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Author Topic: 15th IAAF World Championships 2015: 22nd~30th August (Beijing, PR of China)  (Read 73314 times)

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Offline Socapro

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15 AUG 2015 PRESS RELEASE MONACO

IAAF AND ADIDAS LAUNCH BEST PERFORMER OF THE IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015


IAAF and adidas launch Best Performer of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015
(IAAF) © Copyright.


In conjunction with Official IAAF Partner adidas, the IAAF is asking athletics fans around to world to choose the best performers of each day of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.

After each evening session of the championships, which runs from 22-30 August, a panel of experts will put together a shortlist of three athletes deemed to be among the day’s best performers.

The IAAF will then announce the names of the three athletes – who need not be winners or even medallists but nevertheless are competitors who grab the imagination of the experts – through the IAAF website and social media, opening it up to the public to vote via www.iaaf.org and decide a winner.

The athlete with the most votes will be announced before the following day’s evening session (except for the winner of the final day which will be announced the following morning, the day after the championships).

Each day's winning athletes will then form a final shortlist – the 'champion of champions' shortlist – and voting will take place from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September.

One athlete will emerge as the overall winner and get the accolade of being the Best Performer of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 presented by adidas.

The overall winner will be announced on 4 September and will be presented with a special Golden Shoe Award at the IAAF Gala in November.

IAAF
« Last Edit: August 16, 2015, 09:54:36 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline boss

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Apologies if this has already been posted, but is there T&T TV info for the WC? Which channel etc?  :beermug:

(Also, first post in about nine months, hello!  :thumbsup:)

Offline gawd on pitch

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Apologies if this has already been posted, but is there T&T TV info for the WC? Which channel etc?  :beermug:

(Also, first post in about nine months, hello:thumbsup:)

I havent ran into any information about TT broadcasting or coverage. I will be using web links or Android box to watch.

Thanks for contributing. The track and field section is usually more popular during WCs or Olympics. So we will be seeing more posts from people like yourself who dont post regularly.  :beermug:

Offline boss

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Thanks for contributing. The track and field section is usually more popular during WCs or Olympics. So we will be seeing more posts from people like yourself who dont post regularly.  :beermug:

 :beermug:

Offline Socapro

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Thanks for contributing. The track and field section is usually more popular during WCs or Olympics. So we will be seeing more posts from people like yourself who dont post regularly.  :beermug:

 :beermug:

Live streams to watch the World Champs online are being posted to first post in this thread.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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PREVIEW: WOMEN’S SHOT PUT - IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015
« Reply #65 on: August 18, 2015, 01:48:59 PM »
17 AUG 2015 PREVIEW BEIJING, CHINA

PREVIEW: WOMEN’S SHOT PUT
IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015


Christina Schwanitz in the shot put at the IAAF World Championships (Getty Images) © Copyright.


Gong Lijiao in the shot put at the IAAF World Championships (AFP / Getty Images) © Copyright.


Cleopatra Borel competes in the shot put at the IAAF World Championships.

One of the host nation’s biggest medal hopefuls, Gong Lijiao, is set to take on the world leader from Germany, Christina Schwanitz.

Dominant Kiwi Valerie Adams, who has the gold medals of the past four World Championships to her name, will not be defending her title in Beijing.

Adams underwent shoulder and elbow surgeries in September. And even though she has already returned to action on the IAAF Diamond League circuit, the New Zealander admitted that more work and rehab were needed for a major level comeback.

Another notable absence in Beijing is Russia’s Olympic silver medallist Evgeniya Kolodko, who is recovering after a wrist surgery. But the competition definitely won’t lack in intensity.

Gong returns to the Bird’s Nest seven years after placing fifth in the Olympic final as a junior. This time, the Chinese thrower, who has since won an Olympic and two World Championships bronze medals, looks poised for success on home soil.

Gong is coming into the competition with a season’s best of 20.34m, just one centimetre off her personal best set in 2009. But she might need to step up her game to hold off Schwanitz.

The German, who took bronze in Moscow two years ago, has seven of the top 10 marks in the world this year. Her world-leading PB of 20.77m, set in May, was achieved at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing.

The all-time head-to-head record between these two athletes is even at 9-9, but in 2015 it’s 3-2 in Schwanitz’s favour. Gong is the only athlete to have defeated her this summer.

USA’s Michelle Carter is another strong medal contender. The 2012 world indoor bronze medallist finished fourth at the 2013 World Championships and fifth at the London 2012 Olympics. But major outdoor medals have eluded Carter so far. This season, the 29-year-old is third on the world list with her 20.02m winning throw from the US Championships.

Trinidad and Tobago’s experienced Cleopatra Borel has had a busy season with the Pan American Games on her agenda coming into Beijing. She went to Toronto as a favourite, having posted a season’s best of 19.26m in the beginning of July, and she did not disappoint, winning her first Pan American title with 18.67m.

Hungary’s Anita Marton hasn’t recorded a 19-metre throw this summer yet, but she is coming off of the successful indoor season, which culminated in the European indoor title. She might be more of an underdog in Beijing, but the 26-year-old often produces her best performances at major championships.

Elena Dyachkova for the IAAF

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

2015 BEST
POS   COMPETITOR   NAT   MARK

1   Christina SCHWANITZ GER   20.77
2   Lijiao GONG CHN   20.34
3   Michelle CARTER USA   20.02
4   Cleopatra BOREL TTO   19.26
5   Brittany SMITH USA   18.96
« Last Edit: August 18, 2015, 02:57:02 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline boss

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Live streams to watch the World Champs online are being posted to first post in this thread.

Thanks  :beermug:

Offline Socapro

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PREVIEW: MEN’S JAVELIN - IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015
« Reply #67 on: August 18, 2015, 02:39:00 PM »
17 AUG 2015 PREVIEW BEIJING, CHINA

PREVIEW: MEN’S JAVELIN
IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015


Kenya's Julius Yego in action in the Javelin at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow (Getty Images) © Copyright.


Keshorn Walcott in the javelin at the IAAF World Championships (AFP / Getty Images) © Copyright.


Vitezslav Vesely in the mens Javelin Throw Final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 (Getty Images) © Copyright.

The standard in the men’s javelin is the highest it has been for almost a decade.

It was a close competition two years ago with just 84 centimetres separating the three medallists, but the way things have progressed in 2015, to simply win a medal this time, athletes may need to throw farther than the 87.17m that brought Vitezslav Vesely the gold medal in Moscow.

The 32-year-old defending champion from the Czech Republic is in good form, having thrown an 88.18m season’s best in June. But in a high-quality year for the event, that mark is enough for just sixth place on the 2015 world list.

Unlike many events, the top of the javelin world is wide open; Vesely and any of the five throwers above him have an equal shot at the gold medal.

Two athletes, both for the first time, have surpassed the 90-metre line this season. Kenya’s Julius Yego produced a world-leading African record of 91.39m in Birmingham in June. Injuries have since hampered the 26-year-old, but he often produces his best marks at major championships and will be keen to atone for being pushed out of a medal position in the last round in Moscow two years ago.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott is the second athlete to go beyond 90 metres; his 90.16m first-round throw in Lausanne is the second-farthest throw of this season. The 22-year-old has also had an injury problem since his big throw, but was still able to win the Pan American Games title at the end of July with 83.27m.

The latest big throw came in Kuortane in August, where Germany’s Thomas Rohler unleashed an 89.27m PB. His throws at that meeting suggest that he has the ability to throw beyond 90 metres in Beijing. It is also worth noting that the Kuortane meeting was held on a new Mondo surface, just like the competition in Beijing will be.

