Hobbs Kessler intends on doubling 1500/800 in Paris - Ron Warhurst

right move

go all in

(probably he just wants to be paid more to scratch)

Kessler is capable but I'd like to see him go 1500 alone.

Why? the 1500 is first. 800 is gravy

The more I think about it the more he should. He’s probably 50/50 to make the 1500m final*. If he doesn’t, he has 2 full days before the 800. He probably stacks up about evenly in both right now.

*If you doubt this consider his PB probably ranks him 20th in the field and the following guys are in solid shape:

Jakob, Kerr, Tim, Reynold, Nuguse, Hocker, Hoare, Komen, Habz, Nader, Nordas, Gourley, Mills. That’s 13 guys, though yes some have been erratic. Laros is a wild card, and so is the Ethiopian Trials champ Feyisa, as well as the Belgian and Italian athletes. Mario could get it together etc.

Exactly. Do both.

YES

Why? It’s the first event. 100% unaffected by the 8.

This is tough, because I definitely think Hobbs is better in the 1,500 than the 800, but the rest of the world is MUCH BETTER in the 1,500 compared to the 800. I think he's more likely to make the final in the 800 than the 1,500 at this point (although he certainly can make both), but can he do that on tired legs in the 800?

when was the last time anyone medaled in both 800 and 1500?

Makhloufi could have if he hadn't quit the 800

I think Makhloufi got 2nd in both the 800 and 1500 in 2016.

Kessler is better prepared for the Olympic 800m. No reason to scratch 1500m.

You can't medal at 1500 without <1:44 800 capability and you can't medal at the 800 without strength enough for <3:31. What I'd like to see though is Kessler help Hoppel go after the US 1000m record.

The top end of the 800m (Arop, Wanyonyi, Sedjati, Hoppel) is as good as the top end of the 1500m (Jakob, Nuguse, Kerr etc.). There’s just more depth in the 1500 with let’s say 25 guys in sub-3:32 shape and only about 15(?) in sub-1:44 shape . There’s not really much to say Hobbs is better at 1500 than 800 though. His performances are about the same as far as the scoring tables. I’m not as sure it’s easier to make the finals. 800m takes fewer guys and has a brutal semis system. Hoping they do 3 semis with 3 big Qs. Both events are tough but I’m all for Hobbs taking the spot as no offense to Vince/Hoey but they aren’t going to sniff a final in this era.

so he did. I was only thinking about 2012.

What a legend. JAKIR was right about him

He should double. It's the best for him. He earned it too.

He could be a very busy stud in the off-season.

Bingo. With rounds and lesser competition, he has much better odds in the 8

This is great. Worst case scenario he gets more high level racing experience. He has already shown he can do this double very well. Why not.

I wouldn't say the top of the 800 is on the same level as Jakob, Kerr, Nuguse, Cheryiout, etc. at all. Jakob, Kerr, and Nuguse are all within about 1 second of the world record, which still seems untouchable. Wanyonyi is the only runner like this in the 800, and even Arop, Sedjati, and Hoppel and a couple of the other Kenyans are still 2 full seconds off the world record.

Road to Paris just updated their rankings. Hobbs is the #8 qualifying time entering the Olympics in the 800 (Hoppel is #4, Miller is #9). He is #20 in the 1,500 (Nuguse is #2, Hocker is #10). The 1,500 is definitely the much deeper event.

What does repechage mean?

This is one of the dumbest statements I've ever read on this website. There are only a handful of guys to ever medal at 1500 with a sub-1:44 800 PR, and even fewer to medal at 800 with a sub-3:31 1500 PR.