Gatlin 9.74 WL PB Doha Diamond Lague

[akeemmtrackaz]

Why is no one talking about this? Is there a thread somewhere? Please let me know

[JRM]

There is mostly silent awe from zues2014, but some of the Doha Live thread has discussion. Anyway, I agree that this deserves its own thread.

It's early in the season, but this performance certainly puts Gatlin as the favorite for Beijing.

[beebee]

It was such a beautiful looking race. Unreal for a season opener.

[ATK]

Gatlin is definitely the early favorite, but I even believe that Gatlin may not have to improve that much to win over bolt in Beijing.

[tm71]

It was such a beautiful looking race. Unreal for a season opener.

The question is if he can stay healthy and motivated till late august

[akeemmtrackaz]

9.74 in his first race is just astounding. He ran an almost perfect race and it was only his first for the season. I dare say that Gatlin looks unbeatable and as a Jamaican supporter I am not being biased.

[akeemmtrackaz]

Gatlin is definitely the early favorite, but I even believe that Gatlin may not have to improve that much to win over bolt in Beijing.

Reluctantly I agree.

[Retread]

I am a Gatlin supporter and the time is outstanding, but I would still not bet against Bolt in Beijing.

[zues2014]

Bolt will still reign supreme in Beijing.

[ExCoastRanger]

There is mostly silent awe from zues2014....

Why chum the water?

[JRM]

The question is if he can stay healthy and motivated till late august

Motivation = dethrone Bolt. Seems sufficient to keep the fire burning.

[ExCoastRanger]

That was a heckuva run. Somebody in another thread mentioned what a beautiful drive phase Gatilin had. He didn't even look up until 3.5 seconds into the race, and he was already well clear of the field.

[spammer]

Why is no one talking about this? Is there a thread somewhere? Please let me know

Well...since you insisted... : - )
In the back of my mind I was worried about if the lucrative contract from NIKE would make Gatlin lazy and unmotivated. He gave me 9.74 reasons that it didn't. It's going to be a great showdown in Beijing. Alot of TFN messageboard people seem to be chatting about this race on the Sprintzone messageboard: http://z15.invisionfree.com/SprintZo...ex.php?act=idx

I know I ramble, so will try to keep as short as possible, I thought this:
1. Gatlin - best in the world, like fine wine, what can I say that has not already been said? Ato Boldon said he might run consistent 9.6's this year. I don't know about that, but if he did, no one has EVER done that. 10/10
2. Rodgers - What everyone expected coming in 10/10
3. Bledman - Same comment as Rodgers 10/10
4. Collins - Much better than expected, wow. Hope he races every diamond league race. 10/10
5. Ogunode - Should have been faster than atleast Collins at his home meet. His coach is now working under Dennis Mitchell after doing such a good job with him. If he is smart, he should follow if he hasn't already. He will become much better than now. 5/10
6. Carter - I think Carter's long time at the top eschelon is over. I don't see Stephen Francis having any more major (Men's) players at the world level over 100m for a long time, maybe ever. 7/10
7. Batson - Very impressed he could beat Dasaolu. I think the difference was Dasaolu gets lottory funding this year regardless of how he places. Batson has to prove himself. Batson aesthetically is my favorite US male sprinter to watch collegiate or pro. 9/10
8. Dasaolu - I believed the Brit media hype, what a fool was I. 0/10

ok still rambled WAY too much and last edit: Ogunode is coached by Mitchell now, he will do very good things in the future.

[dbirds]

Making sense of Justin Gatlin

At the risk of turning this into a drug discussion, I will ask this obvious question. Justin ran a 9.77 in 2006 when he was 24 and now a 9.74 at age 33. Is there any other explanation besides either he wasn't doping back then or he is now?? I can't think of one but i would like to ask the group. Is it possible that he is still realizing his doping benefits even though he doesn't use? Maybe it didn't work back then? Excuse me if if I'm crossing a line here but it seems like a very serious question.

[olorin]

So the three obvious possibilities are:
1) He is the absolute villain of T&F he cheated then and he is cheating now.
2) He was clean then and now trying to prove to everyone that he was robbed of a wonderful career and epic races with Bolt and Gay.
3) He was dirty then and he is clean now trying to show that he can do it without drugs.

The sad truth is that we will never know (unless he is caught again). People's opinion about him is more to do with nationality than anything else. This was one of the greatest meets in recent history in Doha. Can't we just enjoy the action instead of going to another endless Gatlin debate?