World Championships Beijing 2015 - Interviews and Reaction

Chivito550

I'll use this thread to put up any articles I've written from the championships. Feel free to discuss whatever takes your fancy from them, so that it doesn't end up being a boring thread of me just posting links to articles.

First up this morning was Mark English, making it through to the semi-finals after a reasonably nervous wait.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/22/english-advances-after-nervous-wait/

shels4ever

Chivito550 wrote: »

I'll use this thread to put up any articles I've written from the championships. Feel free to discuss whatever takes your fancy from them, so that it doesn't end up being a boring thread of me just posting links to articles.

First up this morning was Mark English, making it through to the semi-finals after a reasonably nervous wait.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/22/english-advances-after-nervous-wait/

Thought he ran a good race upto the last 150 and seemed to be a bit flat, hopefully will find his legs in the next round.

Chivito550

shels4ever wrote: »

Thought he ran a good race upto the last 150 and seemed to be a bit flat, hopefully will find his legs in the next round.

I think we will see a repeat of Zurich. Ran poorly enough in the semi there when expected to run well. Then pressure was off in the final and nailed it. Think we could see the same. Having said that, a place in the final is a tough ask. The field is so stacked, and qualification is ruthless.

shels4ever

Chivito550 wrote: »

I think we will see a repeat of Zurich. Ran poorly enough in the semi there when expected to run well. Then pressure was off in the final and nailed it. Think we could see the same. Having said that, a place in the final is a tough ask. The field is so stacked, and qualification is ruthless.

Yep in thai event making the final would be great, was a bit worried when he ran in cork a few weeks back just looked to be missing something, but I have a feeling he is coming into form now. The final in this event will be great.

walshb

Great finish from Barr

KielyUnusual

There really is an unbelievable standard in the 800. Tough ask to make the final but anything can happen over the two lapper. It's my highlight of the World Championships. Really looking forward to the final. Hopefully Rudisha can beat Aman when it really counts.

Chivito550

Barr through with a bit to spare this evening, but is not 100% happy with his performance and believes there is more there.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/22/barr-strides-to-beijing-semi-final/

Chivito550

After closing in a blistering 54.1 seconds, including a stumble at 350m to go, 10000m champion Mo Farah gives away no training secrets on his specific speed based sessions, with his Kenyan rivals listening on intently. "No chance, no chance. Unless they are going to close their ears."

Notwork Error

shels4ever wrote: »

Thought he ran a good race upto the last 150 and seemed to be a bit flat, hopefully will find his legs in the next round.

The thing that worries me is that he's looked that way all year. Gets into great position on the last bend and looks strong in every race but there's just no sprint there. Hopefully, it comes together for him in the semis as it's going to take a great run to make it through.

Chivito550

Mark English finishes 10th in the world, and Thomas Barr 11th. Very strong performances by genuine world class athletes. On another day, they could have made it into their respective finals, but they did themselves and the country proud.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/23/strong-performances-by-irish-despite-semi-final-exits/

English made an interesting comment that if somebody came 10th in the marathon it would be seen as very good, but people don't seem to think like that in events where only 8 make a final. It's a good point. If somebody finished 10th in the men's 1500m, a bigger deal would be made of it, because that would have meant a final place.

KielyUnusual

Chivito550 wrote: »

Mark English finishes 10th in the world, and Thomas Barr 11th. Very strong performances by genuine world class athletes. On another day, they could have made it into their respective finals, but they did themselves and the country proud.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/23/strong-performances-by-irish-despite-semi-final-exits/

English made an interesting comment that if somebody came 10th in the marathon it would be seen as very good, but people don't seem to think like that in events where only 8 make a final. It's a good point. If somebody finished 10th in the men's 1500m, a bigger deal would be made of it, because that would have meant a final place.

Interesting insight in to the callroom antics there from Mark. It was interesting seeing Gatlin and Bolt in the callroom before the race today. There must be an awful lot of posturing going on in there.:D

I must say I'm delighted to see some really world class athletes competing on the track for Ireland again. Its been a long time and I really enjoyed it this morning. Was nearly more nervous before their races than I get before one of my own .

average_runner

10th and 11th in the world is very impressive. A lot of big names failed to make the 400m hurdle final.

The guys will take a lot from this competition.

walshb

Anyone else think that far too much was made of Thompson-Johnson and her fail? FFS, it was like someone had died. She screwed up in her favored event.

