T&FN Favourite Athletes THE RESULTS No1 Haile Gebrselassie

[gh]

Well I picked Armin Hary(18) and Al Cantello(17) and no one else did. Loved the way Cantello hurled himself to the scratch line. A love-hate relationship with Hary ( he beat my Dukester) but there was a mystique to "the Thief of Starts.".........

Hary came with an inch of making my team. He was in the first-cut bunch of a couple of dozen I had.

[lapsus]

.

[preston]

And this was implicit from the get go: the platform this provides for jackasses to parade their moral superiority. Sorry, but I for one don't need that crap.

Amen! It was the sole reason that I refrained from taking part in submitting a list in the first place. The sanctimony and righteous indignation in nearly every post of Mump boy and Flumpy attempting to force-feed everyone who should be liked and who should not be liked while they post pictures of themselves embraced with athletes of whom it could be argued are of questionable sporting character is more hypocrisy than my stomach can hold down.

[lapsus]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept, since it might have biased the initial choices a bit (even unconsciously), but as a whole this is fun enough. I think the early stages are the most interesting - I already noticed several greats I had quite forgotten about.

I do hope the management will keep things from boiling over and incinerating the board completely, though. It looks like limiting the s from the vote counter(s) might be helpful there...

[pakillo]

It is cool someone voted for Reiko Tosa, I have Kayoko Fukushi

I voted for Tosa.

She was amazing in Osaka there was no way she was losing that medal

Yes I was awake that night to watch marathon in Osaka and cheering for Tosa to hang on, it was only medal for Japan on the last day of Osaka 2007

[pakillo]

Speaking of doping, Prandzheva... I think almost every Bulgarian(I speak for the last 25 years) was suspended or accused, I dont like it but do not say anything bad about Venelina Veneva!

Now they talk about Zhanna Pintusevich, nobody would take that moment from me, the moment she beat Marion Jones in Edmonton!

[DecFan]

I'm a little bit surprised that no one else had Wanjiru.

Wanjiru was one of my last cuts. Wish he were still with us . . .

[Fortius19]

None of my pics have come up yet!

I cut Solinsky and Lauren Williams from my list because I mistakenly thought we could only have a max of five per country. (I cut Warriner too. Sorry Jeremy!) Of course, I would have diffuculty cutting three non-USAians from the list to make room for them. So, the point is probably moot.

Surprised at some big names that were not that popular, Fosbury especially.

Nice to see Fam on the list. I always liked his attitude and how he would push the pace.

[Atanvarno]

Ok, so I am the only one who voted for Heike Henkel, Carlo Thränhardt, Peter Blank and Thomas Wessinghage

Heike was European Champion in 1990, World Champion in 1991 and Olympic Champion in 1992. She dominated in Tokio with a 2,05 and she was (together with my number 2 choice) the biggest name in German athletics in the early 90ies.

Thomas Wessinghage was always overshadowed a bit by the great brits. But he is still the national record holder for the 1500m in Germany. And in a time where far too many of our young middle distance hopefuls are moaning and grumbling about not having enough time to train when they are not fully funded by sponsors or the state you can only admire Wessinghage for finishing medical school while being a world class runner.

Mögenburg was the Olympic Champion, but I always like Carlo Thränhardt more.

Peter Blank was just a cool guy. If he was on, he could beat everybody in the javelin, and if he was not he flunked out in the qualification. He had a 2,23 (7'9'') in the highjump to go with his 88m (291') javelin PB. Earned enough and invested wisely so he doesn't have to work ever again (as he said in an interview) isn't that what most people dream about?

[Daisy]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept

I had interpreted that comment in a positive way. If an athlete makes our top 20 then clearly we have praise to heap on them. But not to defend the choice, rather to extol the athlete.

I can't believe that any athlete that makes someones list can be considered in a bad way. Even if there are drug positives in the collection, if they made such an impact on voters such that they are still held in high regard, then who are we to judge such choices? And clearly there is more to this than just on field accomplishments. Personal interactions with the athletes or nationality can sway our choices in a big way.