The in-form Finnish duo of Antti Ruuskanen and Tero Pitkamaki finished not far behind Rohler in Kuortane. Pitkamaki, who in 2013 came within 10 centimetres of regaining his world title from 2007, is by far the most consistent thrower this season, having thrown beyond 87 metres in five competitions with his best, 89.09m, coming in Turku in June.

Olympic bronze medallist Ruuskanen has this year produced his best ever series of pre-championships throws. The European champion recently won the Finnish title with a last-round throw of 88.98m and then similarly saved his best for last in Kuortane, throwing 87.46m to finish second.

Behind the top six, there is at least one man who could have a say about who will get to the podium. Ihab Abdelrahman might have thrown only 85.50m this season, but the Egyptian has the ability to throw much farther and has a personal best of 89.21m from last year.

The third Finn, Ari Mannio, has set a PB of 86.82m this season, while two more Czech throwers, Jakub Vadlejch and Petr Frydrych have also impressed during 2015 with respective season’s bests of 86.21m and 85.52m.

One Chinese athlete has been entered for this event, but his form is difficult to assess. Zhao Qinggang won the 2014 Asian Games with an Asian record of 89.15m, but he has not competed since that competition 10 months ago.

Mirko Jalava for the IAAF

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

2015 BEST
POS   COMPETITOR   NAT   MARK

1   Julius YEGO KEN   91.39
2   Keshorn WALCOTT TTO   90.16
3   Thomas RÖHLER GER   89.27
4   Tero PITKÄMÄKI FIN   89.09
5   Antti RUUSKANEN FIN   88.98
« Last Edit: August 18, 2015, 02:58:04 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Five Top Events to Watch at WC
« Reply #68 on: August 18, 2015, 09:49:20 PM »
Five Top Events to Watch at WC
By Noel "Bravo" Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
August 17th, 2015 9:55pm (TrackAlerts.com)


Usain Bolt vs Justin Gatlin at 2015 World Championships.

The 15th IAAF World Championship is gathering momentum as the opening ceremony draws closer with excited fans ticking off the days. The performances of the athletes on the circuit have fuelled the expectations of the passionate fans who may witness the best World Championship yet.
Here are five reasons the track & field world is so upbeat.

Bolt vs. Gatlin 100m

There has been a lot of talk surrounding the super clash between world record holder, Usain Bolt and red hot American, Justin Gatlin in the 100m. The confident American has been unbeaten since Bolt dismissed him at the Moscow World Championship. On the other hand, Bolt’s preparation this season has been wobbly; however, encouraging words are coming out of his camp that he is nearing his best. Sparks will fly in his one; the question is who is going to get burn marks?

Men’s 4x100m

Jamaica has not lost a men’s sprint relay at the Olympics or World Championship since 2008.
However, Team USA are confident they can topple the Jamaicans like they did in Nassau, Bahamas at the 2nd World Relays. The celebratory scenes of some of the American sprinters did not go down well with die-hearted Jamaican supporters who will be hoping that Bolt and company can restore order in emphatic style.

Men’s 800m

World record holder, David Rudisha (1:40.91) has been beaten like a drum this season. His air of invincibility is presently a thing of the past. To be fair, injuries have set back the towering Kenyan since 2013 where he missed the Moscow World Championship. Nevertheless, he is confident that his power in the last lap is coming back gradually. Let us hope for Rudisha’s sake that happens before Beijing, otherwise some fearless young pretenders will block him out of the medals.

Women’s 200m

Despite the presence of Veronica Campbell-Brown, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, Sherone Simpson and Murielle Ahoure, many pundits believe the battle in this event will be among the first timers. Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson, who is unbeaten in the 200m this season, will lock horns with Dutch sensation Dafne Schippers and the Americans Jenna Prandini and Candyce McGrone. The absence of Allyson Felix ensures that all three medals are up for grabs.

Men’s 200m

When this event comes around, either Bolt or Gatlin will be licking their wounds from the 100m. This reality will make the event more enthralling as one athlete will be using revenge as a great motivator while the other would be seeking to stamp his class on the championship.

So track & field fans, whatever you do, try not to miss any of these five events.

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer from Jamaica specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com
« Last Edit: August 18, 2015, 10:24:20 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Five Upsets to look for in Beijing
« Reply #69 on: August 18, 2015, 09:55:35 PM »
Five Upsets to look for in Beijing
By Noel "Bravo" Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
August 18th, 2015 3:18pm (TrackAlerts.com)


Shaunae Miller & Kaliese Spencer at 2015 World Championships.

The IAAF World Championship of Athletics has had its fair share of surprises over the years. Perhaps one of the biggest upsets at the 2013 World Championship was when Russia turned the tables on Team USA in the Women’s 4x400m final. To the Americans the gold medal in women’s 4x400m relay finals at most major championships seems like a passage of right. However, they lost in a thriller that night. Many upsets are likely to continue in Beijing, China and here we look at five of the most possible ones.

Women’s 400m Hurdles

Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer not winning a medal at a major outdoor championship is an upset in itself. Spencer, the winner of multiple Diamond Race trophies has taken a different approach this season; limiting her time on the circuit perhaps fine-tuning her technique and coming with fresher legs in Beijing. She is no longer the world leader with rising star Shamier Little (53.74) and World Champion Zuzana Hejnova (53.76) sitting atop the rankings.

This race is going be a humdinger and it is felt Hejnova will not have things her own way defending her title. Many pundits feel Kaliese Spencer or Shamier Little will upset Hejnova and win their first major championship gold medal. Spencer is coming in with fresher legs and could finally rewrite the wrongs of the past.

Women’s 400m

Allyson Felix is without doubt the most talented athlete of her generation. Felix decided to forego her wildcard entry in the 200m and contest the 400m. She feels she has not reached her full potential in the 400m. This will be her second attempt at this distance at a World Championship; she won silver the last time. In the absence of world leader Francena McCorory and Sanya Richards-Ross, Felix is now the favourite to win the gold medal. However, there is a towering figure literally standing in her way as Bahamian sensation Shaunae Miller also decided to forego the 200m for the 400m. She is the second fastest runner over 400m (49.92) this season and based on her strength and all-round ability, she can upset Felix. I pick Miller to beat Felix in a thriller.

Men’s 4x400m

Many persons are accustomed to hearing the anthem of Team USA at medal ceremonies in the men’s 4x400m at major championships. The tables were turned at the London Olympics by an excellent Bahamian quartet.

Team USA is a strong unit and the number one squad for the past two years. They also won the first two editions of the World Relays. However, some pundits are seeing a momentum shift and believe Team USA is vulnerable going into Beijing. They believe history is about to repeat itself, however, the threat is now two-prong with Trinidad & Tobago joining Bahamas in toppling Team USA. This event should go down to the wire with the two Caribbean teams battling for gold.

Men’s 400m Final

At the last World Championship, this event produced the biggest upset when Olympic champion Kirani James went in reverse in the home straight and finished a disappointing 7th. James is one of the favourites this season alongside defending champion LaShawn Merritt. However, gone are the days when this event was just a two horse race, a number of young pretenders wanting to be contenders are now in the mix. At this time Merritt’s form does not suggest that he can defend his title in Beijing. This event is crying out for an upset; will the youngsters oblige in Beijing?