As for Cram when Bolt won. He's embarrassing!

Chivito550

walshb wrote: »

Anyone else think that far too much was made of Thompson-Johnson and her fail? FFS, it was like someone had died. She screwed up in her favored event.

As for Cram when Bolt won. He's embarrassing!

What did Cram say?

walshb

Chivito550 wrote: »

What did Cram say?

Can't recall exactly. He was bellowing and screaming like an idiot. Ridiculous. Then he used his London 2012 piece. "How did we ever doubt the man."

robinph

walshb wrote: »

Anyone else think that far too much was made of Thompson-Johnson and her fail? FFS, it was like someone had died. She screwed up in her favored event.

As for Cram when Bolt won. He's embarrassing!

Nah, KJT is destined to be better than Ennis and should have been able to get over the screw up in the high jump and pull herself together to take it down to the 800m. She ballsed up big time.

walshb

robinph wrote: »

Nah, KJT is destined to be better than Ennis and should have been able to get over the screw up in the high jump and pull herself together to take it down to the 800m. She ballsed up big time.

I agree. She cocked up big time. I just felt a bit too much sadness was exuded from the whole team and herself. I understand any athlete would be disappointed, but listening to the beeb it sounded like a funeral. That 3rd fail was about 6.85 metres. Failing once is not great, but understandable, 3 times from 3? Not really forgiving.

Chivito550

walshb wrote: »

I agree. She cocked up big time. I just felt a bot too much sadness was exuded from the whole team and herself. I understand any athlete would be disappointed, but listening to the beeb it sounded like a funeral. That 3rd fail was about 6.85 metres. Failing once is not great, but understandable, 3 times from 3? Not really forgiving.

I agree. She's a top level athlete and knows that her event is over 2 days. Any multi-eventer I know (I know a fair few of them) will always say to get a safe jump in on the last jump if you've had 2 fouls. I didn't like her all or nothing approach to be honest. She lost out on a medal because of it, and she hasn't achieved enough yet in this sport to be turning her nose up at a silver and bronze.

average_runner

Chivito550 wrote: »

I agree. She's a top level athlete and knows that her event is over 2 days. Any multi-eventer I know (I know a fair few of them) will always say to get a safe jump in on the last jump if you've had 2 fouls. I didn't like her all or nothing approach to be honest. She lost out on a medal because of it, and she hasn't achieved enough yet in this sport to be turning her nose up at a silver and bronze.

She is young and probably fell for all the hype, it will make her better and stronger. Always got the impression she looked down on Ennis for some reason, but she should learn from Ennis and get her input.

Chivito550

The sport got the result it wanted last night in the 100m, but it was mighty close. The difference came down to the experience of many years of major championship dominance for Bolt. Gatlin had the race and faltered under the pressure in the closing stages.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/24/relaxation-and-confidence-the-key-to-bolt-victory-in-beijing/

Chivito550

Every runner, regardless of ability, is taught as a child to run through the line. This evening Molly Huddle made a shocking error of celebrating too early, which cost her bronze in the women's 10000m, which will no doubt haunt her for the rest of her days, with Emily Infeld catching her on the line. Always run through the line folks!

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/24/a-moment-of-madness-costs-huddle-bronze/

Duanington

Chivito550 wrote: »

The sport got the result it wanted last night in the 100m, but it was mighty close. The difference came down to the experience of many years of major championship dominance for Bolt. Gatlin had the race and faltered under the pressure in the closing stages.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/24/relaxation-and-confidence-the-key-to-bolt-victory-in-beijing/

MJ made a good point though, Gatlin leaned for the line too early and lost his form\stride but most likely because Bolt had him under such pressure over the last 20 metres.....the early dip gave away his mindset to me, wanting the line to be that little bit closer.
You have to hand it to Bolt, I've never seen him under that kind of pressure before

ClashCityRocker

Chivito550 wrote: »

Every runner, regardless of ability, is taught as a child to run through the line. This evening Molly Huddle made a shocking error of celebrating too early, which cost her bronze in the women's 10000m, which will no doubt haunt her for the rest of her days, with Emily Infeld catching her on the line. Always run through the line folks!

