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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

TFS News Briefs: 04/22/2008

Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 7:04 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Drugs In Sports, TFS News Briefs

John McDonnell To Retire After 36 Years, 42 Titles
Thirty-Six years, 25 Olympians, 42 NCAA National Titles, 181 All-Americans who have earned 643 All-America honors. That’s just some of the legacy the incomparable John McDonnell leaves behind when he retires from his head coach position at the University of Arkansas at the end of the 2008 season.
Read more at: [Google News]

No Positives at the 2008 World Indoor Championships
We all know what kinds of positives I mean, too. Positive tests for steroids, juice, gym candy. Whatever you want to call it, there was none of it at the 2008 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Valencia, Spain. Has our sport managed to clean itself up? This is certainly a good sign. Now we’re just left with the unenviable task of cleaning up our image. (Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that ESPN is covering the sport of Track & Field!)
Read more at: [ESPN]

“Bird’s Nest” Architect Discusses Efforts To Fine-Tune Beijing Olympic Stadium
Li Xinggang, the chief architect of the Beijing Olympic Stadium (dubbed the “Bird’s Nest” because of its shape) discusses the fine points of getting his creation ready of the Olympic Games, which begin on 8/08/2008. “We did find some minor problems. For instance, we designed duo doors for the washrooms. Users were meant to enter and exit from different doors, but Chinese users are not accustomed to this and they just turned back and exited from the same door. Now we have to rethink the design: do we revise it and yield to conventional practice or insist on our own design and ask users to learn a new way?”
Read more at: [Beijing08]
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ESPN, Nightline & GMA to Air Special Features, Present New Evidence in the Oscar Pistorius Controversy on April 15

Posted April 9th, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Track & Field, Columns, Olympics, SPOTLIGHT

One of the most talked-about sports stories of the past year is the controversy surrounding Oscar Pistorius, the bi-lateral amputee sprinter who is trying to make a bid for the Olympics and is appealing the IAAF’s ruling that he has a technical advantage. Ossur, the maker of those Cheetahs, invites everyone to form their own opinion based on new information as presented by ESPN’s E:60, Good Morning America, Nightline, and ESPN Magazine.

Looking for insights into this game-changing issue that raises scientific, ethical and philosophical questions, and for the past three months, ESPN’s investigative journalists have traveled the globe to learn more. They interviewed Oscar, his family, coach, prosthetist, friends, competitors, lawyers, and Ossur, too. They also interviewed Professor Bruggemann, the German doctor who originally tested him on behalf of the IAAF.

What to see on April 15th:

• Good Morning America will air a segment between 7-9am
• ESPN’s E:60 will broadcast a 10-minute feature between 7-8pm.
• Nightline will look into the story at 11:30pm.

In addition, ESPN Magazine’s April 21st cover story will delve into Oscar’s case.
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Three Ways to Run Injury-Free

Posted April 9th, 2008 at 3:00 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

Among those who call themselves runners, there seems to be a shared sense of community and understanding. We smile knowingly at tales of windy 20-milers or sunrise jogs on the water. We compare black toenails and favorite Clif Gel flavors.

Unfortunately, we can also sympathize and relate to stories of injury or woes from those taking lengthy breaks from a regular running routine; spending their mornings in physiotherapy rather than on the trails. Although many people believe that injuries are a natural consequence of such a high-impact sport, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HerActiveLife.com

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TFS News Briefs: 2/15/2008

Posted February 15th, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, TFS News Briefs, Masters

Tyson Invitational Has High Profile Athletes
The Tyson Invitational meet will be held this weekend at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Indoor Track in Fayettville. Some huge names will be competing, including Sanya Richards, Wallace Spearmon, Jenn Stuczynski and the shot put and an all-star shot put shootout that will feature Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell and Dan Taylor.
Read more at: [Google News][Tyson Invitational Start List]

Lagat To Run 10000m in London?
Bernard Lagat has hinted that he may move up in distance for the 2012 London Olympics, saying that, “athletes like Haile Gebrselassie [have shown] how possible it is to be stronger as you get older.” Lagat will compete in the 3000m event this weekend at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham, England.
Read more at: [BirminghamMail.net, UK]

IAAF Tokyo Marathon Preview
The Tokyo Marathon will be held this Sunday, February 18th and it will be doubling as Japan’s Olympic Men’s marathon Trials. A slew of speedy foreign runners has been invited, including Daniel Njenga of Kenya, a 2:06 marathoner. Historically, Japan has been strong in the marathon at the international level, so – with its mix of domestic and foreign talent – this should prove to be a high-octane race.
Read more at: [IAAF][Tokyo Marathon Website]
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Quote of the Day: 1/24/2008

Posted January 24th, 2008 at 9:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“For me making some kind of positive impact through my athletics, making the friendships is what really matters … These are the things that matter, these are the things that count - That’s the true gold.”

