Aussie Aussie Aussie - 2013

[Speedster]

Sally's run corrects to 11.11, which would break MGT's 11.12A AR.

I think the way her luck is going in the 100m, she'll finish her career with a PB of 11.13 -10.5m/s

Sad part.... I agree >_<

11.13 would be a low-alt AR! But I hope that the wind gods allow Sally a chance to break it fair and square one day. Maybe one season she will focus on the sprints exclusively and get into the 10s!

[Vault-emort]

Steve Hooker's city-square comp in Köln yesterday wasn't anything flash. Conditions didn't appear to be great (and the comp was won at only 5.40m) but still..

Hooker 5.00 xxo 5.20 xxx

Mitch Watt pulled out of LJ due to the weather.

[Vault-emort]

11.13 would be a low-alt AR!

Well she does hold the low-alt AR already!

PROGRESSION
11.65 Marjorie Jackson (Nelson) 13 Sep 31 1f Helsinki 22 Jul 52
11.58 Marilyn Black 20 May 44 1h6 Tokyo 14 Oct 64
11.4e Marilyn Black (Vassella) 20 May 44 1h2 Tokyo 15 Oct 64
11.23 Raelene Boyle 24 Jun 51 2f München 02 Sep 72
11.22 Raelene Boyle 24 Jun 51 3s2 Montreal 25 Jul 76
11.19 Kerry Johnson 23 Oct 63 1s2 Auckland 28 Jan 90
11.15 Melinda Gainsford (Taylor) 01 Oct 71 2f Nrnberg 15 Jun 95
11.14 Sally McLellan (Pearson) 19 Sep 86 1h3 Osaka 26 Aug 07

[Speedster]

11.13 would be a low-alt AR!

Well she does hold the low-alt AR already!

PROGRESSION
11.65 Marjorie Jackson (Nelson) 13 Sep 31 1f Helsinki 22 Jul 52
11.58 Marilyn Black 20 May 44 1h6 Tokyo 14 Oct 64
11.4e Marilyn Black (Vassella) 20 May 44 1h2 Tokyo 15 Oct 64
11.23 Raelene Boyle 24 Jun 51 2f München 02 Sep 72
11.22 Raelene Boyle 24 Jun 51 3s2 Montreal 25 Jul 76
11.19 Kerry Johnson 23 Oct 63 1s2 Auckland 28 Jan 90
11.15 Melinda Gainsford (Taylor) 01 Oct 71 2f Nrnberg 15 Jun 95
11.14 Sally McLellan (Pearson) 19 Sep 86 1h3 Osaka 26 Aug 07

I thought MGT had a 11.14 from 94 as well?

[Vault-emort]

I thought MGT had a 11.14 from 94 as well?

Was it windy maybe? I thought her second best non-altitude time was 11.16 from '97

[Athleticsimaging]

I thought MGT had a 11.14 from 94 as well?

94 season:

11.12 +1.9 Sestriere 31 Jul
11.25 -0.2 Melbourne 24 Feb
11.28 +1.2 Victoria 23 Aug
11.29 +0.2 Victoria 22 Aug
11.31 -0.2 Victoria 23 Aug
11.38 -0.9 Hobart 21 Feb
11.39 0.0 Monte Carlo 2 Aug
11.41 +0.3 Portland 6 Aug
11.41 +0.3 Prince George 13 Aug
11.44 -1.1 Sydney 30 Jan
11.45 +1.1 Brisbane 5 Feb

[mal]

The mission objective of AA should be to ensure maximum representation in all events at all international competitions.

Yeah, because in this global economy everyone has money to splash around. And send everyone! No standards to be an Olympian. Just run third at nationals in a weak athletics nation 7 seconds off the pace, and off you go. Please.

Not true ever.
I once ran third, had a qualifier and didn't go.
Its bad enough having the geography we do, and the out of season competition. Not everyone can go OS.
Australia has enough hurdles to overcome without making it even harder.

[Athleticsimaging]

Australia has enough hurdles to overcome without making it even harder.

