Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

[canadafan]

Yes, I am a Canuck but I have to say and share that I am impressed with the meet site for the upcoming D.B. Invitational in Edmonton. Well not just the meet but the start list as well. Things are changing in a good way with the National Track League here in Canada. It was time to show that higher calibre meets can happen and attract names outside of hosting world events.


http://www.athleticsfestival.com/home

Not too shabby 100 line-up

Yohan Blake Jamaica
Lerone Clarke Jamaica
Daniel Bailey Antigua
Jaysuma Saidy Ndure Norway
Michael Frater Jamaica
Gerald Phiri Zambia
Trell Kimmons USA
Winner Men's NTL 100m Canada

Sorry to toot their horn a little, but all the Organizers, Officals, Athletes, A.C., certain Agent(s), etc etc need a pat on the back for starting, contributing,and growing this.

[sprintdoc]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Great to see meet like this emerging. I have long said that EVERY Worlds site should be mandated to host an annual meet prior to hosting World Champs and then money required to be set aside to host in years following as well.

We need efforts like these for the sport to grow.

I know I expressed my doubts on the validity of meet in Clermont but my real problem is that athletes will race at a glorified all-comers meet to qualify for the Trials. If we are to grow the sport these athletes need a meet of some type hosted in Orlando area with tickets sold. If I knew I could go watch Nadal and Djokovic like I could go see Gay and Mitchell this weekend why travel to other meets and pay and it reduces the respect of the sport across the board. If Tyson were to pop a 9.68 do we celebrate an AR run in these conditions? With a "2.0" wind you never know but its not the right setting, Its like Tiger Woods a week ago playing at his home course in Orlando and letting people watch him and Phil and Bubba dual it out. Not as special a week later at the open if they did that so guess what? THEY DONT!

[sprintdoc]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

part 2 of above post:

This is a much more serious issue than anyone on here is giving it. We need to professionalize this sport and not keep in the dark ages of amatuer BS. Sorry didn't mean to hijack this thread for what promises to be a great 2nd tier meet and just saying those in the US need to WTFU and not diminish the sport. Agents need to work together to create a NTL like series in the US especially with NY and Pre now DL there is a need for a few 2nd tier meets in the US to encourage the sport to grow and give athletes unable to get lane in the 2 DL events or because their event isn't offered. May and early June is when this is needed to fill the need the pro athletes need to justify staying in the sport after college that can't or don't want to travel overseas before nationals each year. Lots of places could host smaller meets like the NTL. I hate seeing every US tier one athlete, many of whom are like Tyson, Sanya, Allyson, LaShawn who don't need the 7k check they get for this level and instead use this money as prize money for this series of meets along with local sponsorship. The money helps the athletes as its intention is now PLUS it helps create new competitive opportunities here in the US. Have the BMW Open, the Gill Classic, the Visa Challenge and whatever other sponsors our new CEO and others can bring to the table. Let athletes earn this money on the track in actual US competition rather than earning it based on a World ranking "earned" primarily on the tracks of Europe and Asia while the sport here is 1 great meet each year in Eugene and one decent meet in New York. Accepting the status quo because its good for those with power is not good enough if you really care about the sport in the US.

[shivfan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Blake did say he wanted to run some more before the trials....
8-)
He did look a bit rusty in New York, and clearly needs more practice before taking on Bolt, Powell and Ashmeade.

[canadafan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Those are some good points Sprintdoc. Moncton had a very successful World Jr's, was not part of the curcuit last year, and is this one. The Toronto meet looks to be a good one building after the first Festival Meet three years ago, a year hiatus, and back running again last year as part of the NTL.

If you read Dr. Clement's blog from the Harry Jerome Classic Vancouver, the largets mainstay of Canadian Track Meets, he makes an excellent point in saying,

"The Zurich based group, All-Athletics.com rates all track and field competitions from around the world. The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic obtained it’s highest ever score of 80028 points exceeding the 2011 score by 3 points. This score combines the ranking and performances of the athletes. The 2012 score ranks the Jerome, Canada’s longest running invitational track and field competition in 33rdplace in world competitions and 5th in North America ."

The NTL has only made Jerome a better meet the past 2 years. Canadian ex WC Felicien had never run a Jerome until last year and the curcuit. You are so right when you say that things need to be run like a business, I agree.

The results page for the DB meet in Edmonton is now up with starters. Have a great weekend all. http://www.ellistrack.ca/DBI/LiveResults/

[canadafan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

P.S. for Shot fans, Cantwell has been added to the lineup against Armstrong and Whiting.

[ATK]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Frater no longer on the start list.

Tianna Madison was also previously entered in the 100 and long jump

[canadafan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Yes, looks like Frater and Madison scratches. Cantwell, Loftin, Kenia Sinclair added.

For me the hurdle races are the ones. The ladies is a preview of the Canadian National finals. Not often we Canadians get to have a trials final where 5 of 8 finalists (6 if Zelinka runs the hurdles for Nats) ar over the A+ plus Olympic Standard and fighting for the 3 spots.

The Mens, just a solid field of Americans. Richardson, Faulk, Wilson, Porter, Atkins, Brown.

[shivfan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

I see this meet is down to start at 1.30pm Edmonton time....

That's 8.30pm London time, I believe.

[NormZylstra]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

P.S. for Shot fans, Cantwell has been added to the lineup against Armstrong and Whiting.

... and Rodhe.

[110hedgeNYC]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

hey, anyone know have any links to the stadium where they're holding the meet? also, aware of any online feeds?

thanks!

[canadafan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

Flotrack is streaming the entire NTL.

Here is the link, http://live.flocasts.org/flotrack-248654-live.html

If you don't have anything on your screen to view it full screen, click on the USTREAM logo in the corner and it will take you to another page where you can.

1:30 Mountain Standard Time

[running4life]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

The sound bite sucks for me did blake win his race?

[canadafan]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

No, not been ran yet. Last race of the day...

[running4life]

Re: Donovan Bailey Invitational June 16th Edmonton

No, not been ran yet. Last race of the day...

Oh ok thank you