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"Off The Record"
A Blog by Jill
M. Geer
Drama, redemption and living history
Friday, August 21, 2009
BERLIN – Friday was a very busy day, on and off the track. Below are thoughts and experiences from the day.
RELAY DRAMA
Lest I be skewered for ignoring the obvious, by now everyone knows that Team USA's men's 4x100m relay team was disqualified for passing before the zone on the hand-off between Shawn Crawford and Darvis Patton. Readers can click on Benita Fitzgerald Mosley's statement for our official word on the DQ.
Many fans may not know how the disqualification process works. In the case of this relay, Team USA ran its race and crossed the finish line first. Another team in the race protested Team USA's result, charging that we executed a pass out of the exchange zone.
An IAAF technical group reviewed video footage of the race and ruled to disqualify the team. American officials immediately appealed the ruling, in the hope that the video wasn't conclusive enough to make a definitive disqualification. In this case, the Jury of Appeals upheld the disqualification.
DQ's such as this can be tough for a team to take, especially when it is not the result of an official's ruling on the track, in real time. But, rules are in place for a reason, and all teams are required to follow them. As Benita said in her statement, it is unfortunate if this DQ overshadows the compelling successes we had on the track Friday night, and those we have had throughout the championships.
Look for more on those successes in Saturday's blog.
AMEN, ALLYSON
As I sat with some Team USA coaches a few days ago, men's coach Harvey Glance talked about the need for a champion athlete to be stone cold in the heat of battle. To want to win so badly that winning is the only option.
One of the ironies of the American team is that one of the smallest, most self-contained athletes has, in my opinion, the steeliest desire to win. Her name is Allyson Felix. Or, as her manger and I once discussed, "the silent assassin." When a race is on the line, nobody wants it more than her. You just won't hear to talking smack about it, before or after.
No athlete has a wider smile than Allyson, and few can match her pound-for-pound presence. She's got model good looks, unimpeachable personal integrity and a self-possession that has enabled her to always say the right thing in every situation.
She's not the athlete joking with the press or opening up her personal life for public perusal, but she is the athlete about whom I have never heard anyone – athlete, coach, or media – say a bad word.
That's why her reaction to finishing second in the 200 meters at the 2008 Olympic Games was so moving. She entered the Games as the two-time world champion, and she had been the best all year. When she was caught up by the Jamaican steamroller that was Beijing, losing to archrival Veronica Campbell-Brown, she did something that broke hearts throughout the media.
Halfway through the mixed zone, she found her coach, Bobby Kersee. She hugged him, and began sobbing on his shoulder.
Yes, this is the Bobby Kersee that the public remembers shouting mercilessly at Jackie Joyner-Kersee. And it was the Allyson Felix who always keeps it together. For her to be hurting so much to cry in public showed just how difficult that loss was. It showed everyone in that mixed zone a different side of both people.
It was at that moment I knew she was going to win her third world title in Berlin. And not by a little, by a lot.
After winning on Friday night, she showed more happiness than I've seen from her after a victory. She was sending a message, not just for herself, but for her fellow teammates.
She will never, ever lie down and accept defeat.
THE OWENS FAMILY RETURNS TO BERLIN
I started the day by having breakfast with the granddaughter of Jesse Owens, Marlene Dortch, and her husband Llewellyn, along with USATF's Doug Logan, Dr. Evie Dennis and Tom Surber. From there, we headed to the Berlin Sport Museum, where a crowd of high-ranking German sport officials, U.S. embassy staff, television cameras, radio crews and photographers awaited Marlene's arrival. At the museum, she met the son and granddaughter of German long jumper Luz Long, Kai and Julia Long. Both Kai and Julia are tall and blonde, with quintessential German good looks. In short, they look exactly as you would expect the descendants of the tall, blonde, quintessentially German athlete Luz Long to look.
The Berlin Sport Museum has erected a small exhibit featuring photos of Jesse Owens in Berlin, including photos from the 1950s of Mr. Owens with Kai Long, whose father Luz was killed in World War II. Among the photos is a shot of Kai with Jesse Owens when Mr. Owens toured with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Clearly, the bond between the families has remained strong through the decades, but this was Marlene's first trip to Berlin and her first time to meet the Long family.
In order to make this trip to Berlin, Marlene and Llewellyn had had to cancel plans for a trip to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The love the German people have for the Owens family was overwhelmingly apparent Friday morning. The hug Marlene gave to Kai Long as she entered the museum was very touching and heartfelt.