Men’s 3000m Steeplechase

While many track fans will be glued to the sprints, one of the distance events that will draw a lot of attention is the men’s 3000m Steeplechase. The Kenyans have a monopoly on this event; however, a non-African challenger has recently emerged on the scene and is sending panic among the Africans. American record holder Evan Jager (8:00.45) is poised to capture one of the medals the Kenyans had initially ticked off on their checklist. At the Paris Diamond League, Jager outclassed several outstanding Kenyans and was on his way to a historic victory when he fell at the final hurdle and was passed by Jairus Birech who went on to claim a fortunate victory. The Kenyans now realize that they are in a dogfight and the American knows that a plan has been hatched to shut him out. However, Jager, the second fastest Steeplechaser in the world this season, will have other ideas. The determined American has a glorious chance of not only medalling but also to win the gold medal if he can conserve his energy. It would be one of the most shocking scenes at the Championship.

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer from Jamaica specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Photos of TTO Women's 4x100m Team in relay training in Beijing 2015
« Reply #70 on: August 19, 2015, 12:31:18 PM »
Photos of TTO Women's 4x100m Team in relay training in Beijing 2015


Relay Coach Ato Boldon (right) briefs the relay team. From left: Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett, Kamaria Durant, Reyare Thomas & Khalifa St Fort (behind Ato).


Relay training: Michelle-Lee Ahye (bottom half) & Kelly-Ann Baptiste (stooping with baton).


Relay Coach Ato Boldon (far right) observes Semoy's take-off in relay training. From left: Michelle-Lee Ahye, Semoy Hackett, (2nd relay coach), Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Kamaria Durant, & Khalifa St Fort.


Relay training: Semoy Hackett (left) collects baton from in-coming Reyare Thomas.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 01:06:13 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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https://youtube.com/channel/UCK54EO7U_eGh-Ch1db4OaZg

A uncut master feed from the IAAF. Add It to your list Socapro.
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Offline Socapro

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A uncut master feed from the IAAF. Add It to your list Socapro.

Thanks, I just did!
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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NAAA Press Release: Congrats Seb Coe & Three Days to go!
« Reply #73 on: August 19, 2015, 04:09:27 PM »
Press Release: Congrats Seb Coe & Three Days to go!
Wednesday, 19 August 2015 (NAAA TT)


The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA) will like to congratulate Sebastian Coe who on Wednesday 19th August was elected as the sixth International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President at the 50th IAAF Congress in Beijing, China.


Sebastian Coe elected as sixth IAAF President

The 15th IAAF World Championships is being held in Beijing, China, from the 22nd – 30th August and Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) is being represented by eight female and thirteen male athletes.
The first athlete into competition will be Shot Putter Cleopatra Borel.

The qualifying round for the women’s Shot Put begins on Saturday 22 August 10:10am China time /10:10pm Friday 21 August (TT time), where 12 athletes will advance to the finals, Saturday 22 August-8:05pm/8:05am.

This is Ms. Borel's sixth appearance at the World Championships for Team TTO in the women’s Shot Put.
Her first was in 2005 at the 10th edition, in Helsinki, Finland. Her best performance to date at a World Championships was in 2011 (Daegu, South Korea) when she qualified for the finals and finished 13th overall. That year was her best ever as she improved her national outdoor record to 19.42m at the IAAF Diamond League, Paris, France, on the 8th July.

In 2009 (Berlin, Germany) she narrowly missed out the finals by 11cm. Annie Alexander was TTO's second representative in the event when she joined Borel in Berlin. Alexander was 27th in the qualifying round with a mark of 16.01m.

Ms. Borel is the oldest competitor for Team TTO at these World Championships at 35 years, and will be competing against sixty-eight other athletes from around the world. No male athlete has yet competed for TTO at World Champs in the Shot Put.

This year has been a stellar year for Borel as she won gold at the Pan American Games (Toronto, Canada) after bronze in 2007 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and silver in 2011 (Guadalajara, Mexico). Of all the athletes registered to compete in Beijing, Borel has the fourth best throw of 19.26m, for this year, so the prospect of a medal is real. The NAAA’s wishes Ms. Borel and Team TTO all the best on their quest for precious metal.


Cleopatra Borel celebrates winning Women's Shot Put Finals Gold Medal at Pan-Am 2015
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 06:39:28 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Five WC Dark Horses who are coming to compete
« Reply #74 on: August 19, 2015, 09:11:41 PM »
Five WC Dark Horses who are coming to compete
By Noel "Bravo" Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
August 19th, 2015 1:55pm (TrackAlerts.com)


Machel Cedenio competing at 2014 World Relays in Bahamas.

One of the reasons major athletics championships are exciting is because of its unpredictability at times and the emergence of new stars over the years. One of the biggest shocks of all-time was Felix Sanchez coming from nowhere to win the 400m hurdles at the London Olympics weeks before his 32nd birthday. No athlete is guaranteed a medal without competing and therefore everyone has to ensure that they are ready to give of their best on the big day. Slip ups can be very costly.

In this preview we will concentrate on five athletes who are not among the gold medal favourites, nevertheless, their potential makes them dangerous dark horses going into Beijing.

Zharnell Hughes

Zharnell Hughes represents Great Britain’s best chance of medalling in any of the short sprints at the 15th IAAF World Championship. The 20 year-old Briton is on course to become an accomplished sprinter and some pundits are of the view that Hughes could make his way on the podium in the Bird’s Nest. Hughes has been having a very good season on the Diamond League circuit winning in Lausanne (20.13) and London (20.05); however, it is his second placed finish to Usain Bolt at the Adidas Grand Prix in June which brought him into the spotlight and bolstered his confidence. The young sprinter has a lot to prove to fans of his adopted country. The Beijing track is fast and just perfect for Hughes to break the 20 second barrier for the first time, he will be hoping to stamp his class while taking down some big scalps in the process.

Machel Cedenio

The world held its breath just before the Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) World Championship team was about to be released. Many track fans were wondering if they would be denied the opportunity to see Machel Cedenio who was disqualified for a lane violation after winning the 400m final at the T&T trials. Thankfully, the World Junior Champion and sixth fastest quarter-miler (44.36) this season was selected. Cedenio will be hoping to make his redemption count in Beijing by surprising some of his fancier opponents.

Hansle Parchment

The men’s 110m hurdles event at the 15th IAAF World Championship is wide open like the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most unpredictable races. This is due to the top athletes competing almost weekly against each and swapping victories. Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Hansle Parchment is not necessarily numbered among the favourites. However, he can set the cat among the pigeons. He has scarcely competed on the circuit this season; nevertheless, his second place finish (13.08) at the Jamaica trials in June was very encouraging. If Parchment has no injury worries going into Beijing, the 10 hurdles will not be the only barriers for the favourites.

Dina Asher-Smith

Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith is another young sprinter on the rise. The World Junior Champion at 100m showed her pedigree when she was involved in a blanket finish at the Birmingham Diamond League with Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix. Despite winning the 100m at the British Athletics Championships in a championship record (11.08 +0.5 m/s), Asher-Smith has opted to focus on the 200m for the World Championship. Asher-Smith is not expected to medal based on the rankings; however, she is blessed with tremendous speed and rhythm to rattle the nerves of her opponents.

Kerron Clement

Two-time 400m hurdles World Champion Kerron Clement came out of hibernation to qualify for Beijing at the US National Championships in June. Clement came third in 48.44 seconds and despite finishing 8th at the London Olympics and the 2013 World Championship, some feel at 30 Clement can still conjure up one last hurrah like Felix Sanchez. Clement is the most unlikely of dark horses to win a medal, however, if he makes the podium in Beijing it will be one of the stories of the championship.

