Off topic - Mark Lewis-Francis

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 08:46

Swimming team have been awesome, shows how well the lottery money can work in the right setting.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:04

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Swimming team have been awesome, shows how well the lottery money can work in the right setting.

...and with the right attitude. Bill Sweetenham doesn't tolerate mediocrity by all accounts, so once all the losers like Pickering and Co were gone (amidst claims he was a “bully”) he's been left with those who want to win.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:13

Young Rhys Williams in the 400 metres hurdles was an excellent effort.

Swimming has been impressive by the home nations (good to see the Scots do well also)... Although they do tend to exceed their expectations in these games and rest on their laurels come the Olympics. Although this coach seems to be a bit of a slavedriver.

Mark Lewis francis is a prized prick. The guy has got so much natural talent it is unreal. Maurice Greene actually predicted he could go under 9.6 if he fulfils his potential.

He got the lottery funding, and flashed his money about a bit - drives round in a nice car and is a millionare. Michael Johnson is spot on.

I have seen the top sprinters training many times, most base themselves in UWIC. Its piss poor - its not just Lewis Francis that is a crying shame, but going by their training "efforts" Campbell, Malcolm, and Gardiner could all imporve an awful lot.

I don't know what they do in the USA but over here it was.

Basketball for 20 minutes (not taken serious, not really part of the training).

Warm up - 10 minutes.

6 x 200 metres reps - 10 minute break between each on.

Cool Down - 10 minutes.

Home.

They do it twice a day - probably on the track a total of 2 hours a day, and a maximum of 40 minutes is actually running.

states · Post by **states** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:18

That's appalling, Stu. Someone compared the athletes to the cyclists, and it's reasonable, as track cycling and sprinting are similarly explosive events. I know the likes of Chris Hoy and Jamie Staff work a damn sight harder than that, for less financial rewards.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:28

I'd imagine they spend a bit more time hoiking weights inside but yes, they do appear not to be doing the right things, and they do seem to be getting away with mediocrity. Interesting to hear Campbell openly admit Johnson had it right all along.

You'd think, with 22 spare hours in the day, they could find a bit of time to practice passing the relay baton. Seems that this event is always cobbled together at the last minute. Why? It's a massively cared-about event. Maybe it doesn't fit with the egos of the competitors to see it that way.

Overall, in a number of sports (particularly individual ones and ones where competition is less frequent), there are precious few who can sustain a world leading level of performance if they manage to get loads of dosh along the way. It's what happened with Audley, and I'm slightly worried it's happen with Amir Khan as well.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:47

Surely Lewis Francis isn't a millionnaire? How? Lottery funding is what 70k a year? Don't see how that makes you a Millionnaire, and Lewis Francis hasn't won enough Grand Prix events to be that phat for cash.

Has he got any endorsement deals? He was the golden boy of British Athletics for a little while so I guess it is possible.

Anyway, it's still early doors, I wonder how much training sprinters normally do. I know from here that Michael Johnson trained like an absolute demon to get where he was. Same is true across athletics, it's the training hard that makes the winners.

Darren Campbell has always looked very soft for a sprinter, always carrying body fat, but peversely, he's the most successful guy we have since Linford.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:54

stujones wrote: Mark Lewis francis is a prized prick. The guy has got so much natural talent it is unreal. Maurice Greene actually predicted he could go under 9.6 if he fulfils his potential.

He got the lottery funding, and flashed his money about a bit - drives round in a nice car and is a millionare. Michael Johnson is spot on.

I have seen the top sprinters training many times, most base themselves in UWIC. Its piss poor - its not just Lewis Francis that is a crying shame, but going by their training "efforts" Campbell, Malcolm, and Gardiner could all imporve an awful lot.

I don't know what they do in the USA but over here it was.

Basketball for 20 minutes (not taken serious, not really part of the training).

Warm up - 10 minutes.

6 x 200 metres reps - 10 minute break between each on.

Cool Down - 10 minutes.

Home.

They do it twice a day - probably on the track a total of 2 hours a day, and a maximum of 40 minutes is actually running.

Don't know if that routine in itself is too bad (although the rest may be excessive) But why bother slogging your gutts out if your already a millionaire?

Is MLF really a millionaire? Linford Christie used to say he was a lazy trainer, but eventually slogged his gutts out to become the best, I doubt he would have if he was already a millionaire.

I remember Maurice Greene claiming he may be a 100-200 sprinter but he could do 44second 400m (world class) 500lb deep squats (said he went heavier but it didn't give additional benefit). He also tried to perfect all stages of his race. I wonder if the Brit boys can perform at those levels in training - I DOUBT IT.

I haven't seen MLF in a couple of years but last time I looked he was a fat bastard in sprinting terms - you need the 5% bodyfat MLF is nearer 10%. He hasn't got the diet or training right.

I don't even cheer for the Brit boys in athletics - why cheer for a millionaire over some poor bloke who actually needs to suceed?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:54

jamesmcdonnell wrote: Darren Campbell has always looked very soft for a sprinter, always carrying body fat, but peversely, he's the most successful guy we have since Linford.

