John Regis actually went on Holiday once (so he says) to Jamica and entered the Jamica open body bulding championships... and won.
This was when he was at his athletic prime.
Off topic - Mark Lewis-Francis
I always liked Campbell, thought he was at least a championship performer and his times at 100 metres indicate he probably didn't have the talent of a Lewis Francis or Jason Gardiner, but has done better than both.
However, I was blooming disgusted at his attitude with Colin Jackson in 2004 saying how he got the medal that Colin craved and never got. He is half the athlete of Jackson.... What also annoyed me was that Colin helped Campbell out alot when training - both trained with Christie. So he should have thanked Colin for the help in earning the gold - not gloat cause Colin, quite rightly, slagged off his individual performance.
On my previous thread, yes they do weights also - about 3 times a week. I don't know their regime there, but I was talking too the current European veterans 800 metre record holder, who coached a group of people (I was there, getting stuffed by 13 year olds!) and he told me when I said, is that all they do.... His exact words were - no "the flaff about with weights 3 times a week aswell).... I said, "like they are with the Basketball" and he said "yeah, all done very leisurely".
I know it is a short event and they don't need the stamina base of a 800 metre athlete, but I was shocked at how lingdy long everything was. They stop and talk, and just generally act like chavs and nobody was giving them a earache.
Surely with the intensity of the event, they must train with more intensity than they do.
What got me and my flatmate (who runs for wales) laughing so much was that in the World championships in 2003 - Christian Malcolm attributed his semi final exit in the 200 metres to over training?
As for Lewis-Francis, the million pound mark was claimed by Athletics weekly with the funding and the endorsments. I'm not sure if the Lottery funding money was actually enclosed, I do know though a large sum was giving specifically to him and not just to UK Athletics to distribute it.
However, I was blooming disgusted at his attitude with Colin Jackson in 2004 saying how he got the medal that Colin craved and never got. He is half the athlete of Jackson.... What also annoyed me was that Colin helped Campbell out alot when training - both trained with Christie. So he should have thanked Colin for the help in earning the gold - not gloat cause Colin, quite rightly, slagged off his individual performance.
On my previous thread, yes they do weights also - about 3 times a week. I don't know their regime there, but I was talking too the current European veterans 800 metre record holder, who coached a group of people (I was there, getting stuffed by 13 year olds!) and he told me when I said, is that all they do.... His exact words were - no "the flaff about with weights 3 times a week aswell).... I said, "like they are with the Basketball" and he said "yeah, all done very leisurely".
I know it is a short event and they don't need the stamina base of a 800 metre athlete, but I was shocked at how lingdy long everything was. They stop and talk, and just generally act like chavs and nobody was giving them a earache.
Surely with the intensity of the event, they must train with more intensity than they do.
What got me and my flatmate (who runs for wales) laughing so much was that in the World championships in 2003 - Christian Malcolm attributed his semi final exit in the 200 metres to over training?
As for Lewis-Francis, the million pound mark was claimed by Athletics weekly with the funding and the endorsments. I'm not sure if the Lottery funding money was actually enclosed, I do know though a large sum was giving specifically to him and not just to UK Athletics to distribute it.
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pasty_spud
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 20 Feb 2005, 04:22
just been watching the commonwealths and they had steve ovett on and they where talking about the "state of uk athletics"...personally i reckon athletics on the whole has never "looked" in better shape..for the first time in my lifetime the women have out done the men,with kelly sotherton and the young jessica hennis (sp),a couple of 400m/400m hurdles girls,haley tullet & paula radcliffe..the men have got triple jumper phillips idowu,martyn bernard who got a silver in the high jump,martyn rooney & rob tobin @ 400m look genuine talents..
other than the sprinters things are on a good course imo...
other than the sprinters things are on a good course imo...