It clearly displayed that for Marlene, this trip was more than worth it.
COMMENTS
Jill you need to do proper research before making your assertions.Veronica Campbell-Brown was the best 200m athlete last year,she dipped under 22 seconds twice before Beijing and was entering the championship with a far supreme time than Allyson Felix.Hence Allyson was not the best in 2008, that title belonged to VCB, who deservingly won the title.Never count out an Olympic Champion.This has been demonstrated by Jamaican performance in Berlin.Berlin is only Beijing part 2 with the exception of VCB defeat.
Allyson is a fine athlete, I think one of the best and nicest US sprinter, who has demonstrated this on countless occasions.Kudos Allyson on your triumph.
From an avid Jamaican track fan.
Great job over in Berlin! Keep up the upbeat positive news. The officials made a mistake this time in disqualifying the 4x100m. Allyson is one of the nicest persons on earth, plus she would never use drugs for performance. Enough said.
Thanks for keeping us posted. Great job to all our USA athletes whether their sporting gold or not they have my praise..Special hand claps for "THE 200m Diva" Alyson "THE 400m Diva" Sanya...We See You!
Kind of cheap for Great Britain to protest since they made the final.
WOW!!!! THE ENGLISH SURE NOW HOW TO RUIN A FUN RELAY!!!! I GUESS THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POOR SHOWING OF THE BRITISH IN TRACK THESE DAYS CONSIDERING THEY ARE HOST COUNTRY FOR THE OLYMPICS
Is this the only way Great Britain can get even with The US 4x100 team after they couldn't live up to their recent boasts regarding their 4x100 team?
Is this Germany's best shot after the US made Hitler look like a fool in 1936?
The rule states that the pass must be COMPLETED with the baton in the exchange zone. The replay surely shows Crawford's hand on the bottom of the baton at the same exact instant Patton's hand is at the top of the baton while BOTH runners are IN the exchange zone. The pass had NOT BEEN COMPLETED. What a major scam this disqualification is.
The british will do anything for a silver medal. I guess Tyson can rest now.
why are you americans so biased in your comments. Rules are rules and you broke themwny shouldnt you be punished. you guys have been outdone and outshone by the jamaicans and by the way many of your medalists arent american born and bred. you have been in front for years now take a back seat and go regroup. i wont be surprised if my comment is not posted.
According to the rule book:In all Relay Races, the baton shall be passed within the take-over zone. The passing of the baton commences when it is first touched by the receiving athlete and is completed the moment it is in the hand of only the receiving athlete. It is only the position of the baton which is decisive, and not the position of the bodies of the athletes. Passing of the baton outside the take-over zone shall result in disqualification.
americans are acting like spoilt kids who cannot accept a loss and continously riding on the back sof others. you guys are biased in your commentary whenever you dont do well. you should be happy that the brits saved you by kicking you out now because the jamaicans would EAT YOU GUYS RAW in the 4x100 tomorrow and for the women dont even compete. and by the way you guys cannot win the female 4x400 meters without JAMAICAN BORN SANYA RICHARDS and DEBBIE DUNN of JAMAICAN ROOTS.
We Americans dont mind losing,we just want to lose on the track.As far as not being born and bred runners have been coming to america for years to train and go to college.Are you mad that a few stayed.
Great blog Jill! I got goose bumps and moved to tears reading about Allyson.
i am not mad that some stayed becuase that the only way that you guys can do so well but the fact of the matter is give respect wher it is due and dont shun the achievements of others just because others are running faster, jumping further and throwing farther than you guys. jill is as biased as can be. Can anyone remember HERE COMES KIM BATTEN when she wasnt in the picture and DION HEMMINGS won the gold for jamaica in atlanta (the american games)
Bottom line is Jamaica can beat us, british relays cant.Dont sleep on our womens 4x100. you might get a shock.
you know what is happening to the american team? its called retribution for all the ills they have done. but kudos for the decent american athletes who have done very well. allyson you are a special athletet and you deserved to win. Shawn Crawford should retire now before USAIN BOLT gets better. Spearmon you are great and pure i like that.
jackie you are right the baton has to go around first but its just the hype of some americans and the scant regard for others who have done exceptionally well from all over theh globe.
