“Is my hair okay?” Usain Bolt, Berlin 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

It was about 3 am in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, when photos from Victah Sailer arrived. Victah, a colorful and iconic figure in the world of athletics, is not one for pithy commentary. However, his Solinsky, 26:59.6, Holy Sh#t!, well, does put it in perspective!

I was saved from ignorance last night by the texting savvy of friends in Palo Alto, CA and Kingston, Jamaica. Thanks to the RBR “global eyes” team.

Usain Bolt opens in 19.56, in front of 40,000 of his closest friends? Usain twittered last night that he felt great and he needed to give his home a show! That he did!

Saturday night showed, me at least, how increadibly sad it is that the average sports fan did not see the Kim McDonald 10,000m or the 200 meters from Kingston! All ESPN sportscenter spoke about was baseball, hockey and some chucklehead who is denying he beat the stuffing out of a former friend. Too bad that they did not have access to the events, nor perhaps, did they care…

EME NEWS (MAY 2, 2010)

BOLT FOURTH FASTEST EVER 19.56

KINGSTON (JAM, May 1): 40 000
happy fans saw at National Stadium a splendid JN Jamaica International
Invitational meet. In total five world leads and six meet records were
something special. But above all the fastest man on earth. Usain Bolt clocked
in lane five easy 19.56 (-0.8) in his first serious individual race of the
year. He never clocked so early such a fast time, it is actually the
fourth fastest ever. Only Bolt twice with his world records from Beijing and
Berlin and Michael Johnson with world record in Atlanta were faster. “19.56 is
very good, I am not trying to break any records this season. I had to
come out here and give Jamaica a good show, this is the first the
Invitational has gotten such a big crowd, so I came out and gave the
people what they came for.  I did my
best and I hope they appreciate it,” he said per TrackAlerts.com. On his
twitter he added: „Well i did well and felling good 19.56, good season
opener.” Bolt next races are scheduled for Asia, Daegu on May 19 (100 m) and Shanghai Diamond
League on May 23 (another 200
m) before heading to Ostrava for his 300 m debut (May 27). His US
rival Wallace Spearmon as second was also fast with 19.98. From the top trio of
fastest men Asafa Powell was missing, but Tyson Gay competed in his first
international 400 m
and won in 45.05.  „I worked a bit
harder trying to finish. It was very hard, because my legs still hurts,” said
Gay. His next known race is on May 16 in Manchester in the straight 200 m. Second Jermaine
Gonzalez who is close friend and team-mate of Bolt clocked with huge last 100 metres 45.22 and
beat world medalist Renny Quow of Trinidad (45.64). In expected women 100 m clash Carmelita Jeter
beat Jamaicans on their home soil and first season´s sub 11 times were
registered. Jeter remains unbeaten from Berlin Worlds, on Saturday she clocked
10.94 (+1.4) over Kerron Stewart (10.96) and Mershevet Myers (11.13). Other
women world leads by Novlene Williams-Mills at 400 m (50.32) and Kenia
Sinclair in the 800 m
(1:58.62, also meet record). Second Neisha Bernard-Thomas achieved new national
record for Grenada 1:59.60. Last world lead to note was the two meters
clearance (in third attempt) by Chaunte Howard-Lowe in high jump. She tried
then at her new PB 202. But more surprisingly she won the long jump in
excellent PB (and equaled the meet record) 661 (+0.4) beating specialists
Rhonda Watkins (657) and Funmi Jimoh (653). World champion Christian Cantwell
won the shot put with meet record 21.50 in sixth attempt. Cory Martin solid
second (20.82). Last meet record to note in the men´s 1500 m by Kenyan Josphat
Kitii (3:40.30). Back to other sprints, fast 10.09 by Nesta Carter in the 100 m against -0.9 wind. He
clearly beat US Darvis Patton (10.23), Trinidad´s Richard Thompson (10.25) and
world leader Ivory Williams (10.28). Olympic winner Veronica Campbell-Brown got
a good 200 m
win in 22.60 (-0.2). World champion Kerron Clement started his hurdles season
with 48.55 win over Jamaican Isa Phillips (48.87). Women 400 m hurdles winner Josanne
Lucas of Trinidad achieved 54.96. In sprint hurdles Virginia Crawford won the
women race after 12.72 (+0.6) beating Vonette Dixon (12.84), Tiffany Ofili
(12.85) and debuting world medalist Deloreen Ennis-London (12.95). Jamaican
record holder Dwight Thomas was the fastest man over the hurdles 13.33 (+1.9)
ahead of Antwon Hicks (13.40) and Briton Andy Turner (13.46). 