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/24/a-moment-of-madness-costs-huddle-bronze/

I did wonder about the fact that it was her teammate who pipped her. Obviously it was a horrific mistake by Huddle (MJ called it a freshman error on bbc) but was Infeld breaking any sort of unwritten rule or code by beating a teammate like that? Would Huddle have been annoyed with Inield as well as rightly kicking herself?

I don't think Infeld did anything at all wrong but just something that crossed my mind watching it

Chivito550

ClashCityRocker wrote: »

I did wonder about the fact that it was her teammate who pipped her. Obviously it was a horrific mistake by Huddle (MJ called it a freshman error on bbc) but was Infeld breaking any sort of unwritten rule or code by beating a teammate like that? Would Huddle have been annoyed with Inield as well as rightly kicking herself?

I don't think Infeld did anything at all wrong but just something that crossed my mind watching it

I surely hope not. Infeld did nothing wrong. The only person Huddle has a right to be upset with is Huddle.

Chivito550

So Amel Tuka won bronze this evening in the men's 800m, Bosnia's first every World Championship medal, capping off a sensational year where he has made an outrageous improvement from 1:46.12 to 1:42.51. He answers the question many have been wondering. How has he improved by so much?

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/25/coaching-change-and-an-energetic-body-the-reasons-for-tuka-surge/

Darkest Horse

Rutherford is so incredibly self-indulgent. Is there an athlete in the world who loves the sound of his own voice any more than this man?

Chivito550

Darkest Horse wrote: »

Rutherford is so incredibly self-indulgent. Is there an athlete in the world who loves the sound of his own voice any more than this man?

I actually find him a very pleasant and genuine and nice guy, from my experiences anyway.

Chivito550

A very disappointing morning for the Irish in Beijing. Ciara Everard claims poor tactics was her undoing in her 800m, while Ben Reynolds admits to picking up an injury 10 days ago, and not being able to train for the past 8 days in the leadup to this morning's 110m Hurdles heat.

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/26/poor-tactics-and-injury-the-only-stories-as-irish-disappoint-in-beijing/

average_runner

Chivito550 wrote: »

I actually find him a very pleasant and genuine and nice guy, from my experiences anyway.

He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, even going against British athletics authority.
Got to admire that

Chivito550

Kelly Proper put in a solid performance for Ireland this evening in the 200m heats, running within 0.04 of her season's best. Despite this she was disappointed and frustrated. Read her thoughts here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/26/proper-left-frustrated-despite-solid-showing/

Chivito550

Australian Brooke Stratton put in a strong showing this morning in her debut major championship, finishing 14th in the long jump, missing out on qualification for the final by just 4cm. Read what she had to say afterwards here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/27/stratton-narrowly-misses-beijing-final/

Chivito550

It was a historic day for Ireland, with Cathal Dennehy becoming World Champion in the 800m media race. Afterwards he spoke to The Running Review. Read the full story and hear his thoughts here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/27/golden-glory-for-ireland-as-dennehy-makes-history/

Chivito550

Looking for a bit of inspiration today? Aries Merritt claimed bronze in the 110m hurdles, despite his kidney's operating at less than 20% with surgery planned for as soon as next week. Read more about how he has dealt with such an obstacle here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/28/merritt-battles-through-eleventh-hurdle-to-beijing-bronze/

Chivito550

Brian Gregan, Brian Murphy, Thomas Barr and Mark English put in an impressive showing in Beijing this morning, setting a new Irish record in the 4x400m relay with a clocking of 3:01.26. Read their thoughts here, and their hopes for the future to Rio and beyond:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/29/national-record-for-irish-quartet-in-birds-nest/

Will put up some facebook posts again this evening, but will probably take an evening off writing! I'm wrecked!!

Chivito550

This morning in Beijing, Sinead Diver, from Belmullet, County Mayo, finished 21st in the marathon for Australia, in her debut World Championships, incredibly just 5 years after falling into running by accident. Read her post race thoughts here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/30/diver-makes-impressive-championship-debut/

Chivito550

This morning, Sinead Diver from County Mayo, finished 21st in the marathon for her country of residence, Australia. Coach Tim Crosbie speaks about the severe difficulty of deciding between two countries very close to her heart, and in the end it came down to there being more opportunity for athletes Down Under and fairer selection policy. Read his thoughts here:

http://www.therunningreview.com/2015/08/30/divers-coach-they-went-well-out-of-their-way-to-make-it-difficult/