That's true. I don't understand the compulsion to berate Australian athletes and exult in their exclusion from teams for failing to perform to a standard that no northern hemisphere athlete ever has to. Can you imagine the the whinging and bitching of Euro and USA athletes if every Olympics and WC was held in season for the southern hemisphere???

[Vault-emort]

Most of this is not breaking news, but shows there are still appeals happening in both men's relays. http://t.co/A4Ba5Jp8

Men’s 4x100m Relay **
Anthony Alozie, Tim Leathart, Andrew McCabe, Isaac Ntiamoah, Joshua Ross

Men’s 4x400m Relay **
Joel Milburn, Ben Offereins, Steven Solomon, John Steffensen

** Subject to the outcome of an ongoing appeal.

Probably why the Cole/Thomas names were removed from the 4x4 list (as they are individually qualified)?

[AS]

The pool of possible appellants is surely constrained to the following (from the 'shadow squad'):

Matt Davies (100m/200m)
Liam Gander (100m)
Jake Hammond (100m)
Aaron Rouge-Serret (100m/200m)
Alex Beck (400m)
Jackson Mallory (400m)
Alexander Rowe (400m)
Sean Wroe (400m)

[Vault-emort]

The pool of possible appellants is surely constrained to the following (from the 'shadow squad'):

Matt Davies (100m/200m)
Liam Gander (100m)
Jake Hammond (100m)
Aaron Rouge-Serret (100m/200m)
Alex Beck (400m)
Jackson Mallory (400m)
Alexander Rowe (400m)
Sean Wroe (400m)

They just announced it's apparently only Davies and Beck (to be judged tonight).

[typpo]

ABC TV are reporting the death of sprinter Daniel Batman in a car accident today in the Northern Territory. Sheesh...

[Vault-emort]

One of our best-ever all-round sprint talents though probably never reached his full potential.

100m 10.19
200m 20.44
400m 45.04

[Athleticsimaging]

..... probably never reached his full potential.....

Make that "probably" a definitely, Vault-emort. I've never seen an athlete have so many changes of focus and breaks in training and yet still have such a great all round standard.

I had dinner with him a few years back in the city of churches and found him quite a nice guy. My condolences to his ex and their children.

[AS]

Here's the story on Batman's passing:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-26/a ... section=nt

Sad news.

[El Toro]

Well, it looks like the early announcement by AA also has implications for the women's relay team members who don't have individual spots.

Australia has been put out of the top 16 after the heats of the EC relay gave the following:

- Germany a new SB of 43.03 to go with a 43.19 for a total of 86.22 amd moved from 9th to 8th place, swapping places with Netherlands.
- Poland ran a 43.13 SB to go with a 43.77 to total 86.90 from 17th to 10th
- Switzerland a new SB of 43.51 to go with a 43.81 for a total of 87.32 and moved from 18th to 15th

UK is also out of top 16 at 17th place and was DQ'd, so no improvement possible in the final. Australia one place behind at 18th.

Looks like Hayley Butler (NSW), Jessica Knox (NSW), and Charlotte Van Veenendaal (Vic) will have to hand those uniforms back.

[Vault-emort]

Looks like Hayley Butler (NSW), Jessica Knox (NSW), and Charlotte Van Veenendaal (Vic) will have to hand those uniforms back.

Sad but inevitable on the times put up this year.

Possibly a shame that a 4x1 in Europe last week (say Pearson/Breen/Brennan/Gayen) couldn't have had a go at a 43.5.

[El Toro]

A bit of Fairfax investigative output has been pointed AA and Eric Hollingsworth's way. Enjoy it before the journos all finish up their jobs.

Athletics chief fights back

[Vault-emort]

I see our men's 4x1 WILL get to run in London. They just clocked 38.68 in Japan.

[El Toro]

I see our men's 4x1 WILL get to run in London. They just clocked 38.68 in Japan.

Yep, Ghana and South Africa failed to improve at African champs - both would have had to improve to knock Australia out.

[Vault-emort]

So.....for future World/OG qualifying (CG shouldn't need it - they should be auto selections every time), what should the AA's relay strategy be?

I'd prefer something like this:

A) International (eg NZL/OCE) races for 4x1/4x4 over a two-day meet - eg Hobart.

