters as the 100m, this event will likely be yet another Bolt/Blake showdown with a different twist on it. Christophe Lemaitre of France enters the event with a personal best of 19.80 seconds and holds the distinction of being the only Caucasian to ever break 10 seconds in the 100 and 20 seconds in the 200. He will certainly be a medal threat, as well as American Wallace Spearmon. Canadian Content: Tremaine Harris, Jarred Connaughton and Aaron Brown represent Canada in this discipline with Harris coming in ranked 9^th and Connaughton ranked 11^th in the world this year in the event.

Predictions: 1) Usain Bolt - JAM 2) Yohan Blake - JAM 3) Christophe Lemaitre - FRA

Lightning Bolt

Men’s 400m Dash

An event that used to be so predictable on the world stage has now become one of the most wide open events due to the fall of American dominance, and an uprising of young international talent that has come on the scene. Lashawn Merrit of the United States is the defending Olympic Champion in this event, but is competing in just his first full season back on the international circuit after sitting out a doping ban. No man has broke 44 seconds yet this year, and a cluster of men with personal bests and seasons bests all sub 44.5 means that this is any man’s race. And that man doesn’t necessarily have to have legs. South African double amputee Oscar Pistorious will contend this event after protesting the IAAF ruling that his blade runners gave him an unfair advantage. He will not be a threat to medal however. Canadian Content: Daundre Barnaby will represent Canada in this event, entering with a time of 45.67 seconds.

Predicitions: 1) Kirani James –GRENADA 2) Lashawn Merrit – USA 3) Tony McQuay – USA

Men’s 800m Run

The men’s 800m dash is David Rudisha’s to lose. Rudisha of Kenya holds the current world record of 1:41.01, and the next fastest man is Abubaker Kaki of Sudan at 1:42.23. Kaki has struggled through an inconsistent year of results in the high 1:44s as well as a few DNFs. Duane Solomon of the United States boasts the 3^rd fastest time of the year at 1:43.44, but set this time in a single file, time trial like race. In a series of rounds that favour tactical racing, a lot of men who aren’t in the top 10 this year come into play. Enter Yuriy Borzakovskiy who has been a fixture in the 800 on the world stage for 12 years now. Borza, who is the 2004 Olympic champion won bronze at last years world championships and cannot be counted out. Like the 400, this race is wide open and aside from Rudisha, the medals will go to those who can best navigate the rounds. Canadian Content: Geoff Harris will represent Canada in this event, and enters with a personal best of 1:46.12

Predictions: 1) David Rudisha – KEN 2) Abubaker Kaki – SUD 3) Nigel Amos – BOT

Men’s 1500m Run

Three men have all ran sub 3:30 in the 1500 this year. All three of these men are Kenyan. Surprise, surprise. In all seriousness, the favourite in this event has to be Aspbel Kiprop of Kenya. Kiprop may be the best 1500m runner of all time to never win an Olympic Gold*. This event, like the 800 will depend on who properly navigates the rounds and who can conserve the most energy leading up to the final. Matt Centrowitz of the United States snagged bronze in last year’s world championships and will be another medal threat in this year’s Games. Nick Willis of New Zealand was awarded the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics* and will be among a handful of guys expected to have a shot at a medal. But with 12 men in the final, there are 12 medal prospects which place a lot of emphasis on getting through the heats and semi finals. Canadian Content: Nathan Brannen will represent Canada in this event and will be a threat to make the finals.

Predictions: 1) Aspbel Kiprop – KEN 2) Matthew Centrowitz – USA 3) Silas Kiplagat – KEN

*Kiprop was awarded Gold after originally winning Silver when 1st place finisher, Rashid Ramzi tested positive for EPO at Beijing 2008. This Doping violation also moved Nick Willis up to Silver from Bronze.