TWO 400 M
HURDLES WORLD LEADS

BAIE MAHAULT (FRA, May 1): Two
world leading marks in the 400
m hurdles races highlighted the 7th Meeting
International de la Grand Caraibe Region Guadeloupe in Caribbean area. During
a nice late evening with some showers olympic winner Angelo Taylor posted
48.16 and world silver medalist Lashinda Demus 54.09. Berlin silver holder
Javier Culson was second (48.44) and former olympic and world winner Felix
Sanchez clocked also very good 48.85 as third. Taylor also won the 400 m in solid 45.04. World
champion Dwight Phillips opened his jumping campaign with very good 832 and beat
Dakar Challenge meet winner Kaba Badji of Senegal (820). Another world champion
competing was Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados who won the 110 m hurdles in 13.41 (+0.1)
over tough US field headed by Jason Richardson (13.48) and Ryan Wilson (13.49).
Deep fight also in women hurdles as Damu Cherry won in 12.74 (0.0) over
Danielle Carruthers (12.85) and Canadian Priscilla Lopes-Schliep who started
into the season with 12.94. Jamaican Commonwealth gold medalist 2006 Sheri-Ann
Brooks clocked her second fastest of the career 11.08 (+0.4) over 100 m beating Gloria Asumnu
(11.15) and olympic medalist Sherone Simpson (11.26). US Lashauntea Moore won
the 200 m
in fast 22.46 (+1.1) with Brooks second (22.92). In men sprints sensation in
the 100 m
as French Martial Mbandjock won in 10.14 over favorites Daniel Bailey of
Antigua (10.16) and US champ Mike Rodgers (10.18). Steve Mullings posted fast
20.28 (+0.3) to win the 200 m
over Xavier Carter (20.42) and Greg Nixon (20.54). In other technical events
Cuban world leader Guillermo Martinez achieved excellent 84.74 in javelin, Jovanee
Jarrett of Jamaica won the long jump 655 (world champ Brittney Reese did not
compete at the end), US Andra Manson won the high jump (224) and Dutch Robbert
Jansen the pole vault (545).

Chris Solinsky & Simon Bairu, US & Canadian 10k record holders, Photo by PhotoRun.net..

SOLINSKY US 10 000
M RECORD SUB 27

PALO ALTO (USA, May 1): Payton
Jordan Cardinal Invitational meet saw superb men´s 10 000 m race, the fastest
of the year and in depth one of the best ever on US soil. Only Kenenisa Bekele
was faster in US at Pre 2008 with 26.25.97. Because Chris Solinsky improved the
US record to excellent 26:59.60. It is also fourth best ever non-African, two
Qataris (but Kenyan origin) and Belgian (Moroccan origin) are faster. Second
Kenyan Daniel Salel (last year junior) debuted at the distance with 27:07.85,
third Sam Chelanga a NCAA-bound Kenyan bettered his personal best to
27:08.39. Fourth Galen Rupp excellent PB from 27:33 to 27:10.74. He was also
below the former US record 27:13.98 by Meb Keflezighi at this meet in 2001.
Fifth Canadian Simon Bairu new national record 27:23.63 and sixth Briton Chris
Thompson second best UK ever and best European 2010 with 27:29.61. In total 11
runners posted sub 28 minutes times and another seven were under 28:20.
Estonian Tiidrek Nurme was the best in the 5000 m with 13.32.74. Kyle
Alcorn clocked 8:27.95 steeple win and junior (eligible for Moncton) Casimir
Loxsom improved in the 800 m
to 1:46.74. In women races Jenny Barringer won the 1500 m in 4:08.11 what is
world lead. Second Morgan Uceny clocked 4:09.13 and third Briton Hannah England
4:09.54. Shannon Rowbury was the best in the 5000 m after 15:00.51 what
is another fastest of 2010 and personal best. She beat US record holder Shalane
Flanagan 15:04.23 and Amy Begley 15:05.59 (also PB). Molly Huddle won the 10 000 m (31:48.59).

US
SATURDAY ACTION

WESTWOOD: In classic duel USC
beat UCLA. Ahmad Rashad posted 10.25 (+0.9) in the 100 m and Joey Hughes 45.79 in the 400 m.

PULLMAN: In Washington duel
Jeshua Anderson achieved solid 49.63 hurdles win.

COLUMBUS: At Jesse Owens meet
relay world indoor champion Tavaris Tate clocked 45.26 in the 400 m. Trinidad´s Rondel
Sorillo won the 100 m
in 10.33 (+1.3). Jamaican 400
m specialist Dwight Mullings was second in career
fastest 10.38. Jeff Porter won the 110 m hurdles in 13.85.

EUGENE: Andrew Wheating won
after 1500 m
also his special event the 800
m during second day of Oregon Relays in 1:47.71.
Heptathlon world indoor record holder Ashton Eaton was the fastest over the
hurdles with 13.67 (-1.7) what is his personal best.

TUCSON: Dual in the desert meet
saw shot put world leader Ryan Whiting confirming his 21+ shape with 21.26 win.

FRESNO: Josh Norman sped to
10.29 (+1.8) 100 m
win here.

AUSTIN: Porscha Lucas got 22.85
(+1.7) 200 m
win at Texas Invite meet. Berlin shot put 6th placer Michelle Carter started
her summer season with 18.43 win. Aaron Armstrong of Trinidad was the fastest
in the 100 m
in 10.23 (+1.1), Tabarie Henry of US Virgin Islands registered 45.20 400 m first place and Ronnie
Ash dominated the hurdles in 13.54 (+0.5).

LUBBOCK: Bryce Lamb leaped to
windy 805 (+3.6) at Texas Tech vs. Nebraska match. JUCO champion Bryce Brown
improved to 49.64 at 400 m
hurdles. South African Lehan Fourie was the best over the hurdles but his 13.41
were aided by +2.5. 22-years old Epley Bullock is new member of 190 high
jumpers club. Her former best was 189 from early April.

OTHER RESULTS

RANCHI (IND, May 1): National
Federation Cup started with Kavita Raut winning the 5000 m in 15:48.19. Sameer
Mon won the 100 m
in 10.47.