Ato skeptical on new 100m World Record

[Thor]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

And even then we would not know for sure just what to make of the times. There could be lots of reasons for a decline in performance from now on and even if the athletes should eclipse the times run in Doha, it would not prove a thing, except that they are indeed capable of running those times.

[Powell]

It may not be 100% proof, but if neither Gatlin nor Fasuba came within, say, 0.20 of their Doha times in the remained of the season, it would provide overwhelming statistical evidence of a timing problem.

[Jon]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

Same here. Helped me make my mind up about Lalova.

[SQUACKEE]

Powell's Best time is 9.77, his 2nd best is only 9.84! How can we believe the 9.77 until he runs something closer to it?

[Powell]

I'll be happy enough if Fasuba runs a legal 9.91 - 7/100 is hardly a shocking difference. And if you correct for wind speed, Asafa had a few runs that were very similar to 9.77 (+1.6).

[mojo]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

Same here. Helped me make my mind up about Lalova.

I look at it slightly differently.
I am going to enjoy the performances now and see if anything happens to change that.


It seems that rather than cause for celebration a WR just brings cynicism and negativity. I understand why but it sure is depressing.

[LegalizeIt]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

Same here. Helped me make my mind up about Lalova.

Ahh yes. Very true. Ivet Lalova's 10.77 effort with what many considered to be a "flyer" on the start.

I have a question though. Lalova's 10.77 legitimacy was dismissed later that season when she came nowhere close to duplicating the effort. However, Lalova did not run a WR.

Question: Would it have been as easy to dismiss her performance had she broken the WR? I say no, simply b/c the women's WR is ridiculous.

And also: Will it be easy to dismiss Gatlin's (and Fasuba's, I guess) performance if they do not come close for the remainder of the season? I mean, it IS a WR.....

[piaba]

Is paranoia the fad of the day? I hope so, because that means it will disappear soon . . . I wish . . .

heck, just because i'm paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out there to get me!!!! (looking over my shoulder...)

[Jon]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

Same here. Helped me make my mind up about Lalova.

I look at it slightly differently.
I am going to enjoy the performances now and see if anything happens to change that.

It seems that rather than cause for celebration a WR just brings cynicism and negativity. I understand why but it sure is depressing.

Oh, don't get me wrong - I still celebrate the fact that a WR was broken, and I certainly don't view the times in a negative light. It's just that I'll be much happier once the season gets underway and Gatlin, Fasuba, et al start backing up their fast times.

[piaba]

The success of the Doha meeting is another thing that is clearly very important to them and enhancing the nation's prestige. What better way than with a world record in the 100m?

A world record in the hammer-throw?

a WR in the 50 KM walk (SNORE!!!!)...

[Powell]

And also: Will it be easy to dismiss Gatlin's (and Fasuba's, I guess) performance if they do not come close for the remainder of the season? I mean, it IS a WR.....

Perhaps not to dismiss it - certainly not to derecognize it once it's been ratified - but there will be lingering doubts in the minds of many people (including myself) if they don't get close to these performances in the next few races.

[mojo]

Why don't we just withhold judgment until Gatlin and Fasuba have raced a few more times? That's the position I'm taking, anyway.

Same here. Helped me make my mind up about Lalova.

I look at it slightly differently.
I am going to enjoy the performances now and see if anything happens to change that.

It seems that rather than cause for celebration a WR just brings cynicism and negativity. I understand why but it sure is depressing.

Oh, don't get me wrong - I still celebrate the fact that a WR was broken, and I certainly don't view the times in a negative light. It's just that I'll be much happier once the season gets underway and Gatlin, Fasuba, et al start backing up their fast times.

Sure sounds like doubt to me. And where is any hint of excitement in your comments? or did you jump up and down in your cubicle where no one could see you? (insert winky face)

Of course these guys will "back up" their times because there is no doubt they will run fast-unless by fast you mean a hundreths or two off the WR.

It just gets me down that so much of the talk about our sport is negative. Fortunately I get to see real joy, real excitement and fun watching kids hurdle, jump and throw.
I swear if all I did was read about track here and in the paper I would probably stop following it.


I will also cheer my heart out at the Pre meet for Gatlin et al. This is suppose to fun damn it!
(and I am a veteran of many disappointments from positive drug tests etc. so am not completely naive)

Edited to add: I realize there are no drug allegations being leveled in this case)

[Jon]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I still celebrate the fact that a WR was broken, and I certainly don't view the times in a negative light. It's just that I'll be much happier once the season gets underway and Gatlin, Fasuba, et al start backing up their fast times.

Sure sounds like doubt to me. And where is any hint of excitement in your comments? or did you jump up and down in your cubicle where no one could see you? (insert winky face)

Of course these guys will "back up" their times because there is no doubt they will run fast-unless by fast you mean a hundreths or two off the WR.

It just gets me down that so much of the talk about our sport is negative. Fortunately I get to see real joy, real excitement and fun watching kids hurdle, jump and throw.
I swear if all I did was read about track here and in the paper I would probably stop following it.

I was out of town all weekend and heard about the world record when talking to my Dad on the phone while driving up to Nottingham. Believe me, there was plenty of excitement then. It was another 2-3 days before I got back online, so forgive me if the excitement had died down somewhat.

Whatever, I'm keeping an open mind. It's healthy to have at least some level of doubt (don't tell me you believed Lalova's time too?). I just want to make absolute sure of these performances - is that a crime?

[gh]

Perhaps not to dismiss it - certainly not to derecognize it once it's been ratified - but there will be lingering doubts in the minds of many people (including myself) if they don't get close to these performances in the next few races.

Donovan Bailey's sequence of races after his WR of 9.84: 10.06, 10.06, 10.03, 10.19, 10.09, 10.13, 9.95 (GP Final), 10.14. The 9.84 was clearly a fraud; I agree.

[Jon]

Donovan Bailey's sequence of races after his WR of 9.84: 10.06, 10.06, 10.03, 10.19, 10.09, 10.13, 9.95 (GP Final), 10.14.

If Fasuba could churn out times like that in his next few races, then that would be more than enough for me. I'm not asking for another 9.84.