We americans respect all great runners,what bothers me is petty disqualifcations.Crawford should not retire, he should just conduct his self like Spearman.Maurice Greene could talk mess and back it up,he cant.
Ok, let me chime in here and put a few things to rest. Regardless of whether Jamaica runs or the United States run, PLEASE, lets not go down the history line of the win loss columns. It is ok to have passion and love for your country, but lets not forget that much of the world goes to the united states to learn the training methods and then go back to their country. Besides, last time I checked, NIKE doesnt give a darn to what country you come from. Allyson being the best ... NOT A QUESTION, yes, someone must get into their research more. VCB is a top knotch and at any given moment can dethrown Allyson. They all need to stay on their P's and Q's. As far as the Mens 4x1, The USA is the only team that could at least give Jamaica a run for their money until Usain gets the baton. Excluded him, the playing field is relatively even. It was REDICULOUS for the above person to say that GB saved the American... look here, GB .. while still running a Season Best, still got beat and there were at least 2 possibly 3 missing from the final USA team. How about this, go get Linford Christy to help make sense of this for GB, and then, when you guys at least come close to what Jamaica and the USA are running, then open your gums. Track and Field needs this competition right now. Heck, rules are rules and should be followed, but for the sake of head to head competition, let's just have them get remotely close to the zones and go at it. Let the entertainers... ENTERTAIN...
And ONE MORE THING, if you take Jamaicas top dogs in the relay and match them up with the USA, regardless of where they were born and or originated, it is going to be a dog fight ! Who will get the stick around.. Mkay....Mkay
Theres no place in track and field for all this sniping. I am a proud Jamaican who believes the mens 4x100 will be far the poorer with the dq of the Americans. I wish they were in so we could get it on. The quality of American sprinting cannot be disputed, however Jamaica rules the roost now and the US will regroup and come charging and track and field will be better for it.
I love the Jamaican athletes but their fans need to get a life. Why is there so much hate for the USA? Are you jealous that we are a/the world power. Jamaicans come here and take the best that the USA has to offer (education, coaching and freedom if you chose to stay) so where is the hate coming from. There's no wonder that this is the only nation in the world that people risk their lives to live in. The American and Jamaican ahtletes are very respectful on one another as well as friends in many cases so you posters need to take notes from your athletes.
For everyone spouting negative comments, did you happen to watch the other 4x100 heats closely, particularly the Jamacians 2 to 3 runner exchange? The heats were full of suspect passes. GB knew the only way they would medal was if the USA was DQ'd. What a bunch of sissies!
G Britain should be disqualified for being the weak cowards that they are. What was the need to protest when you are already in the final? It's simple, you don't believe your sprinters can win a medal unless Jamaica, USA, or Trinadad is out of the race. Ban all british runners from competing in the USA in 2010!
Thank You Track International,We all want to see the top relays in the final.Speed does not win relays,Jamaica can make a mistake too.If the official on the field whose job is to watch the zones said the pass was good it should stand. the pass looked ok on the replays.
Exactly Marc, they were trying to get the silver.Go Trinadad.
Can someone cite the actual rule language? The question seems to me to be how is "pass the baton" defined. If it's any touching, then OK. However, if it's control of the baton; there's NO WAY that happened before the zone. But again, what is the RULE?
Relay rules
The baton can only be passed within the exchange zone, which is 20 meters long. Exchanges made outside the zone based on the position of the baton, not either runners' feet result in disqualification. Passers must remain in their lanes after the pass to avoid blocking other runners.
The baton must be carried by hand. If it's dropped the runner can leave the lane to retrieve the baton as long as the recovery doesn't lessen his/her total running distance. Runners may not wear gloves or place substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton.
Any athlete entered in the Olympics may compete on a country's relay team. However, once a relay team begins competition, only two additional athletes may be used as substitutes in later heats or the final. For practical purposes, therefore, a relay team includes a maximum of six runners the four who run in the first heat and a maximum of two substitutes. 
What is going on with our relay team?W
We get disqualified this time, drop the baton the last time
and it the same person involve each time.
We need a relay pool with all of the top sprinter taking part in this pool.I am very disappointed in our relay system and how we cannot for the life of the United States Track and Field cannot get our men 4X100 relay together.
