STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS, FRANCE – 2024/08/10: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabrielle Thomas of United States of America compete in the women’s 4x400m relay final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Team United States placed first winning the gold medal. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)Gold for Gabrielle Thomas of USA, silver for Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia, bronze for Brittany Brown of USA during the Athletics Women’s 200m Final on Day 11 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 6, 2024 in Saint-Denis, France. (Photo by Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Fans were denied witness to a Triple Double performance by Elaine Thompson – Herah. Instead they were treated to a Historic performance by Julien Alfred in the Women’s 100m Final. Track gods felt it was time for St Lucia to join the ranks of Olympic medalists. Gabby Thomas ascended to the Women’s 200m Champion. Sydney McLaughlin – Levrone took her Crown as the 400mH Olympic champion.
PARIS, FRANCE: AUGUST 10: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States celebrates her team’s gold medal win in the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Final during the Athletics Competition at the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 10th, 2024, in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE: AUGUST 10: Gabby Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Alexis Holmes and Shamier Little of the United States celebrate the team’s gold medal win in the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Final during the Athletics Competition at the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 10th, 2024, in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
After three weeks of being trampled the Track can now breathe. Stars and competitors have departed France and back home in Recovery. Complaints about Food and substandard beds are too many to ignore but do not blame France. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is at fault. It has been awhile since France hosted an Olympics. The IOC does an Olympics every four years. The IOC should have Protocol for Food and Lodging. It appears the IOC did not advise and monitor the Production well.
Key things Olympic Athletes need are Food, Sleep, and Access to the Track and Field. Track and Field Stars are the center piece of the spectacle. Fans attend Olympics to see elite level running, jumping, and throwing. Track and Field is the number one (1) venue for the Olympics. Think of it this way; Track and Field is Gold, Swimming is Silver, and Basketball is Bronze in a contested event. Basketball fans may disagree but so sorry!!! It’s more likely that swimming was included in the foundation of the Olympic Games than basketball.
PARIS, FRANCE: AUGUST 11: LeBron James, wearing his gold medal, on the sideline sharing popcorn with daughter Zhuri Nova during the United States of America vs France Women’s Basketball Gold Medal Game at the Bercy Arena during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 11th, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrate on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)
Athletes should Train and prepare to run THROUGH the Line and not run TO the Line in 100m and 200m Races. If Tape was used at the Finish Line there would be no dispute as to “who really won” the Men’s 100m Final. 100m Finals require Physical and Mental conditioning. Athletes should guard themselves from disappointment or the agony of defeat. Fans will accept Kishane Thompson failure to execute well.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 08: Kishane Thompson of Team Jamaica react following the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 08: Kishane Thompson of Team Jamaica (R) congratulates Andre de Grasse of Team Canada after competing in the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Noah Lyles would like to be the face of Track and Field but I see no votes. All Stars are the face of Track and Field. If we have to nominate a singular person then survey says Sydney McLaughlin – Levrone; Ballots closed.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: Kishane Thompson of Jamaica reacts after the Men’s 100m Final on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Liewig – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)PARIS, FRANCE: AUGUST 10: Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States celebrate the team’s gold medal win in the Women’s 4 x 400m Relay Final during the Athletics Competition at the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 10th, 2024, in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Kenny Bednarek “Kung Fu Kenny” and Fred Kerley left Paris with well deserved Hardware. Fans expected Bryan Lavelle of Jamaica to be in the mix of the 200m Finals. Unfortunately, that was not in the cards but he will be invited to the World Championship party. Bryan Lavelle is an Athlete to watch in the 100m and 200m events.
