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True, I can’t see the top American 400/400h runners competing in the mixed relay 48 hours or less before their individual starts if they’ve got a chance of another gold in the single sex relays at the end of the week, but strangely the chances of Mu (and Hodgkinson) taking part increase as their individual event doesn’t start until the Thursday and likelihood of them competing in the relay final an hour after the 800 final are slim
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I think if Felix is not in the individual but in the relay squad, she’ll do both 4x400s - run the heats, get a medal, repeat a week later. What’s not to love?Comment
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we have a women's 4x4 team in this evenings Oslo event, not necessarily a full A team but good exposure and practiceComment
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Noticed that Alex Haydock-Wilson again split sub-45 on anchor in Greece a couple of weeks ago. I wonder if he will back up this and also his fairly fast 300m time (32.65) with a 45-low.Comment
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Kilty out for the season after surgery. It would most likely be between Edoburun, Azu and Prescod for his place in the team, only Prescod has trained with the team but that ended in acrimony a few months agoComment
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I think a team of Azu; Hughes; Gemili & NMB now feels most likely "strike four" team for the champs this year.Originally posted by treadwater1 View PostComment
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Not our greatest team, eh, there are several teams better , imo; let us not forget Japan or China with Jamaica or even USA if they can get it round. No medal this year.If Azu and Hughes and the mystery 20.15 man get the baton round that will be a relief.Originally posted by Ladyloz View PostComment
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I don't think there are several teams better at all. And individually the GB men are in better form across the board compared to this time last year (even excluding Prescod) - more foot speed always helps. I see no reason why GB shouldn't be considered strong medal contenders.
I'd rate South Africa more than either Japan or China. Japan don't seem to be the force they were a few years back, they made no impact in their home games. And not seen anything of Su this summer.
If Jacobs isn't fit that will weaken the Italians of course; there are signs of better form from the Jamaican men though and I will watch the sprints from their trials with interest. Canada are usually strong, although the form of their talisman De Grasse is a bit of a puzzle so far. I thought he was coming to the boil nicely with his 10.05 in Oslo but then he could barely run under 20.40 on an evening that was seemingly perfect conditions for sprinting. He is a master at peaking for majors so not writing him off but I don't feel as confident as I usually do about his championship chances.
Of course the USA are easily the strongest on paper - but their record is poor. I am not sure if being at home will help or hinder them.
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De Grasse currently has Covid which isn't an ideal lead up to Eugene even if he's one of the lucky ones who doesn't get it badly and makes a quick recovery: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...with-covid-19/
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you are perfectly free to convince yourself of anything. In world class races where mistakes are made by inexperienced guys GB have a history of screwing up just as other countries. Azu is inexperienced in the pressure cooker of relays,NMB is not doing anything especially fast in the 100m .We will see what transpires.Originally posted by Ladyloz View PostComment
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A GB men's 4x100 team of Azu, Hughes, Prescod, and Mitchell-Blake would win a medal at the WC if they got the baton around the track. They could even challenge for the Gold if the Americans, Japan, or Jamaica, had problems with their exchanges. I don't know why so many Brits are down on the men's sprint relay.Last edited by Walsh7; 03-07-22, 19:04.Comment
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Lyles and Coleman were the glue that held the 2019 team together and their time showed it. There’s always a chance of a blunder if one of the less experienced guys (possibly Kerley) aren’t well practiced, I think are just about favourites at this point. We’re looking very good for a medal, Azu will surely come in, NMB in better shape than last year and 2019 -
The team named, with Prescod on anchor, is very very good. Getting it round is always a challenge but as mentioned above, GB have been doing that well recently, drug bans excepted
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I've long thought that perhaps the greatest asset for consistently good sprint relay results is if you are able to have the same pairing running 2nd and 3rd legs for a number of years. A great example was the British women's team from 1978-1984 with Kathy Smallwood/Cook and Bev Goddard/Callender. An added bonus was that they were originally members of the same squad and club at Reading. A less exalted example was the women's team at my local club for most of the '80, where the 2nd leg runner was the person who still holds the club 200 and 400 records and the 3rd leg runner was my sister (the club LJ record holder). The great thing about this is that you tend to have a rock-solid 2nd takeover while any new person on 1st or 4th legs has just 1 takeover to do together with an experienced team member.Comment
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A more recent (and elite) example would be the current women's 4x100m squad. Ever since DAS, Neita and Lansiquot came on the scene at roughly the same time, they have been a consistently fast, well drilled and medal winning combination. Also with veterans like Asha Philip and Nelson who were there longer, has helped keep the team cohesive too. -
Completely the case - the 2016 and 2021 teams had 3 of the same team members (Henry out for Lansiquot was the only change) and ran 41.77 (NR) and 41.88 respectively.
The other advantage GB now has is that 2 of their legs are absolutely world-class in terms of footspeed. Remember, GB won WC bronze in 2013 with Hayley Jones on anchor, with SBs of 11.31 and 23.29. Neita has run 10.80w and 22.34w this year. Absolute chalk and cheese.
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