As for the GB filing the protest in the United State where I am from we used a "word "that I choose not to say. But let me say this to the GB coaches I feel sorry for you in London.. You are going to get eat alive by the United States
the exchange was clearly Legal how come we can't do nothing about it. this is robbery!! we need to desperately fight this DQ
What ever happened to sportsmanship GB? All we wanted was a chance to compete. We are not scared of BOLT! He is only one leg. WE know we can beat you though! WE want to settle it on the track.
The fact is, sad as it may be, the baton exchange did not take place in the zone. The rule states that the exchange commences when the outgoing runner first touches the baton. It is fairly clear on the video that we were not yet in the zone when he first touched it. The DQ is valid.
VC was clearly hurt, she always ran low 22 and under 22 in all championship races. So, when the article said Felix stopped the Jamaican, what is this person saying? Jamaica is 8 to 1 up on the Americans ,in sprints events, counting the Olympics and the Worlds, so far so good. After reading these comments, I can see some people are not undestanding what track and field is about. When you ran track, you don't have any friends out there. It's a war, no one likes anybody out there, and there are not closed to one another. I know because I'm a former track person, who ran the course, and these championships. So, everbody for themselves, and God for us all, don't be fool by the hype, no doubt about it.
The columnist, is very weak and bias per this article. Less than adequate research, and bad choice of premise to lead the so call story. Lack of wisdom and direction, certainly, not an expert in this field. We do not enjoy reading the misinformation, and ambivalence in depth and quality.
unfortunately the US botched the exchange again; however I like the rivalry between Jamaica & US. as an advid track&field fan, this can only create more interest and sponsors to raise the level & visability in the US where it has fallen off except during Olympic and World Champion years.
why do americans always say that athletes come to america and train and have freedom and other crap. the worlds fastest man never trained in the usa. what your tarining does is burn out the athletes for the sake of your circuit. you guys went to jamaica and recruited they never asked to.compare the stats of those who trained in the us and in jamaica and see who has the most quality medals; those who were trained in jamaica. so dont take credit for these things you guys are so clouded with biasness that you would want the americans to be reinstated when they have fouled up just to prove that the jamaicans can be beaten. americans never accept defeat with grace.your commentary is poor and one-sided always skewed towards yourselves. your egos are more prominent tthan your performances. the playing field is level jamaica has finally got what they deserved. the likes of merlene ottey and others must be pleased. by the way what happened to FLO-JO, oh, she died i wonder what were the circumstances? 10.49 and 21.34 in 1988 the dope olympics. at least michael johnsons record was breakable. clean up your acts and stop riding "high" the world is catching up. did i say catching up? i mean thye world has passed you.
My question is why the USA 4x100 relay teams have a history of "blunders" in big meets? This is hardly the first time...Mosley's statement reeks of pure bureaucrat. Accountability anyone?
Why all this cut throat stuff between Jamaica and America. The track stuff is fine and the rivalry is the greatest thing for our sport. As a former Jamaica athlete I love it.As for the whining about the British protest,lest we forget, the US PROTESTED AFTER THE 200 FINAL IN BEJIING TO ROB CHURANDY MARTINA OF HIS MEDAL so dont mouth off about the Brits cause you did the cowardly thing too last year!!!!
Calculus, if you don't like reading about Americans, stay off American sites and create a Jamaican one. What are you talking about with a 8-1 margin? You just blindly forget to include the 400 meters which is a sprint (7-2 USA in the last two championships). As much as I love Merlene Ottey, she was busted in 1999 for drug use and Flo-Jo never failed a test so keep the facts straight.
US has been the most domiant in tf over the years. However J'cans started training their athletes at home and it has paid off. Now as a Jamaican I feel bad by all the insinuations that our athletes are taking drugs as if the only way we can beat you guys is by taking drugs. How comes we did not hear these comments when we were getting clobbered by Marion Jones, Tim montgomery, Justin Gatlin, Flo Jo, etc etc. How about wiping the womens 100m and 200m records since there were no comprehensive drug testing back then? And by the way Carl Lewis was also a drug cheat. All of a sudden the testers caught up with the chemists and the US dominance ended. What a big coincidence.
The coincidence is that the vast majority of Americans who were cheating were coached by a JAMAICAN (TrvevorGraham). This year 5 Jamaicans got caught up in the web of Jamaican training and came up dirty. Ben Johnson and Linford were born where?
The real losers in the 4X100meters are the fans. I think any true fans of track & field would have loved to have experienced the excitement of seeing the all the best teams in the final whether these teams are Americans or from Timbuktu. The official US statement shows class.