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TheRiverCityHippy
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- Joined: 08 Mar 2014, 15:39
in terms of world class athlete`s i think we`re at an all time low.pasty_spud wrote:just been watching the commonwealths and they had steve ovett on and they where talking about the "state of uk athletics"...personally i reckon athletics on the whole has never "looked" in better shape..for the first time in my lifetime the women have out done the men,with kelly sotherton and the young jessica hennis (sp),a couple of 400m/400m hurdles girls,haley tullet & paula radcliffe..the men have got triple jumper phillips idowu,martyn bernard who got a silver in the high jump,martyn rooney & rob tobin @ 400m look genuine talents..
other than the sprinters things are on a good course imo...
apart from radcliffe in a marathon none of the people you mentioned would be favourites to win a gold in a world competition and in fact most would struggle to reach a final of olympic standard.
sotherton is okay but she is 29, has a terrible javelin and has the swede carolina kluft to contend with.
in the recent past people like christie, coe, ovett, edwards, cram, gunnell, jackson, thompson, backley, sanderson, wells etc have been winning or competing for gold medals and trying to break world records.
they were all backed up by commited athlete`s who just lacked that bit of stardust but were non the less better than the current crop and true 100%`ers like peter elliot, tom mckean, tony jarrett, john regis, roger black, mike mcfarland and steve smith etc.
these were all `hungry` athlete`s who came to prominence before funding arrived. i remember denise lewis saying on t.v that she used to finish work as a secretary at 5.00 then go straight to training on a bus to a facility the other side of birmingham, then get the midnight bus home alone back across the city. she remembered those times when she was in the blocks ready to go.
i agree with johnson, i think this lot think celebrity status equals success.
I agree with that post, Head Hunter.
I think are medal prospects in 2008 in Athletics are.
Kelly Southerton - not gold, but maybe Silver at a push.
I would actually say a fully fit Dean Macey could be favourite for gold - but the chances of him being fully fit is slim. He is the most complete decathlete in the world when fit (IMO).
The Bronze Medalist in Heptathlon showed geniune potential - she could (at a push) move make that a Bronze in the Olympics.
Joe Pavey might sneek a bronze at a push.
Phillips Idowu could go all the way if he finds his form, although Christian Olsen would be favourite again.
Paula will definately medal (at least) in the Marothan or if she chooses 10,000.
Maybe Hansen at the triple jump.
4X100 metre relay (possibly).
Most of them are a doubt, especially Pavey, Hansen, and the Young heptathlete who got the bronze (name escapes me). I would be very pleasantly surprised if we had more.
Compare that to a few years ago when we had Jackson, Christie, Gunnell, Edwards, Backley, Regis, Black, Denise Lewis, Iwan Thomas, all you'd be DISSAPOINTED if they didn't at least medal. As well as three Relays.
Then you had the likes of Radcliffe, Rawlinson, Katherine Merry (what is she up to), Donna Frazier, Mayock, who would be there or there abouts.
I think are medal prospects in 2008 in Athletics are.
Kelly Southerton - not gold, but maybe Silver at a push.
I would actually say a fully fit Dean Macey could be favourite for gold - but the chances of him being fully fit is slim. He is the most complete decathlete in the world when fit (IMO).
The Bronze Medalist in Heptathlon showed geniune potential - she could (at a push) move make that a Bronze in the Olympics.
Joe Pavey might sneek a bronze at a push.
Phillips Idowu could go all the way if he finds his form, although Christian Olsen would be favourite again.
Paula will definately medal (at least) in the Marothan or if she chooses 10,000.
Maybe Hansen at the triple jump.
4X100 metre relay (possibly).
Most of them are a doubt, especially Pavey, Hansen, and the Young heptathlete who got the bronze (name escapes me). I would be very pleasantly surprised if we had more.
Compare that to a few years ago when we had Jackson, Christie, Gunnell, Edwards, Backley, Regis, Black, Denise Lewis, Iwan Thomas, all you'd be DISSAPOINTED if they didn't at least medal. As well as three Relays.