The fans will be looking on in earnest to see who and which event is going to cause major disturbance in Beijing. It is inevitable.


About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer from Jamaica specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 09:15:42 PM by Socapro »
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TDK AND TOYOTA EXTEND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE WORLD RECORD PROGRAMME
« Reply #75 on: August 19, 2015, 09:34:25 PM »
18 AUG 2015 FEATURE BEIJING, CHINA
TDK AND TOYOTA EXTEND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE WORLD RECORD PROGRAMME


Jamaica's world-record 4x100m team at the 2011 IAAF World Championships (AFP / Getty Images) © Copyright.

Setting a world record at an IAAF World Championships is an extremely rare feat.

In fact, in the 32-year history of the event, barely 20 world records have been posted, making the accomplishment one well worth rewarding.

For the 15th edition of the IAAF's flagship event, set to be staged in Beijing from 22-30 August, the IAAF is proud to present its World Record Programme where athletes achieving a world record will be eligible* for a special world record bonus worth USD $100,000 with the support of IAAF partners TDK (men's events) and Toyota (women's events).

The performance must be an improvement on the existing IAAF world record. Performances which equal the existing record will not be eligible for an award.

The last world record award to be presented was to the Jamaican 4x100m quartet at the 2011 World Championships, who shared US $100,000 after running a 37.04 and trimming 0.06 from the time the Jamaican quartet set when striking gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

TDK's involvement with the IAAF World Championships goes beyond the world record award as it has been the main bib sponsor (men's events) for all 14 previous editions and will maintain that involvement in Beijing.

The Japanese multi-national electronics company has been involved in the IAAF's flagship competition in an unbroken period of 32 years.

Mr Kazutoshi Kogure, the Senior Manager Corporate Communication Group TDK Corporation, commented: “TDK has continued in its long support of the World Championships because we have felt that the championships, which see the world's top athletes competing to win through their great skills and spirit has a resonance with TDK's own efforts to overcome international competition through the technology and spirit of our winning technology.” 

Toyota Motor Corporation believes that Toyota shares the same passionate philosophy as the athletes, who strive to push their limits in pursuit of records. Toyota’s support of the competition comes from the respect for the dedicated athletes and the ambition for the further growth of competition.

The Toyota Motor Corporation has sponsored the women's bibs at each and every IAAF World Championships since the Paris edition in 2003.

A Toyota spokesperson said: “The World Championships are an event where the best athletes from all over the world vie to be the world’s best and the fans bond together by supporting athletes challenging limits. It is a pleasure for Toyota, as an Official IAAF Partner, to be able to share the 'one-mind' experience with sports fans around the world. Toyota will continue to support the development of events where world-class athletes aim to achieve the pinnacle of mind and body.”

Toyota will also provide 200 vehicles during the IAAF World Championships, which will be used for a variety of purposes including transporting athletes and officials during the competition.

Steve Landells for the IAAF

* The payment of prize money and bonuses is dependent upon the usual ratification process, including athletes clearing the relevant anti-doping procedures.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 10:20:14 PM by Socapro »
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20 AUG 2015 FEATURE BEIJING, CHINA
GETTY’S VISUAL LEGACY OF THE IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SET TO CONTINUE IN BEIJING


Photographers surround Usain Bolt at the IAAF World Championships (Getty Images) © Copyright.

For Steve Rose, Getty Images Director of Photography for Sport, the IAAF World Championships has always been “a big one” on his schedule of major events. The forthcoming 15th edition in Beijing will be no exception.

Rose, who has overseen each and every IAAF World Championships in a variety of roles working for the IAAF's official supplier of photos, says demand for images has never been higher and Getty will be sending a record number of staff to attend the Bird's Nest Stadium to meet these needs.

“It (the World Championships) is a great event and this year we will be sending our biggest team ever,” explains Rose. “The IAAF is asking for even more content and the only way we can guarantee delivering this is by sending more people. This year we'll have up to eight photographers and 10 back-up crew – three more than we sent in Moscow (at the 2013 edition). We've also asked for seven seats in the tribune, which is a record.”

With the Getty staff in Beijing hailing from Europe, North America, Australia and their local Beijing office, the iconic photographic giants will be drawing upon a crack pan-global team to ensure the best possible images will be provided.

The crew will be given a detailed daily brief to supply photographs for their dozens of news clients around the globe. Meanwhile, Getty Images will also be servicing the IAAF, who this year are seeking even more extensive coverage of athletes from the smaller countries to further enhance media profile from the biennial event.

With Getty Images coverage extending to press conferences and the IAAF Congress – which this year includes the announcement of the new IAAF President – plus a number of other peripheral commitments, this will place a heavy demand on the team.

“One of the biggest challenges is fatigue,” admits Rose, who will be leading Getty's photographic team in Beijing. “The days can sometimes be 14 hours long. It is full on and we expect the weather to be pretty hot as well. Fatigue can play a part and that is a challenge, but that is also why we have more staff at this year's event.”

Rose recalls that images taken at the Bird's Nest Stadium during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were spectacular and he is similarly confident the iconic venue will enable his team to shape the visual legacy of the nine-day competition in the best possible way.

A reconnaissance trip to Beijing earlier this year by one of his team revealed that the photographic set-up in stadium has remained virtually identical to the Olympic Games. “The way the stadium is set out in terms of space and the positions around the moat are great in terms of allowing the photographer to get what they need,” said Rose. “The stadium has a good shape to it, which works perfectly for athletics.

“The light is good, which makes life easier to get the best possible coverage, and I also think the crowds will be good, which is another tick in the box in terms of getting the best pictures of the event. Meanwhile, the unique facade of the Bird’s Nest will make for some great shots outside of the stadium.”

Rose does not anticipate the IAAF World Championships in Beijing will witness any major photographic technological innovations. However, he is hopeful the use of robotic cameras – first used at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow – which will be rigged up to the roof in the Bird's Nest Stadium, will prove a bigger hit in Beijing thanks to better positioning, angles and composition.

Traditionally events such as the steeplechase, the jumps and the throws “with the emotion on the athletes’ faces at time of release” provide great images. However, Rose admits the key event for Getty to deliver on will be the men’s 100m final on August 23.

“The race is on to be the first picture agency to get that first picture out of the 100m winner crossing the line,” he explains. “We know many people in the world on various platforms will be waiting for that first picture for the men's 100m final to come through. If we get that one right, then the whole team is given a lift. It is a great buzz.”

Yet although the layout of track and field has remained similar throughout the rich 32-year history of the event, he believes the ambition of his photographic team should be strive for an innovative approach to help tell the World Championships story.

“We are looking for that different angle, different approach or different composition,” he explains. “If we provide something a little different we keep that momentum moving forward to the next championships.”

Steve Landells for the IAAF
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 10:11:32 PM by Socapro »
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HOW REPORTERS COVER AN IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
« Reply #77 on: August 19, 2015, 10:10:10 PM »
20 AUG 2015 FEATURE BEIJING, CHINA
HOW REPORTERS COVER AN IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS


Reporters talk to Allyson Felix ahead of the IAAF World Championships (Getty Images) © Copyright.

To diligently prepare for many months before delivering on the biggest stage is not the exclusive reserve for the 2000 competing athletes in Beijing; it will also be the same approach adopted by many of the hundreds of reporters present in the Chinese capital for the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.