You guys are really funny! The only reason VCB beats Allyson is when Allyson is having a bad year. You could clearly see that she was not in top form in 2008. Ato Bolden said it when he called her race of the semifinal in Beijing. There was a distinct hitch in her stride pattern. Allyson rules.
Allyson is pure poetry in motion
Hope the team from Trinidad take the Men's 100 relay now that the USA team is out. H
1999: US 10 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze: total 17 / Jamaica 0 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze, total 6. 2001: US 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze, total 13 / Jamaica 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze, total 6. 2003: US 8 Gold, 7 Silver, 1 Bronze, total 16 / Jamaica 0 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze, total 6.
2005: US 14 Gold, 8 Silver, 3 Bronze, total: 25 / Jamaica 1 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze, total 8. 2007: US 14 Gold, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze, total 26 / Jamaica 1 Gold, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze, total 10.
Here at the World Championships, the Jamaican sprinters are following up their break-out year at the Beijing Olympics. Congratulations. But let's get real. The US track and field teams have been dominant for DECADES. Overall, there is no comparison. We have champions in all events, not just sprinting.
As we say in a lot of our American sports. Let all of the comments from the other Non-Americans become "board material". I know the Athelets will take it like this but the USATF officials and Leadership team should take it very seriously. So USATF give ALL your runners the tools Leadership they need to compete at ALL Levels Junior/Open/Masters, and we will take care of the Rest.As for All the other Countries and thier comments THANKS!
Let's just look at the decathalon, where the best all-round athletes compete against each other. American champions: Jim Thorpe, Bob Mathias, Rafer Johnson, Bill Toomey, Bob Jenner, Dan O'Brien, Bryan Clay, and now Trey Hardee. Any Jamaican champions out there? Again, Jamaicans should be congratulated on having great sprinting successes the last two years, but the idea that you are now infinitely better at the Americans in TRACK and FIELD is ludicrous. Please, enjoy your successes, but take a chill pill.
Firstly, I love living in the USA...Home of the Free, Proud and Brave!!! Secondly, T&F has always been filled with political jargon....Lastly, as we say in the US, "If you don't have a 4X4 team,you don't have a track team"...lol!! God Bless all of those wonderful T&F athletes, may they all remain pure and clean....Finally, I firmly believe that Bolt has taken Track to a whole different level and has demonstrated that taller sprinters are in fact capable of running faster....now just imagine if some of our superb basketball athletes decided to give T&F a try...look out Bolt! Allyson you are a sweetheart...thank you for being you!! Thank you to all of our T&F athletes for representing the USA...God Speed!!!
It is true that some Americans are arrogant and this reflects poorly on the country as a whole. However it should be noted that track,unfortunately, is a VERY minor sport in this country. In relation to the major sports in this country very few resources , financially and otherwise, are devoted to track and there is very little media coverage of the sport except in Olympic years in comparison to almost every other sport in the country. Still, the USA wins more medals than any other country in almost every international Track competition. The provacative comments such as some appearing here may just serve as a catalyst for this country to begin to pay more attention to Track and Field. If this happens, it will be interesting to see the results.
Now the US Women's 4 by 100 screw up?! This is just an utter embarrassment. The exchange between Anderson and Lee was horrible. WTF? No one has learned ANYTHING after the Olympic disasters?
You had a left-handed person trying to pass off (AND ACROSS THE BODY) to a right-handed person. More than a little ackward at that speed. What USATF genious had this in mind?
Sid, exactly. I'd like for once someone at the USATF take some responsibility for these senseless mistakes. They had ONE YEAR to prepare for this championship. What did we get? Two monumental blunders. If they were serious, all of them at the top, including Jill, would resign for incompetence.
The DQ of the men's 4x100 was total BS. I can't believe the officials would even let a call like that take out a relay team.
Sid and Jeffrey, in relays, runners run with alternate hands. First runner runs with the baton usually in their right; second in their left; third in their right; fourth in left. That way, you DON'T reach across the body. It is shoulder to shoulder so the incoming running doesn't have to run up the back of the other person, they can run along side. This is THE most basic relay principle. If you don't know it or understand it, you're not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of a relay, much less one run at 25 mph.
