Ok but assuming that substituting half of Michael Norman’s genetics with “generic black woman” would result in someone faster than 43.45/400m is stupid.
I put Norman 5th behind Hudson-Smith, Hall, Doom and Gardiner. He’s underperformed in past championships and hasn’t looked like a 43.xx guy to me so far this year. You can’t rule out a guy who’s run well under 44 multiple times before, though.
Less than a handful of non black people who are solid sprinters (no medal winners shown) vs, score (hundreds?) of black sprinters who have run faster.
Ok but assuming that substituting half of Michael Norman’s genetics with “generic black woman” would result in someone faster than 43.45/400m is stupid.
I put Norman 5th behind Hudson-Smith, Hall, Doom and Gardiner. He’s underperformed in past championships and hasn’t looked like a 43.xx guy to me so far this year. You can’t rule out a guy who’s run well under 44 multiple times before, though.
Ok but assuming that substituting half of Michael Norman’s genetics with “generic black woman” would result in someone faster than 43.45/400m is stupid.
I put Norman 5th behind Hudson-Smith, Hall, Doom and Gardiner. He’s underperformed in past championships and hasn’t looked like a 43.xx guy to me so far this year. You can’t rule out a guy who’s run well under 44 multiple times before, though.
Didn't he win the WC's two years ago?
He did but he could only manage 44.29 on home soil and it being Eugene at that. Additionally, Doom and Hall weren't there, Gardiner was injured, and MHS wasn't as good as he now is.
It has nothing to do with capability; Norman can win gold or not even make the finals. Perhaps he puts too much pressure on himself or overthinks things; I am not sure, but he does not race with confidence. Even when he won gold in Tokyo, he seemed relieved and surprised more so than happy.
Initially I was surprised by the confidence of Gardiner getting a medal based on his form this year, felt like he might be washed up. But he is still 28 yo and dropping huge SBs when it matters most has been his SOP. My gut was that at least one of mhs or qh would take him down this year, and Gardiner never gets 2nd or 3rd. MN would be there to pick up the pieces. I really shouldn't feel any better about MN than SG though. Plus a bunch of others could contend for 3rd.