Guess that comes down to having that Championship mentality, Campbell usually overachieves in major meetings, and when he's not won he hasn't looked to blame anyone but himself.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:58

Coconut wrote:It's what happened with Audley, and I'm slightly worried it's happen with Amir Khan as well.

Can't really compare the two, Audley was lazy and dillusional from day 1 as a pro. Khan looks 100% commited to the sport.

The only thing that would worry me about Khan is girls. I'm pretty sure he didn't get where he is today by hanging around with the local slappers every night. He's bound to attract all kinds of filth now, I hope none of it gets through to him and makes a mess of things.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:00

I know that Michael Johnson's ex-classmates recall him as being like "a bit of a dork" at school. Always just interested in running, and not much else.

It paid off though eh!

Definitely a lesson in commitment for these bling-bling benders like MLF.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:01

Khan's family / management keep him on a pretty tight rein from what I can gather, but he's earning a stack of cash, even if he himself only gets pocket change. Reebok are paying him damn well for the I Am What I Am campaign, for instance, and that's only going to increase.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:06

Loftgroov wrote:I know that Michael Johnson's ex-classmates recall him as being like "a bit of a dork" at school. Always just interested in running, and not much else.

It paid off though eh!

Definitely a lesson in commitment for these bling-bling benders like MLF.

Johnson does look and sound like a bit of a dork, but boy could that MOFO run. Wish he hadn't pulled up in that 100m race.

I wonder what he could have done 100 in, I mean he seemed to have pretty fornicating good accelleration in the 200, but then part of that was his bend running which was out of this world, he'd leave people for dead on the bend and emerge 10m ahead.

Him and Ed Moses must be the two most dominant sub 800 runners ever.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:07

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:I don't even cheer for the Brit boys in athletics - why cheer for a millionaire over some poor bloke who actually needs to suceed?

Do you do the same with every sport? Its not the athletes fault that they earn a good living, the people in charge of the sports council should be held to account for throwing money at them.

If someone came up to you and offered you a vast sum of money to do something that your doing anyway , you wouldn't say no, same with the athletes.

Not every athlete takes the money and doesn't try thier hardest, some train everyday, work hard and reap the rewards as well.
think your being a bit hard labeling every guy the same way.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:10

On July 29 he easily captured the 400m Olympic title with a time of 43.49 s, beating Roger Black of Great Britain by almost a second. At the 200m final on August 1, Johnson ran the opening 100m in 10.12 s, achieved a peak speed of over 40 km/h, and finished the race in 19.32 s, shattering the world record he had set just months before

Christ, 10.12 is a pretty impressive 1st 100m considering there's another 100 to go!

That also means he ran the 2nd 100 M in 9.2 seconds! Even with a flying start that is mightily impressive stuff.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:12

Hopefully this piss poor games for MLF will provide him with the kick up the arse that he looks to need.

(Amir Khan seems to have his head well screwed on.........so far)

Michael Johnson (Superman) is the best track athlete of all times IMO, his 200m and 400m World records won't be beat for some time. Its difficult to compare him (P4P style) with the excellent longer distance runners like Said Ouita (spelling-that Morroccan geeza from the early 90's), El Guerrouj or Haile Gebrselassie, but Johnson clearly tops my list

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:19

topper123 wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:I don't even cheer for the Brit boys in athletics - why cheer for a millionaire over some poor bloke who actually needs to suceed?
Do you do the same with every sport? Its not the athletes fault that they earn a good living, the people in charge of the sports council should be held to account for throwing money at them.

If someone came up to you and offered you a vast sum of money to do something that your doing anyway , you wouldn't say no, same with the athletes.

Not every athlete takes the money and doesn't try thier hardest, some train everyday, work hard and reap the rewards as well.
think your being a bit hard labeling every guy the same way.

Yes I do generally, not a DLH or SRL fan either. I like someone to earn their stripes. They havent got a reason to succeed. I don't think any of our athletes have put in a world class effort in years - not saying they don't try just saying they don't goto hell and back. And I usually think the majority of the English football team are a bunch of primadonnas too.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:21

jamesmcdonnell wrote:On July 29 he easily captured the 400m Olympic title with a time of 43.49 s, beating Roger Black of Great Britain by almost a second. At the 200m final on August 1, Johnson ran the opening 100m in 10.12 s, achieved a peak speed of over 40 km/h, and finished the race in 19.32 s, shattering the world record he had set just months before

Christ, 10.12 is a pretty impressive 1st 100m considering there's another 100 to go!

That also means he ran the 2nd 100 M in 9.2 seconds! Even with a flying start that is mightily impressive stuff.

That was over 150m not 100m. Impressive second 100m no doubt but not that impressive I think some guys have gone sub-9seconds for the 100m in relays.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:21

I think Johnson is one of the greatest of all time. I can't see his world records being broken for a long long time, the 200m record could turn into as long a lasting one as the long jump used to be. To contrast his 19:32 record, Marlon Devonish failed to qualify for the final with a time of 20:92.