Then you had the likes of Radcliffe, Rawlinson, Katherine Merry (what is she up to), Donna Frazier, Mayock, who would be there or there abouts.
stujones wrote:I agree with that post, Head Hunter.
I think are medal prospects in 2008 in Athletics are.
Kelly Southerton - not gold, but maybe Silver at a push.
I would actually say a fully fit Dean Macey could be favourite for gold - but the chances of him being fully fit is slim. He is the most complete decathlete in the world when fit (IMO).
The Bronze Medalist in Heptathlon showed geniune potential - she could (at a push) move make that a Bronze in the Olympics.
Phillips Idowu could go all the way if he finds his form, although Christian Olsen would be favourite again.
Paula will definately medal (at least) in the Marothan or if she chooses 10,000.
Maybe Hansen at the triple jump.
4X100 metre relay (possibly).
both our heptathletes are let down by horrendous javelin marks, especially Sotherton...
Bryan Clay looks like he will dominate decathlon for the next few years!!!
He looked sensational at the worlds and even with terrible conditions he set a respectable score and thrashed the phenomenal Serble....
I agree Idowu back in shape can challenge for a medal
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Old bones Ian
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33
Would just like to say that the Isle of Wight is going to have 2 medalists in the Euro's and Bejing olympics. IMO
Kelly Sotherton in the Heptathlon, and Andy Frost in the Hammer.
Andy came 4th in the final in the Commonwealth Games, throwing another PB. He has thrown better and better so far this year. He is the complete opposite from the premadonnas of the sprinting world, Andy just wants to try to be the best in the world, and with the work he's putting in, he may do it!!
Kelly Sotherton won Gold , but wasn't happy with her performance, Which is what Cram, Ovett and Michael Johnson was on about, not settling for being the best in Britain or the Commonwealth, but wanting to be the best in the world.
Unfortunatly for Kelly , the outstanding athlete in the heptathlon is Carolina Klüft, who doesn't look like handing over her crown just yet.
Kelly Sotherton in the Heptathlon, and Andy Frost in the Hammer.
Andy came 4th in the final in the Commonwealth Games, throwing another PB. He has thrown better and better so far this year. He is the complete opposite from the premadonnas of the sprinting world, Andy just wants to try to be the best in the world, and with the work he's putting in, he may do it!!
Kelly Sotherton won Gold , but wasn't happy with her performance, Which is what Cram, Ovett and Michael Johnson was on about, not settling for being the best in Britain or the Commonwealth, but wanting to be the best in the world.
Unfortunatly for Kelly , the outstanding athlete in the heptathlon is Carolina Klüft, who doesn't look like handing over her crown just yet.
the women were really good - you could sense a unity in the womens squad that wasnt there in the mens.
mark lewis francis will never ever get under 10 seconds for the 100m
(unless he has PC Meadows on his tail) seriously though, he has underachieved appallingly and has been bankroled by the british athletics hierarchy to the extent that he doesnt care that much if he wins or not - which means not - i didnt want to see him running in a brit shirt even before these games began because of his lack of responsibility (weed use, petty run-ins with the law etc) he embarrases me. he also makes a mug of those athletes who train hard with very little funding and a fraction of this twats natural talent. i'm glad IAN made this thread because its been eating me for a long time
mark lewis francis will never ever get under 10 seconds for the 100m
(unless he has PC Meadows on his tail) seriously though, he has underachieved appallingly and has been bankroled by the british athletics hierarchy to the extent that he doesnt care that much if he wins or not - which means not - i didnt want to see him running in a brit shirt even before these games began because of his lack of responsibility (weed use, petty run-ins with the law etc) he embarrases me. he also makes a mug of those athletes who train hard with very little funding and a fraction of this twats natural talent. i'm glad IAN made this thread because its been eating me for a long time
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Syntax Error
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 9007
- Joined: 22 Apr 2005, 08:00
Re: Off topic - Mark Lewis-Francis
Got to agree with you.Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:I'm trying to think of a boxing equivalent for this lad - maybe you can help me out.