Fred Kerley of the United States competes in the Men’s 100 meters during the Diamond League Silesia, Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Chorzow, Poland, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Kenneth Bednarek of the United States competes in the Men’s 200 meters during the Diamond League Silesia, Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Chorzow, Poland, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Julien Alfred (Juju) took the Paris 2024 path to becoming an Olympian. Fans expected her to take the Los Angeles 2028 path. With that early arrival and sacrifice behind the scene, she made St. Lucia Proud. With that Olympic performance she should not have to buy Groceries in St. Lucia. Julien Alfred (Juju) is aware that winning can become a habit. There is nothing to fear but fear itself.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 6: Silver Medalist Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia reacts after competing in the Women’s 200m Final on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 6, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 06: Silver medalist Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia celebrates winning the silver medal after competing in the Women’s 200m Final on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
Fans are disappointed that Shericka Jackson was unable to participate in Olympics 2024. From the beginning of the season it was obvious that Shericka Jackson was UNFIT. Shericka Jackson inability to perform in the 100m, 200m, and the 4X100 Relay changed Hardware distribution and the aspirations of Team Mates, especially Tia Clayton. Imagine being Tia Clayton at the Start Line of the Women’s 100m Finals in Paris. That is your introduction to the Olympics and kindred support is DNS. Your only option is summoning the COURAGE and RUN no matter the results. Since then Tia Clayton has been doing well on the Diamond League Circuit. Fans anticipate a bright future for Tia Clayton.
CHORZOW, POLAND – AUGUST 25:
Marie-Josée Ta Lou of Côte d’Ivoire (L) congratulates Tia Clayton of Jamaica at the finish line of the Women’s 100m at the Silesia Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, part of the Wanda Diamond League, on August 25, 2024, at Slaski Stadium in Chorzow. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (L) and Britain’s Daryll Neita compete during the women’s 100m event of the Silesia Diamond League athletics meeting in Chorzow, Poland, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)
Jamaica takeaway from Olympics 2024 should be that Team was not ready for Prime Time. Slow times and lack of enthusiasm will not get it done. The bickering between the JAAA and JOA contributed to the lack of preparation. While rebuilding “the Big 3”, it is time to do the same for the JAAA and JOA. Something is broken let’s fix it.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: August 26: Shericka Jackson of Jamaica on the podium to receive her gold medal won in the Women’s 200m Final during the medal ceremony at the medal plaza during the World Athletics Championships, at the National Athletics Centre on August 26th, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: August 22: Shericka Jackson of Jamaica with her silver medal, Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States with her gold medal and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with her bronze medal after the Women’s 100m Final during the medal ceremony at the medal plaza during the World Athletics Championships, at the National Athletics Centre on August 22nd, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Meanwhile Team USA was ready for every event except the Men’s 100m. Even if a USA representative did not win an event, the performance was acceptable. Moving forward the Team is very young and I expect all members to be vying for participation in Olympics 2028 Los Angeles, California, USA.
CHORZOW, POLAND – AUGUST 25:
The happy face of Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines, after his training mate Emmanouil Karalis of Greece clears 6.00m with a successful jump in the Men’s Pole Vault at the Silesia Kamila Skolimowska Memorial, part of the Wanda Diamond League, on August 25, 2024, at Slaski Stadium in Chorzow. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Ernest John Obiena of the Philippines reacts during the men’s pole vault final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Song Yanhua/Xinhua via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 25: (L-R) Ile-de-France Regional Council President Valerie Pecresse, Amélie Oudéa Castéra, French Minister for Sport, and former sprinter Usain Bolt pose with the Olympic torch during a Pre-Olympic tour along the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background on July 25, 2023 in Paris, France. On July 26, 2024, for the first time in the history of the Summer Olympic Games, the opening ceremony will not be taking place in a stadium but the parade of athletes will be held on the Seine, with boats for each national delegation. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 till August 11, 2024. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)TOPSHOT – Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Real Madrid’s English midfielder #5 Jude Bellingham (R) shake hands on the Red Carpet ahead of the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards gala in Madrid on April 22, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
World Championships – 2023 was exciting with surprising results in some finals. The experience required more recovery time than anticipated. Jamaican Athletes are ahead of schedule for Paris 2024. Below are takeaways from Budapest.
Women 100m finals saw a surprising winner Shacari Richardson. If ETH was in Track shape the result would have been different. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce fitness was exposed and Shericka Jackson lacks the ferociousness of a 100m sprinter. To be a 100m champion you must run through the finish line and not to it. Because of that error in execution Shericka Jackson failed to be a double Gold medalist. Congratulations to Shacari Richardson. She is better than she was at Prefontaine Classic 2021 but still not better than 10.54.
