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Lead Stories: Friday, November 21, 2008

Lagat Cautiously Optimistic As Double Ambitions Begin

Posted August 15th, 2008 at 8:00 AM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

With the start of his quest to succeed Hicham El Guerrouj as the Olympic 1500 and 500m champion now just a day away, Bernard Lagat believes he is ready and indeed up for the daunting challenge.

“This is the one I’ve been looking forward to,” the reigning world champion over both distances said at a press conference. “My preparation has really been at the top.”

The first round of the men’s 1500m is scheduled for Friday evening, the first five races on the Kenyan-born American’s busy Beijing schedule. Lagat said that both distances will pose their unique challenges, but that it’s the 1500m that may pose the stiffest test.
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2008 Beijing Olympic Preview: Men’s 1500 Meters

Posted August 13th, 2008 at 10:22 PM by Jesse Squire

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Men’s 1500 Meters
The Schedule: heats, Friday Aug 15; semifinals, Sunday Aug 17; finals, Tuesday Aug 19
The Americans: #3 Bernard Lagat, #14 Lopez Lomong, #19 Leonel Manzano
The Contenders: #1 Augustine Choge (KEN) , #5 Abdalaati Iguider (MAR), #6 Asbel Kiprop (KEN), #7 Deresse Mekkonen (ETH), Rashid Ramzi (BRN)
The Stats: Records, 2008 List, 2007 Worlds, 2004 Olympics
The Medal Picks: T&FN - Lagat, Ramzi, Choge; SI - Choge, Lagat, Iguider
The Story: US hopes are strong here, led by double World champ Lagat and US opening ceremonies flag-bearer Lomong. All three are smart and tough and have the kind of tactical abilities that are well rewarded at the Olympic Games. The USA hasn’t had three finalists in this event since 1936, and it could happen again. Lagat in particular is a favorite, being a long-time top runner and breaking through at last year’s Worlds, but his recent loss in London shows that slow tactical affairs can leave even the best of them in the wrong place at the wrong time.

His main competition is expected to be Augustine Choge, the Kenyan trials champion. In previous years he had concentrated on the 3k, 5k and cross country, so three rounds of running is unlikely to take much out of him. On the other hand, his lone championship 1500 experience was the ‘05 Worlds, where he failed to advance out of the heats.

More likely to push Lagat is Ramzi. He has done basically nothing of note this year, but he hadn’t in 2005 when he swept the World Championships 1500 and 800, or last year when he won World silver behind Lagat. Also in the shadows lies Mekonnen, a young Ethiopian who took gold at the World Indoor championships.

Note: Athletes’ rankings refer to TheFinalSprint.com’s World Points Standings, and medal picks come to us from Track & Field News and Sports Illustrated, respectively.

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Webb is Back, Back Again

Posted July 4th, 2008 at 12:31 AM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials - Day Five served by picapp.com

The much-anticipated U.S. Olympic Trials men’s 1500 meters finally started today with three action-packed qualifying races.

Jordan McNamara of the University of Oregon led the first heat, with Steve Sherer close behind. McNamara stumbled in the third lap, but reacted quickly to hold his front position. However, he did not have enough gas left in the end as he ended up last. Sherer finished strongly in second-place (3:44.71) after Gabe Jennings‘ outstanding kick for first (3:44.39).

The second heat had Lopez Lomong (3:43.38) and Leonel Manzano (3:48.41), who finished first and second. The most exciting moment was Andrew Acosta’s fall. He fell hard, did a back flip and got back up to finish the last laps despite having no chance to catch the rest of the field.

In case you were worried, Webb is back. Alan Webb had a lot to prove after recent performances, but he did well tonight with a 3:41.27, the fastest time of the quarterfinals. Behind Webb were Said Ahmed (3:41.92) and Christopher Lukezic (3:42.10). Bernard Lagat, who already made the Olympic team in the 5000 meters, looked relaxed in the back for most of the race, but eventually finished fourth (3:42.11).
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