Jean-Denis Coquard, an athletics writer for the highly respected French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe, will be one of those journalists paid to make sense of the action-packed biennial nine-day competition through the power of words.

It is an event which, as the Frenchman will go on to explain, requires organisation, passion and a love of the unexpected to deliver the best possible results.   

Joining L’Equipe back in 1999, Coquard initially worked with the ‘Olympic Groupe’ in which athletics was the principal sport and his first athletics report was on Czech combined-eventer Tomas Dvorak’s decathlon world record at the European Cup in Prague. He later worked as a football writer on the newspaper for five years before he was transferred to the athletics department in 2006.

Since then he has attended most of the sport's biggest events, including the past two summer Olympic Games, and in Beijing he is looking forward to covering what will be his fifth IAAF World Championships.

Due to land in the Chinese capital three days before the competition starts, he will be expected to work gruelling 16-hour days during his time in Beijing. And Coquard has a message for those who believe the life of an athletics journalist travelling overseas is spent sunbathing and sightseeing.

“We often don’t have time to visit the places where we travel,” explains Coquard. “We have very short nights due to the hours we work.”

Coquard’s preparatory work for a World Championships will start well in advance of the event and many will be surprised to learn that he and his team will have approximately 50 stories prepared in advance of the championships on the sport’s star names, the key French athletes and the people around them such as coaches, managers and family.

“These stories are not necessarily written,” he explains. “It will depend on the time schedule. At the London 2012 Olympics because the men’s 100m final took place at 11pm French time and we have a midnight deadline, I had already written in advance a portrait of Bolt – winner and loser – a portrait on Yohan Blake – winner and loser – and I had prepared elements for an interview in both cases. After the 100m final I then had to write the final report and add in the mixed zone questions.”

His days in Beijing, he says, will be broadly divided into two halves. The morning sessions inside the stunning Bird’s Nest Stadium will see Coquard follow the action, pick up quotes in the mixed zone and write stories on either potential winners that evening or for athletes competing the following day. The evening session will follow the similar pattern of watching the action unfold, mixed zone quotes and then conference calls with the boss to determine which stories to write.

“The aim is to bring something new to the reader compared to the web coverage and TV,” he explains. “We need to present a good analysis of the action despite a short time frame to work in.”

Coquard believes being a good athletics writer requires not only an extensive knowledge of the sport and a great contact base, but it also helps to enjoy the buzz of working to tight deadlines.

The most frustrating element to the job, he says, is the waiting around for athletes and interviews to happen but he has little doubt as to what he loves most about his job.

“The unexpected,” explains Coquard. “You don't know how the action is going to pan out. For example, Bogdan Bondarenko jumping 2.41m in Lausanne or Bolt's false start in Daegu. I also enjoy the urgency of working on a daily newspaper. It is an exciting feeling.”

Steve Landells for the IAAF
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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IAAF WORLD CHAMPS, BEIJING 2015 TO BE BROADCAST IN MORE THAN 200 TERRITORIES
« Reply #78 on: August 20, 2015, 07:58:22 AM »
20 AUG 2015 PRESS RELEASE BEIJING, CHINA
IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015 TO BE BROADCAST IN MORE THAN 200 TERRITORIES


Television camera (Getty Images) © Copyright.

The IAAF is delighted to announce that the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015, the leading competition of the IAAF World Athletics Series and the most important event on the 2015 sporting calendar, will be seen in more than 200 territories.

It is anticipated that the nine days of action from 22-30 August will reach a cumulative audience of six billion TV viewers.

The IAAF’s premier competition has rapidly grown in terms of participants and profile since the first edition of the championships in 1983.

Approximately 1900 athletes representing national teams from more than 200 IAAF Member Federations will compete in the Chinese capital, with record figures anticipated in both categories.

LIVE STREAMING

The championships will also be broadcast live in 108 territories worldwide on the IAAF Live Stream YouTube Channel (and the daily highlights programme of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 will be available in 130 territories worldwide on the IAAF Live Stream YouTube channel).

Details of which territories will broadcast the championships live can be found here while details of the territories which will show the daily highlights programme can be found here.

IAAF
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 09:53:52 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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THE WAIT IS OVER; BOLT IS READY TO GO IN BEIJING
« Reply #79 on: August 20, 2015, 08:36:44 AM »
20 AUG 2015 FEATURE BEIJING, CHINA
THE WAIT IS OVER; BOLT IS READY TO GO IN BEIJING


Usain Bolt ahead of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 (Getty Images) © Copyright.

Usain Bolt gave a warning to his rivals that he is not about to surrender his seven-year reign as the undisputed boss of men’s sprinting by declaring the “new improved” Usain Bolt is “ready” to compete at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.

Speaking at the Puma and Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) press conference at the NUO Beijing Hotel on Thursday (20), a typically laidback Bolt seemed completely unflustered by his far-from-perfect preparation for 2015.

He was relaxed and open and fully prepared for the latest chapter of his storied career.

It was seven years ago when Bolt burst into the public consciousness with a series of jaw-dropping performances at the 2008 Olympics and his return to Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium – where he will begin the defence of his world 100m title on Saturday – brought a smile to his face.

“I remember 2008, I was really excited even just to fly to Beijing,” he said. “It was fun. It was just a joy. I’m happy to be back here.”

Since those spellbinding Games, Bolt has collected global titles for fun, winning eight world and an additional three more Olympic gold medals at the London Games.

But times change and when questioned about what the main differences are between the Usain Bolt of 2008 and the 2015 version, he said: “I’ve been in the sport a long time and seen a lot. I would say I’ve changed, I’m different, but a much improved Usain.

“In training I’ve definitely had to sacrifice a lot more. I can’t just train for three months; I have to do it properly now and put a lot more into training.”

It has doubtless been Bolt’s most challenging build up to a major championship. He is currently ranked only sixth in the world for the 100m with a best of 9.87 and he is 19th on the world lists with a best time of 20.13 in the 200m. He has scarcely competed this year with just three races each over the 100m and 200m distance.

His rivals appear to be as strong as at any point of his seven-year reign as the No.1 sprinter, led by the 2004 Olympic 100m champion and 2005 world 100m and 200m champion Justin Gatlin of the USA.

Yet there has been extenuating circumstances. A joint problem – which in his words meant, “I was not able to turn on the power” – that badly hampered him during the first half of the season has since been treated. The power has returned as evinced by his confidence-lifting performances at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London where he twice ran 9.87.

On the eve of the World Championships in Beijing, he is in a happy place.

“I’m feeling good; I wish I could have had more races but training is good,” he says. “Coach (Glen Mills) is happy and that is good for me to know that. In London I had two good races and although I haven’t competed much since then, it was important for me to do the training rather than the competition.

“I’ve not done a 200m for a while (13 June) although I’ve done a few time trials in training, but the 100m has given me confidence. Things normally come together for me at championships, I’m not worried.”

There is little question that Bolt has proved the supreme major championship competitor of his generation. His consistent ability to produce his best when it counts is almost second to none and for that he shouldn’t be doubted. He himself knows what he needs to do.

“Starting is always my issue coming into the championships, but I’m where I am supposed to be. I just now need to go out and execute,” he says. “Competition is competition, it is just about who executes well on the day. I have to get out quickly over the first 50m.”

As for the media speculation questioning his long-held dominance of the sport, he simply answered: “It is not for the first time, but I try not to worry about the media and try to put the work in to get things right.”

At a packed media conference hosted by two-time world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson, Bolt was asked a wide-ranging set of questions on everything from his dietary habits in Beijing to his slightly lengthy-looking beard.