She gets on my tits but the sprinters could learn a lot from Radcliffe who is never satisfied and always trying to improve (obviously i'm ignoring the last Olympics)

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:24

Lenny Albert wrote: She gets on my tits but the sprinters could learn a lot from Radcliffe who is never satisfied and always trying to improve (obviously i'm ignoring the last Olympics)

Thats 1 athlete I'll always support - GOOOOOOO PAULA. She was still breaking world records even though she ran out of steam at the olympics. She near kills herself daily to be the best and trains with the utmost of intensity

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:24

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
topper123 wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:I don't even cheer for the Brit boys in athletics - why cheer for a millionaire over some poor bloke who actually needs to suceed?
Do you do the same with every sport? Its not the athletes fault that they earn a good living, the people in charge of the sports council should be held to account for throwing money at them.

If someone came up to you and offered you a vast sum of money to do something that your doing anyway , you wouldn't say no, same with the athletes.

Not every athlete takes the money and doesn't try thier hardest, some train everyday, work hard and reap the rewards as well.
think your being a bit hard labeling every guy the same way.
Yes I do generally, not a DLH or SRL fan either. I like someone to earn their stripes. They havent got a reason to succeed. I don't think any of our athletes have put in a world class effort in years - not saying they don't try just saying they don't goto hell and back.

Come on, your joking!

Kelly Holmes in the 800m and 1500m, she could just have sat back and thought i'll win a medal, instead she run her heart out for the gold.
Johnathon Edwards winning gold on the very last jump, he could have sat there and thought 'oh well at least i'll get a silver' , but he didn't.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:29

topper123 wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
topper123 wrote: Do you do the same with every sport? Its not the athletes fault that they earn a good living, the people in charge of the sports council should be held to account for throwing money at them.

If someone came up to you and offered you a vast sum of money to do something that your doing anyway , you wouldn't say no, same with the athletes.

Not every athlete takes the money and doesn't try thier hardest, some train everyday, work hard and reap the rewards as well.
think your being a bit hard labeling every guy the same way.
Yes I do generally, not a DLH or SRL fan either. I like someone to earn their stripes. They havent got a reason to succeed. I don't think any of our athletes have put in a world class effort in years - not saying they don't try just saying they don't goto hell and back.
Come on, your joking!

Kelly Holmes in the 800m and 1500m, she could just have sat back and thought i'll win a medal, instead she run her heart out for the gold.
Johnathon Edwards winning gold on the very last jump, he could have sat there and thought 'oh well at least i'll get a silver' , but he didn't.

Yea I support Kelly (isn't she retired), Paula and Edwards (whos been retired for years). Thought we were talking sprinters - distance runners have to put themselves through pain just to be on the level and Europeans are levels behind East Africans in genetics. Paulas done something amazing to be up there beating the Africans I don't think it could happen in the mens distance running though

I just don't support the prima-donnas who are happy to just pick up a cheque.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:35

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:On July 29 he easily captured the 400m Olympic title with a time of 43.49 s, beating Roger Black of Great Britain by almost a second. At the 200m final on August 1, Johnson ran the opening 100m in 10.12 s, achieved a peak speed of over 40 km/h, and finished the race in 19.32 s, shattering the world record he had set just months before

Christ, 10.12 is a pretty impressive 1st 100m considering there's another 100 to go!

That also means he ran the 2nd 100 M in 9.2 seconds! Even with a flying start that is mightily impressive stuff.
That was over 150m not 100m. Impressive second 100m no doubt but not that impressive I think some guys have gone sub-9seconds for the 100m in relays.

Errr....no it wasn't, read the quote properly, the time is from the 200m finals.

100 meter runners get a flying start in the relay, and they ARE ONLY RUNNING 100M. How many 100 m runners do you reckon would run 9.2 in the second 100 of a 200m race?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:41

Lenny Albert wrote:I think Johnson is one of the greatest of all time. I can't see his world records being broken for a long long time, the 200m record could turn into as long a lasting one as the long jump used to be. To contrast his 19:32 record, Marlon Devonish failed to qualify for the final with a time of 20:92.

She gets on my tits but the sprinters could learn a lot from Radcliffe who is never satisfied and always trying to improve (obviously i'm ignoring the last Olympics)

Nobody else has even got near the 19.66 record he broke, which was set at altitude, let alone Johnson's mark.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:45

You cannot tarnish all track and field athletes with the same brush....
The sprinters are the "heavyweights" of track, they make the big money etc etc

Paula has always been extremely driven, sure she has talent, but even when she was at school and i knew a few of her friends, everyone was shocked at hard she trained... a lot more miles than anyone else...

Kelly is another one with decent talent (she like Paula was an English schools champion) but tremendous work ethic....

Those two have the never say die attitude which made them the success they are... thats why i was so sick when Paula got criticised when she pulled out in Athens.

As well as the different events, Paula and Kelly come from the generation before MLF....before lottery funding, before Athletes made huge salaries...

MLF could well be a millionaire... his apperance fees a probably £20k (just a guess) plus he had a BIG contract with Nike.... who are known to pay a few bob to their athletes....

However the problem isnt just MONEY . case in point Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya, RJJ and Paula .... they were all millionaires but still pushed themselves to the absolute limit

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:47

It's incredible though, why on earth is MLF getting appearance fees? For what? He's not done anything yet?