B) 1 (or 2) weeks after Melbourne GP/State Champs, a relay camp/meet is held in conjunction with ACT Championships. NZL/Asian teams are invited - perhaps 3 races at 4x1 and 2x4x4 over a two-day period. Olympic/WC team members are required to participate and hopefully best AUS B/U20/U18 squads also start.

C) If qualification still in doubt (ie not Top 10) then a Japan/Korea fallback strategy planned. Otherwise it's pre-departure relay training camps in GCO with a competitive o/s race or 2 prior to the international contest

[Athleticsimaging]

So.....for future World/OG qualifying (CG shouldn't need it - they should be auto selections every time), what should the AA's relay strategy be?

I'd prefer something like this:

A) International (eg NZL/OCE) races for 4x1/4x4 over a two-day meet - eg Hobart.

B) 1 (or 2) weeks after Melbourne GP/State Champs, a relay camp/meet is held in conjunction with ACT Championships. NZL/Asian teams are invited - perhaps 3 races at 4x1 and 2x4x4 over a two-day period. Olympic/WC team members are required to participate and hopefully best AUS B/U20/U18 squads also start.

C) If qualification still in doubt (ie not Top 10) then a Japan/Korea fallback strategy planned. Otherwise it's pre-departure relay training camps in GCO with a competitive o/s race or 2 prior to the international contest

Hmmm, well planned, timely, integrated with a fallback strategy - NO AA JOB FOR YOU!


PS, vault-emort: the Canberra Times had an article and photo on Judy Wilson (Canty) re her '48 Olympic memories. Probably nothing new but I can transcribe it for you if you want. Let me know here.

[Athleticsimaging]

So.....for future World/OG qualifying (CG shouldn't need it - they should be auto selections every time), what should the AA's relay strategy be?

I'd prefer something like this:

A) International (eg NZL/OCE) races for 4x1/4x4 over a two-day meet - eg Hobart.

B) 1 (or 2) weeks after Melbourne GP/State Champs, a relay camp/meet is held in conjunction with ACT Championships. NZL/Asian teams are invited - perhaps 3 races at 4x1 and 2x4x4 over a two-day period. Olympic/WC team members are required to participate and hopefully best AUS B/U20/U18 squads also start.

C) If qualification still in doubt (ie not Top 10) then a Japan/Korea fallback strategy planned. Otherwise it's pre-departure relay training camps in GCO with a competitive o/s race or 2 prior to the international contest

Hmmm, well planned, timely, integrated with a fallback strategy - NO AA JOB FOR YOU!


PS, vault-emort: the Canberra Times had an article and photo on Judy Wilson (Canty) re her '48 Olympic memories. Probably nothing new but I can transcribe it for you if you want. Let me know here.

edit: Now online http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/l ... 212zm.html

[AS]

So our most vocal male athlete, John Steffensen has been occupying loads of column space with his latest bout of griping.

For those who missed it he's citing racism, bias and various other crimes against humanity because 19yo Steve Solomon has been granted a discretionary 400m slot for London (i.e. as a B-qualifier - one of only two in our team I believe).

What I'm stunned is not being discussed in the press is simply that Steff has no real case for the spot anyway, beyond winning the Trials race way back in March (which didn't guarantee him anything due to his lack of A).

Here's their respective top 5 times for 2012:

Steff:
45.61 Sydney 18 Feb
45.74 Melbourne 3 Mar
46.11 Perth 11 Feb
46.11 Villeneuve d'Ascq 9 Jun
46.45 Madrid 7 Jul

Solomon:
45.52 Barcelona 12 Jul
45.54 Melbourne 15 Apr
45.71 Mannheim 23 Jun
45.80 Brisbane 8 Jun
45.99 Sydney 16 Mar (after a 46.19 heat the day before)

Furthermore Solomon strung together these 3 runs over 3 days at WJ: 46.16, 46.07 & 45.52 PB (=3)

Solomon's PR of last week is faster than any time Steff's run this decade (since his 45.28-led 2009 season).

Not a single journo I've seen (or AA official) has made this clear.