Bolt – not a political animal – was even asked for his comments on the new IAAF President Sebastian Coe.

“As long as he is good for the sport and he does the right thing by the athletes, I’m happy he is elected,” he says.

He admitted he had “zero” plans for a birthday party tomorrow as he would be in bed early to prepare for Saturday’s first-round heats of the men’s 100m. “I’m sure someone will give me a cake,” he adds.

Yet for those doubters, knockers and critics, he had a simple response.

“I’m at my best, I’m running well,” he said. “Everything is starting to come together. I’m ready to go.”

The world can’t wait.

Steve Landells for the IAAF
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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TT hunt big ‘Worlds’ haul
« Reply #80 on: August 20, 2015, 08:48:27 AM »


TT hunt big ‘Worlds’ haul
By ASHFORD JACKMAN Thursday, August 20 2015 (T&T Newsday)



IF EVENTS in international track and field competition this year are anything to go by, Trinidad and Tobago can justifiably expect to pick up a few medals at the 15th IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships, opening in Beijing, China on Saturday. The nation’s athletes have made their mark this year in various disciplines and on diverse occasions- notably at the Pan Am Games, the Junior World Championships and even in the IAAF Diamond League.

The National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) came up with a national team of 21 athletes for the nine-day fiesta in the Chinese capital; 13 men and 8 women will represent the red, white and black, in sprinting, hurdling, the shot put and the javelin.

The last multiple medal return for TT at the World Championships came in Berlin, 2009 when TT earned silver in the Men’s 4 x 100 metre Relay and picked up bronze medals in the Men’s 400m and the Women’s 400m Hurdles.

Significantly, most of the personnel at the heart of those successes are out of the reckoning, at least for now. Of the men’s sprint relay squad that clocked 37.62 seconds to finish behind winners Jamaica in Berlin, only Emmanuel Callendar and Keston Bledman are now in Beijing. Richard Thompson is injured, while elder statesmen Marc Burns and Darryl Brown have both been affected by time and lack of form.

Josanne Lucas, who claimed women’s 400m hurdles bronze in 53.20 seconds, later suffered a serious injury, and some would argue that she has never been the same.

Renny Quow won bronze in the men’s 400 in 45.02; six years on, he remains an important and experienced member of the TT men’s mile relay squad.

For most local track and field enthusiasts, that group represents TT ’s best podium chance in China.

Headed by the outstanding Deon Lendore and World Youth champion Machel Cedenio, the squad is further strengthened by the return to form of Lalonde Gordon, who won two Olympic bronze medals in London 2012- in the 400 and as a member of the mile relay quartet.

Add to that his fellow-Tobagonian Quow and the consistent Jarrin Solomon, and something would have to go very wrong for TT not to finish among the medals in the relay.

There are also high expectations for Olympic Javelin champion Keshorn Walcott, who keeps improving on his national record and has now joined the ranks of the 90 metre- plus throwers. Troubled by an ankle injury, the Toco-born athlete has not let that deter his performances.

No one would count out Cleopatra Borel in the Women’s Shot Put, and her confidence would have been given a great boost by her gold medal performance at the Pan Am Games. Borel’s chances are boosted by the absence of two-time Olympic gold medallist and fourtime World and reigning champ Valerie Adams of New Zealand who recently had surgery.

Of TT ’s other female athletes, it is the wealth of sprinters on hand that suggests a medal can be in the offing- the return of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett, coinciding with the rise of teenager Khalifa St Fort and the return of Michelle- Lee Ahye gives rise to hope for the 4 x 100m relay. It remains to be seen, however, how well Ahye has recovered from the injuries that have setback her promising career; her speed when fully fit can make the difference between a podium position and an “also ran” tagline to the relay effort.

There have been other performers- Bledman, Mikel Thomas and Sparkle Mc Knight come to mind, and there is the matter of an out-of-form Jehue Gordon looking to defend his 400m title; but fans need to remember they will be competing against the world’s best.

Many a dream has been broken by the reality of world athletics.

TT came away from Osaka 2007 without a medal; two years later, they had three in Berlin, then came a solitary bronze in Daegu 2011 before Gordon’s gold in Moscow 2013.

There have been no large hauls, suggesting it would be wise to wait, watch, listen and hope. Newsday wishes our athletes good hunting!
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 10:19:18 AM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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TT hunt big ‘Worlds’ haul
By ASHFORD JACKMAN Thursday, August 20 2015 (T&T Newsday)



IF EVENTS in international track and field competition this year are anything to go by, Trinidad and Tobago can justifiably expect to pick up a few medals at the 15th IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships, opening in Beijing, China on Saturday. The nation’s athletes have made their mark this year in various disciplines and on diverse occasions- notably at the Pan Am Games, the Junior World Championships and even in the IAAF Diamond League.

The National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) came up with a national team of 21 athletes for the nine-day fiesta in the Chinese capital; 13 men and 8 women will represent the red, white and black, in sprinting, hurdling, the shot put and the javelin.

The last multiple medal return for TT at the World Championships came in Berlin, 2009 when TT earned silver in the Men’s 4 x 100 metre Relay and picked up bronze medals in the Men’s 400m and the Women’s 400m Hurdles.

Significantly, most of the personnel at the heart of those successes are out of the reckoning, at least for now. Of the men’s sprint relay squad that clocked 37.62 seconds to finish behind winners Jamaica in Berlin, only Emmanuel Callendar and Keston Bledman are now in Beijing. Richard Thompson is injured, while elder statesmen Marc Burns and Darryl Brown have both been affected by time and lack of form.

Josanne Lucas, who claimed women’s 400m hurdles bronze in 53.20 seconds, later suffered a serious injury, and some would argue that she has never been the same.

Renny Quow won bronze in the men’s 400 in 45.02; six years on, he remains an important and experienced member of the TT men’s mile relay squad.

For most local track and field enthusiasts, that group represents TT ’s best podium chance in China.

Headed by the outstanding Deon Lendore and World Youth champion Machel Cedenio, the squad is further strengthened by the return to form of Lalonde Gordon, who won two Olympic bronze medals in London 2012- in the 400 and as a member of the mile relay quartet.

Add to that his fellow-Tobagonian Quow and the consistent Jarrin Solomon, and something would have to go very wrong for TT not to finish among the medals in the relay.

There are also high expectations for Olympic Javelin champion Keshorn Walcott, who keeps improving on his national record and has now joined the ranks of the 90 metre- plus throwers. Troubled by an ankle injury, the Toco-born athlete has not let that deter his performances.

No one would count out Cleopatra Borel in the Women’s Shot Put, and her confidence would have been given a great boost by her gold medal performance at the Pan Am Games. Borel’s chances are boosted by the absence of two-time Olympic gold medallist and fourtime World and reigning champ Valerie Adams of New Zealand who recently had surgery.

Of TT ’s other female athletes, it is the wealth of sprinters on hand that suggests a medal can be in the offing- the return of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett, coinciding with the rise of teenager Khalifa St Fort and the return of Michelle- Lee Ahye gives rise to hope for the 4 x 100m relay. It remains to be seen, however, how well Ahye has recovered from the injuries that have setback her promising career; her speed when fully fit can make the difference between a podium position and an “also ran” tagline to the relay effort.

There have been other performers- Bledman, Mikel Thomas and Sparkle Mc Knight come to mind, and there is the matter of an out-of-form Jehue Gordon looking to defend his 400m title; but fans need to remember they will be competing against the world’s best.

