Tokyo women's 4x4 [split]

[lonewolf]

Rest easy, or chagrined if you prefer, Felix will be on the Tokyo women 4x4 team.

[gh]

I don't think there is any way in the world, barring an injury, that a second-place-at-the-Trials Felix isn't on that 4x4.

after a stellar career as No. 2, wonder if she would like/they'd aceed to an anchor leg to finish it all off?

[jazzcyclist]

Rest easy, or chagrined if you prefer, Felix will be on the Tokyo women 4x4 team.

She may earn her way onto the 4x400 team in the final by medaling in the 400 but according to gm she can get eliminated in the heats and still get picked for the relay..

[ATK]

after a stellar career as No. 2, wonder if she would like/they'd aceed to an anchor leg to finish it all off?

That's the only debate at this point, what leg (other than 1st) does Felix run.

??? - Felix - McLaughlin - Mu would be a great "passing to the next generation" symbol. I think those are the only 3 locks for the relay final at this point (assuming the other 2 make the team)

[Wiederganger]

Assuming fit and healthy, there is no way Felix won't be in that w4x400m team. It will be a question of which leg. The glory leg may well be fitting.

The way things are at the moment, the USA's current depth in this event is even greater than usual, the women's 400m has been a bit of a damp squib so far this season, largely due to SMU running one race, and nothing from Naser (yet?). Of course, they are from countries that wouldn't be contending the w4x400m anyway.

We've seen nothing big from the Jamaicans yet - that may change this weekend - and although GBR and POL have shown great depth between 51 and 52 seconds, that isn't going to scare the US.

You can run whatever order you like, with any number of women, and you should win easily.

TBH I am more interested in the battle for silver and bronze, which will be more more intriguing than just focusing on a US walkover. As I said, GBR have great depth now and their issue isn't lack of 4 good runners as it has been before, but choosing the right 4 women in the right order who can lift themselves & run the best tactics. POL will be extremely tough, and then we don't know yet what CUB will do, after the World Relays. NED wont be in the medal mix now, despite Bol & Klaver already in the 50.'s as De witte is still outside 52 secs and any 4th runner is outside 53. They may find the mixed 4x4 is where they focus (and then it's a question of running Bol in the final, the day before her 400mh 1st rd...). I'm really interested to see what happens at the JAM champs, then we'll know whether they can challenge the USA, or be a clear second, or be battling with GBR, POL & CUB for silver/bronze.

[jazzcyclist]

That's the only debate at this point, what leg (other than 1st) does Felix run.

??? - Felix - McLaughlin - Mu would be a great "passing to the next generation" symbol. I think those are the only 3 locks for the relay final at this point (assuming the other 2 make the team)

You mean to tell me that Hayes is less deserving of a spot in the final than those 3?

[ATK]

Never said less deserving, all I know is Felix will be on the team. I left one leg open so maybe Hayes runs first.

[gh]

I don't think Muhammad has shown anything (yet) this year that suggests she should have a spot over the 400 team

[ATK]

TBH I am more interested in the battle for silver and bronze, which will be more more intriguing than just focusing on a US walkover. As I said, GBR have great depth now and their issue isn't lack of 4 good runners as it has been before, but choosing the right 4 women in the right order who can lift themselves & run the best tactics. POL will be extremely tough, and then we don't know yet what CUB will do, after the World Relays. NED wont be in the medal mix now, despite Bol & Klaver already in the 50.'s as De witte is still outside 52 secs and any 4th runner is outside 53. They may find the mixed 4x4 is where they focus (and then it's a question of running Bol in the final, the day before her 400mh 1st rd...). I'm really interested to see what happens at the JAM champs, then we'll know whether they can challenge the USA, or be a clear second, or be battling with GBR, POL & CUB for silver/bronze.

Canada needs a mention here for bronze. 2 women have run 50.x, another at 51.x and 3 others at 52 low, so they have some relative depth. Cuba is a step behind for now as no one outside of Gomez has broken 52.

[jazzcyclist]

I don't think Muhammad has shown anything (yet) this year that suggests she should have a spot over the 400 team

I agree. I would add that if the Trials 400 winner performs as expected in Tokyo and gets left off the 4x400 team because some coach gets caught in Felix sentimentality we don't deserve to medal.

[gm]

Hayes, Felix, Jonathas and Ellis would be prohibitive gold medal favorites. Run Whitney and Irby in the heats.

[cigar95]

How many nations will run faster than A&M did last week? (Or even USC, for that matter.)

[NotDutra5]

The US is in what I guess is a pretty unique situation with choosing a 4x4 because the 2 or possibly 3 best 400m runners at the moment are running other events.....assuming they qualify which at this point none of them have.

[NotDutra5]

How many nations will run faster than A&M did last week? (Or even USC, for that matter.)

A&M's team was multi nation.

[cigar95]

A&M's team was multi nation.

Indeed.
Multination and uni-campus!