2016 Olympic Games, Rio

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

since when did track and field get wwe entrances

Since Bolt came along and became a superstar and they decided to cash in on him quickly before he retires.

I can see why Track and Field need more athletes with his personality instead of taking the arrogant like 5 steps to far.

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Lol Bolt just wrecked Gatlin then.

So thought Gatlin had him but damn.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Hell of a run by the South African in the 400m

I wonder if any Fijians would take to 400m

Our frst gold ths Olympics! Took us a damn long while. I think Semenya is probably our only other good bet. I really did want to get up to watch this but after having to get up 3 times to sooth sick kids and with the wife sick as well I guess I must've just slept straight through my alarm.

**** WR in 400m. 43.03 secs. Astonishing. MJ in the studio must be gutted.

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Come on Bolt. I wanna see 9.4 something!!!!

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MJ seems to be taking it well that his record has gone. First Bolt broke his 200m WR and now Van Niekerk has taken his 400m WR. Never thought I'd see either of those records go the way they did.

He'll get over it. There is always somewhere better than you even if it isn't in your lifetime. I remember my mother telling me a few years back the very same Wayde van Niekerk broke my Western Province 400m Hurdles record which had stood for ~8 years... without really being all that 'into' hurdles. It stung a little but at the same time I was excited by the prospect of this guy that can just switch to hurdles as an aside and beat a provincial record and look at hi now, WR holder and our first gold this tournament! Good on you, Wayde!

Next up, sub 43 secs!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Our frst gold ths Olympics! Took us a damn long while. I think Semenya is probably our only other good bet. I really did want to get up to watch this but after having to get up 3 times to sooth sick kids and with the wife sick as well I guess I must've just slept straight through my alarm.



He'll get over it. There is always somewhere better than you even if it isn't in your lifetime. I remember my mother telling me a few years back the very same Wayde van Niekerk broke my Western Province 400m Hurdles record which had stood for ~8 years... without really being all that 'into' hurdles. It stung a little but at the same time I was excited by the prospect of this guy that can just switch to hurdles as an aside and beat a provincial record and look at hi now, WR holder and our first gold this tournament! Good on you, Wayde!

Next up, sub 43 secs!

Wow cool story. Yes, this Van Niekerk seems the real deal (it's shame atm that anytime someone breaks WR on the track there is an immediate suspicion, although I give this guy the benefit of the doubt). MJ was in the BBC studio afterwards and was very gracious. He pretty much said had he still been actively racing he'd be mad as hell and want to get his record back, but he's retired a long time ago and there is nothing he can do in either case of both records being taken; one thing neither can take away from him and his team back then was the accomplishment of getting the records in the first place. So yes, world records are there to be beaten. MJ was one of my track heroes growing up - just loved his upright running style and he was the UB of his day in the 200/400m - unbeatable!!!

Sub 43 seconds for the 400m would be totally insane. Breaking 44 seconds since MJ has pretty much been unheard of let alone 43.

 

[ncurd]

Micahel Johnson has been pretty straight guy when it comes to his record being broken. I remember in Beijing he was asked if he would disappointed if his 200m record would be broken by Bolt. He said that he wanted Bolt to, that record were meant to be broken and he was just happy it had stood as long as it had.

The only thing that has ever annoyed me about Johnson is proclaiming quite childishly that he was 'bored' before the athelectics started one year.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Johnson was a freak and what adds to his legend (on top of that iconic running style) is that he held the record in both 200m and 400m. Personally I see the 200m as closer to the same event as the 100m than the 400m which just adds to Johnson's accomplishments IMO.

I think Van Niekerk is out and out a 400m runner. I don't think he has teh power to compete in the shorter distances but he is just the perfect athlete for the 400m, maybe look at the 400mH if he were looking to add an event.

 

[TRF_heineken]

All I can say is after Bolt won the 100m and Van Niekerk the 400m, the 200m showdown between them will be very spicy!

 

[gaston le gaff]

anyone who wins a 400 from the outside lane deserves it, and a WR to boot, this kid could go far, MJ was very humble in the studio seeing his WR go.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

All I can say is after Bolt won the 100m and Van Niekerk the 400m, the 200m showdown between them will be very spicy!

