Relay roulette
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
It’s never too early to begin the quadrennial debate for U.S. track teams at the Olympics.
Who gets to run the relays.
Sure, none of the sprinters or quarter-milers will make the 2008 team until at least Saturday, when the women run the 100-meter final, but the lobbying already has begun.
In the past, this stuff has gotten ugly, like the controversy over whether Carl Lewis should run the sprint relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (he didn’t) because of past brilliance rather than the evidence provided by Lewis’ 100 finish at the 1996 OIympic trials. ‘Butt-naked last,’’ is how teammate Jon Drummond accurately described Lewis’ performance.
Then there was 1992, when the Santa Monica Track Club (Lewis’ club) was trying to shut Michael Johnson out of the 4 x 400 relay, and SMTC quarter-miler Danny Everett said of Olympic men’s head coach Mel Rosen, ‘He is basically lying and double-talking.’
It seems unlikely the disputes will get that vituperative this year. But the desire of the top two U.S. women sprint stars, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards, to run both relays could create some controversy.
Felix is running the 100 meters but not the 400 in the Olympic trials. Richards is running the 400 but not the 100.
Relay selection rules allow the coaches to put anyone who has made the Olympic team in the relay pool. Even a shot putter.
Felix apparently has earned a 400 spot by virtue of her stunning leg on the winning U.S. relay at the 2007 worlds, when her split, 48.0, was the fastest ever by a U.S. woman. She also ran on the winning 4 x 100 relay, but her 100 spot this time may depend on how well she does here and/or in European races prior to the Olympics, although she has the fastest time by a U.S. woman this season (10.93).
Richards was the fourth-fastest 100 woman in the world (10.97) last season, but her best time this year is a pedestrian 11.26. She will try to prove her 100 merit in at least two European races.
‘If I go sub-11 again, I think that could convince them, but I think it would be more important for me to beat someone in the pool and make it more obvious that I deserve to be there,’’ Richards said.
‘Sometimes times are hard to compare because of different wind stuff. I think I just need to beat some people to get on that team. I’m hoping to run the 100, either in London or Stockholm, hopefully get a chance to run against Lauryn and Allyson and Torri Edwards, the people who I think will most likely be in the pool, maybe nudge out one of them in a race.’’
Whoever gets pushed out of the Olympic relay will miss a certain medal (barring a bad baton pass or the like) and likely a gold.
Ready, set, debate.
-- Philip Hersh
