On The Podium

New York Times missed an opportunity to accurately describe what happens during 100m

2016-08-15T17:15:00.000+02:00

The New York Times created a Wonderful Graphic to describe what was happening during the 100m final. Unfortunately they got some of the comments wrong.

This article from Wall Street Journal describes the process very well and shows acceleration up to 50m and deceleration after 70m.

NYT: His reaction times are often slow

The reaction times of Bolt and Gatlin was 0.155 vs 0.153, so the initial difference isn't due to the reaction time is due to their initial stride pattern and body angle. Taller athletes are at a disadvantage remember Carl Lewis?

NYT: Bolt usually gets to full speed (about 12 meters a second) at the 60-meter mark. By then, Gatlin’s lead had evaporated.

Usain Bolt probably reached a higher top speed by about 50-70m accounting for closing the gap.

NYT: Bolt owns this part of the race for a simple reason: He creates more force into the ground in less time than anyone else.

This description is probably valid for 40-60m. After 60-70m it is all about who is decelerating the least.
Usain Bolt takes fewer strides overall and conserves his energy much better.

Even when he relaxes, looks left, smiles at Justin Gatlin and taps his chest he is still not decelerating as much as anyone else.

This man is so fast he has enough time to stop and cheese for the camera before crossing the finish line. #Bolt pic.twitter.com/UOxZzAQWR3
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) August 15, 2016

Wayde van Niekerk breaks World Record on way to Olympic gold

2016-08-15T16:47:00.002+02:00

I woke up this morning at 2:50 to watch Wayde van Niekerk destroy the 400m world record. Destroy is probably not the best choice of words. It is not in Wayde's nature to destroy anything. He is a gentle soul that works very hard. I did, however, woke up all the dogs in the neighbourhood and destroy my upper thigh while watching that last 120m of the most excellently executed 400m.
If Wayde reacted as fast as Kirani James to the gun he may have been the first human to run below 43seconds for 400m.

I am glad/proud to say I told you so:

I believe the one individual world record in real danger of being broken is 400m and @WaydeDreamer can do it.
— Corneil du Plessis (@corneil) August 13, 2016

Wayde van Niekerk breaks another barrier! 19.94 for 200m

2015-07-15T00:11:00.001+02:00

The records are tumbling.
http://www.supersport.com/athletics/sa-track-and-field/news/150714/Van_Niekerk_breaks_SA_200m_record

Wayde van Niekerk dips below 44 seconds in 400m

2015-07-06T00:10:00.000+02:00

This is fantastic! To anyone asking where did this come from now? This is no fluke, Wayde has been making steady progress the last few years in one the most difficult events in athletics. Difficult you say? Yes, ask anybody who has ever prepared for and competed in 400m at the highest levels. Your performance is determined by your ability to convert all your available energy into as much speed as possible for 400m.
If you misjudge this you hit the wall. You would have seen athletics look like someone is adding bricks to a hidden back pack and they become unable to lift their legs as high or as fast. Their stride length shorten and every one else suddenly looks faster. If they are still running 10m after the finish line they could have completed in a faster time. With the perfect 400m race you should feel beautiful for 200m and are usually unaware of the first half of the race. Then you start feeling nausea at around 250-300m but you relax while maintain form and speed until 1 step after the finish line.

Most 400m hurdlers would rather jump over a hurdle 10 times than running 400m without the hurdles. Most 800m runners would rather do 2 laps than 1.

Read more here http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/van-niekerk-paris

Mbualeni Mulaudzi dies in car crash

2014-10-26T10:06:00.001+02:00

Mbualeni Mulaudzi reached the pinnacle. Mbualeni Mulaudzi is an example of what can be acheived by hard work. He was also a very clever tactician.
Sadly he has died in a car crash like so many South Africans. He will be missed and I am sure his tactics will be studied by many.

http://wintergames.ap.org/article/former-800-world-champ-mulaudzi-dies-car-crash

South Africans deserves more!