And Atanvarno, Thomas Wessinghage was a great choice.

I almost had Paul Ereng on my list too, for his olympic win alone. In that race he timed his run to perfection while all those around him succumbed to fatigue. Also good to see Tony Jarrett on the list he was overshadowed by Colin Jackson for so long and, because of Jon Ridgeon before, we were taking world class hurdling for granted in the UK.

[pakillo]

Among athletes that I didn`t vote for it`s good to see:
Kevin Little(he was so close to medal in Sevilla)
Kim Batten(no need to say anything - Goeteborg WC is enough)
Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Ionela Tirlea...

[bushop]

My one-offs were:
• Yuriy Sedykh
• Ulf Timmermann
• Ludvik Daněk
• John Powell

Possibly the most screwed-up post... ever. Looked at the wrong version of my list.

One-offs from my final list:
• Ellen van Langen
• Mike Carter
• Luis Delís

[Pego]

My one-offs were:
• Yuriy Sedykh
• Ulf Timmermann
• Ludvik Danek
• John Powell
I'm surprised no one else picked Powell or Timmermann.

I thought I had Daněk, but no .

[gh]

I don't think that any of my athletes had a drug stain, but if one of them were to come up with one in the future, I don'n' thin it would change their status as faves in my eyes. Very hard to take away good memories.

[Per Andersen]

I don't think that any of my athletes had a drug stain, but if one of them were to come up with one in the future, I don'n' thin it would change their status as faves in my eyes. Very hard to take away good memories.

Very true. I would definitely have voted for Knut Hjeltnes but unfortunately he was not in my thoughts when I forced myself to make a decision (a bad one) on my 20.

I see I was the only one to pick Wint, McKenley or Rhoden Must be an age thing

[gh]

the solo Rosie Ackermann vote is mine (and I'm surprised, in retorspect, I didn't rate her higher).

I'd like to guess I'm the only one who can claim a place as the only one whose mother dated somebody listed on the vote list. (not mine: he was a total dick)

[dincary]

Atlanvarno, Wessinghage is a great choice. He was a close friend and mentor after my college days. He trained hard, studied hard and represented his country well at an endless string of events.

[Atanvarno]

I almost had Paul Ereng on my list too, for his olympic win alone.

Ereng was on my shortlist, too, but I already had too many Kenyans. I have never seen anybody destroy a field like he did in his indoor world record. Go to youtube and watch it, it is a thing of beauty.

[DrJay]

Atlanvarno, Wessinghage is a great choice. He was a close friend and mentor after my college days. He trained hard, studied hard and represented his country well at an endless string of events.

He had a long career, especially given the doctor thing (check out the span of years he appeared in each year's 1500 list). In an odd way, he, and several others, helped make Coe and Ovett the legends that they are. It seemed like every time one of the Brits broke or threatened a WR, there came Wessinghage, Coghlan, Walker, Boit (Boit's one vote was from me), etc, desperately giving chase, turning in fine times, but unable to match them.

Wessinghage ranked in the TAFNEWS top 10 in the 1500/mile every year 1975-1983 and in the 5000 every year 1979-1983.

[Powell]

Ereng was on my shortlist, too, but I already had too many Kenyans. I have never seen anybody destroy a field like he did in his indoor world record. Go to youtube and watch it, it is a thing of beauty.

An incredible finish to be sure. It looks like he might have even run negative splits, which is unheard of in an 800 WR. But surely Kipketer destroyed the field more comprehensively in the 1997 WIC?

[Atanvarno]

But surely Kipketer destroyed the field more comprehensively in the 1997 WIC?

