Things to look out for in Osaka: Men's track.
August 20th 2007 01:30
There are just four short days to go now until it all kicks off and there are possible world records wherever you look.
Here are just a few of the highlights to look forward to from the men’s track section,
Jamaican World Record holder Asafa Powell and American world leader Tyson Gay go head to head in the 100m.
With both men fully capable of eclipsing the 9.77 record it becomes a matter of good conditions and both athletes being 100% fit.
Powell has been nursing various injuries all season and may not be completely race sharp while Gay will have at least one eye on the 200m – an event where he is the out and out favourite for gold and one where he finished a frustrating 4th in the final 2 years ago.
Jeremy Wariner will be aiming to break Michael Johnson’s 400m World Record of 43.18.
The American sped to an early season 44.02 in Japan and after his 43.50pb in Stockholm last week will look to capture the only accolade that has eluded him on the way to defending the title he won in Helsinki.
Meanwhile in the hurdles Chinese World Record Holder Liu Xiang is set to be the face of next years Olympic Games in Beijing and will want to add the world title to the gold he won in Athens three years ago.
Standing in his way is current world champion Frenchman Ladji Doucouré, American Terrence Trammell who has recorded 12.95 this year and Cuban Dayron Roubles who has a season’s best of 13.11.
Watch out for a possible world record if Xiang gets it completely right on the fast Osaka track.
America will no doubt be heading the final medal table but an event they have yet to triumph in is the 1500m, but that could be about to change if 24 year old Alan Webb has anything to do with it.
The American leads the rankings with a 3:30.54 clocking this year and will be difficult to beat.
The men’s 5000m is being billed as the struggle for Australian Craig Mottram to overcome the African stranglehold on the event that stretches back twenty years.
If he is to reign supreme he has to see off the Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (the 2003 champion) and Isaac Songok as well as Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine.
The relays are also worth noting as the Americans renew their rivalry with Great Britian in the 4x100m and there is yet another world record in the offing in the mens 4x400m with a possible American team sporting Wariner, Angelo Taylor, Kerron Klement and Leshawn Merrit having the 2.54.20 record well within reach.
Here are just a few of the highlights to look forward to from the men’s track section,
Jamaican World Record holder Asafa Powell and American world leader Tyson Gay go head to head in the 100m.
With both men fully capable of eclipsing the 9.77 record it becomes a matter of good conditions and both athletes being 100% fit.
Powell has been nursing various injuries all season and may not be completely race sharp while Gay will have at least one eye on the 200m – an event where he is the out and out favourite for gold and one where he finished a frustrating 4th in the final 2 years ago.
Jeremy Wariner will be aiming to break Michael Johnson’s 400m World Record of 43.18.
The American sped to an early season 44.02 in Japan and after his 43.50pb in Stockholm last week will look to capture the only accolade that has eluded him on the way to defending the title he won in Helsinki.
Meanwhile in the hurdles Chinese World Record Holder Liu Xiang is set to be the face of next years Olympic Games in Beijing and will want to add the world title to the gold he won in Athens three years ago.
Standing in his way is current world champion Frenchman Ladji Doucouré, American Terrence Trammell who has recorded 12.95 this year and Cuban Dayron Roubles who has a season’s best of 13.11.
Watch out for a possible world record if Xiang gets it completely right on the fast Osaka track.
America will no doubt be heading the final medal table but an event they have yet to triumph in is the 1500m, but that could be about to change if 24 year old Alan Webb has anything to do with it.
The American leads the rankings with a 3:30.54 clocking this year and will be difficult to beat.
The men’s 5000m is being billed as the struggle for Australian Craig Mottram to overcome the African stranglehold on the event that stretches back twenty years.
If he is to reign supreme he has to see off the Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (the 2003 champion) and Isaac Songok as well as Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine.
The relays are also worth noting as the Americans renew their rivalry with Great Britian in the 4x100m and there is yet another world record in the offing in the mens 4x400m with a possible American team sporting Wariner, Angelo Taylor, Kerron Klement and Leshawn Merrit having the 2.54.20 record well within reach.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
I didn't realise that someone was actually threatening Michael Johnson's 400m WR
I guess it just shows how much I have been following Athletics over the last few years - I'm still in the Maurice Greene/Ato Boldon 100m era! *haha*
Charles.