- Josh Cox, U.S. marathon runner

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TFS News Briefs: 11/12/07

Posted November 12th, 2007 at 1:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, TFS News Briefs

Galen Rupp: “I’m starting to come around”
Galen Rupp, in only his second cross-country race of the season (he had started his training cycle again after competing in the World Championships), finished 1st to lead the Oregon Ducks to a 1st-place team finish at the NCAA West Regional cross-country championships. He is considered to be a favorite to win NCAA Championships this coming weekend. Read more at: [The Register-Guard, OR]

Craig Masback: “All signs point to [’08] being the best Olympic Trials ever”
Craig Masback has written a guest article on Oregon’s The Register-Guard website, explaining how the preparations for the 2008 Olympic Trials are coming along. Set to begin on June, 27th 2008 and lasting until July 6th, 2008, Masback writes that, “The pieces are falling into place to meet the Eugene ‘08 objective of making this Olympic Trials the most athlete-friendly and fan-friendly in history.” Read more at: [The Register-Guard, OR]

IAAF Ratifies New World Records
Haile Gebrselassie’s 2:04:26 marathon at the September 30th Berlin Marathon and Lornah Kiplagat’s 1:06:25 half-marathon (as well as her 1:02:57 20K en route to the half-marathon in Udine, Italy on October 14th at the 2nd IAAF World Road Running Championships) along with several other world records, have been ratified by the IAAF. Read more at: [IAAF]
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IAAF President Praises London 2012 Olympic
Stadium Design

Posted November 12th, 2007 at 11:25 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has praised the designs of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

President of the IAAF Mr Lamine Diack said: ‘The designs for the 2012 Olympic stadium indicate a secure future for the Olympics’ number one sport in the British capital.

‘London’s successful bid for the 2012 Games had legacy at its heart, and in particular, the need to provide sustainable venues and projects, as part of a vision of the city’s future development.

‘In turn, the sport of Athletics, whose rules and heritage owe so much to Great Britain, has been in desperate need for a world class competition facility in London, to showcase the sport in the UK, especially for international events such as the annual IAAF Super Grand Prix.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: SummerOlympian.com

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JOSH COX: Interview Excerpts

Posted November 1st, 2007 at 9:30 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews

Below are textual excerpts from my interview with U.S. Olympic Marathon hopeful JOSH COX.

NOTE: To listen to the interview in it’s entirety via Episode 99 of The Final Sprint Podcast, please click here.

In the interview Cox talks about a multitude of topics, such as: Sunday’s U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials, his comeback, his father’s battle with cancer, their father-son relationship, faith, his “calling”, GodTube, Team Running USA, the transition to Mammoth, and much more!

On Competing in Sunday’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials:

“I’m gonna run November 3rd like it’s the last 26.2 miles of my life”

“[Once I’m at that start line] - I’m gonna let it rip. A lot of guys are motivated by a lot of different things but I am running this [race] for my Dad.”

On His Comeback – Physically, Mentally and Emotionally:

“I’m excited that I am excited about running again which is something I hadn’t been for the last two years.”

“I was basically the fat kid when I first showed up to Mammoth] … I am just getting’ my butt handed to me daily by Meb”

“My Dad told me, ‘Just be faithful with what God has entrusted in you’ … [and now when I run] that’s what this is all about.”
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Exercise-induced asthma especially prevalent among athletes

Posted September 12th, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

Proper breathing is essential for every athlete. As anyone involved in athletics knows, without the correct breathing technique, you are greatly compromising your ability to perform up to your potential.

Unfortunately, thanks to a condition called asthma, not every person has control over their ability to breathe. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the breathing passages of the lungs. And while this condition is known to afflict many individuals, it is a specific form of asthma- referred to as “exercise-induced”- that researchers have noticed occurring in a large proportion of athletes.

read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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Video: Athletics stars mint medals, gold

Posted August 31st, 2007 at 11:06 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

World athletic success can mean tremendous international attention and sometimes millions in endorsements. Success in athletics brings global attention and possibly millions in endorsements, with two stars in the lights at the track and field championships in Osaka.

Check out the following video report by Reuters featuring American 100m/200m and 4×100m relay gold medalist Tyson Gay and Chinese hurdling champion Liu Xiang:

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