Someone who had talent as a youngster, has had his arse wiped for him by the system, fails to deliver and blames everyone but himself?
For those who don't follow the athletics, in the Commonwealth Games 100m semi after one of the favourites, Michael Frater of Jamaica, had been disqualified for a false start, Lewis-Francis got himself ridiculously DQ'd.
Now the silly twat has just failed to collect the baton on the last leg of the relay. Darren Campbell showed class and dignity in the interview, Lewis-Francis said "I didn't get the baton". You could see Marlon Devonish in the background rolling his eyes, infuriated.
Maybe he didn't get the baton because he was flapping his fecking arm around like he was flagging down a taxi.
Take his funding from him and see what he thinks about working in the real world.
He is spoilt & needs bringing down a couple of notches.
He also needs to lose weight. He's carrying too much fat for a sprinter.
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pasty_spud
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 338
- Joined: 20 Feb 2005, 04:22
this is it.....he's already gone under 10 sec....when he was 18/19 and he's pissed the last 5 years up the wallharrygreb wrote:the women were really good - you could sense a unity in the womens squad that wasnt there in the mens.
mark lewis francis will never ever get under 10 seconds for the 100m
(unless he has PC Meadows on his tail) seriously though,
Interesting thread ..... didn't realise there was so much interest in Athletics on this board.
Backley, Edwards, Jackson, Denise Lewis and Merry retired pretty much in one go to leave a huge void in the sport.
Kelly Sotherton will never get near Kluft with that shit Javelin - it's been a problem for years. However, the state of women's heptathlon is such that a decent 6 out of 7 events is good enough to be around the medals.
Jessica Ennis has been progressing steadily through the age-groups. If she keeps her focus and desire, she can be challenging Sotherton very soon.
Paula Radcliffe seems to be our only shoe-in for a medal at World level. How she continues to produce amazes me. She has been training like a bastard for many years now ..... and will probably pay for it in later life.
I hope to see Christine Ohuruogu continue to improve ..... she's not far off the top girls. But big tits can be a hindrance in sprint endurance.
I liked what I seen with the High Jumper Martyn Barnard. He had the right attitude .... stood up to the judges and not satisfied with silver behind one of the World's best. Also coached by Steve Smith.
Phillips Idowu has always had the talent but needs to be consistent (and I hope that physique is the product of un-assisted hard work) .... likewise Nathan Douglas regarding consistency.
Someone needs to get hold of Chris Tomlinson and teach him some technique. That ragged style of his will only get him so far .... he can do a lot more.
Tim Benjamin stepped right up to World class last season .... unfortunate to get injured over the Winter.
Martin Rooney showed potential breaking Roger Black's junior record.
Greg Rutherford, still a junior but already jumping over 8 metres .... but yet another to get injured at the Commonwealths.
Dean Macey ... potentially the best but I don't know if he can ever get himself injury free. I would love to see him break Thompson's record.
Throws .... forget it. Myerscough will Putt huge in obscure locations ...... but when faced with the pee bottle at major champs, is an also-ran.
Rhys Williams .... three pb's on successive days in such a tough event and so close to sub-49 .... and again, seems to have the right attitude.
Mark Lewis-Francis is just too heavy.
Jo Pavey will consistently make finals ..... not sure if she can get in amongst the Africans and Russians for the medals though.
Jade Johnson needs to forget about looking like a super-model ..... when fit she's right up there with the best jumpers.
Ashia Hansen will struggle to come back ..... that was an horrific injury at her age.
Some World class athletes there but the recurring theme is injury. How can so many of them be injured so often? Is it the preparation, training schedules, medical back-up ....??
There are two immense running talents train at my local track ..... Emily Pidgeon and Sarah Hopkinson. If they continue their progression and keep injury free, I feel they are destined for successful running careers .... Pidgeon is knocking on the door right now.
