Olympics Blog

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Category: Track and field

Americans Run Well, But Kenyan Runs Away With Marathon

Brian Sell's blood-soaked shoes Sunday showed just how hard a marathon can be. Blisters formed and popped as he wearily dragged his way through 26.6 miles of pain.

But as we look back on all the impressive athletic achievements at these Beijing Olympics, I know one that'll get lost in the shuffle.

What Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru did today was pretty amazing. In 80- to 85-degree heat, the 21-year-old ran away from most of the field in the men's marathon, setting an Olympic record in 2:06:32. That's a time you'd expect to see in London or Paris, perhaps. But not Beijing. A 4:49 pace? This young runner will own the world record soon enough, I think.

"I'm blown away," said Dathan Ritzenhein, the Rockford native was ninth in 2:11:59, best among the Americans. He wasn't the only one, though. They all were on this day.

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Category: Track and field

Dance Hall Days: Everyt'ing's Irie In Jamaica, Mon

There were car horns blaring. There were drums beating. There was reggae music blasting. When Usain Bolt broke the world record in the men's 200-meter dash Wednesday at the Bird's Nest, his native country erupted in celebration. Just like Bolt did, as his 'Nuh Linga' dance moves had even his conquered foes laughing after the race.

But back home, "Everybody's just coolin'," said Bert Cameron, Jamaica's first world champion on the track a quarter-century ago. "Irie, mon. Everyt'ing irie."

That's Rastafarian for "everything's good."

Bolt got the same report when he spoke to the country's prime minister after he'd set the world on fire. And Cameron did his best to explain the phenomenon.

"Before the race run, everybody's like locked on the TVor in a bar somewhere," Cameron said. "Because in Jamaica, every single soul -- even before you were born -- loves track and field. And we love our heroes. My entire country. Every, every single baby from the youngest to the oldest, they're all just sittin' down sayin' 'Yes, mon. Won, my boy.'"

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Category: Track and field

U-M's WIllis Rejoices In Clean Triumph

Nick Willis is still the talk of New Zealand after his bronze-medal finish in the men's 1,500 meters Tuesday. And he had some pointed comments about whether or not his competitors on the Grand Prix circuit are clean.

"I really feel a lot of guys who may have been getting extra advantage, it didn't come through for them in these Games," Willis told the New Zealand Herald, "and I feel like a lot of my results came from other people not performing.

"I'm not saying any names. But I could name seven or eight guys (who) I think didn't perform anywhere near what they should have. I really believe that our prayers were answered and that people weren't able to fulfil the ability they normally show on a weekly basis on the circuit."

Category: Track and field

Willis struggles to breathe, but medals in 1500

Former U-M runner/current Ann Arbor resident Nick Willis won the bronze medal in the men's 1500. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he was down on his knees. Some was from exhaustion, some was from the overwhelming emotion of the moment, but the other part was from being unable to breathe.

Willis said the smoggy, humid Beijing air does make it tough to draw a real good breath. You constantly feel like you have a tickle in your throat. I can't even imagine how it feels if you're running your hardest on the track. Willis overcame the air issue through sheer determination. It wasn't until the end that he allowed it to get to him. But by then, he'd won.

Category: Track and field

I'm curious about Bahrain sprinter

There are a lot of very interesting stories here at the Olympics, athletes with backgrounds and successes worth celebrating. I, along with many of my media brethern, wanted to tell the story of Bahraini sprinter Roqaya al-Gassra on Tuesday night.

She had just on her heat in the women's 200 meters. She competes in full compliance of her Muslim tenets, wearing long pants, long sleeves and her head covered with a tightly fitted head scarf. Only her face is uncovered.

She won her heat and was so grateful that she got down and kissed the track. She's an amazing sprinter. Very fluid and graceful.

When she came through the media area, she wouldn't speak at length to us, only saying, "I am very happy" in perfect English.

I would have loved to have heard more about her and what her sprinting career means in her country. I'll have to try again after her next round.

Category: Track and field

U-M runner sprints for show

U-M senior Adam Harris knew he wouldn't likely make it out of his preliminary heat of the 200 Monday - and he was right.

Harris, the Big Ten Athlete of the Year, ran 21.36, far too slow to advance. He ran a lot faster at the Big Ten championships in May, clocking in at 20.75 to win the 200 title.

The times that moved on in Beijing were between 20.25 and 20.89.

Still, Harris was happy. He was in the Olympics. Harris wasn't running for the United States, by the way. He wore Guyana's colors, as his mother is from that country.

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Category: Track and field

One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe: Bolt's Legend Grows

So is it the yams? Or is it something else?

Who knows? But this much is certain, everyone will be watching when Jamaica's Usain Bolt takes the track again for the men's 200-meter dash final Wednesday, beginning today at the Bird's Nest.

And maybe this time he'll remember to tie his shoes.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Category: Track and field

Ouch! Deena Kastor breaks foot in marathon

American marathoner Deena Kastor felt something pop in her right foot during Sunday's race. She was in a lot of pain and couldn't run anymore.

Tests are back, and Kastor has a broken bone in her foot. That would certainly stop somebody's day in the marathon.

Category: Track and field

Tyson Gay says he's OK

In a press conference right now with 100 meter track star Tyson Gay, he says he's ready to go for the 100 dash. However, he hasn't run in a meet since he went down in the 200 early round at the U.S. trials in Eugene last month.

Category: Track and field

Tyson Gay update...

It's not a surprise, but it's now being revealed that star sprinter Tyson Gay had more than a cramp yesterday. This from USA Track and Field:

"Tyson Gay underwent an MRI late Saturday afternoon at Slocum Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Eugene. The MRI showed a mild strain in the semitendinosus muscle. He is expected to engage in "active rest" for up to 12-14 days, with light physical activity increasing through that period, and then resume training. Tyson's only confirmed pre-Olympic competition is the 100 meters at the Aviva London Grand Prix on July 25, and that is still on the schedule."

The upshot: something had to be very wrong with Gay to fall the way he did in the 200 prelims. He went down quickly, and hard, and was lucky he didn't do more damage than just a strain. It will be interesting to see how he heals, and if he indeed will compete in London.