by Larry EderOkay, sports fans. On one of my walks, I thought about the deep thoughts on the World Indoors. So, this is our newest addition to RunBlogRun. We will, hopefully, within the month of event, come up with three to five deep thoughts on the events we have visited or covered. Tell us what you think! Email me at Runblogrun@gmail.com.
In no order, here are my five deep thoughts on Birmingham.
Clap clock, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts, Day one, WIC Birmingham
1.Laura Muir, winning bronze in 3000 meters and silver in 1,500 meters . The races were much more significant than that. Muir’s tactics, wisely counseled by coach Andy Young, gave her two global medals, racing against Sifan Hassan and Genzebe Dibaba. Muir learned big lessons in London, and without those 4th and 6th places, in the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters, she probably would not have done so well in Birmingham. Lessons are hard won in middle distance running. The British fans loved her performances and she is the next big British distance runner. Dibaba is back in fitness and Sifan Hassan is racing with a new found confidence. British fans got their money’s worth with Katerina Johnson Thompson, Andrew Pozzi, and their 4×400 meter relay teams.
2. Christian Coleman is for real, and his first global championships annointed him as the next great sprinter. Christian delivered, in both the USATF Indoors and World Indoors. A modest young man, Christian gave a fine interview to RunBlogRun, the IAAF and other media groups. Each round, Christian ran better, looking totally relaxed. This 60 meters, in 6.37 was not at altitude and had the extra pressure of being a World Championships. Maurice Greene told @runblogrun that, with some small improvements, Christian can run 9.65-9.70. “None of us have run perfect races, ” noted Maurice Greene. Looking forward to seeing our next great one outdoors in 2018!
3. What is this with pedestrian pace in men’s 3000 meters and 1,500 meters? If @runblogrun was coaching elite athletes, might suggest that running slower than teenagers is silly. Why does everyone start their kicks at same time (300 meters to go)? It confuses fans, and does not keep the race open for the entire field. There were some mean kickers in both of the men’s races, but, I have to admit, they were less than satisfying.
4. The pole vault competitions, in men’s and women’s, were exciting the entire way through! Sandi Morris became pole vault goddess in a fantastic battle with some great drama, big heights and great rivalries! Renaud Lavillenie, battling Sam Kendricks, and Piotr Lisek, with young stars coming up, had fans excited.
5. Officiating was over the top, and hurt the event. Was it the lack of racing experience for many athletes on such a track, with the big turns? Was it the over zealousness of the officials? With so much good in the event, the 40 plus DQs were way too much, and in many occasions, no one was impeded in the slight move out of lanes. I am not complaining about false starts, but the line infractions were too much. It affected several races in a very negative manner.
6. Big reminder: Fans love competitions! The men’s and women’s 800 meters were roller coaster, bang up races! Courtney Okola ran an amazing front running win in the 400 meters. The men’s LJ was tremendous! Our sport is both an athletic event and sports entertainment. It is hard enough getting any coverage outside of track and field focused media groups, we have to do more to enhance the rivalries and reduce anything that takes away from celebrating our competitions, fast and furious! And don’t forget, fans love field events! Do not forget how many changes happen in last throws or jumps!
