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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Shalane Flanagan Wins 10,000m Bronze Medal

Posted August 15th, 2008 at 4:43 PM by Stephanie Lowe

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

Shalane Flanagan won an Olympic bronze medal in the 10,000 meters Friday night in Beijing. She broke her own American record by 12 seconds with a time of 30:22.22. It was only the second time in history that a U.S. woman has medaled in the event.

Flanagan fell ill Tuesday night and suffered from stomach issues that caused dehydration and sleep loss. With competition that included Lornah Kiplagat of the Netherlands and Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, Flanagan had almost no room for error and some suggested that she should skip the race to focus and prepare for the 5000m. However, after resting for the past few days Flanagan was able to persevere and had an outstanding race.

Her plan was to start conservatively, but keep the leaders within striking distance until near the end when she would kick.

“I was in such a zone. My coach said to fall asleep for a couple laps and then give it go,” Flanagan said, “I ran my hardest and tried to give it my best. I was just running so within myself trying to stay calm.”
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In Quest for Double Olympic Gold, Lagat has El Guerrouj on His Side

Posted April 19th, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

As he sets out on his quest for double Olympic gold this summer, Bernard Lagat will have plenty of supporters. Among them is the man whose achievement he’ll be hoping to emulate in Beijing: world record holder and reigning double Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj.

“Bernard proved in Osaka, thanks to determination and passion, that he can do it,” El Guerrouj, the finest middle distance runner of his generation, said of his long-time rival, last fall.
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Quote of the Day: 10/22/07

Posted October 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“Anyone can run 20 miles. It’s the next six that count.”

- Barry Magee, Olympic marathon bronze medalist

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TFS News Briefs: 10/10/07

Posted October 10th, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

USOC seeks medals from Jones’ relay-mates
Now that Marion Jones has returned her Olympic medals in the wake of her doping admission, the United States Olympic Committee has also asked Marion Jones’ relay teammates to return their medals and promised a “completely clean” U.S. squad in 2008. The USOC request, Jones’ admission and the IOC’s pending decision on how to redistribute the medals has caused a fury of editorials, objections and controversy.
Here is a sampling of related articles and opinion pieces:
Jones’ relay teammate wants to keep bronze medal — Canadian Press
Time to target coaches, doctors and agents — Guardian (Steve Cram)
Ottey to pick up extra medal — Yahoo! Sports
Jones could’ve broken open sports scam — Seattle Times

Culpepper aims to repeat at U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Alan Culpepper, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team, is looking to replicate his success at the Nov. 3 Trials in NYC. In regards to the new loop-course, Culpepper said, “I was fairly shocked when I saw the course; it (the hilly Central Park course) is going to be hard. I am doing more race-pace effort on hilly terrain this time.”
Read more at: [Daily Camera]
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Quote of the Day: 10/01/07

Posted October 1st, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

Coming off the last turn, my thoughts changed from: “One more try, one more try, one more try”, to: “I can win! I can win! I can win!”

- Billy Mills, first and only American to win a 10,000m Olympic medal

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Quote of the Day: 6/25/07

Posted June 25th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“Ultimately, you just need to enjoy it and have fun with it. The best advice I got – that really was beneficial to me – was to take it slow. Walk through the water stops – make sure you take something to drink and stay hydrated. I think the mental part of the marathon – just like in gymnastics – is the most important and sometimes challenging part.”

- Shannon Miller, seven-time Olympic medal winning gymnast’s advice for other marathon rookies

(Quote taken from TheFinalSprint.com’s interview with Shannon after she ran her first marathon at the 2006 ING New York City Marathon).

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Podcast 25: Interview with sprinter Sanya Richards

Posted March 9th, 2007 at 1:54 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

I had the pleasure of being joined by 2004 4×400 Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards for Episode 25 of The Final Sprint Podcast.

Sanya is coming off of an incredible 2006; a year where she graduated from the University of Texas, was undefeated in 13 finals in the 400m, won a share of the IAAF Golden League Jackpot, lowered the long-standout American record in the 400m to 48.70 and was named World Athlete of the Year.

In the interview Sanya speaks about deciding to abstain from this year’s indoor competitions, training with Jeremy Wariner, goals for the World Champs, the impact of her Jamaican roots and representing the United States.

Download the podcast to hear Sanya discuss these topics, how her speed compares to that of Aaron Ross (her boyfriend and Univ. of Texas football standout), what she thinks of Oscar Pistorius (who also specializes in the 400m), her role models, drugs in sports, advice for others and much more!

Listen In

[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

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Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Sanya Richards
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 11.1MB
Length: 00:16:18

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 21: Interview with Tommie Smith, Olympic sprinter & civil rights activist

Posted February 27th, 2007 at 2:03 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

I had the honor of being joined by Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith for Episode 21 of The Final Sprint Podcast.

Tommie is the only man in track and field history to simultaneously hold eleven world records and, among his many other accomplishments, won a gold medal in the 200m at the 1968 Olympic Games.

Standing on the victory podium at the ‘68 Olympics, with the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background, Tommie and fellow American John Carlos (who won the bronze) thrust their fists into the air in the name of human rights and as a symbolic protest against racial inequality. [pictured above]

In the interview, I speak with Tommie about his new autobiography, “Silent Gesture” from Temple University Press, and he reflects on, and dispels the myths surrounding, this iconic and controversial moment in history.

Download the podcast to hear Tommie discuss these topics, being an elite African American athlete during the civil rights movement, the current state of American running, equality in the 21st century, being an educator and coach, his advice for the younger generations of runners and much more!

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select “save as”).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Dr. Tommie Smith
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 19.8MB
Length: 00:28:54

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 14: Interview with legendary Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills

Posted February 14th, 2007 at 3:45 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

In today’s podcast, I am joined by Billy Mills - a true hero of running and a compassionate warrior.

At the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Billy set an Olympic record and won a gold medal in the 10,000m; becoming the first and still the last American to win a gold in the event.

After his successful running career, Billy has channeled his love for running into a passion for fighting against poverty and discrimination as the national spokesperson of Running Strong for Native American Youth. He is also the subject of the 1983 movie “Running Brave”.

Download the podcast to hear Billy to discuss what has been called the “biggest upset in Olympic history”, running in borrowed shoes, how he has felt and been treated as a Native American athlete, teaching younger generations the importance of “Global Unity Through Global Diversity”, the possibility of him entering the 2007 Marine Core Marathon and much more!

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select “save as”).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Billy Mills
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 24.0MB
Length: 00:35:04

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Podcast 11: Interview with 3-time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers

Posted February 9th, 2007 at 3:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Today’s podcast features my interview with Gail Devers, a 3-time Olympic gold medalist. Known as the “fastest woman in the world”, Gail has overcome a multitude of obstacles to achieve tremendous success.

At 40 years old, and just 19 months after giving birth to her daughter Karsens, Gail returned to the Millrose Games on February 2nd and won the 60m hurdles; defeating many of the world’s best, including her current protege, Danielle Carruthers.

Download the podcast to hear Gail discuss how “40 is the new 20″, her battle with misdiagnosis and Graves disease, the Gail Devers Foundation, being a coach, her new protégé, the keys to longevity, and her thoughts on trying to compete in the 2008 Olympics.

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select “save as”).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Gail Devers
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 13.5MB
Length: 00:34:20

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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