posted Apr 30, 2008

Big mistake having Christine on the opener. She showed in Osaka that she doesn't have the stamina to run that extra bit on that 1st leg.

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posted Apr 30, 2008

I'd like to be optimistic about Kelly's chances of gold but I think the javelin is still a huge handicap - hopefully she's improved behind the scenes.

She's featured in an ad on the Tube for laser eye surgery or contacts or something. Under some bland marketing strap line about needing focus, there she is about to launch a javelin. I would have thought they should have her pictured in one of the other 6 events

The grand prix at the Palace in July will be the best chance to see who's on form.

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posted May 2, 2008

When it comes to the 400m relay it sometimes pays dividends to keep your powder dry when it comes to the running order. A suprise can well pay dividends.

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posted May 4, 2008

i don't see any gold medals coming in the sprint events, perhaps silver or bronze in the women's 400 and 4x400, maybe silver or bronze for britain in the 4x100...but the Americans and Jamaicans look too strong.

we stand the best chance in multi-events and middle-long distance events. Pity there is no successor to Steve Backley atm..

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posted May 4, 2008

Well, I wouldn't be looking for gold medals in the sprint events, but I am most confident that Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders can either win the Olympic title over 400m, with a shout at the relay gold as well...

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posted May 5, 2008

Alyson felix and that other american lass might prove too strong for them. I think either of the two brits can definitely get bronze though...and yes gold in the relay

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posted May 6, 2008

Re:Kelly Sotherton's JT. I'm not optimistic in her improving her PB much beyond her PB of 40.81 ? ...perhaps she'll make 43+.
Silver is the LOWEST she'll get.

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posted May 14, 2008

All good fun to speculate and predict but how will we do compared with the last three Olympics? Will we be going "forwards or backwards"?

1996-2000-2004 courtesy of Neontiger:

"Using 8 points for 1st down to 1pt for 8th, this are the points totals for GB athletes at the last three Olympics:

Atlanta 1996
Men: 48 pts (9 finalists; best four silver medals)
Women: 20pts (5 finalists; only medal Denise Lewis, hep bronze).
Total points: 68.

Sydney 2000
Men: 59 pts (13 finalists; best Jonathan Edwards, TJ gold)
Women: 36pts (8 finalists; best Densie Lewis, hep gold).
Total points: 95.

Athens 2004
Men: 34 pts (7 finalists; only medal 4x100m gold)
Women: 29pts (6 finalists; best Kelly Holmes 800/1500m gold).
Total points: 63.


http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics....cs/olympics.asp


So, a spike at Sydney but overall a slight deterioration since the Atlanta Games. And of course they were hardly a high point as we didn't win a gold medal. No surprise to see we're going backwards, not forwards.

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posted May 26, 2008

Perhaps a bit early to be speculating as we don't really know how most athletes have got on with their Winter training.

Come the first few meetings of the Summer season and we can get a better idea of who the runners and riders might be.

Based on previous form, I don't expect too much glory for the UK Athletics team but I hope that we can see plenty of personal bests (at the very least) being set. I'm also hoping for a few "breakthrough" performances to show that the team is moving forward.

I'm sure that there will be the usual "disappointment" of some who don't perform on the day but as long as they are outweighed by those who exceed expectations I think we should try and be satisfied (!)

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posted Jun 1, 2008

i think that sotherton will miss out just on gold with ennis coming third

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