Tomorrow the US team has 23 athletes competing in finals: 5 W marathon; 2 W LJ; 1 M Jav; 3 M 5000; 3 W 1500; 1 M 800; 4 W 4 by 400 relay; 4 in M 4 by 400 relay The Jamaicans only have 4 athletes competing tomorrow (their women's 4 by 400 team). The last few years the Jamaican sprinters have really improved, but they are NOT in our class as an all-round TRACK and FIELD team.
Relay Guy, so tell us what happened between the exchange, if you've seen the replay. I ran track in high school (relays, too), so I'm waiting for you to enlighten us further on that particular exchange. Go ahead, champ.
The main proof that these arrogant Americans STILL don't seem to "get it", at least for the women, is their responses during the post-interview. "We just had 'bad luck'"?!? No. Bad luck is when a meteor lands on your house, killing your whole family. Dropping the baton, YET AGAIN, when everybody knows (including our team) that is our primary weakness -- that's incompetence. If you cannot shore up the EXACT shortcoming you are known for, you do not deserve to compete on the global stage. I have to agree with many of these people, start accepting responsibility for YOUR actions. The woman's hand off is the worst debacle I've seen since the 'hay-days of droppage'.
Yeah, relay guy, then why were they all twisted up like a NY pretzel?
As an avid athletics fan who has followed athletics since the OG in Mexico in 1968,I find it a bit rich that david slates the US team for dining out on the success of non-US born athletes.It does not take a genius to look down the GB team to see where some originate from,e.g.from Africa,Zola Budd(RSA),Mo Farrah(Somalia),amongst others.Enough said!
Patrick, Americans have been great champions for the last century. We still have won more medals than any other particular country. And here at these championships we have seen many great American gold-medal performers, from huge Christian Cantwell in the shot-put to slender Allyson Felix in the 200 to the decathlete Trey Hardee and Dwight Phillips in the long jump, all of them representing our diverse nation (four of our seven golds so far). But, you're right, Americans expect much better from their relays and we have been let down again. It's unacceptable.
rick i understand your point but what i am saying that america is the only country that acts so high and mighty when they have so many foriegn-born athletes running for them. the americans in my opinion just needsto be more gracious when other countries do well. thats all i am saying. americans are very talented but others are just as even at times even more talented. just call a spade a spade and not a spade a hammer.
One thing that these non-Americans seem to forget is that we are a country founded on immigrants so people born elsewhere is the norm for us. Our acceptance and diversity is what makes us a great nation. We will still end up with the most medals but with that said, we should all just enjoy the performances of all the world's greatest athletes.
There is obviously an issue when it comes to the USA 4x100 relay fortunes and it will get straighten out soon. Muna injured herself after grabbing the baton so that is where the 'bad luck' plays a part. Based on the 42.06 run by Jamaica, had she not been injured Jamaica would have had to settle for silver but they did what they had to do and will go home with the gold. Congrats! Hopefully the Zurich meet organizers will add a special 4x100 with all the medalist plus the USA just to give the fans what they want to see. Cross your fingers.
the US didn't drop the stick in the women's relay, an athlete strained her hamstring and fell.
Relay Guy, it looked like she strained her hamstring because she was twisted around and practically running sideways to try to get the fumbled baton. You saw that, right? Ultimate cause, sir? Terrible exchange, in my opinion.
You're right 'Jeffrey', but I wasn't making a case for the entire team, nor medal tallies. I'm relatively versed in Olympic history, but I'm continually frustrated by the nonchalance of the team members. Mrs. Williams had it right, "There is no way to explain it" (i.e. 'no excuse'). Jeter said it "WASN'T frustrating!!" Well, it's about time we start enlisting competitors who DO get frustrated at debacles of this nature. I'd rather see the veteran ripping into the team, showing that her heart was into it. I'd rather have a college squad who actually took this 'problem' seriously, AND did something about it, and maybe come in a few tenths back, than become the laughing stock of the global track community. I mean, there is more to a "team" than just running over after a mate goes down. It's called PRACTICE -- maybe Iverson doesn't believe in it, but, then again, how many rings does he have? If they DID practice, then apparently they're the least clutch performers on the planet (which I don't believe for a second, given all of their individual accolades).
Wait, am I the only one who watched the race. That woman didn't get ""injured"", and that's WHY they lost the race. SHE WAS TRIPPED by her own teammate, due to an atrocious hand off. The only reason she stayed on the ground (and this is a common American ploy), was feigning injury to avoid the embarrassment that will likely follow, YET ANOTHER letdown. Just like our team members, some Americans will find any excuse to explain yet another disaster. "Bad luck"? Please. Hey, at least they're consistent.