We have some exceptional talent at youth level but the step-up to senior level is huge and has many obstacles and distractions.
Backley, Edwards, Jackson, Denise Lewis and Merry retired pretty much in one go to leave a huge void in the sport.
Kelly Sotherton will never get near Kluft with that shit Javelin - it's been a problem for years. However, the state of women's heptathlon is such that a decent 6 out of 7 events is good enough to be around the medals.
Jessica Ennis has been progressing steadily through the age-groups. If she keeps her focus and desire, she can be challenging Sotherton very soon.
Paula Radcliffe seems to be our only shoe-in for a medal at World level. How she continues to produce amazes me. She has been training like a bastard for many years now ..... and will probably pay for it in later life.
I hope to see Christine Ohuruogu continue to improve ..... she's not far off the top girls. But big tits can be a hindrance in sprint endurance.
I liked what I seen with the High Jumper Martyn Barnard. He had the right attitude .... stood up to the judges and not satisfied with silver behind one of the World's best. Also coached by Steve Smith.
Phillips Idowu has always had the talent but needs to be consistent (and I hope that physique is the product of un-assisted hard work) .... likewise Nathan Douglas regarding consistency.
Someone needs to get hold of Chris Tomlinson and teach him some technique. That ragged style of his will only get him so far .... he can do a lot more.
Tim Benjamin stepped right up to World class last season .... unfortunate to get injured over the Winter.
Martin Rooney showed potential breaking Roger Black's junior record.
Greg Rutherford, still a junior but already jumping over 8 metres .... but yet another to get injured at the Commonwealths.
Dean Macey ... potentially the best but I don't know if he can ever get himself injury free. I would love to see him break Thompson's record.
Throws .... forget it. Myerscough will Putt huge in obscure locations ...... but when faced with the pee bottle at major champs, is an also-ran.
Rhys Williams .... three pb's on successive days in such a tough event and so close to sub-49 .... and again, seems to have the right attitude.
Mark Lewis-Francis is just too heavy.
Jo Pavey will consistently make finals ..... not sure if she can get in amongst the Africans and Russians for the medals though.
Jade Johnson needs to forget about looking like a super-model ..... when fit she's right up there with the best jumpers.
Ashia Hansen will struggle to come back ..... that was an horrific injury at her age.
Some World class athletes there but the recurring theme is injury. How can so many of them be injured so often? Is it the preparation, training schedules, medical back-up ....??
There are two immense running talents train at my local track ..... Emily Pidgeon and Sarah Hopkinson. If they continue their progression and keep injury free, I feel they are destined for successful running careers .... Pidgeon is knocking on the door right now.
We have some exceptional talent at youth level but the step-up to senior level is huge and has many obstacles and distractions.
Yes, Tim Benjamin actually slipped my mind.... Looks like (last year) he has finally maturing up.... bit of a party boy I have heard.
I was going to mention Rhys Williams, probably a bit too early to mention him yet (especially when the gold medalist in the Commonwealths was the same age). Who knows though if he will get injuries etc - remember David Grindley in the 400 flat and Curtis Robb in the 800 metres... injuries f'd up world class potential.
Good attitude though and continues to improves though.
Gutted that Merry retired, was it injuries? She wasn't very old.
I agree on Tomlinson also, Lamphey - where are our coaches though.
I was going to mention Rhys Williams, probably a bit too early to mention him yet (especially when the gold medalist in the Commonwealths was the same age). Who knows though if he will get injuries etc - remember David Grindley in the 400 flat and Curtis Robb in the 800 metres... injuries f'd up world class potential.
Good attitude though and continues to improves though.
Gutted that Merry retired, was it injuries? She wasn't very old.
I agree on Tomlinson also, Lamphey - where are our coaches though.
