OK you need to be knocking on a bit to remember this, but one of my favourite all time Olympic memories is of David Hemery at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. Hemery won the 400m hurdles in 48.12 seconds, a new world record. His margin of victory was the largest since 1924, beating second-placed Gerhard Hennige from West Germany by almost a second. His World record lasted 4 years and it was to be another 22 years before his British record fell.
Now this guy Karsten Warholm rocks up 53 years later and records a time 45.94, 2.18 seconds quicker it's just unbelievable.
Back in the dark days Britain didn't win many medals which is why some of those old time heroes are remembered so well. I grew up believing we were an inferior race, except over time it became apparent that Eastern bloc countries were fuelling their competitors with steroids, whilst the Americans could almost be accused of being full time professionals. Hemery obviously benefited from spending time growing up in the states.
Now it is evident that medals are pretty much bought with money and resources. Of course the dedication of athletes is essential too, but this has always been the case.
Will this start another debate about money and resources being an unfair advantage?!
for how much longer will certain World Records continue to be broken.....at some point they will just never be beaten
Bolt's 100 and 200m records will probably stand for quite a while. Certainly i think the 200 will. Flo-Jo's records over the same distance have stood since 1988!
The womens 400m WR has stood since 1985, and only 3 women have got within a second of that time since, so she must've been on something.
for how much longer will certain World Records continue to be broken.....at some point they will just never be beaten
Bolt's 100 and 200m records will probably stand for quite a while. Certainly i think the 200 will. Flo-Jo's records over the same distance have stood since 1988!
The womens 400m WR has stood since 1985, and only 3 women have got within a second of that time since, so she must've been on something.
That 400m hurdles final was crazy, bloke in 3rd practically matching the old world record and being miles behind, and the guy in 2nd smashing it only to still get beaten.
What a run from the top 2.
Seen a couple of cases where people would have set new world records, but still get silver.
That 400m hurdles final was crazy, bloke in 3rd practically matching the old world record and being miles behind, and the guy in 2nd smashing it only to still get beaten.
What a run from the top 2.
Seen a couple of cases where people would have set new world records, but still get silver.
What a kick in the bollocks that must feel like.
Absolutely, the second best run ever, but the one better one happens to be in the same bloody race.
There was a fantastic Decathlon athlete called Bruce Jenner who won Gold and broke the world record in 1976.
If Bruce's transition to Caitlyn had happened just after and competed in 1980 then how can anyone say there isn't an advantage ?
You only have to watch the mixed relays in Swimming and Running to see the difference in stats. You don't need the stats you can clearly see with your own eyes.
Horse riding seems to one discipline that makes no differences to the gender of the rider. Watching Hollie Doyle ride confirms that as she is a small female.
Don't expect guys on here to consider when girls and women have their monthly cycle and how they have to control this so it doesn't clash with a major comp or meet. My daughter in her 20's spends her life dancing, performing and sports modelling when she might have to run for hours on a treadmill as shots are taken of major sports brands.
A few guys on here need to read up on biology.
Absolutely no slur on people who feel their living as the wrong gender but Disappointed that the same people can't see how patently unfair it is to the 51% of Earth's homo sapiens.( In a sporting contest)
Eg. Serena Williams would lose to anyone in the top 300 male players ( maybe more) But she would probably beat the number 1 male player in Cornwall( apologizes to who ever that is !)
Not sure if has been mentioned on here but the medal table had been misrepresented in the US press by listing it in order of number of medals not number of golds then silvers etc! I recall the Chinese doing this
Agree with Colin Jackson: Karsten Warholm's win and WR in the 400 hurdles was one if not the best race I have seen with non GB athletes. Having an opponent on his shoulder coming up to the last barrier pushed him on to a greater achievement. 45.94 is amazing.
Watching the pole vault and can't for the life of me work out what possessed someone at some point to look at big stick, 3m high pole and think to themselves " I've got a great idea for a new sport here"
Watching the pole vault and can't for the life of me work out what possessed someone at some point to look at big stick, 3m high pole and think to themselves " I've got a great idea for a new sport here"
That 400m hurdles final was absolutely phenomenal. The perfect storm of brilliant athletes; a "springy" track; and improvements in shoe tech have all combined, apparently. (No suggestion of any underhand actions/doping)
Speed climbing in the Olympics? Enough to drive some people up the wall.
Superb viewing. The IFSC Climbing World Championships are a compelling watch. Especially the speed climbing (5.2 second world record, which is mental).
Speed climbing in the Olympics? Enough to drive some people up the wall.
Superb viewing. The IFSC Climbing World Championships are a compelling watch. Especially the speed climbing (5.2 second world record, which is mental).
Excellent sport, as you say. I briefly worked with the British champion at the time. Top man and such a cool guy. Great format.
Comments
The womens 400m WR has stood since 1985, and only 3 women have got within a second of that time since, so she must've been on something.
What a kick in the bollocks that must feel like.
Going to be fun seeing both the twins in action as professionals.
If Bruce's transition to Caitlyn had happened just after and competed in 1980 then how can anyone say there isn't an advantage ?
You only have to watch the mixed relays in Swimming and Running to see the difference in stats. You don't need the stats you can clearly see with your own eyes.
Horse riding seems to one discipline that makes no differences to the gender of the rider.
Watching Hollie Doyle ride confirms that as she is a small female.
Don't expect guys on here to consider when girls and women have their monthly cycle and how they have to control this so it doesn't clash with a major comp or meet.
My daughter in her 20's spends her life dancing, performing and sports modelling when she might have to run for hours on a treadmill as shots are taken of major sports brands.
A few guys on here need to read up on biology.
Absolutely no slur on people who feel their living as the wrong gender but Disappointed that the same people can't see how patently unfair it is to the 51% of Earth's homo sapiens.( In a sporting contest)
Eg. Serena Williams would lose to anyone in the top 300 male players ( maybe more)
But she would probably beat the number 1 male player in Cornwall( apologizes to who ever that is !)
Karsten Warholm's win and WR in the 400 hurdles was one if not the best race I have seen with non GB athletes. Having an opponent on his shoulder coming up to the last barrier pushed him on to a greater achievement. 45.94 is amazing.
Superb.
All 3 getting PBs is all you can ask for.
Japan missing the home crowd I suspect.
Enough to drive some people up the wall.
I briefly worked with the British champion at the time. Top man and such a cool guy.
Great format.