I do feel for Steff, as I rate him our best male sprinter of the past decade, but he doesn't have a leg to stand on unless he knocks out a low-45 in the next week (and I've seen no mention of any race plans either).

[mal]

Steffenson is one of the great disappointments in Oz sprinting. He caught it for a while, then forgot what it was about.

I don't know if its injury or stupidity, but his times are pedestrian. Barely comparable to athletes 30 years ago at best, which is a far cry from his entree to the sport. Mitch would have eaten his lunch every time. So would a few others.
He should get a real job.

[Tuariki]

So our most vocal male athlete, John Steffensen has been occupying loads of column space with his latest bout of griping.

For those who missed it he's citing racism, bias and various other crimes against humanity because 19yo Steve Solomon has been granted a discretionary 400m slot for London (i.e. as a B-qualifier - one of only two in our team I believe).

What I'm stunned is not being discussed in the press is simply that Steff has no real case for the spot anyway, beyond winning the Trials race way back in March (which didn't guarantee him anything due to his lack of A).

Come on AS. When have the media ever let the facts intrude on a good headline.

Racism entrenched in Aussie Athletics

sells more newspaper than

Solomon has better record than Steffensen

Steffensen's ranting makes Nick Symmonds appear to be a paragon of biblical virtue.

[typpo]

I have to say that any sympathy I might have felt for Steffensen as a result of AA's mismanagement of this issue has been negated by his childish bluster and back-pedalling. I wonder whether Alozie, Ntiamoah, Ross, Harradine, etc, think racism has played a part in their OG selections. The more germane issue here is ageism, as commentators like Gideon Haigh have already pointed out. Just how fair is the so-called Rio clause in cases like this? I think that's a legitimate debate and I can understand the frustration older athletes feel, particularly someone like Steffensen, who has generated interest in his sport over time, whether it's been good or bad. He's an Olympic and WC relay medallist, not to mention a WC finalist individually - I agree that he's entitled to a little respect, even if it's only for these achievements. Perhaps the biggest story in all of this is just how divided AA appears to be internally on this and related issues, with the CEO, high performance manager and even selectors appearing at times to be working at cross-purposes.

I do welcome Solomon's selection. He strung three good races together in as many days and ran a PB in a WJ final for third, as well as running a sub-45 relay leg, so the kid is not only talented but has very recent experience dealing with the rigours of championship rounds. But in the circumstances, it's hard to understand the value of both the OG trial (won by Steffensen) and nationals (won by Solomon) both run a few months ago now. Solomon's definitely a better bet on form right now but the absence of procedural fairness that has Steffensen screaming blue murder is quite real, I think.

[Smoke]

Hi guys. Since John never said he was not selected due to racism it may behoove you to read and hear what was said rather than criticize the headline that you have run with. He mentioned racism in reference to his past dealings with AA. In this particular case, he has simply stated that AA has gone directly against its own edicts about selection this season. As he said, the goal post have been moved.
Since you are citing facts let me help your arguments. Solomon has yet to defeat John this season taking very sound defeats during the Australian domestic season, including their trials. Solomon finished 3rd. My question is where is Ben in this debate? More specifically, Solomon had a clear target this summer, World Juniors. He better had run fast, that was his major meet for the summer. Meanwhile, John pulled his hamstring at Stawell in April. He took 6 weeks to rehab, and was chasing the arbitrary deadline of June 7th to get A. He simply did not have enough time. He fought for an extension and received one, but the leg has taken longer than wanted to heal.
So while Solomon had the luxury of WJC at Barcelona, John was left to find random races to chase a time. Fast forward to today. Now that the youngster has run well, which John openly acknowledged, AA jumps up and snatches him from third to the individual spot! No A standard, no real distinction between John's 45.67 run in the rain at Melbourne to Steve's 45.52 run in Barcelona under championship conditions.
So while I know you guys love to hate him, Steff is more than justified in his outrage. He made it clear he has no beef with Steve. If Steve achieves the A before John, John will accept that. But to arbitrarily chose the young man, when he did not win trials, finished 3rd, has not dropped a significant time, has not achieved the A.
Trust me! If not for the previous edicts that no B would be chosen and the random deadline of June 7th, half the times you see for John would not be there. We would have taken a much more sensible approach to races, rather than trying to force the issue. Needless to say I think you will see a change in his performances going forward. His body is better, evidenced by his 46.02 he ran today.

