[ecoli]

Kevin Borlee ran fastest 400m by a European in nearly 5 years (44.56). Could have an outside shot at the bronze to make the first European to win a medal in the mens 400m since Atlanta

[Pisco Sour]

Originally Posted by ecoli

Kevin Borlee ran fastest 400m by a European in nearly 5 years (44.56). Could have an outside shot at the bronze to make the first European to win a medal in the mens 400m since Atlanta

Outside shot?

He won bronze in Daegu. He has a very decent shot at a bronze. He's done it on the big occasion enough times now, and has the fast times to back it up. He's a nice bet for a medal I reckon. Will be tough of course, but I'd like to see what odds they'll be offering.

[walshb]

I was just checking up on the mens 400 metre times for Europe. The best ever time is 25 years old. Surely someone could have bettered it in the 25 years since. It really shows how very very tough the 44 second barrier is in the 400 metre race. Am I right in thinking that only one white man has broken 44 seconds?

[Pisco Sour]

Originally Posted by walshb

I was just checking up on the mens 400 metre times for Europe. The best ever time is 25 years old. Surely someone could have bettered it in the 25 years since. It really shows how very very tough the 44 second barrier is in the 400 metre race. Am I right in thinking that only one white man has broked 44 seconds?

Correct. Wariner. Not sure he is 100% caucasian either. No non-US athlete has ever run under 44 seconds. The European record is 44.33 . I tell you one thing, that is one serious run by Borlee. Sort of makes ya wonder what might have been for Gillick. Thems the breaks I guess!

[walshb]

Originally Posted by Pisco Sour

Correct. Wariner. Not sure he is 100% caucasian either. No non-US athlete has ever run under 44 seconds. The European record is 44.33 . I tell you one thing, that is one serious run by Borlee. Sort of makes ya wonder what might have been for Gillick. Thems the breaks I guess!

Funny you mention Wariner's ethicity. I too was thinking the same as yourself.

[ecoli]

Mod: Stick to facts. If you can prove it by all means (in relation to the individual not a general reference to a state programme) but if you cant dont de-rail the thread

[walshb]

Originally Posted by ecoli

Mod: Stick to facts. If you can prove it by all means (in relation to the individual not a general reference to a state programme) but if you cant dont de-rail the thread

Thanks, ecoli. At least that clears up any perceived ignorance I may have displayed!

[Pisco Sour]

Anyway, records aren't too important anyway, it's all about winning medals, so back to the present. Great run from Borlee. I see he is on the start list for the 200m in Helsinki. He has a 20.31 I think, and is ranked very highly among the entrants.

[ecoli]

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/?p=17664

[ecoli]

Mariya Savinova 1:57.42 in the heats of the Russian Championships and followed this up with a 51.43 in the 400m

Some crazy results coming out of that meet but if to be believed should put her as firm favourite for London. Should make for an interesting final between her Semenya, Jelimo and the new kid on the block Francine Niyonsaba

[Dan man]

Originally Posted by ecoli

Mariya Savinova 1:57.42 in the heats of the Russian Championships and followed this up with a 51.43 in the 400m

Some crazy results coming out of that meet but if to be believed should put her as firm favourite for London. Should make for an interesting final between her Semenya, Jelimo and the new kid on the block Francine Niyonsaba

Don't forget Fantu Magiso....she really impressed at the Diamond League in New York with 1:57.xxmins and she beat Jelimo and Savinova in a sprint finish in Rome last month for another 1:57 run. She is a big favourite for at least a medal and has proven she can outkick Jelimo and Savinova on her day.

[ecoli]

Originally Posted by Dan man

Don't forget Fantu Magiso....she really impressed at the Diamond League in New York with 1:57.xxmins and she beat Jelimo and Savinova in a sprint finish in Rome last month for another 1:57 run. She is a big favourite for at least a medal and has proven she can outkick Jelimo and Savinova on her day.

Knew I was forgetting someone

[Dan man]

The Burundian girl Niyasamba at just 19 has the potential to be a superstar. Would be nice to see some of those countries like Burundi produce a flurry of athletes. There's usually the odd good runner from Burundi and also Djibouti, Somalia, Rwanda, etc. but they don't have the conveyor belt of success that the Kenyan and Ethiopians enjoy. I'm sure they are as talented (obviously disadvantaged in terms of population) but they need to have an improved set-up to uncover the talent.

Countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea and Sudan usually enjoy a bit of success but it would be nice to see those 4 countries in particular develop their athletics further to challenge the Ethiopians and Kenyans on a more regular basis. They have the population and the talent but just don't have the set-up as of yet. At least then there would be more diversity in the distance running even if it is still the East Africans dominating. Kind of similar to how the sprint events have gone....no longer just U.S.A. dominating but Jamaica and other Caribbean countries such as T & T, Barbados, St.Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, Virgin Islands, etc. popping up in a lot of the finals and challenging for medals.

[G-Money]

Possible injury worry for Paula Radcliffe. Let's hope it clears up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18705791

[RayCun]

This is a great series in the Gruaniad