Comments on: Wow: Bolt runs 19.30 in the 200 meters

By: laylasmom

laylasmom — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:18:54 +0000

I agree with Klaatu. I sat there thinking “what a showoff”. I appreciate a good athlete, but I cannot stand a poor sport. He never once turned around to congratulate any of the other runners. He acted as if he was the only person out there. If I remember correctly, Michael Johnson was the same way. Why does that seem to be the case with the male track and field athletes?

By: Klaatu

Klaatu — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:56:04 +0000

On August 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am, chapoutier said:

If he is clean, he’ll have a long and bright future in a Bears uniform.

And if he’s not, he’ll have along and bright future in a Raiders uniform.

Fast he is, but all I could think of, watching him finish the 100, was that arrogance like that will end up in the NFL.

Of course, running on the world’s fastest track is not the same as getting hit by a 275 lb linebacker going at full speed. That’ll slow you down a smidge.

By: cabrerski

cabrerski — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:33:00 +0000

Now the IOC president comes out to criticize Bolt’s post-race behavior. Apparently, absolute joy is not allowed when quiet dignity is expected. After all, we can’t show such freedom when the host country is so repressive.

The IOC members are a very modest lot, indeed. They seldom brag about all the personal wealth they accumulate while accepting bribes from all the potential Olympic host committees.

By: lonewolf

lonewolf — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:10:29 +0000

Bolt is a physical anomaly that track fans have been aware of since he was a teenager. We were not suprised that he broke the 200 m record, just that he did it so young..
I think his post-race exuberance can be forgiven. Anyone who can run that fast has my permission to celebrate any way he chooses, short of mooning the crowd. I believe his pre-race antics are his way of combating nervousness. He was pleasantly serious in his post-race interview.
I predict he break Johnson’s 43.18 400 m record next year.

By: 11B

11B — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:14:08 +0000

Assuming both Phelps and Bolt are clean, I have to say Bolt is my star of the games. Running is as close to a universal sport as there is. So winning the 100 and 200, in the manner in which he did, is more impressive to me.

Phelps is a nice guy, but there are too many events for swimmers to medal in. Maybe track ought to have a 50m, 150m and 250, race. Maybe track could have back pedaling and skipping too.

I wish Michael well and am sure he will make his millions, but I will never forget the image of Bolt effortlessly running away from the field.

By: chapoutier

chapoutier — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:29:47 +0000

sorry for the strike.

By: chapoutier

chapoutier — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:29:21 +0000

Hopefully out of China before dinner time.

~~I was trying to think of juuuust the right joke for that softball, and you, sir, hit it out of the park.~~

By: joromima

joromima — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:11:12 +0000

Now showing – gold medal match between the USA and China -in Women’s Beach Volleyball – in a driving rain storm.

It doesn’t get any better than this!!!!

I’m done here for the night.

By: joromima

joromima — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:34:47 +0000

Just saw the NBC coverage of Usain Bolt’s world record in the 200.

Thanks to Michelle again – for alerting us to it – I may have missed seeing it otherwise.

I didn’t realize – he is such a clown -
literally – he clowns around right before he gets into the starting blocks.

He was quite humble in the interview afterwards, however – saying that he never believed he would break the world record.

It is hard to believe, that we’ll ever see anyone break the world record he set today. Just incredible.

By: ajmontana

ajmontana — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:48:50 +0000

NJ-Aviator said:
Equestrian event. Yes… saw it. Canada got 2nd as I recall.

btw: What do the horses get?

Hopefully out of China before dinner time.

By: Dandapani

Dandapani — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:42:15 +0000

Video withdrawn from hosting site…

By: joromima

joromima — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:38:59 +0000

Some really great stories and incredible performances at this year’s Olympics. Bolt is amazing to watch.

Thanks to Michelle’s family members who are big track fans – I was wondering if she was going to mention any of the Olympic events at all.

Thanks for your insights, lonewolf.

By: AlohaGuy

AlohaGuy — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:04:33 +0000

Bolt took 41 steps in the 100 meters. Most 100 meter runners require 44/45 steps.

Shawn Johnson would require 163…but the blur would be amusing.

By: lonewolf

lonewolf — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:49:11 +0000

Bolt is exceptionally large for a spinter, especially 100 meters. Tall runners typically are slower out of the blocks but once underway do have the advantage of longer natural stride. Bolt took 41 steps in the 100 meters. Most 100 meter runners require 44/45 steps.
I was standing 10 meters from the finish line in Atlanta ‘96 when Johnson set the 200 meter WR at 19.32. Until this week, I did not expect to see that record broken in my lifetime.
However, I was not surprised, based on Bolt’s pre-Olympic performance and his toying with his opponents during the prelims, that he broke Michael Johnson’s 200 meter record 19.32.
If Bolt returns to running the 400 meters, where he ran 45 seconds at age 16, Michael Johnsons 440 meter record 43.18 is in jeopardy.

By: lonewolf

lonewolf — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:35:10 +0000

#9,
Re: running 200 meters on the straight, 40 years ago, when we still ran 220 yards, it was typically run out of the “chute” Most tracks were inside the football stadium and had 220 yard straights extended, some on both sides of the track. Closed end stadiums prevent this.

#68,
Your information or assumption is wrong. Some runners run the curve better than others but no one runs a curve faster than he/she can run the straight.

Re: Speculaton that Bolt uses PEDS (Performance Enhancing Drugs). Although many “world class” runners have been revealed to have used drugs and there is rampant suspicion, there is no evidence Bolt is using. He is not suspected in the track community. He and the entire Jamacian team have been tested repeatedly in the last two months.
I offer as credentials that I am former track athlete and have been a Master level Track & Field official for more than 40 years, including working six Olympic Trials and the 1996 Olympics.