Even though I'm an American, like Dap, I've enjoyed ALL the performances. One of the greatest was the Russian Pogorelov dragging his arse around the track in the 1500, the last event of the decathalon. It was a fantastic performance for a bronze. The German Raul Spank jumped a personal best for a bronze medal in the high jump. Did you see Hooker in the pole vault today? Wow, the guy took real chances to win the gold. I want to see athletes do their best. Germany's Steffi Nerius, a veteran of the event, was brilliant in the javelin. It's been a great week of track and field. But I won't accept just your typical Ami-bashing from people who don't know the history of the sport and America's place in that history.
Patrick, are you interested in talking about track in field of just Ami-bashing? In the history of the 4 by 100 relays on both men's and women's sides -- in both World Championships and the Olympics -- the Americans have easily won more more medals than any other country. It's not even close. Let's keep it real, okay? I agree that it was an ugly hand-off, but that one hand-off does not represent what the US has done consistently for the last 100 years. For example, let's look at the men's 4 by 100 relay GOLDS in the Olympics: 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1992, 2000. And now World Championship GOLDS (since 1983): 1983, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007. I'm only counting GOLD MEDALS, of course. Can you name another country with this kind of record in the relays? I won't even mention our dominance in the 4 by 400 relays.
It might not happen now are next year but they will get caught. A person get hurt at the being of the year, plus have a foot injure. Which mean they can not work out and still come out and run that fast. They are taken something and like I start out saying THEY WILL GET CAUGHT!!!!!!!
O.K., let's get somethings straight here. As I SAID BEFORE, I'm NOT disputing our dominance over the history of the Olympics (I HAVE an Olympic record book, thanks). Second, I'm NOT bashing Americans, I served in this country's military. Besides, Ami means friend. Nobody would like to see us return to our former dominance than me. BUT, it's not going to happen if we keep making excuses as to why we are dropping the ball, or should I say dropping the baton. All I'm asking for is ACCOUNTABILITY.
The big problem with the relay TEAMS of the nation with the greatest collection of individaul sprinters, USA is like the US Olympic basketball teams. You need equally great coaching and extensive practice to mold them as a team. Clearly that hasn't happened. The attitude of some of the stars, eg. D. Patton, shows this. He joked about the Beijing relay drop and twice trashed his greater star teammate, T. Gay during the NBC interview. Clearly he started too late/slowly in the fly zone and stupidly raised his arm to recieve the baton before he got to the passing zone. Good coaching would have eliminated that latter, crucial mistake. The young college women like A. Anderson and M. Lee should have had the best college coaching like that by the guy at Texas A&M, he knows how to produce championship teams.
Patrick, we are in agreement. I, too, ask for accountability. You make good points and offer illustrations. I can't argue with you on that. I would like to see an American coach step up and explain why both the men and the women's 4 by 100 relays have messed up both in the Olympics in 2008 and in the World Championships in 2009 -- I mean, that's really hard to believe (out of four relay attempts three DNFs and one DQ!). That's not "bad luck," as you said above. That's systemic incompetence.
This is what Alexandria Anderson says about the exchange:
"It was in the zone," Anderson said of the baton. "It was going straight into the zone. We were actually a fourth or halfway into the zone before we handed it off. Everything was going smoothly. We got the baton off. The stick was actually in there and then she just took off and I don't know what happened after that."
What is she smoking? Going smoothly?! They were falling over each other! This just pisses me off.
Perhaps it is time to change the staffing model for the World Championships and Olympic Games. In my opinion, the coaches are named more as an honor for time served than as a strategy for success. The coaches here have much better athlete resumes than coaching resumes. Coaches who have a history of winning would demand that our relays are prepared for the races.
Doug Logan, you want to leave a legacy, start here.