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TheRiverCityHippy
- Middleweight
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- Joined: 08 Mar 2014, 15:39
i think the london olympic`s will become a wash out in terms of british track and field medals.
the mid to long distance`s which traditionally used to be dominated by british or empire (walker, snow) athlete`s are now dominated by the africans and the sprints will always go to american or carribean athlete`s.
even the sprinters in recent times that broke the u.s stranglehold on the 100m for britain and canada were all born in the carribean (ben johnson, linford christie, donovan bailey) and with asafa powell and justin gatlin in their early twenties and running 9.77 i just cant see us doing anything there.
to be fair only one person can win and its a big world out there, i guess it just shows how truly talented gold medal winners are.
to me the dissapointment is not that were not winning its that were not even close, and the fact some of the cyclists and even boxers are calling our athlete`s big time charlie`s who like to strut their stuff around the athlete`s village just adds to the frustration.
the mid to long distance`s which traditionally used to be dominated by british or empire (walker, snow) athlete`s are now dominated by the africans and the sprints will always go to american or carribean athlete`s.
even the sprinters in recent times that broke the u.s stranglehold on the 100m for britain and canada were all born in the carribean (ben johnson, linford christie, donovan bailey) and with asafa powell and justin gatlin in their early twenties and running 9.77 i just cant see us doing anything there.
to be fair only one person can win and its a big world out there, i guess it just shows how truly talented gold medal winners are.
to me the dissapointment is not that were not winning its that were not even close, and the fact some of the cyclists and even boxers are calling our athlete`s big time charlie`s who like to strut their stuff around the athlete`s village just adds to the frustration.
Jade Johnson always looks pretty fit to me.........lamphey wrote: Jade Johnson needs to forget about looking like a super-model ..... when fit she's right up there with the best jumpers.
And is it just me who can't stand Paula Radcliffe? Yes, she works incredibly hard and all that, but I've never liked her. Although, in fairness, a lot of that is down to the way the commentators used to portray her before she actually won anything. I do wonder about her performances over the last few years as well. Not saying she's on the juice, but if she wasn't a Brit, our press would have a field day about the improvements she's made. Haven't L'equipe kicked up a big fuss in the past?
Of course, I'm just cynical about Athletics these days, with the scandals that have been uncovered. Even more so about cycling, which was my big passion as a teenager. I automatically doubt big performances in either sport nowadays, which is pretty sad really.
That's quite true.states wrote: And is it just me who can't stand Paula Radcliffe? Yes, she works incredibly hard and all that, but I've never liked her. Although, in fairness, a lot of that is down to the way the commentators used to portray her before she actually won anything. I do wonder about her performances over the last few years as well. Not saying she's on the juice, but if she wasn't a Brit, our press would have a field day about the improvements she's made. Haven't L'equipe kicked up a big fuss in the past?
When the Chinese women tore up the distance record books on their diet of turtle blood or whatever it was ....... the British press were quick to point the finger and ask questions.
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TheRiverCityHippy
- Middleweight
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- Joined: 08 Mar 2014, 15:39
to be fair to radcliffe she`s always been there or thereabouts and has often been pipped on the line by africans who outsprint her over the final 200, her ability to set a high pace has always been evident but her lack of a `kick` has led to her going up the distances.lamphey wrote:That's quite true.states wrote: And is it just me who can't stand Paula Radcliffe? Yes, she works incredibly hard and all that, but I've never liked her. Although, in fairness, a lot of that is down to the way the commentators used to portray her before she actually won anything. I do wonder about her performances over the last few years as well. Not saying she's on the juice, but if she wasn't a Brit, our press would have a field day about the improvements she's made. Haven't L'equipe kicked up a big fuss in the past?
When the Chinese women tore up the distance record books on their diet of turtle blood or whatever it was ....... the British press were quick to point the finger and ask questions.
the chinese runners (and swimmers) were like 300th in the world one minute and then ripping the record books to shreds.
paula was very vocal against one particular athlete who`s name escapes me who was done for drugs but allowed to compete, in fact didnt paula have a sign saying cheats dont prosper or something like that?
i cant believe she`d be so two faced.
