Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

[ILoveTrack]

Johnson writes:

"Tyson Gay, Allison Felix, Sanya Richards, Asafa Powell and Blanca Vlasic all established themselves as the best in the world after Athens 2004, dominated their events and gave themselves the opportunity to become individual Olympic champions. They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Interesting. There is another dominating US athlete he failed to mentioned!

[skyin' brian]

Re: Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

Johnson writes:

"Tyson Gay, Allison Felix, Sanya Richards, Asafa Powell and Blanca Vlasic all established themselves as the best in the world after Athens 2004, dominated their events and gave themselves the opportunity to become individual Olympic champions. They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Interesting. There is another dominating US athlete he failed to mentioned!

Probably because JW is an Olympic champion.

[nevetsllim]

Re: Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Why is that bad for the sport exactly? Sport becomes boring when it's predictable.

[kuha]

Re: Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Why is that bad for the sport exactly? Sport becomes boring when it's predictable.

I'd have to agree. Plus, if we've learned anything over the years, its exactly that the "best" athlete doesn't always win--underdogs are always appearing out of left field. I reserve the right to immediately dismiss the significance of some of these gold medalists, but I'd never pretend that this process is "bad for the sport."

[gh]

I'm pretty much of that mind as well, but I've found it interesting to hear repeatedly over the last few years that at least in terms of the big team sports that having dynasties is very good for the sport, and that while "on any given Sunday" is a good theory, it's still better if you have a monolith that just about everybody can relate to.

[Marlow]

I'm pretty much of that mind as well, but I've found it interesting to hear repeatedly over the last few years that at least in terms of the big team sports that having dynasties is very good for the sport, and that while "on any given Sunday" is a good theory, it's still better if you have a monolith that just about everybody can relate to.

I do like variety in my elite T&F, but the people who have always captured my magination were the Moses and Lewises and Bubkas that dominated their events. We need 'dynasties' to attract the casual fan. Michael Phelps MADE swimming at the OG.

[mojo]

I'm pretty much of that mind as well, but I've found it interesting to hear repeatedly over the last few years that at least in terms of the big team sports that having dynasties is very good for the sport, and that while "on any given Sunday" is a good theory, it's still better if you have a monolith that just about everybody can relate to.

I do like variety in my elite T&F, but the people who have always captured my magination were the Moses and Lewises and Bubkas that dominated their events. We need 'dynasties' to attract the casual fan. Michael Phelps MADE swimming at the OG.

And we had Bolt and Isinbayeva.

or does "we" mean mean you? :P

[kuha]

Actually, in terms of public & media interest/attention, I'd have to say that I agree with gh above. The public does like "known quantities"--if they tune in to see, say, Jeremy Wariner win, then they're let down if he doesn't. My original comment was geared more toward the intrinsic dynamics of the sport itself--there will always be newcomers, upsets, and surprises. And sometimes those newcomers go on to establish dynasties of their own. Who was that near-unknown who won the 400H in Montreal??

[paulthefan]

People are basically king/icon/hero seekers. It is in human nature to worship and adore. It is the same in other arenas, why does hollywood pay 50million to get mr verywellknown when they could get a better actress for 1/100th that.. .. people have limited attention to devout to anything and the human mind is very well suited to keeping a single human face and personality in its virtual rolodex. Track needs at least a small stable of well known big performers. Where is King Carl when we need him!!

[ILoveTrack]

Re: Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

Johnson writes:

"Tyson Gay, Allison Felix, Sanya Richards, Asafa Powell and Blanca Vlasic all established themselves as the best in the world after Athens 2004, dominated their events and gave themselves the opportunity to become individual Olympic champions. They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Interesting. There is another dominating US athlete he failed to mentioned!

Probably because JW is an Olympic champion.

True. Maybe he should have included him and mentioned that among this group JW was the greatest failure in Beijing (smile).

[26mi235]

Re: Michael Johnson's Beijing Analysis & A Look At 2012

Johnson writes:

"Tyson Gay, Allison Felix, Sanya Richards, Asafa Powell and Blanca Vlasic all established themselves as the best in the world after Athens 2004, dominated their events and gave themselves the opportunity to become individual Olympic champions. They all failed in Beijing, and that was not good for the sport."

Interesting. There is another dominating US athlete he failed to mentioned!

Probably because JW is an Olympic champion.

True. Maybe he should have included him and mentioned that among this group JW was the greatest failure in Beijing (smile).

The statement was "AFTER the 2004 ..." JW does NOT belong in that set and cannot belong in it. Those great athletes did not win gold medals (except for AF/SR in the 4x400).

[croflash]

How can he mention Gay and Powell in that context at the same time?

[mump boy]

but at leasy USA won the womens hammer :shock: :? :? :shock:

[tandfman]

but at leasy USA won the womens hammer :shock: :? :? :shock:

Oh, really? :roll:

[dukehjsteve]

but at leasy USA won the womens hammer :shock: :? :? :shock:

Oh, really? :roll:

Maybe MJ doesn't know the difference between a Hammer and a Discus ?!