Well Eugene , Oregon and the track at Hayward Field was the place to be over the weekend . As the most prodigious of the country’s track and field stars were on display. The talent was of the highest caliber as too was the competitive nature of the racing. For many it was their chance to prove that they’re ready for what’ll lie ahead in Beijing later on this year. The US Olympic track and field trials are second only in importance as a domestic event to the national championships themselves.
Kerron Clement of the United States leads Bershawn Jackson and Angelo Taylor in the finals of the men’s 400m hurdles at US Olympic trials held at Hayward Field in Eugene , Oregon. picture courtesy of getty images/ Andy Lyons …………..
The Olympic games themselves will commence on the 8th of August and all eyes will be on the world’s most populace nation as the extravaganza begins. Much has been made of the fact there has been political unrest not just within China itself but in Tibet, where it has been determined that the citizens there have been held under an extremely repressive rule of the Chinese government. That obviously will be the furthest thing on the minds of the US athletes seeking to gain a berth to the games themselves. And in order to do the prerequisite for many of the competitors will be to finish in the first three. Otherwise that’s it !
Tyson Gay the world champion at 100m and 200m crosses the line in an electrifying 9.68 in the finals of the men’s 100m at the Olympic trials. The time though wasn’t ratified as a new world record . Because it was wind assisted and in excess of the regulated 2m per second that’s normally accorded in terms of the standard acceptance. picture courtesy of getty images/Jonathan Ferrey …………..
And whilst the talk will no doubt be about the exceptional displays that were put on by the likes of Tyson Gay and Muna Lee. There are also other who are expected to shine at the event. The culmination of the competition will end this coming Saturday. So there’s bound to be racing of the highest caliber as well as the field events where the US is hoping to shine bright with its usual array of talent of veterans and newcomers.
Decathlete Rickey Moody competes in the high jump in the decathlon. A ten event competition that in effect usuallay determines the best allround athlete. picture courtesy of getty images/Jonathan Ferrey ………………….
Muna Lee proved that with a surprising win in the ladies 100m final . She may well now be viewed as the presumptive favorite for the gold medal in that particular event in Beijing. Gay has let the world know that whilst Usain Bolt of Jamaica may well still be the world record holder in the event. He cannot be counted out as a contender. And with each of the first three finishers in the men’s event clocking under the 10 seconds. It bodes well for the US team in one of its mainstay events in the Olympic track and field competition. The 100meters often viewed as the the blue ribbon event of the entire championships during the Olympics , always tends to produce a major highlight for the fans watching . And with the controversies that’ve surrounded the sport as of late. It can only be hoped that we’re not in for anything that we’ve seen over the years. The Ben Johnson affair notwithstanding and with the present Olympic champion Justin Gatlin not having his ban overturned on appeal in either the Federal Court system or by the Council For The Arbitration of Sports (CAS) . It can be said that these sort of controversies surrounding the team the US can well do without. (more…)