Yes, but Kipketer was leading gun to tape in both his indoor records. Ereng came from far behind and made everybody else look like they were walking on the last lap. I think even Kipketer would have had problems matching that finishing speed.
But nevertheless, Ereng didn't make my list, but Kipketer made it (even Top Ten)

[mump boy]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept

I haven't asked anyone to 'defend' anyone just to explain what is is about their choices that they like. There are no right or wrong answers just different ones. We don't have to all agree and it might inspire some chat.

If people can't take somebody questioning their choices then an internet forum (you know, where the whole concept is to discuss things) is probably not the place for them

[mump boy]

And this was implicit from the get go: the platform this provides for jackasses to parade their moral superiority. Sorry, but I for one don't need that crap.

As it seems to pain you so much i have taken your choices out of the poll, that way you will have no further need to visit this thread and upset yourself.

[mump boy]

I almost had Paul Ereng on my list too, for his olympic win alone. In that race he timed his run to perfection while all those around him succumbed to fatigue.

I picked Paul Ereng

Such class complete surprise when he won in 88 but he backed it up with amongst other things 2 WI champs and WI record. I remember when he won WI in 89 and he turned up there was no KEN team there for some reason and he had no kit, so they let him run in in college vest. He alos won an award for most handsome man at the champs

Perfect example of even pace running in 88 and such a beautiful running style

am i allowed to post this ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt9eI3Vm ... page#t=73s

great watch just for the worst commentary you've ever heard

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-724HNIYJI

what's not to love ?

(see what i did there ? EXPLAINED why i voted for someone !! i hope no one is upset by it)

[Flumpy]

I almost had Paul Ereng on my list too, for his olympic win alone.

Me too. He was my 21. The most beautiful running action of all time.

[mump boy]

309-294 (1 Vote 9 Points)

Astrid Kumbernuss
Andrew Wheating
Carl Brown
Harold Connelly
Inger Miller
Irving Saladino
Jen Rhimes
Kylie Hutson
Katrin Krabbe
Mike Connelly
Paul Drayton
Patrick Sjoberg
Robert Korzeniowski

[Flumpy]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept

But there is no 'defending your favourites' concept. The whole point of this thread is to provoke discussion throughout the winter months whilst there is not much action taking place. If no one questions other people's choices the whole thing is just a completely pointless list of peoples names.

I've taken part in many of these before (Mostly on pop music forums) and they are great fun plus a fantastic way to find out about singers (Or in this case athletes) that you may not have been aware of. A recent one I took part in went on for nearly 4 months with all kinds of debates raging from whether an artists entire back catalogue should be taken into account, ABBA's shocking lack of support, Katy Perry's feminist credentials and why there are no great male pop stars at the moment. It went from intellectual debates to childish name calling over the course of 350 pages and more 5000 posts. It was the single best thing I've ever taken part in on the internet.

Asking someone why they have voted for a particular athlete shouldn't be taken as an attack on them or a parading of 'moral authority' simply as a chance to explain that particular choice. It may be that there is a very rational and interesting explanation, it may be that we'll vehemently disagree. Either way is fine. It doesn't make anyone's opinions more valid than anyone else's but it does meant that we can have some friendly and enjoyable discussions over the next few weeks.

Voting for as woman who has been banned for life seems a strange choice and I'd actually be very interested to find out why someone would do so. What is controversial about that?

I'm certain that there are picks of mine that others will disagree with for a variety of reasons and if they wish to question me about it I'll happily explain.

THAT'S THE POINT OF THE THREAD!!!

Anyone who has a problem with this doesn't have to take part and in fact it would make it a lot more enjoyable for the rest of us if they didn't.

[72]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept

But there is no 'defending your favourites' concept. The whole point of this thread is to provoke discussion throughout the winter months whilst there is not much action taking place. If no one questions other people's choices the whole thing is just a completely pointless list of peoples names.