[Jacksf]

Steff may or may not be justified here. But I don't care. He's such a jerk and always has been, I'm inclined to discount pretty much anything he says.

[Jacksf]

By the way, it seems Steffenson IS saying that racism IS the reason he wasn't selected:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/o ... index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/07/14/australia-aborigine-runner-racism-boycott.ap/index.html

[Jacksf]

Since John never said he was not selected due to racism it may behoove you to read and hear what was said rather than criticize the headline that you have run with. He mentioned racism in reference to his past dealings with AA. In this particular case, he has simply stated that AA has gone directly against its own edicts about selection this season. As he said, the goal post have been moved.

This is just not true.
Yes, he did say the goal posts were moved. But they were moved because of racism.
He is plainly saying that.

"The rules and the goal posts are getting shifted. Now they're going to pick who they want to put in the team. I've put up with being racially vilified by this federation, being discriminated against on many teams ... you know it would help if I was a different color. No, they can have athletics. I don't need to do this anymore."

My thought is John is jerk and big fat baby, and always has been. I really dislike him, and always have.

[AS]

Smoke, I appreciate the insights (one of the real benefits on being on these boards). You are certainly articulating John's concerns much more effectively than he has.

I remain confused about the basic argument however. A few questions:

1. Does John think his own selection as our solo 400m competitor would be justified based on recent form?
2. Does John believe Solomon's selection ahead of him is not justified?
3. Would he rather no one ran at all?

And where did he 46.02 (which is still far from a screaming endorsement for a solo spot)?

With regard to discretionary selections (i.e. for events where there are only B-qualifier options), my hierarchy for selection would be:
1. Young athletes near the cusp with some evidence of very recent (i.e. non-Aussie) form at at least B-standard
2. Experienced athletes who have consistently performed at champs with some evidence of very recent (i.e. non-Aussie) form at at least B-standard
3. Mid-career athletes with some success in lesser champs with repeated evidence of very recent (i.e. non-Aussie) form at at least B-standard

That would probably add the following athletes to the team (including those who were added):
Breen, Solomon
There aren't many (if any) 2s (given existing As... otherwise it'd be Lapierre)
Renshaw would be a 3 (but for Riseley)

AA (in particular Hollingworth) painted themselves into a corner with their dumb selection approach to Delhi Comm Games. They should have taken the hugest team possible (given the weak qual requirements) to give the 20-28 year olds with limited champs experience the best insight into what is involved (and to demonstrate such acumen). A void has opened up due to this error.

[Athleticsimaging]

I remain confused......

That's what happens when you think about AA's decision making processes.....

This is a difficult one - well, not really. Australian 400m is littered with athletes with one or two good seasons and in the post 1970 era, there have only been 3 athletes that have demonstrated longevity and winningness; Rick Mitchell, Darren Clarke and John Steffensen.

JS has been unfortunate with injuries post 2006, yet has always peaked when it counted, including smashing Solomon at the supposed key domestic competition this year. The time may not have been what anybody hoped for but he won.

To now say "well despite a proven track record and beating the only other possible choice when asked to do so, you can fuck off", is to put it mildly, somewhat rude. It is probably made worse because there appears to be active discrimination against older athletes, even those who have supported AA competitions when others haven't.

I freely admit that I think AA's (or Hollingsworth's) A qualifiers only approach is fundamentally flawed and that those on their way up and on their way out should also be sent where possible ie one clear possible such as Manou. However, in the 400m this is not the case and I would always go with the winningest athlete and that is still JS at this moment.

[mump boy]

i have no idea about the rights and wrongs of this situation but i will say that Australia, despite being one of my favourite places in the world, is TOTALLY racist.

[mal]

i have no idea about the rights and wrongs of this situation but i will say that Australia, despite being one of my favourite places in the world, is TOTALLY racist.

Unlike all the rest of the countries in the world which welcome diversity, race, gender and opinion.

NAf off.