Of Shoelaces and G.O.A.T.S.
by Mark Cullen
from Seattle
There was only one final at the Olympic Games in Paris today - and what a final it was.
Joshua Cheptegai of Uganda confirmed his status as one of the greatest 10,000m runners of all-time with brilliant strategy that led to his scintillating win. He brought 3 World 10,000m titles to this meet and sealed the deal with Olympic gold today.
No slouch on uneven surfaces, Cheptegai’s remarkable resume includes the World Cross Country title, which he won in Aarhus, Denmark in 2019.
Today’s winning time of 26:43.14 is the new Olympic record; 12 more of his compatriots behind him broke the previous record as well.
In second place was Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, who has been knock-knock-knockin’ on podium’s door and was the least likely of the Ethiopians to medal today. He was out of the medals at the top of the stretch and surged – and surged – to silver, two-one-hundredths ahead of Grant Fisher, in 26:43.44
Much to the delight of his US audience, Grant Fisher won bronze after a hair-raising, ankle-twisting step on the curb late in the race. He handled this masterfully; rather than trying to make up for it all at once, he slowly moved back into the top 5, where he had been most of the meet.
By placing himself near the front of the pack, Fisher announced early that he was to be reckoned with. He had silver in his grasp until Aregawi edged by him at the finish. It appeared that Fisher eased almost imperceptibly and then tried to pick it up again once he realized Aregawi was coming.
Take a look at the film; I’d be curious as to your responses. It may also account for Fisher’s apparent initial lack of joy at having medaled, though it did not take long for a smile to appear – and stay there.
Photo by Mattia Ozbot and courtesy of World Athletics
Notes from today’s heats and qualification rounds
- US hammer thrower Daniel Haugh fouled all three of his trials in qualifying and is out of the meet.
- Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri stamped himself as the favorite (apostasy!) in men’s shot put as he led all qualifiers.
- Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith led all qualifiers in the women’s 100m at 10.87; hard to believe that at this time tomorrow we’ll know who the Olympic Champion is.
- Defending champ Valarie Allman led discus qualifiers by almost 4 meters. China’s Bin Feng has pulled off an upset at Worlds before, and while Croatia’s 34 year old Sandra Elkasevic may seem like a new kid on the block, actually, you knew her before as Perkovic – ahhh, that explains it!
That would be the Elkasevic with two Olympic and two World titles, not to mention two World silvers. Allman can silence this talented field with an unanswerable first-round toss.
- I’m calling it now: Cole Hocker for a medal in the 1500m. His blazing finishing kick was on display today; in the semis and finals he needs to be sure not to unleash it too late.
- All three US entrants qualified for the 5,000m final. Elise Cranny, Karissa Schweizer, and Whitnni "I can't believe I'm here!" Morgan made the most of their opportunities. Morgan was 5th at the Olympic Trials, and a series of fortuitous withdrawals led to her toe finding the start line today at Stade de France.
Morgan took full advantage and suddenly finds herself one of the top 16 5,000m runners in the world. At the start of the final she'll look over and see Faith Kipyegon also in the race. Ain't life grand?!
- Well, yes it is, especially for Shamier Little, who made her first US Olympic team at 29 and - after getting into the proper lane! - set a world record in the 4x400m mixed relay.
- After much angst (to put it politely) in the fierce Jamaican social media/track and field press, guess who showed up to sprint the second fastest 100m qualifier?
That would be Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, triple Olympic gold medalist and 10 – count ’em – 10x World Champion who at 37 covered the distance in a snappy 10.92 seconds.
These days it takes me that long to reach my shoelaces.
I always look forward to your coverage, Mark! Can’t wait to read your comments on this rainy shot put final!
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