I don't know. Van Niekerk's 200m is good but he'd have to get a good deal lower than his PB and catch Bolt (AND Blake and co. as well) on a bad day. Can't see it happening. I'm hoping for bronze. That said, I'm hoping and stranger things have happened. We were all surprised when Le Clos caught out the mighty Phelps in 2012... maybe..

 

[TRF_heineken]

I don't know. Van Niekerk's 200m is good but he'd have to get a good deal lower than his PB and catch Bolt (AND Blake and co. as well) on a bad day. Can't see it happening. I'm hoping for bronze. That said, I'm hoping and stranger things have happened. We were all surprised when Le Clos caught out the mighty Phelps in 2012... maybe..

I think this 400m win is exactly the motivation he needs to contest the 200m.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Absolutely brilliant from Van Niekerk. I always thought that Johnson could / should have taken the record lower, but that was totally emphatic. MHS last in 44.61!

Bolt well and truly in the history books now. He makes the extraordinary look ordinary. 200 should be easier for him.

 

[james5000]

Van Niekerk contesting 200 is he? I think he is definitely capable of taking Silver, but Bolt is an absolute boss @ 200m. He does 100m for fun but 200m is his speciality.

 

[WaterboySA]

Van Niekerk said he would love to run against the big guys in the 200, WHEN HE GROWS UP.......meaning that he admits Bolt will tear him a new one in the 200. He's not in the same class in the 200 and 100, and admits it.

 

[Which Tyler]

"When I grow up" = "When that guy has retired"

 

[ncurd]

From BBC:

Wayde van Niekerk's sensational record-breaking run in the 400m won South Africa their first gold medal of Rio 2016 and, even though he stunned most people watching, Usain Bolt knew the 24-year-old was capable of.

"Usain has been such a huge rock, inspiring me as an athlete," said Van Niekerk.

"He told me back in Jamaica that 'you will break the world record'. And he came to me after and said 'I told you you could do it'."

 

[Which Tyler]

Not only did he beat his rivals, he did it while wearing the smuggest look of the Games.

Deciding to pose for a photograph halfway through the race, while the rest of the sprinters strained every vein in their body to find more power, Bolt not only won, but he did so in a comfortable style.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think this 400m win is exactly the motivation he needs to contest the 200m.

Contest the 200m gold? Yoh, yoh, yoh. That'd be nice but.. there are some mean dogs running the 200m. Silver would be a nice surprise. Gold. .. gold, hey. Yoh.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

It would be interesting to see WVN's split times in his 400m WR, MJ commented last night he thought WVN ran the last 200m faster than the first 200m, which really would be insane.

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For those even contemplating WVN beating Bolt in the 200m have to remember that WVN is 6 foot compared to Bolt's 6 foot 5. Bolt's stride length will be longer i.e. he can cover the 200m in fewer strides and maintain the frequency of the stride pattern compared to his rival sprinters, which is what gives him his significant advantage and makes him so unique. He is literally an athletic freak of nature.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

It would be interesting to see WVN's split times in his 400m WR, MJ commented last night he thought WVN ran the last 200m faster than the first 200m, which really would be insane.

I don't know Wayde's coach and this is only speculation but he is based close by and two coaches I worked with way back when (one being quite influetial in the Cape) both coached (one was specifically 400mH, the other sprints in general) me to take the back straigt easy(ish) and focus on conserving energy. I don't know if that is something that might be common or specific to the Cape area.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I don't know Wayde's coach and this is only speculation but he is based close by and two coaches I worked with way back when (one being quite influetial in the Cape) both coached (one was specifically 400mH, the other sprints in general) me to take the back straigt easy(ish) and focus on conserving energy. I don't know if that is something that might be common or specific to the Cape area.

He's coached by a 74 year old great Grandmother - Ans Botha..

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

He's coached by a 74 year old great Grandmother - Ans Botha..

LOL, don't know 'die Tannie'. She must be doing something right!