MVP Track Club is not a need or of value in the way forward for Elaine Thompson Herah (ETH). Elaine Thompson Herah will be fine. In 2024, she will realize that she has an opportunity to accomplish something that has never been done and no chance of being repeated. She will have a chance to complete a Triple Double of the 100M and 200M at the Olympics. She will have an opportunity to add some granite to her already cemented Track and Field career. Her Legacy, despite a disappointing 2023 season will be forever known. Newcomers to the Sport will aspire to win doubles and not just a gold medal in an event. That mindset will add another level to Track and Field.
Men 100m Finals looked like a best of the rest competition. Noah Lyles ran an exceptional race but there was the looming specter of where was everyone else. The event had a slow motion feeling. Oblique Seville appears to be comfortable with 4th place finishes in finals. Glen Mills has work to do. Congratulations to Noah Lyles.
Women 200m Finals was the Shericka Jackson Invitational. Gabby Thomas has significant psychological work to do. Shacari Richardson is unlikely to contend for the Gold medal in the 200m. When ETH returns in 2024 the excitement level will rise in this event. Don’t be surprised if Shericka Jackson is challenged. 21.53 seconds is not far from 21.41. Hold on to your hats if you need them for Church Services. When those two Stars come around the bend at Paris 2024 all hats are off. Congratulations to Shericka Jackson for a stellar performance in Budapest 2023.
Men 200m was the Noah Lyles clinic. Apparently the preliminary rounds eliminated the Legs of everyone except Noah. Erriyon Knighton has seemingly reached his zenith. The rest of the competition need to rediscover themselves before Paris 2024. There is talk about Antonio Watson throwing is beret into the 200m mix but fans not sure he can run sub 20.00 seconds for the event. Regardless congratulations to Noah Lyles for his performance and victory in Budapest.
Women 100m Hurdles was the Blue Ribbon event. The competition was fierce. The field was very talented. Expect more of the same at Olympics 2024. On any given day anyone of the participants can win that race. The margin for error is low. It came down to whoever cleared the 3rd Hurdle first. Danielle Williams did and thereafter everyone was playing catch up. Jasmine Camacho Quinn did well to fight back but it was Danielle Williams day. Congratulations to Danielle Williams.
Women 400m Flat saw Mari Leidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic dominate the competition. With a winning time of 48.77 seconds Paulino is ahead of the competition. The question now is can she run faster than 47.60 seconds. When Sydney McLaughlin, Salwa Eid Naser, Gabby Thomas, and Shaunae Miller- Uibo are ready to perform it would be interesting to witness performances and result. Despite said speculation, Congratulations to Mari Leidy Paulino.
Men 400m Finals was a thriller. Antonio Watson of Jamaica delivered a fantastic victory in a time of 44.22 seconds. That victory could not have been scripted. Expectations were that Jamaicans would deliver in this event next year. To that end they are ahead of schedule. Too bad Sean Bailey was not able to run a better race. Antonio Watson ran the perfect race under the circumstances. Congratulations to Antonio Watson for his Tactical performance. Those who have been asking Glenn Mills for 400m Stars will see this victory as Redemption -“One Bob”. Making the Jamaican 400m Team for Olympics 2024 should be interesting and competitive. Anticipation is Jamaica Men 4 X 400m Relay team for Paris 2024 will be strong.
Women 400m Hurdles saw Femke Bol win in a time of 51.70 seconds. Shamir Little took second and Rochelle Clark took third. Quite frankly the result was not impressive. The finish of that race was interesting. Rochelle Clayton can win this race in Paris 2024. She has to work on her race between the 200m and 300m section. She has a faster finish than Bol and Little. Great things are possible for Rochelle. Regardless congratulations to Femke Bol.