I've taken part in many of these before (Mostly on pop music forums) and they are great fun plus a fantastic way to find out about singers (Or in this case athletes) that you may not have been aware of. A recent one I took part in went on for nearly 4 months with all kinds of debates raging from whether an artists entire back catalogue should be taken into account, ABBA's shocking lack of support, Katy Perry's feminist credentials and why there are no great male pop stars at the moment. It went from intellectual debates to childish name calling over the course of 350 pages and more 5000 posts. It was the single best thing I've ever taken part in on the internet.

Asking someone why they have voted for a particular athlete shouldn't be taken as an attack on them or a parading of 'moral authority' simply as a chance to explain that particular choice. It may be that there is a very rational and interesting explanation, it may be that we'll vehemently disagree. Either way is fine. It doesn't make anyone's opinions more valid than anyone else's but it does meant that we can have some friendly and enjoyable discussions over the next few weeks.

Voting for as woman who has been banned for life seems a strange choice and I'd actually be very interested to find out why someone would do so. What is controversial about that?

I'm certain that there are picks of mine that others will disagree with for a variety of reasons and if they wish to question me about it I'll happily explain.

THAT'S THE POINT OF THE THREAD!!!

Anyone who has a problem with this doesn't have to take part and in fact it would make it a lot more enjoyable for the rest of us if they didn't.

[72]

[quote]But there is no 'defending your favourites' concept. The whole point of this thread is to provoke discussion throughout the winter months whilst there is not much action taking place. If no one questions other people's choices the whole thing is just a completely pointless list of peoples names[quote]


Thats correct!!

[pakillo]

Inger Miller- had huge injury problems during her career but in Sevilla 1999 she was at her best. Loved her

[Atanvarno]

So my next three are out of the running:

Jürgen Schult
European Champion 1990, World Champion 1987, Olympic Champion 1988, still the Word Record Holder, competed into his forties and is now national coach for the throws in Germany. Impressed me with his technical ability with the discus that allowed him to stay competitive when he no longer could rely on brute force alone.

Astrid Kumbernuss
Well at least one other person has not forgotten about her. The dominant shotputter of the 90ies. World Champion 95,97,99, Olympic Champion 1996, European Champion 1990. Posed nude for STERN and looked quite well

Daniel Komen
Go to youtube. Watch the video of the 3000m World Record. Listen to the commentary as Hutchings/Cram go from ridiculing him for the foolishly fast opening pace to incredulous admiration by the 2000m mark.
From 95 to 97 he was the only one to strike fear in the Emperors heart. Unfortunately the video of the Zurich 5000m has been pulled from youtube.

[dj]

My one-offs were:
• Yuriy Sedykh
• Ulf Timmermann
• Ludvik Daněk
• John Powell
I'm surprised no one else picked Powell or Timmermann.

This is not a good sign. I presumed I had a solo on Yuriy Syedikh.

Variant spellings must be skewing the results.

[mump boy]

I didn't vote for any of them but i was sad to say goodbye to Astrid, Deratu and Mike Connely and i almost voted for Daniel Komen but i can't forgive him for disappearing prematurely.

I might have a unfulfilled potential thread sometime and he would be my No1

[mump boy]

My one-offs were:
• Yuriy Sedykh
• Ulf Timmermann
• Ludvik Daněk
• John Powell
I'm surprised no one else picked Powell or Timmermann.

This is not a good sign. I presumed I had a solo on Yuriy Syedikh.

Variant spellings must be skewing the results.

Bushop didn't vote for Sedyk !!

But if any of you think i've missed a vote please let me know i'll happily check, i'm sure i've made a few mistakes

[lapsus]

I'm a little bit annoyed at the "defending your favorites" concept

I had interpreted that comment in a positive way. If an athlete makes our top 20 then clearly we have praise to heap on them. But not to defend the choice, rather to extol the athlete.

I can't believe that any athlete that makes someones list can be considered in a bad way. Even if there are drug positives in the collection, if they made such an impact on voters such that they are still held in high regard, then who are we to judge such choices? And clearly there is more to this than just on field accomplishments. Personal interactions with the athletes or nationality can sway our choices in a big way.

Fair enough, & well put.