A holy-cow congratulations to Usain Bolt for breaking the 100 (9.58) and 200m (19.19) world records. He runs like a crazy man with limbs grown too large for his body.
This evening was the 4x100 relay (everyone's favorite to watch). The Americans had another tricky hand-off. Saw it when it happened, but it is very difficult to tell. Even more difficult to see on a grainy television screen through the rain. They won a spot in the finals along with Trinidad & Tobago but have now been disqualified.
Suspicions have been raised over the sex of South Africa's top middle-distance runner (and female world champion) Caster Semenya. Seems she may have an unexpected Y chromosome, or produce extra testosterone. Officials are still waiting for the results of very thorough genetic tests. Even if there are proper grounds to strip her of the medal, this is surely an emotional, if not traumatic, experience for an 18-year-old woman.
What's more, you ask? Tomorrow is the men's marathon, in addition to the Champion's Run -- a 10k road race following part of the marathon's course. Registration closed in May or June, but I found an online contest through Tip Berlin magazine giving away 20 spots. I knew Matt has been running six miles regularly and had the desire to try out a race. So without telling him, I entered his name in the contest. And guess what -- he won! This past week we have been training (although I'm only the trainer, cheerleader and masseuse). Tonight we ate the pasta dinner. Tomorrow afternoon we will head up to Brandenburger Tor, stop by the Deutsche Telekom sponsorship booth to pick up his shirt, number and chip and at 3:45, he will be off. (Good luck, Matt!)
Good luck Matt!!
Today - Saturday - is Flint's Crim race. The morning is dry and cool, good for the runners. I hope you are likewise blessed with good conditions.
By the way, the meet there is getting coverage here. I felt bad for the men's relay team that got DQ'd on a bad hand-off.