Honestly, what was the most insightful was Alberto Salazar saying that having a group of 6-8 athletes between he and Schumacher is what's planned, not taking on more athletes. Then he asks, where do we go from here? Where do they go? Will we see another coach taking their talents to Portland in another year or two? It wouldn't surprise me.
After the Schumacher article, it was stated that the University of Oregon may take a stab at the 4x1 mile national & collegiate record on April 25. I am sure many would speculate who'll be on that team, considering how much depth they have, but I'd venture to say it will be Andrew Wheating, Galen Rupp, AJ Acosta and Matt Centrowitz. Shadrack Kiptoo-Biwott would be a great addition as well, although I am not sure if he's an American citizen, thus it wouldn't be considered a national record if he was on it. Either way, it's very exciting to see someone taking a stab at a record.
The Jamaican Boys & Girls Championships were last weekend and from everything I hear it is one of the best, if not the best, track and field competition in the world. Tens of thousands of fans were in the stands each day of the competition. People go crazy cheering for their respective teams and the talent is simply unreal. In an article that came out today, ex-superstar sprinter Ato Boldon was in attendance and said he would never miss another one. He also commented on a few other things, such as development for their athletes, so it is definitely worth the read.
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The UKs Guardian has a long but VERY interesting read on Jamaica's CHAMPS as well.
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In Jamaica there is only one event that grips the nation like the Olympic Games or World Championships – the national Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. To the rest of the world "Champs" may sound like a glorified school sports day, but to Jamaicans it is the highlight of the year, with crowds of 30,000 people gathering from across the island to watch over 100 schools battle it out for title of "King" or "Queen".
Such is the reputation of these youngsters that agents and scouts travel from the US to watch what they describe as the world's best talent. Claude Bryan, agent for reigning 100m and 200m Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown, says the event is unique.
"Nowhere else in the world will you see 30,000 people cheering on high schoolers. This is the place to be. You've got scouts here, shoe companies here, university coaches here, this is the market place to be at. It's very competitive." Bryan says he doesn't go to other schools events in the US or Europe, "No, they're boring. For me there are only three track and field events I wouldn't miss: the World Championships, the Olympic Games and the Champs."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/apr/05/usainbolt-athletics
Thanks for sharing the UK Guardian article. There is so much great information coming out these days on Bolt. He is quickly turning into the global icon our sport so desperately needs. I really hope he can put up more record breaking performances this year. The more successful he is on the track, the more successful the sport will be in the global media's eyes.
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