Men 400m Hurdles has become a Karsten Warholm affair. Running this event in 46.89 seconds is fast. Use to be 47.00 seconds would get the Gold medal but not anymore. McMaster finishing second appears to be doing something right in training. Rai Benjamin with a 3rd place finish held form but was unable to close the performance gap between himself and Warholm. McMaster will be the Athlete to watch in Paris 2024. Clarke gave a good account of himself and produced a Valiant effort. Great things are in store for the young man in this event. Regardless congratulations to Karsten Warholm.
Men 110m Hurdles saw Grant Holloway outclass the field but at the end Hansel Parchment and Daniel Roberts decided to join the competition. Winning the event in time of 12.96 seconds is exceptional. While Rasheed Broadbell might have turned in a time of 12.93 seconds the margin of victory would have been negligible. With Gravity in control of the times in this event, it’s possible that we are unlikely to see a sub 12.90 seconds run for this event. Congratulations to Grant Holloway in his victory.
Women 800m saw Mary Moraa, Athing Mu, and Keely Hodgkinson in a battle to the finish. The winning time of 1:53:03 is remarkable. Athing Mu was challenged and may need to reconstruct her preparation. Athletes like Natoya Goule – Topping with a PB of 1:57:00 has significant background work to do. Congratulations to Mary Moraa for a Tactical performance.
Men 800m was an event many Fans were not keen on. Fans could not discern any one “fire in the belly competitor “. Arop of Canada came away with the victory in a time of 1:44:24 but Track fans think the event can be run faster, probably in a time of 1:43:00. Except for Arop it is hard to imagine an athlete who might produce that time by Paris 2024. Congratulations to Arop of Canada.
Women 1500m saw Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan continue their battles but they now have company in a spirited competitor- Welteji. Until Kipyegon and Hassan are not in the top 3 finishing positions, the status quo remains. Congratulations to Kipyegon for a well run race.
Men 1500m or Mile saw Josh Kerr of Great Britain survive to win the event in 3:33:00. Ingerbrightsen of Norway gave it a Valiant effort but ran out of energy. Fans expected a faster time but apparently the competitors were victims of the rounds. The winning time in Paris 2024 is expected to be in the neighborhood of 3:20 to 3:25. Congratulations to Josh Kerr.
Women pole Vault is an event that does not get much attention. Next year at the Olympics the event is expected to draw a strong following. The competition was a hard fought battle between USA Katie Moon and Australia Nina Kennedy. In the end the Ladies agreed to accept a tie. Both Competitors were credited for a Vault of 4:80m. Congratulations to USA Katie Moon and Australia Nina Kennedy.
Men pole Vault was an exciting competition. EJ Obiena got the Silver medal. He is on pace to get the Gold medal in Paris 2024. The Philippines is preparing for another magnanimous Olympic moment. Congratulations to Mondo Duplantis for winning the event with a Vault of 6:00m
Women High Jump is popular. Mahuchikh, Patterson, and Olyslagers put on a good show for the fans. The Jamaican- Distin looks very good. Expectations are Lamara Distin will be a factor in Paris 2024. The event exhibited excellent performances. Congratulations to Mahuchikh for surviving the challenge with a Jump of 2.01m.
Men High Jump, Tamberi, Harrison, and Barshim were triumphant 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the competition. The results might be the same in Paris 2024 but fans anticipate a shuffle in the standings with Harrison given a slight edge. Congratulations to Tamberi with the winning height of 2.36m.
Women Long Jump could benefit from a little more excitement. Fans are concerned that competitors are not offering much of a challenge. In the end Ivana Vuleta, Tamara Davis, and Rotaru – Kottman took Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively. Congratulations to Vuelta with the winning Jump of 7:14m. There is a strong feeling that the result will be different in Paris 2024.
Men Long Jump was a demonstration that Jamaican athletes are rediscovering the Field events. Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle, and Carey McLeod finished 2, 3, and 4 respectively. With a little bit of luck it would have been a 1, 2, and 3 finish for the Jamaicans. Congratulations to Militadis Tentoglou who won the event.
Most Athletes are taking time off before Training and preparation for Olympics 2024 but the Tail Gate Party continues.
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