Oh what a memorable day. Today's athletics left me further realising why I enjoy the individual sport of athletics. Day 5 of the Osaka World Athletic Champs was invigorating, emotional and purely dazzling. In Helsinki 2005, I was more busy in the Media Zone, this time round I have been forunate to be able to share my thoughts after witnessing things more clearly from in front of the television.
It is a blessing in life to be enthusiastic about things in life and when you are able to feel the excitement and the sheer disappointment of that lost medal chance, you begin to live and feel athletics. Life is a passion.
Now straight to the athletics and the glory of the victors.
Bernard Lagat formerly of Kenya and now representing the USA, rolled back 'Father Time' and won the coveted 1500m title, when most had thought a Major Championship win over that distance would elude him. The Kenyans feared him more than the supposed threat of World Leader, Allan Webb. How right they were, running a seemingly flawless race, Lagat kicked to victory over the last 50m without a single hitch and untroubled all the way to the line.
It truly couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, he is an ambassador to his sport and now his adopted country. He is a proud American and has now achieved a major 1500m title after running Silver on the biggest stage, the Olympics 2004 in Athens. He is the 2nd fastest in history, only scantly behind the World Mark of Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj. Lagat - 3:26.34 to that of El G's 3:26.00.
Now for the 5000m Bernard.
In other areas it was a sparkling day, my heart went out to Sweden's Susanna Kallur who simply could not hide her disappointment of that elusive medal. 100th of a second determined the feeling of loss to that of success.
Then came along the Caribbean flair of 'Don't worry be Happy', in the form of the Bahamas' Donald Thomas. Who leaped to Gold on the platform of pole-vaulting shoes. I am sure you shall read more about this guy, as his background is remarkably different. It was not many years ago that he was a basketball player who could jump a bit to 'slam dunk'. Well now he is World Champion. Also in the High Jump we had the massive surprise of Cyprus' Bronze medal jumper in the form of Kyriakos Ioannou who raised his Personal Best and National Record on two occasions, firstly to 2.33 and then to 2.35. This in the high pressure cauldron of the World Champs. The Top 3 all jumped 2.35 and the title went to Thomas on the countbacks, another superb spectacle to witness from these great Championships.
Still not happy to finish there, we had the most unbelievable performance of the Brits in the Women's 400m flat. Here both Nicola Sanders and Christine Ohuruogu pulled out all the stops to record PB's and to take the top 2 places on the podium. Ohuruogu grabbed Gold and Sanders Silver.
For Ohuruoga it spelled an end to a year of turmoil after being suspended for a year due to failing to make herself available on 3 occasions for testing. Though never being suspended for failing a drug test, it must be remembered that failing to make yourself available for drug testing is seen by most as just as bad as failing a test. Do note that something similar led to the removal of this year's Tour de France leader, Denmark's Michael Rasmussen, by his team Robobank. Not exactly the same but similar in the games played to avoid out of competition testing. I have no qualms with Ohuruogu, however in this scenario is it either an attempt to cheat the system or is the person just plain stupid? The athlete can decide.
Sanders could rightly feel aggrieved however she would do well to focus on what she has achieved and not the what IF, after this performance she has a bright future.
Without ending on a damper, our Athlete of the Day goes to Bernard Lagat. The Surprise of the Day goes to Kyriakos Ioannou and for sheer Entertainment of the Day to Donald Thomas. If you get a chance read about the character, it is well worth it.
That's it for the day.
Till tomorrow
TheEd