I have been checking and can't find any update on how Miss Muna is doing. I heard she left the facility on crutches. Do we know how serious or not the injury was?
why the whole heap of chit chat about the 4x100 relays. how can u talk about jamaica would have lost if the usa had not dropped the baton. if the usa was good enough they would have been in the final in the first place. the problem was that you guys wanted to create a shock effect to the jamaicans by running too fast and not concentrating on proper baton passes. jamaica played it safe and won both gold thats what its about common sense and getting the job done. and how can you equate the americans exploit with jamaica. the usa has over 300 million people jamaica has 2.7 million.only stupid people would want to compare that. on an average jamaica with their small population has far outshone the americans so get the facts straight. i hope mna lee gets better soon. and for those who are asking for a battle in zurich just to prove that the americans can beat the jamaicans is beside the point. the pinnacle of athletics is the world and olympic games, not a golden league meet and you guys have lost out for the past 12 years and you term yourselves to be theh best when you cant even get the baton around.
David, it is clear that you put all of your hope in one sport just like many small nations but in the USA we are fortunate to have dozens of world class sports. Unfortunately, track doesn't rate that high and we lose many great athletes to higher profile sports. So to be honest, the amount of people in the USA with the passion of the Jamaicans about track are probably equal in numbers.
my sentiments exactly cornel how can a country with 2.7 million people be involved in so many sports as america with over 300 million.but the point is whatever sports weve done weve been doing well at at times have beaten you guys. and the other dozens of sports that u talk about is also infiltrated alot of non-americans including jamaicans. thats all i am saying a victory is a victory and we are dicsussing track not the other dozens of sports. we cant ski cause we have no snow etc so how can you compare cornel? thats where the honesty should come in.
well,well,well you people are certainly something!jamaica has beaten the usa on the track and THAT cannot be disputed.its a fact, nothing can change that. the power has shifted. usa ,want to or not ,must accept that.The other nations are stepping up.So I say Let the games begin!!!
Happy, the final tally was USA 22 medals and Jamaica 13. The USA had more gold, silver and bronze medals so what meet did the Jamaicans win?
Final Medal Standings: USA 10 Gold, 6 Silver, 6 Bronze, 22 total. Jamaica 7 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze, 13 total. Final Placing Table (yes, the IAAF actually keeps track of this): USA 231 Points (1st place). Jamaica 136 points (3rd place). Jamaica beat the US in the short sprints and 2 of 4 hurdle races. Jamaica, also, had only one event where they placed a finalist and the US did not (Womens Triple Jump). Overall, the US outperformed Jamaica and everyone else. See you in Daegu, Korea 2011.
One gentleman stated that our medalist are not American born. Well, regardless of whether they are born here or not, they are Americans and represent the USA. And just so you know, we out medaled the Jamaicans at the world championships. Just know that this is not over by a long shot!
can u imagine a country with 2.7 million people placing second in the world. one person alluded too the fact that bolt is on drugs and he will get caught next year. dont hate because he is the best. carl lewis was on drugs so was flo jo, gatlin, kelly white,gail devers,micheal johnson, tim montgomery, should i continue?the days of amerian dominance is over live with it or kill yourselves. beware becausse jamaicans will venture into other sporting deisciplines. the world is catching up. and for your 23 medals, how many came from the track only. jamaicas 13 medals came from the track soley
and by the way the gentleman who stated that wether they were born in other countries they are americans. yes they are until they test positive for drugs u guys term them as jamaicans. how pathetic u love them when they do well for the american dream but you dump them as soon as they are found in the wrong . u guys need some integrity
i hope this is a wake up call for the US relay team. Bottomline no excuses!! You need practice and coaches need to ensure teammates are practicing. Get back to basics...The British all that protest for a bronze...not like your good enough for gold. Personally, I feel if you are going to represent your country in any sport, then you need to train in that country and get out of america!! don't use my facilities, my equipment or our expertise...if you are all that then do it by your country standards and we see who is the best.
curtis america was built on the sweat and blood of black slaves so how the hell u can talk about your country the only natives were the red indians that u ghys massacred. so go to hell and get a life what expertise u talk about. so why the cubans do so well, the jamaicans the trinis the kenyans are u for real are really stupid man i think u are some underpriveleged black who believes that the usa is the hope and dreams of all get a life man
I enjoyed the world championships and your reporting of it Jill, I must say the US relay teams male and female need to practice more instead of just thinking they will make the finals,it's shameful watching the petty mistakes made by our runners the 2nd leg of the ladies team missed her target 3 times and the mens 3rd leg has to know where the beginning of the passing zone is,these are unexcusible mistakes at this level of competition so I say again practice,the men should've been dq'd, the 2nd leg doomed the women
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Jill
M. Geer is Chief Public Affairs Officer of USATF. She recently completed her
first marathon at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where she qualified for
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