Many a dream has been broken by the reality of world athletics.

TT came away from Osaka 2007 without a medal; two years later, they had three in Berlin, then came a solitary bronze in Daegu 2011 before Gordon’s gold in Moscow 2013.

There have been no large hauls, suggesting it would be wise to wait, watch, listen and hope. Newsday wishes our athletes good hunting!

Good read. Did a good job with setting the context by revisiting past performances.

In the past 10 - 12 years TT has had multiple individual medalist. The issue is consistency. Injuries and other setbacks have really made a huge impact on TTs performances throughout the years. Nevertheless, this team is well positioned to earn 3-4 medals. If there any let ups   by the big names, TT will be behind to sneak the 5th or 6th medal. 
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 10:20:33 AM by Socapro »

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Justin Gatlin will beat Usain Bolt and break 100m world record at World Championships, says John Regis

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/11702850/Justin-Gatlin-will-beat-Usain-Bolt-and-break-100m-world-record-at-World-Championships-says-John-Regis.html

Justin Gatlin will not only take Usain Bolt’s 100 metres title but is on track to steal his world record at this summer’s World Championships, according to British sprinting great John Regis.
Regis claimed there was only one winner in the showdown the athletics world has been waiting for in Beijing, joining a growing number of experts tipping drugs cheat Gatlin to beat Bolt to the world crown.
But the double Olympic medallist went further by backing the 33-year-old to surpass the Jamaican’s world record time of 9.58 seconds, which was set at the World Championships six years ago.
Gatlin, who some feel should have been banned for life after failing two drugs tests, clocked a lifetime best of 9.74 seconds at the first Diamond League meeting of the year last month and Regis warned he would only get faster.
Speaking in Eugene at the USA Track & Field Championships, he said: “He could break the world record in Beijing. If he’s running 9.74 seconds this early in the season, he must be capable of 9.5.

“I thought I’d be pushing up daisies before that record was beaten.”
Gatlin has not lost over 100m since 2013, winning 20 successive races.
Bolt, meanwhile, has failed to break 10 seconds this year and this week pulled out of the Jamaican championships.
The 28-year-old’s form has proven deceptive before, most notably prior to him retaining his Olympic 100m and 200m titles at London 2012, and he beat Gatlin last time they raced.
But Regis said: “There’s only one winner in Beijing. Bolt just doesn’t look ready.
“It’s different from London 2012. He wasn’t facing someone running the sort of times Gatlin is producing.”
Regis is in Eugene looking after some of the American athletes he now manages as they seek to qualify for the worlds.
Gatlin will also look to do that in the 200m on Saturday, having already sealed his place in the 100m in Beijing via the Diamond League.
Regis, who still holds the British record in the event of 19.87sec, added: “He could go 19.5 in the 200.”

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No double but Felix goes for the bigger challenge in Beijing

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/14/us-athletics-world-felix-idUSKCN0QJ10820150814

In the end, Allyson Felix went with the world championship event that presented her with the biggest challenge.

Eligible to compete in either the 200 meters, the 400 meters or both in Beijing, the American sprinter chose the longer event and two relays.

"She loves the 200," her coach, Bob Kersee, told Reuters in a telephone interview. "But with all due respect to everybody else, in the 200 she has won on center stage in both the world championship and the Olympic Games."

Felix won the world title over the half-lap in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and is the reigning Olympic champion after her London triumph.

The 29-year-old's only global medal in the 400, however, is the silver she won at the 2011 world championships in Daegu, where she did attempt the 200-400 double and also took home a bronze from the 200 and two golds from the relays.

"So I think at this stage," Kersee said, stressing the words were his not Felix's.

"If I am going to try something different, and put a little bit of athletic pressure on myself, moving up to the 400 will be the bigger challenge versus saying I got everything to win or everything to lose by running the 200."

The coach floated the idea of a 200-400 double in Beijing but Felix eventually decided against it because a crushing schedule leaves only an hour between the 200 semi-final and the 400 final.

But there is no doubt about her target for next year's Rio Olympics.

"I would love to run the double," Felix, who has won 17 global medals since turning professional as a California teenager in 2003, told reporters in Lausanne this summer.

"So I would hope that, moving forward, that the Olympic schedule would reflect that."

It does not at the moment, with the 400 final just 75 minutes after the first round of the 200.

"To me, it's really disappointing because there are so many people who can do a 200-400 double, and I think that we should be allowed to attempt it," said Felix.

Kersee is even more vocal in his opinion that the scheduling is an error by the IAAF and Olympic officials.

"If they look back at past history, they should ask themselves why are we denying somebody to do the two and the four that we allowed to happen before?" the coach said, referring to double victories by American Michael Johnson and France's Marie-José Pérec at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

"I hope if they are stupid enough to make a mistake, they are smart enough to make a correction."

Offline gawd on pitch

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Interesting development out of Beijing. Ato said on his Twitter page that TT only has ONE entry in the mens 100m and 200m. Who is injured? Im guessing it is either Telesford, Greaux or Sorrillo. What does that mean for the 4x100?

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So it is confirmed. No Sorrillo or Telesford. 4x100 up in the air.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150820/sports/relay-blow


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Rondell Sorrillo and Dan-Neil Telesford Out of Worlds
« Reply #86 on: August 20, 2015, 12:56:16 PM »


Rondell Sorrillo and Dan-Neil Telesford Out of Worlds
Thursday, 20 August 2015 (NAAA TT Press Release)


Dan-Neil Telesford (left) & Rondel Sorrillo (right) out of Worlds in Beijing with injuries.

With less than thirty-six hours to go before the start of the 15th IAAF World Championships being held in Beijing, China, the word out of camp TTO is that Rondell Sorrillo and Dan-Neil Telesford have both been forced to pull out of competition due to injury.

TTO’s team, Dr. Anyl Goopesingh has indicated that Sorrillo’s injury was a grade 2 strain of the quadriceps and that is was a re-injury of the quads that first occurred three and a half months ago in Bahamas at the IAAF World Relays. In the case of Telesford, he has a loose body in his left knee.

Sorrillo was schedule to run on Saturday morning at 7:20(TT time) in the 100m Dash, while Telesford was part of the relay pool.

With the departure of these two athletes, the men’s 4X1 relay pool has been depleted to a bare four (Bledman, Callender, Geaux, Thomas).

Notwithstanding, the mood of other team members remain quite upbeat. Some of them having already enjoyed significant success on the international (Pan Am, NACAC) circuit within recent weeks and this augurs well in terms of their preparation and expected performances in Beijing.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 01:27:47 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Relay blow: 4x100 squad depleted as Sorrillo, Telesford injured out
« Reply #87 on: August 20, 2015, 01:38:42 PM »
Relay blow
4x100 squad depleted as Sorrillo, Telesford injured out

By Kwame Laurence (T&T Express)
Published on Aug 20, 2015, 10:06 am AST



Leg injury: Rondell Sorillo

An already weakened men’s 4x100 metres relay squad has been dealt a double blow at the 2015 IAAF World Championships here in Beijing, China.

Both Rondel Sorrillo and Dan-Neil Telesford are out of the global meet with injury.

“We have two major concerns,” Trinidad and Tobago team manager Dexter Voisin told the Express, yesterday. “Sorrillo and Telesford have both been advised to cut short their Worlds because of the nature of their injuries.

“Telesford re-injured his knee,” Voisin explained, “and Sorrillo re-injured his leg. I’m awaiting word from home to see what arrangements can be made to fly them out of Beijing.”