Olga Yegarova is the name of the athlete.
I don't believe Paula is juicing, remember you don't reach your prime in long distance events untill your really in your early thirties.
Paula has been there or there abouts for close to 10 years now.... The fact that she had one of the best times in the world in her early twenties, huge improvements were expected.
The Chinese athletes were clearly juicing, they were awesome at championships then useless after it, then amazing again.
Really felt sorry for Sonia O Sullivan robbed of numerous gold's cause of these.
I don't believe Paula is juicing, remember you don't reach your prime in long distance events untill your really in your early thirties.
Paula has been there or there abouts for close to 10 years now.... The fact that she had one of the best times in the world in her early twenties, huge improvements were expected.
The Chinese athletes were clearly juicing, they were awesome at championships then useless after it, then amazing again.
Really felt sorry for Sonia O Sullivan robbed of numerous gold's cause of these.
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TheRiverCityHippy
- Middleweight
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that is a problem that could occur though in the build up to 2012.
athlete`s who just cant cut the mustard and find their funding might be withdrawn might turn to the juice, especially if athletics is all they`ve known and the thought of making it in the `real` world seems a terrifying prospect.
i wouldnt be surprised if there were a few mystery motorbike accidents on the way to drug testing in 2012 a la the greek sprinters in athens, the pressure to perform in front of your own crowd and to have a `kathy freeman` moment will be immense as the games get closer. the athlete`s will become bigger than footy players that summer.
athlete`s who just cant cut the mustard and find their funding might be withdrawn might turn to the juice, especially if athletics is all they`ve known and the thought of making it in the `real` world seems a terrifying prospect.
i wouldnt be surprised if there were a few mystery motorbike accidents on the way to drug testing in 2012 a la the greek sprinters in athens, the pressure to perform in front of your own crowd and to have a `kathy freeman` moment will be immense as the games get closer. the athlete`s will become bigger than footy players that summer.
I don't think for one minute that Paula Radcliffe is doping, just highlighting the differing attitude to remarkable performances. In my time, I can recall three Brits who didn't just break a world record but put it out of sight .... namely Seb Coe, Jonathan Edwards and Paula. But had those times and distances been by non-Brits, we would treat them with suspicion.
And regarding the Chinese women athletes ....... they certainly didn't come from 300th in the world to records and gold medals. They had been winning titles and medals for the 2/3 years prior at World Juniors, Olympics and World Champs. Paula herself beat one of them into 2nd at the world junior cross-country in 1992.
Whether it was turtle blood, Chinese mushrooms, a hard work ethic totally alien to our society or something completely underhand .... I don't know.
And regarding the Chinese women athletes ....... they certainly didn't come from 300th in the world to records and gold medals. They had been winning titles and medals for the 2/3 years prior at World Juniors, Olympics and World Champs. Paula herself beat one of them into 2nd at the world junior cross-country in 1992.
Whether it was turtle blood, Chinese mushrooms, a hard work ethic totally alien to our society or something completely underhand .... I don't know.
I have to say Jonathon Edwards did surprise me in 1995 - he was there and there about a few years before - but he at an age when you wouldn't have thought huge improvements would be made.
However, watching him in action though makes you think there is no way he is juicing. He is just technically far and away better than anyone that has ever been at the event. I don't think the roids can improve technique.
The Chinese concerned me though was the fact they dissappeared so quickly.... Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the athletes seem to think they were on them. I'm sure Sonia got interviewed and spoke of her world record time "apart from the Chinese athlete". Not second best in the world.
Lamphey, do you remember Paula Ivan - there was a dodgy athlete if I ever seen one - where did she go to.
Usually, the athletes will defend wrongly convicted athletes (like Diane Modhal) but with the Chinese, Flo Jo, Ben Johnson, Yegarova and now Dwain Chambers there is always the "we all knew" factor.
However, watching him in action though makes you think there is no way he is juicing. He is just technically far and away better than anyone that has ever been at the event. I don't think the roids can improve technique.
