Wightman went from British to Scottish in a fortnight.
With the Europeans starting in little more than a week's time I'm actually surprised so many British athletes with medal aspirations turned out in Birmingham.
Scottish is British just as Welsh and English are British too.
Lots of praise here for Hoare's superior tactics, lane choice, coaching, etc. It was obviously a fantastic performance for him and he deserves it, but having one fewer championship race from Eugene in his legs compared to all the other major players is obviously important too. Does anyone doubt that Wightman and Cheruiyot had a smidgen less of a kick considering the accumulated fatigue from their very recent 3:29 WC final that Hoare didn't compete in? That's all part of the game of course, but let's not pretend it wasn't one of the factors when spouting all these theories.
Outstanding race. Hoare with perfect execution and great luck. His space opened at the perfect time and he capitalized. Half of the guys in the field could have won depending on how the pacing and tactics played out. Great drama!
Hey, does anyone know why Josette Norris has dropped off a bit this year? Has her training situation switched? Long covid? Seemed like she was rolling well during indoor track.
This race tactic by Abel Kipsang and Timothy Cheruiyot is no longer catching anyone by surprise and no longer plays to the talents of T. Cheruiyot. I understand why the tactic now used over and over again by T. Cheruiyot was used, 2019 W.C. 1500m final. In a 3:32 or 3:33 plus 1500m in 2019, Taoufik Mahkloufi would have been the victor. Abel Kipsang, a legit 1:45 800m man; T. Cheruiyot a legit 1:43 800m can sit back and let the race come to them. Redlining from the start is keeping Abel Kipsang from earning medals. He is often the second or third fastest 800m man in a 1500m final. Abel Kipsang is wasting his talent.
Lots of praise here for Hoare's superior tactics, lane choice, coaching, etc. It was obviously a fantastic performance for him and he deserves it, but having one fewer championship race from Eugene in his legs compared to all the other major players is obviously important too. Does anyone doubt that Wightman and Cheruiyot had a smidgen less of a kick considering the accumulated fatigue from their very recent 3:29 WC final that Hoare didn't compete in? That's all part of the game of course, but let's not pretend it wasn't one of the factors when spouting all these theories.
I guess there could be some fatigue for Wightman and Cheruiyot. In commentary, Cram suggested that Wightman might have felt compelled to take the lead earlier than he would have liked because of his new status as world champion. IMO, it's just that the margins are so tight at the top of the 1500 right now. I still think Jakob is a little better than everyone else, but if he's slightly off his game, there's a queue of talent behind him ready to capitalise. In Eugene, Wightman took his chance, here, Hoare took his chance. It's great for the event that so many guys are capable of stepping up when the top dogs are even fractionally off their best.
I turned on the BBC to watch the W800 live and found out I was an hour early. I caught the men's 1500 medal ceremony instead.
I just wish this MB item had not reached the front page. Fortunately I watched your great post of the race before this spoiler entered the same page as “WATCH WITHOUT KNOWING THE RESULT” and could enjoy not knowing until the final second.
Wightman went from British to Scottish in a fortnight.
With the Europeans starting in little more than a week's time I'm actually surprised so many British athletes with medal aspirations turned out in Birmingham.
why the surprise? If they feel they are fresh enough to do well then a home championship is always going to be a bigger pull than a continental championship in a different country.
Wightman went from British to Scottish in a fortnight.
With the Europeans starting in little more than a week's time I'm actually surprised so many British athletes with medal aspirations turned out in Birmingham.
Scottish is British just as Welsh and English are British too.
In commentary, Cram suggested that Wightman might have felt compelled to take the lead earlier than he would have liked because of his new status as world champion. IMO, it's just that the margins are so tight at the top of the 1500 right now. I still think Jakob is a little better than everyone else, but if he's slightly off his game, there's a queue of talent behind him ready to capitalise. In Eugene, Wightman took his chance, here, Hoare took his chance. It's great for the event that so many guys are capable of stepping up when the top dogs are even fractionally off their best.