First off for the start of the 2007 World Athletic Championships in Osaka , was the Men's marathon.
We have filed a report and you can read the full report via the link provided. What can be mentioned was the incredibly challenging conditions that the athletes faced. A truly remarkable tussle took place for the Bronze medal with 4 athletes vying for the last of the medals over the last 1km. Switzerland's Viktor Rothlin grabbed the last remaining medal with Kenya's Luke Kibet securing Gold and Qatar's Mubarak Shami taking Silver.
Despite the conditions, Kibet described the race as not his toughest marathon. Surely a man suited for hot conditions and on this standing he could be a threat come Beijing in 2008, where it is considered that conditions will be just as challenging. For Kibet, it will be more a case of qualifying for the chance, as making the Kenyan team can be the biggest obstacle to overcome.
I was in awe and inspired by the athletes' determination to win a medal as the World Championship grows in stature with the World's top class marathoners. This augers well for future Championships.
In the Men's 1500m heats there was a fair amount of posturing from Rashid Ramzi as to his form and what to expect. However, I was not truly convinced and do not consider him a serious medal contender. Of course I could be proven wrong however the palor of his skin surrounding his mouth after his acceleration did not say to me "I am an athlete in full control". Kenya's Abel Kiprop was certainly impressive, as was the pink shoed Frenchmen Mehdi Baala. Two athletes who must feel fortunate to have gone through to the next round are New Zealand 's Nick Willis and the Kenyan Daniel Kipchirchir Komen who went through as fastest qualifiers. My pick, Belal Mansoor Ali, did not look good at all and I can only hope that this was his one bad race because he has a great deal to do. USA 's Allan Webb ran with an assurity and qualified with aplomb and ease.
In the Women's 10000m, Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba showed what the 'Heart of a Champion' truly means when coming back from a tumble as well as a side stitch to win comfortably in a time of 31:55.41 ahead of Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse. America celebrated the unexpected bronze of Kara Goucher while Britain lamented the 4th placing of Jo Pavey.
Our Athlete of the Day - Tirunesh Dibaba winner of the 10000m
Day 2 looms with judgement day for a few athletes
That's it for today
ThEd