The Chinese concerned me though was the fact they dissappeared so quickly.... Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the athletes seem to think they were on them. I'm sure Sonia got interviewed and spoke of her world record time "apart from the Chinese athlete". Not second best in the world.
Lamphey, do you remember Paula Ivan - there was a dodgy athlete if I ever seen one - where did she go to.
Usually, the athletes will defend wrongly convicted athletes (like Diane Modhal) but with the Chinese, Flo Jo, Ben Johnson, Yegarova and now Dwain Chambers there is always the "we all knew" factor.
Paula Ivan, damn thats a blast from the past... she was incredible in Seoul, completely pissed on everyone over 1500m and nearly won the 3000m too...great moustache too
Back then of course there was no out of competition testing which made performances even better...
Although most suspect the chinese were on something (and I agree) they didnt get to where they did without incredible hard work...
Their training regime was brutal and you got the impression that they had 1000's of girls running 200 miles a week and the ones we got to see winning championships were the ones who actually survived... incidentally the one who set all the fast times in 1993 was the one who Radcliffe beat at the world junior cross country 18 months earlier
Edwards was a very strange one, his rapid improvement at an advanced age was bizzare... but like you say he was all about technique (although his power to weight ration is phenomenal - 140kg power clean)
Back then of course there was no out of competition testing which made performances even better...
Although most suspect the chinese were on something (and I agree) they didnt get to where they did without incredible hard work...
Their training regime was brutal and you got the impression that they had 1000's of girls running 200 miles a week and the ones we got to see winning championships were the ones who actually survived... incidentally the one who set all the fast times in 1993 was the one who Radcliffe beat at the world junior cross country 18 months earlier
Edwards was a very strange one, his rapid improvement at an advanced age was bizzare... but like you say he was all about technique (although his power to weight ration is phenomenal - 140kg power clean)
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Remember Kratochvilova....scary.stujones wrote:I have to say Jonathon Edwards did surprise me in 1995 - he was there and there about a few years before - but he at an age when you wouldn't have thought huge improvements would be made.
However, watching him in action though makes you think there is no way he is juicing. He is just technically far and away better than anyone that has ever been at the event. I don't think the roids can improve technique.
The Chinese concerned me though was the fact they dissappeared so quickly.... Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the athletes seem to think they were on them. I'm sure Sonia got interviewed and spoke of her world record time "apart from the Chinese athlete". Not second best in the world.
Lamphey, do you remember Paula Ivan - there was a dodgy athlete if I ever seen one - where did she go to.
Usually, the athletes will defend wrongly convicted athletes (like Diane Modhal) but with the Chinese, Flo Jo, Ben Johnson, Yegarova and now Dwain Chambers there is always the "we all knew" factor.
Who can forget her at the Seoul Olympics. Romania had been churning out some incredible runners for a decade or so and Ivan was chasing the 3000m/1500m double. But the Russian Samolenko had a vicious finishing kick and beat her in the 3000m. Ivan left nothing to chance in the 1500m and won it by a street ...... at least 50metres!stujones wrote: Lamphey, do you remember Paula Ivan - there was a dodgy athlete if I ever seen one - where did she go to.
I think she retired quite young after struggling with injuries but she made a comeback a few years ago aged about 38. She ran around 4m 05s for a couple of races then disappeared for good.
As for the Chinese ....... the guy in charge was called something like Ma Jureng and ruled the training camp with an iron fist, the training schedule was brutal. There was some big falling out and I believe most of the athletes walked out on him ......... which could explain why very few Chinese women featured on the podium in future years.
Yeah the Chinese dont mess about! I heard a story bout their gymnasts. Apparently at the ages 14 to 16 (these ages might be wrong, but I remember it being very young) they are physically at their peak for Olympic competition - so each Chinese gymnast gets one crack at the Olympics (if they are lucky) and then they have to effectively retire as they are kicked to the gutter.