Report #16 From Outdoor World Championships

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BERLIN , GERMANY. - The meet is winding down, and proving to be one of the greatest meets ever.
 
The Kenyans dominated the marathon, keeping a hot tempo, and drawing away from the Ethiopians in the second half of the race.
 
Dwight Phillips (USA) won the long jump, and Steve Hooker (Australia) showed that he is superman. Competing injured, he came in at 5.85, when there were only three jumpers left. He mised, and went to 5.90, cleared, and that was it. He said he only had two or three jumps in him- he was right, and he made them count.
 
Very good women's hammer throw had the crowd roaring, as two Germans battled for medals. But it was Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland with a new world recrd- 77.96, 16 cm. better than the old.
 
The German women's relays had the crowd at the top decibel level. First, they held off the Russians to take the bronze in te 4x100, as Jamaica and the Bahamas went 1-2. The USA did not drop the aton, but did not qualify for the final, as Marshevet Hooker pulled, and the 4x100 misfortunes continue.
 
The German women produced another loud roar, coming from behind to qualify for the final of the 4x400-relay. The USA ron with ridiculous ease in their sem. The USA men also qualified for the 4x400, and did not run their est team. Question- if Bershawn Jackson is always complaining about his injuries, why is he running on the relay?
 
Th women's 5,000 was a typical Afircan gang war. A slow first 3K , then 4 Ethiopians and three Kenyans battled it out. Jen Rhines was in it until 1,000 to go, and with one lap to go, it was 3-3, Ethiopia vs. Kenya.
 
Except for Bekele, Kenya is having a pretty good meet, and they went 1-2, as Vivian Cheruiyot won with Sylvia Kibet second, and Meseret Defar third.
 
Jamaica won the men's 4x100 in 37.32, with Powell doing a big job on the anchor.
 
The meet was made for me tonight. The other day, I wrote that I was looking for a friend. I sat in a German section tonight, near an exit, and was watching the hammer, when suddenly, two men with black and white horizontal soccer jerseys went by. I was writing, but knew they'd come back- either from the bathroom, or with more beer.
 
Tony and Michael Rodgers remembered me from Athens and Tallinn, and we renewed our old friendship, talking about the British team, the squad that once had Coe, Ovett, Cram, and Peter Elliott. Tony and Michael were having a good time, but they were thrilled that their ''football'' team had won three in a row since they were away.
 
Seeing these two fans of athletics completed the circle for me. Ther's another day, but I'm a happy dude now.
 
GK

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