Tweet
As I stated in an earlier thread (I believe yesterday), if Ryan Bailey got a sizable lead (of even five meters) on Usain Bolt in the 4x100-meter relay, then the Americans will certainly win the race. Yohan Blake’s presence is crucial against this powerful American team.
As some poster here may recall, the race at the 2012 London Olympics was won on the third leg, where Blake outran Tyson Gay. The Americans (Trell Kimmons and Justin Gatlin) had been leading that race on the first two legs. Then, Bolt and Bailey got the baton almost simultaneously (at that Olympics) and the rest is history as the Americans equaled the existing world record (37.04) while Jamaica established a remarkable new one.
Regarding the women’s 4x200-meter yesterday, we were fortunate that the Bahamian team of Anthonique Strachan, Shaunae Miller, etc. was disqualified after the race. The Bahamas’ run of bad luck continues, apparently, as at the 2012 Olympic Games in London the lead-off runner in that 4x100-meter relay, Sheniqua Ferguson, had made a few steps into the inside lane and, although her team won their semi-final heat, that strong team never got to run in the finals.
It is also significant that Nigeria won that 4x200-meter gold last night without the presence of their powerhouse sprinter Blessing Okagbare. I did not see the Nigerian roster, but I suspect that, if Okabare is in Nassau, she will be running either the backstretch or anchor leg on tonight’s 4x100-meter relay team.
Looking at today’s upcoming events, one man does not make up a 4x400-member team. In 2013 in Moscow Javon Francis (I refuse to ever call him the rather stupid name, Donkey Man) singlehandedly took our lackluster 4x400-meter team from around fifth position to get the silver medal, and this super-talented young Jamaican did something similar last night to again give us second place in the semi-finals. I do NOT expect Jamaica to win a medal of any color in the men’s 4x400-meter race.
As far as the women’s 4x100-meter race is concerned, we need to keep our fingers crossed. The only member missing from America’s world record shattering (40.82 seconds is no joke!) quartet from the 2012 London Olympics is curve runner Bianca Knight. This should be no problem, as athletes like Jeneba Tarmoh and Kimberlyn Duncan can run a superb curve.
I predict that the results of the women’s 4x400-meter relay will be the same as last year, although it is possible that Britain will nip Nigeria this time for the bronze. But the USA will win, and Jamaica’s outstanding women will get the silver medal (I do not share the view that young Shericka Jackson’s absence will make much of a difference).
In closing, I will note this point: the Jamaican 4x400-meter women have probably been the most consistently successfully of our women’s relay teams in global championships since 2001.
As far as some of the other teams are concerned, St. Kitts & Nevis continue to impress me since last year, and they have run those races WITHOUT Kim Collins! In the case of Kenya, I notice that none of their world record-breaking 4x1500 relay women from last year are on this year’s Kenya roster, and neither are superstars such as David Rudisha and others!
As some poster here may recall, the race at the 2012 London Olympics was won on the third leg, where Blake outran Tyson Gay. The Americans (Trell Kimmons and Justin Gatlin) had been leading that race on the first two legs. Then, Bolt and Bailey got the baton almost simultaneously (at that Olympics) and the rest is history as the Americans equaled the existing world record (37.04) while Jamaica established a remarkable new one.
Regarding the women’s 4x200-meter yesterday, we were fortunate that the Bahamian team of Anthonique Strachan, Shaunae Miller, etc. was disqualified after the race. The Bahamas’ run of bad luck continues, apparently, as at the 2012 Olympic Games in London the lead-off runner in that 4x100-meter relay, Sheniqua Ferguson, had made a few steps into the inside lane and, although her team won their semi-final heat, that strong team never got to run in the finals.
It is also significant that Nigeria won that 4x200-meter gold last night without the presence of their powerhouse sprinter Blessing Okagbare. I did not see the Nigerian roster, but I suspect that, if Okabare is in Nassau, she will be running either the backstretch or anchor leg on tonight’s 4x100-meter relay team.
Looking at today’s upcoming events, one man does not make up a 4x400-member team. In 2013 in Moscow Javon Francis (I refuse to ever call him the rather stupid name, Donkey Man) singlehandedly took our lackluster 4x400-meter team from around fifth position to get the silver medal, and this super-talented young Jamaican did something similar last night to again give us second place in the semi-finals. I do NOT expect Jamaica to win a medal of any color in the men’s 4x400-meter race.
As far as the women’s 4x100-meter race is concerned, we need to keep our fingers crossed. The only member missing from America’s world record shattering (40.82 seconds is no joke!) quartet from the 2012 London Olympics is curve runner Bianca Knight. This should be no problem, as athletes like Jeneba Tarmoh and Kimberlyn Duncan can run a superb curve.
I predict that the results of the women’s 4x400-meter relay will be the same as last year, although it is possible that Britain will nip Nigeria this time for the bronze. But the USA will win, and Jamaica’s outstanding women will get the silver medal (I do not share the view that young Shericka Jackson’s absence will make much of a difference).
In closing, I will note this point: the Jamaican 4x400-meter women have probably been the most consistently successfully of our women’s relay teams in global championships since 2001.
As far as some of the other teams are concerned, St. Kitts & Nevis continue to impress me since last year, and they have run those races WITHOUT Kim Collins! In the case of Kenya, I notice that none of their world record-breaking 4x1500 relay women from last year are on this year’s Kenya roster, and neither are superstars such as David Rudisha and others!
Comment