Bolt Competing in First European Meet

[EPelle]

17 year-old Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt will make his first ever European career outing when he competes at the 200m at IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting 'Golden Spike' in Ostrava, Czech Republic on 8 June.

Will compete against three other athletes who have sub-20 PRs: Fredricks (19,68); Crawford (19,85); and Gatlin (19,86).

From IAAF.
http://www.iaaf.org/GP04/news/Kind=2/newsId=25284.html

[basehead617]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

assuming that 'injury' recently was nothing big, expect a fastttt time.

[DentyCracker]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

Should be smokin'

[FORTISDON]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

If he gets past Crawford and Gatlin who have already shown that they are near the top of their game currently (Qatar) then he will undoubtedly be the favourite for Athens. should be a tough race though, Very tough field.

[beachcomber5]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

i think the greek 200m champ is going to be favorite.now heres a track mystery.does he run only every/4 years??

[EPelle]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

If Kaderis does win, he will be similar to USA:s Lance Armstrong.

[79.]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

GATLIN is the best 200m sprinter in the World...

[ycn]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

I'm not so sure that Gatlin is the best right now, although he has a strong record in the event.

Take a look at this comparison of Gatlin and Bolt by best mark by age:

Justin Gatlin
20.91 18
20.29 19
19.86 20
20.04 21
20.21 22

Usain Bolt
21.81 14
20.58 15
20.13 16
19.93 17

Bolt turns 18 the day of the Olympic final in the 200.

[79.]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

I am curious to watch what Usain BOLT can do
in a man-to-man race against top World-class
sprinters...

[dhanesworth]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

Michael Johnson does not appear to be in the same class as Boit until he was 20 (almost 21). The odds are probably better that Gatlin will be a 2008 favorite than Bolt if you look at the history of most young age group record holders. Bolt certainly has a good chance of reversing that trend.

18 21.30
19 20.41
20 20.07
21 19.85
27 19.32

[Decastar]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

>
I am curious to watch what Usain BOLT can do
in a man-to-man race against
>top World-class
sprinters...

As am I. I would, however, put my money on Gatlin. Should be interesting though.

[**TRACKHEAD**]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

Bolt is phenomenal! He could use his arms more efficiently, and he’d be even better. He is young, and we’ll have to see if he is conservative enough to pace himself through the early rounds of the 200. If he’s out to shock the world in the early rounds, it may hurt his chances in the final. I’ll put my money on Gatling for his talent plus experience. Let’s not forget one important factor of our great sport.... anyone of them can win on any given day. Let’s not be too shocked if neither of them wins.

[FORTISDON]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

Be patient. You won't have long to wait. Of course all of you who were priviledged to be at the Penn Relays this year or viewed the telecast would have been given a preview of the 2004 version of Bolt chasing Jerome Young on his relay leg and more than holding his own. Doesn't appear as if the chap is willing to pay any dues.

[ycn]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

Bolt has won his last 15 finals in the 200, but of course they weren't against open international competition.

[BCBaroo]

Re: Bolt Competing in First European Meet

What do y'all think...2008. 19.31?
Thinkable or unthinkable...