by Larry Eder
Shaunae Miller-Uibo, photo by PhotoRun.net
Updated August 24, 2017
After speaking with her coach once again, note that tonight in Zurich and also Brussels should be very fast nights of athletics.
Just how fast will Shaunae Miller Uibo run the 200 meters in Zurich on Thursday, August 24, against Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers? If you listen to her coach, very, very fast. Read on!
I have been on the track circuit for many years. During that time, you develop an affinity, perhaps an affection for coaches, athletes and officials. At the very least, you develop a respect.
I respect Lance Brauman, as a coach and human being.
I have spent a few evenings asking him questions on his athletes and his style of coaching. I have watched his athletes race over nearly a decade and have come to realize that he is a amazingly successful coach and a keen obsever of talent.
His athlete, Tori Bowie came into her own in London, running a spectacular 100 meters. She was beat up after that event. Bowie allowed herself to mend and was able to run a superb final leg on the 4×100 meters, giving her USA team a gold medal.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo was doubling over 400 meters and 200 meters. In the 400 meters, Shaunae Miller-Uibo had a strong lead, and with 50 meters to go, looked up at the huge screen, caught her toe on the track, and her race for gold was over, she finished fourth. Showing the class that she has, and out of respect for her coach, Shaunae came back in the 200 meters, and took the bronze in final stretch run over the last 50 meters.
It was not how she planned her London 2017, but that is our sport.
At Birmingham DL, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, all six foot one (1.85 meters) of her, ran the 100 meters. Much to her surprise, she made the final! Those two runs in Birmingham were her speed work for the week.
Coach Brauman very seldom comes out and says anything about his athletes. His pride in his athletes is evident and their confidence in “Coach Lance” is there for all to see. Quite unusual for him, Lance Brauman told me twice I could print this, that Shaunae Miller-Uibo will be running very fast in Zurich.
I like that. The Birmingham DL meet surprised me with the quality of its fields but also with some of the strong performances, just a week after the London World Champs.
Some athletes achieved their dreams in London, some did not. Some have something to prove, and some just like running very fast.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo is an Olympic champion. Shauane has silver and bronze in World Championships. She has more medals on the horizon. In Zurich, on a nice night in August, Shaunae Miller-Uibo wants to run a fast furlong.
Let’s see what she can do.