T&T has a history of global sprint relay success. But with stalwarts Richard “Torpedo” Thompson and Marc Burns unavailable through injury, the Beijing campaign was always going to be difficult. Additionally, Marcus Duncan, who finished second to Keston Bledman at the National Championships, opted out of the Beijing Worlds, and 2003 World Championship 100m silver medallist Darrel Brown was also unavailable.

Though depleted, T&T still managed to secure bronze at last month’s Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, Sorrillo, Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Telesford teaming up for a 38.69 seconds clocking in the final.

Now that Sorrillo and Telesford are out of the World Championships, the Beijing squad is down to a bare four—Bledman, Callender, Kyle Greaux and sprint hurdler Mikel Thomas.

“I’ve not seen it visibly,” said Voisin, “but these injuries would have affected the mood among the athletes on the 4x1 squad.”
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 01:45:51 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

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Jehue defends
« Reply #88 on: August 20, 2015, 02:04:44 PM »
Jehue defends
By Kwame Laurence (T&T Express)
Published on Aug 19, 2015, 8:41 pm AST



THE CHAMP: Jehue Gordon trains at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, earlier this month.
-Photo: AYANNA KINSALE


Reigning world champion Jehue Gordon enjoys the memories of his 2013 triumph in Moscow, Russia.

Gordon threw himself across the finish line to snatch gold in the men's 400 metres hurdles final, the Maraval athlete stopping the clock at 47.69 seconds to improve on his own Trinidad and Tobago record.

“It's good to reminisce on the past a little bit, but after World Champs things changed. Yes, I go back and look at the race itself but it's a completely different Worlds this time around, different competition, different circumstances, and I just have to do my best out there.”
Already a seasoned veteran at the tender age of 23, Gordon is here in Beijing, China to compete at his fourth IAAF World Championship meet. But though he is the defending champion, the T&T hurdler is not among the favourites for gold.

Click link to view interview: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150819/sports/jehue-defends

Reporter: Kwame Laurence
Video: Ayanna Kinsale
Music: DJ Khaled - All I do is win

“This year,” Gordon explains, “I had a lot more to deal with. I was set back early in the year from about December to late January with a quad injury, doing therapy for that. And since then I've been having a lot of hiccups with my body, things not feeling right.

“Now,” he continues, “I've been kind of diagnosed with a slight sports hernia. I don't really need any surgery at this point in time, but the therapy and everything else required is a little bit strenuous. It's just to get back that area of strength. Circumstances we've had to deal with are a bit more challenging, but that's the nature of sports and we just have to be ready for anything that comes.”

To date, Gordon's best clocking this season is 49.22 seconds. In 2013, he went into the Moscow Worlds with the confidence of a 48.00 run in his final pre-Championship outing. But though the odds are stacked against the defending champion, he is not discounting his chances of returning to the podium.

“Given the circumstances, I think my body could run 48-low. Once we could sort this strength issue out, it should unfold a lot easier. Coming around to championships, it's always been me producing on the big stage. I definitely have the ability, but on the day it would require everything to be in place for me to give that big effort. I'm a fighter, and I'll go down die-hard.

“I don't think anyone always competes at a hundred per cent. There is always something that you need to work on. It's just to make sure I keep a cool and a clear head because once you're out there, the adrenaline, the rush, the hype of the Games itself could change the whole scope of the event.”
The sports hernia prevented Gordon from being part of the Pan American Games experience in Toronto, Canada, last month.

“I've never been to a Pan Am Games,” says Gordon. “It's not to say I would not want to go because I think I'm too big. I've said in previous interviews any title there is to attain I definitely want to go there and give it a shot, no matter how big or how small it may be. Once I get the opportunity to represent Trinidad and Tobago it's definitely something that I cherish. We need to give God thanks.”

While Olympic men's javelin champion Keshorn Walcott was in Canada adding Pan Am champion to his resume, T&T's other global senior athletics champion was in T&T doing therapy for the sports hernia.

As a home-based athlete, Gordon is often under scrutiny as he goes about his daily business.

“It's like 'hey Jehue, how yuh going?' It's not like a paparazzi thing where every minute I need to be walking around with security. People watch you in a different light now. They expect more of you, so it's not to say you could carry about yourself in the way that you would want to sometimes.

“You can't just wake up and put on an old jersey and go down in the mall, or have on a short bust up pants and it's dirty, and a slippers. You need to watch how you're carrying about yourself. Sometimes, little kids come up to you, and they ask you certain questions. You need to be that role model. There are also other opportunities with sponsors and people wanting to come on board to support the journey.”

Gordon hopes to make a successful journey round the Bird's Nest track here in Beijing next Tuesday, August 25, in the IAAF World Championship men's one-lap hurdles final. American Bershawn Jackson is the 2015 world-leader at 48.09 seconds, and is likely to be the main barrier in Gordon's way as he bids to repeat as global champion.

“I know the personalities in my event. Knowing their running styles and the types of races they run, you would kind of have an expectation of what to expect from them. I don't think I focus on anybody per se, but it's just to be wary of the way that they run…ready for the challenge.”

At the end of the day, however, Jehue Gordon is only in control of his own race.

“Jehue, and whichever lane they draw me in.”
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 02:09:54 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Socapro

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Team TTO: Jehue the first local track athlete in action!!
« Reply #89 on: August 20, 2015, 05:27:43 PM »


Jehue the first local track athlete in action!!
Thursday, 20 August 2015 (NAAA TT Press Release)


Jehue Gordon, 2013 World 400m Hurdles Champion.

2013 World 400m Hurdles Champion Jehue Gordon will start the defense of his title on Saturday 22nd August at 6:35am (TT time) at the 15th IAAF World Championships being held in Beijing, China. The 400m Hurdles is one of two events in which TTO athletes have medaled in both the men and women's categories. The 100m Dash is the other. The semifinals are set for Sunday 23rd August at 6:40am (TT time) with the finals carded for Tuesday 25th August at 8:25 am (TT time).

Team TTO has earned one gold medal through Jehue, who won the one lap hurdles title in Moscow, Russia in a new National Record (NR) of 47.69 seconds. Gordon became the second senior World Champion for TTO following Ato Boldon's success in the 200m Dash in 1997 in Athens, Greece. The global title was the second for Gordon after he captured the 2010 World Junior crown in Moncton, Canada. With his victory in Moscow, Gordon became the youngest ever winner of the men's 400 m hurdles at 21 years 243 days. Gordon also holds the record as the youngest finalist when he was fourth in the event in 2009, Berlin, Germany at 17 years 246 days with a time of 48.26 (NR and World 17 year old best). He improved on the 48.66 (previous NR and World 17 year old best) set in the heats.

Jehue will be competing in his fourth World Championships. Following his stunning performance in Berlin, Germany in 2009, much was expected two years later in Daegu, South Korea but he bowed out in the semi-finals, as he was ninth overall, missing the finals by 0.01seconds.
Gordon arrived in Beijing as the reigning champion and received an automatic spot into the championships. His 2015 season has been interrupted with injuries, which prevented him from competing at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada in July.
On the IAAF Diamond League circuit he also had a spill, which also slowed down his progress.
His season's best of 49.22 ranks him at 23rd amongst the athletes entered to compete. However, the UWI, QRC and Belmont Boys Secondary graduate will be determined to put in a good fight to defend his title.
He will be the first local athlete in action on the track.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2015, 09:17:42 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

 

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