Report #11 From Outdoor World Championships

Post a comment

BERLIN , GERMANY. - Some more notes before heading into the stadium.
 
It's in the genes, so they say, and there are at least three athletes (I'm sure there are others) who have famous parents.
 
The winner of the 1,500-meters last night, Youssef Saad Kamel of Bahrein, is none other than the son of Billy Konchellah of Kenya.
Sergej Litvinov of Germany is the son of former hammer great Sergei Litvinov of Russia, and distance running fans wilol probably recognize that Falk Cierpinski of the German marathon team is the son of double Olympic gold medalist Waldemar Cierpinski.
 
Heats of the 800 this a.m. The fastest in the 1:45.75 range, the slowest around 1:48.33. 400 splits ranged from 53.5 to 55.09.
 
Asbel Kiprop, whose tactics in the 1,500 leave something to be desired, would drive some coaches crazy. He was out quickly in his heat, but by the 400 meter mark was next to last, and then had to run wide again on the last turn. The Kenyans as always, can run, but their tactics leave something to be desired at times.
 
The exception seems to be Daniel Rudisha, who seems to run well tactically. The semis will be brutal, as Yego, Borzakovskiy, Kamel, Kaki´all advanced, along with Americans Symmonds and Khadevis Robinson.
 
The Nike emblem is absent here- everything is adidas. Adidas has uniformed 3,000 volunteeers, who incidentally, are doing a great job. All questions are answered, and if they they don't know, they'll find out ASAP.
 
A word about security and the police, since someone asked.
 
The security here is notably lax entering the stadium. No bags are checked, unlike Helsinki, where even the press had to stand on line, empty their pockets and bags, etc.
 
I did see one incident with the police, who are all ''physically fit'' specimens, and not to be messed with. Rosemary and I witnessed a small demonstration near the monument where they burned the books during the 1930's. Some of the same protesters attempted to carry a banner into the stadium. A half-dozen physically-fit policemen surrounded this guy and his friends, and searched their bags thoroughly.
 
Also, there are no turnstiles in the subways or trains- just don't get caught. Every once in a while, the inspectors, dressed in denim jackets and jeans, make spot checks. I was on the train on Tuesday, sitting next to a young student, when I noticed evryone taking out their tickets. The girl next to me did not have her ticket validated, and was written up on the spot. The fine is about $75. The fine for jay-walking is $75., so people do not jaywalk.
 
Had a brief chat with Jonathan Edwards outside the stadium this morning. He's also at our hotel.
 
Women's HJ final tonight- can Friedrich beat Vlasic? Will the roof come down again?
 
One more not´- evening crowds genrally about 50,000, morning crowds in the 25,000 range. Not bad, but not great. This morning, however, there were close to 50,000 in the stands on the hottest day of the year in Germany. Europeans just love their decathlon.
 
GK

Post a Comment Below