El G - 2005 the end?

[Friar]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

Peter is my sole look at a 1500OG champ,up close and personal as they say:saw him in the Meadowlands. He lost to a college boy who didn't make all-conf. He went the furthest with the least amount of talent,and there is alot to be said for that.
As for Seb I never remember him racing again after he wasn't pre-selected for the '88 games: it was prob. a good thing,why not remember Moscow and LA?

[trackhead]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

1990 Commonwealth Games -- Auckland

Men's 800m
1. Sammy TIROP (KEN) 1.45.98
2. Nixon KIPROTICH (KEN) 1.46.00
3. Matthew YATES (ENG) 1.46.62
4. Brian WHITTLE (SCO) 1.46.85
5. Ikem BILLY (ENG) 1.47.16
6. Seb COE (ENG) 1.47.24

[det]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

tafnut, look at the number of throwers hanging out in their late 30's, throwing at 90% of their PRs, training like crazy, and maybe even doing PED's. Is it because they love training, throwing, injuries, etc. so much or is it because today's "track profession" allows them to continue to make a modest income. In the past they would have retired much earlier, or just become club coaches and recreational throwers. To some degree we also see this in other "non-big-payday" events. For athlete's from Eastern Europe, retiring "at peak" is often not an option as non-track jobs pay a pittence.

[gh]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

Why the singling out of throwers in their 30s maybe doing PEDs? Note that the highest profile 30-something to go down was a distance runner, Jacobs.

[trackhead]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

>Why the singling out of throwers in their 30s maybe doing PEDs? Note that the
>highest profile 30-something to go down was a distance runner, Jacobs.

Not Linford?

[det]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

Throwers were not singled out, just used as an example of "minor events". Regina was in a very high profile event making, even by American standards, a pretty good income. Her motivation seems clear. Eatern Europeans in low profile events can't easily take a 90 minute test and then graduate on to selling $900k homes. Their post track options, especially after a doping ban, are pretty limited.

The real question is what motivates athletes to compete at levels below their "prime"? How many do it just for the money, or do they really love the sport?

[det]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

(to avoid getting shipped out, I am voluntarily moving my next post to the Dope board regarding PEDS, since PEDS don't belong in the El-G retirement thread)

[Bob Duncan]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

Married life...it'll do it every time.

[RMc]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

From the BBC web site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3949133.stm

Retire in 2006, shoot for the 5k WR in 2005, another WC title in 2005.

[gh]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

El G's manager tells us that if El G is still enjoying running in '06 he'll continue on through to Beijing. Nothing is graved in stone at this point.

[5k Guy]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

>an impressive ranged only matched by Geb (and later on, Bekele).<

Rod Dixon had incredible range during his career.
"Wheels with range" as some of the boys like to call it.

Steve Ovett had significant range as well (and maybe the best speed of the mentioned group) but unfortunately he didn't race much at the longer stuff so his 5k and 10k track pb's don't match his talent for the events.

[Discus Chick]

Re: El G - 2005 the end?

News in British Press that El G intends to run teh short course at next years world Cross Champs - the first time he will have done so for 11 years.

I know Bekele said he wouldnt double up again but it would be good to see Bekele take on El G over the short course wouldnt it?

It would be a good 'farewell' to the event