Full event preview is now published:
http://www.letsrun.com/?p=121031
No man has repeated in the 800 at the Olympics since New Zealand's Peter Snell in 1960 & 1964. Defending world champ Rudisha enters as the world leader and favorite, but he'll be challenged by Kenyan Trials champ Alfred Kipketer, 2015 Worlds runner-up Adam Kszczot, France's Pierre-Ambroise Bosse and many more.
Can the US get its first medal since 1992?
Other than Rudisha, the best 800 runner this year is Kiptilit.
Tiers of championship heats and finals don't select the best 800 runner because they measure consistency. There is really no such thing as a consistent 800 runner, the event just doesn't work like that. Anyone can wipe out for no apparent reason on a given day. So it's really more about luck.
Bad Wigins wrote:
Other than Rudisha, the best 800 runner this year is Kiptilit.
Tiers of championship heats and finals don't select the best 800 runner because they measure consistency. There is really no such thing as a consistent 800 runner, the event just doesn't work like that. Anyone can wipe out for no apparent reason on a given day. So it's really more about luck.
Despite a bad run at the Euros, Bosse is actually running very well.
I heard the same thing a guy mentioned at another board, that Tuka has been having phenomenal workouts and then sandbagging his races to keep the Kenyans off guard. He and his coach feel the Kenyans will try block him out if he shows a super kick. Supposedly they said they felt the Kenyans did a bit of that in Beijing with one of the Kenyans moving outside to make Tuka run farther when he started his finishing drive. Tuka did manage to snag the bronze.
If drug testing were fairly applied, I'd say the race is wide open. But since it looks like the E. Africans have been given the green light to cheat (no, I don't think all of them cheat)... I'll say Rudisha has a good chance to repeat but I now think he's suspect. Amos is not 22, despite all the bs to the contrary. He's probably a year older than Rudisha. If he can't dope, he can't win. Kipketer looks solid - he's no kid either lol. But I think he has the best shot at Gold besides the little Polish fella who gets no respect. lol
If Rudisha makes it fast, Bosse will get the silver. Americans won't feature. Sorry, but they won't.
Murphy will place higher than Boris.
Mark my works Boris is showing he was a 1 trick pony. Clayton is the future.