2013-08-27T20:55:00.001+02:00

http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2013/08/26/going-for-gold-in-partying-not-the-olympics

Great 100m by Anaso Jobodwana. Next target is the final!

2013-08-10T20:21:00.001+02:00

http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/14th-iaaf-world-championships-4873/results/men/100-metres/heats/result#resultheader

How about a new SA Record on the way to the final? That is probably what it is going require.

Willem Coertzen had a good 1st day in the decathlon.

2013-08-10T20:17:00.001+02:00

http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/14th-iaaf-world-championships-4873/results/men/decathlon/shot-put/points#resultheader

Anyone who run their fastest 400m after 4 other events has my respect!

IAAF app for Android is a good start.

2013-08-09T11:06:00.001+02:00

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.iaaf.applications.IAAF

Asafa Powell hotel room raided

2013-07-15T20:26:00.001+02:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/15/asafa-powell-sherone-simpson-tyson-gay

It looks like some people are taking doping seriously.

Tyson Gay test positive

2013-07-14T17:09:00.001+02:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/10178657/Tyson-Gay-tests-positive-for-banned-substance.html

He already has a scapegoat.

SASCOC cut ties with ASA

2013-06-23T15:03:00.001+02:00

Athletes don't need this political mess.
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/athletics/sascoc-cut-ties-with-asa-athletes-1.1536155#.UcbxjctBvqA

Johan Cronje breaks SA record in Doha

2013-05-10T21:14:00.001+02:00

Cronje breaks SA record | Sport24

Congratulations to Johan! Maybe more in the future?

Tyson Gay clocks 9.86 in season opener

2013-05-05T18:50:00.001+02:00

Watch "Tyson Gay 9.86 (+0.2m/s) Sizzles in Season Opener 100m Jamaica Invitational 2013" on YouTube

ASA must get it's house in order

2013-04-13T11:16:00.001+02:00

EWN - Eyewitness News - 'Athletes need to be focused'

Decathlon events for Diamond League will be great.

2013-04-05T08:42:00.001+02:00

Olympic champion Eaton wants decathlon in Diamond League | Track & Field Videos and News | Universal Sports

Another positive test.

2013-04-05T08:36:00.001+02:00

SOUTH AFRICAN ATHLETE - Hurdler Yelena Churakova tests positive for steroids

SA sport is in a sad state

2013-03-31T20:51:00.001+02:00

SA swimmers forced to pay their own way at FINA world champs | News | Sport | Mail & Guardian [feedly]

Zola in the Comrades

2013-03-31T19:58:00.001+02:00

Zola Budd sets her sights on silver - Athletics | IOL.co.za

Bolt on the beach

2013-03-31T19:56:00.001+02:00

BBC Sport - Usain Bolt begins season with 150m Rio beachfront win

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce slams male sprinters for avoiding each other.

2013-02-16T18:07:00.001+02:00

The Guardian: http://goo.gl/mag/Wv8Kczk

More athletes banned for doping at Olympics.

2012-12-19T08:33:00.004+02:00

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1721721/Two-Olympic-athletes-banned-for-doping

Is the pendulum swinging in the right direction?

2012-12-19T08:32:00.002+02:00

Four Athens Games athletes stripped of medals - Sport LIVE

The incredible Carolina Kluft retires

2012-12-19T08:32:00.001+02:00

IAAF.org - News: Klüft, Swedish Heptathlon legend, retires - a look back

World Record for Merrit and African Record for Fourie

2012-09-08T15:37:00.001+02:00

The final Diamond League meeting for 2012 produced some excellent hurdling.
Aries Merrit has been incredibly consistent during season to the point where one had to wonder if he was ever going to be able to go under 12.90, well he did and he ran 12.80!
Lehann Fourie has been edging closer to the African Record all season and now has broken through with a run of 13.24.
Other great performances by Bolt, Blake, the Borlee twins, a fast 10000m by the Kenians and a very good 800m by Niyonsaba.
Detail results