Aussie Aussie Aussie - 2013

[AS]

Interestingly mump, Australia is typically ranked in the top 2-3 countries globally for actual ethnic diversity (in terms of number and percentage of residents born overseas (and/or with parents born overseas) and by breadth of countries).

The country has some pretty progressive anti-vilification and anti-discrimination legislation.

On the other hand, we have a horrible history of mistreating our indigenous population (comparable to that of the US), and ran a nasty anti-Asian immigration policy until the 1960s.

Like most countries there is a tiny crackpot white supremacist fringe, and some pretty ignorant rednecks floating around.

And cultural sensitivity ain't a strongpoint within our 'tell like it is'/'make fun of everyone' communication style. And the further you get from the more ethnically diverse major cities the more likely it is you'll encounter ignorance/hostility.

I have no doubt you encountered some dickheads in your visit (and probably more of them in London (especially given the tendency of boofhead Aussies to find likeminded Kiwis and South Africans to egg them on), and for that I'm sorry.

But in terms of actual out and out systemic racism, you'd be hard pressed to make a strong case that we're much worse than most western countries I've visited (and, in many instances, less so than the more deeply entrenched prejudices I've seen in Mediterranean Europe and Asia).
-------------------
And back to the actual Steffensen vs Solomon scenario, the racism card is just weird. It has been pointed out that both of them are South African by heritage (Steff-"mixed race", Solomon - Jewish), and that the 2012 team has a fair mix of backgrounds (including Indigenous and West African).

And to the original question of form, I still don't see what case there is that Steff has any form advantage. Beating Solomon back in March is hardly a strong sign, nor is not running a B since then... Relying on a "he used to run well in Champs" argument would see Darren Clark, Rick Mitchell and Mark Garner equally in the mix!!

[typpo]

John's 46.02 was run at a small meet in France according to Tilastopaja.

I'm not too uncomfortable with Solomon's selection, but in the circumstances I wonder whether a run-off might have been a fairer way to settle the matter.

[AS]

John's 46.02 was run at a small meet in France according to Tilastopaja.

I'm not too uncomfortable with Solomon's selection, but in the circumstances I wonder whether a run-off might have been a fairer way to settle the matter.

I would have been very comfortable with that too. Indeed, much of the furore seems to spring from the very opaque process whereby Solomon was prematurely told of his elevation and Steff found out afterwards. There was no real reason to go early, and a run-off (perhaps with the entire 4x4 squad) would have been a much better choice...

So, surprise, surprise AA got it wrong!!

[mal]

I suspect the selectors made the decision to add Solomon on what they consider his potential.

That means Steffenson wasn't in consideration, as a veteran on the supposed downside.

Life is apparently moving on for Steffenson.

[mump boy]

Interestingly mump, Australia is typically ranked in the top 2-3 countries globally for actual ethnic diversity (in terms of number and percentage of residents born overseas (and/or with parents born overseas) and by breadth of countries).

The country has some pretty progressive anti-vilification and anti-discrimination legislation.

On the other hand, we have a horrible history of mistreating our indigenous population (comparable to that of the US), and ran a nasty anti-Asian immigration policy until the 1960s.

Like most countries there is a tiny crackpot white supremacist fringe, and some pretty ignorant rednecks floating around.

And cultural sensitivity ain't a strongpoint within our 'tell like it is'/'make fun of everyone' communication style. And the further you get from the more ethnically diverse major cities the more likely it is you'll encounter ignorance/hostility.

I have no doubt you encountered some dickheads in your visit (and probably more of them in London (especially given the tendency of boofhead Aussies to find likeminded Kiwis and South Africans to egg them on), and for that I'm sorry.

But in terms of actual out and out systemic racism, you'd be hard pressed to make a strong case that we're much worse than most western countries I've visited (and, in many instances, less so than the more deeply entrenched prejudices I've seen in Mediterranean Europe and Asia).

To be honest i didn't encounter any racism at all, i'm ok because i'm from UK and 'cool'. BUT i've never been anywhere were it was acceptable to speak about or treat people the way indiginous people are treated in Australia. I met some amazing people in Australia including my ex boyfriend and all of them thought it totally acceptable to speak about 'Abos' and Asians in the most offensive terms. I've been to Sydney, Melbourne, Byrons Bay, Brisbane, Whitsunday and have even seen an indiginous person who wasn't drunk on the street !!

There are also loads of totally harmless comments (you're a lovely colour, not too dark !!) which i put down to ignorance rather than anything malicious. This is coming from my friends in my company so i dread to think what people of a less liberal persuation have to say

That is just my experience (and that of anyone of any ethnicity that i know who's been)

Having said that Australia is my favourite place for holiday and i totally expect to move Sydney for an extended period at some time. If i am long there for longer than a holiday i fully expect to have a number heated debates though !!

[AS]

Steffensen is down to run in Italy (Pergine) today (vs Offereins):

http://www.fidal.it/risultati/2012/COD3316/GaraL060.htm

(that's the startlist NOT the result)

[Vault-emort]

In Poland, Steve Hooker finally cleared a reasonable height (5.72) in an outdoor comp. Yay!

[GMH454]

In Poland, Steve Hooker finally cleared a reasonable height (5.72) in an outdoor comp. Yay!

and that is the best news I have heard in a while...

[El Toro]

Steffensen is down to run in Italy (Pergine) today (vs Offereins):

http://www.fidal.it/risultati/2012/COD3316/GaraL060.htm

(that's the startlist NOT the result)

Result bad for Offereins and unconvincing for Steffensen.

1 3 521 STEFFENSEN John 1982 SM AUS01 AUSTRALIA 46.37 1022
2 2 523 DE SWARDT Jacques 1992 PM RSA01 SUDAFRICA 46.68 1002
3 6 520 KETLOGETSWE Thapelo 1991 PM BOT01 BOTSWANA 46.93 986
4 5 522 LORENZI Marco 1993 JM RM056 G.A. FIAMME GIALLE 47.16 972
5 4 525 OFFEREINS Ben 1986 SM AUS01 AUSTRALIA 47.62 944
6 1 524 DRUCE Tom 1986 SM GBR01 GRAN BRETAGNA 47.83 932

Plus more details on the racism story. Apparently Steffensen was referring to team official at Beijing. Story in the SMH - Steffensen racially vilified in Beijing

[El Toro]

In the same comp as Hooker's 5.72, Benn Harradine came second to Alekna and beat Małachowski, although it should be noted that Malachowski has been injured.

1 Virgilijus Alekna LTU 68.50
2 Benn Harradine AUS 64.92
3 Piotr Małachowski 64.29
4 Robert Urbanek 64.27

To add to all that creamy goodness, Harradine had a very consistent series.

Benn HARRADINE 64.92 x 64.15 63.04 61.63 63.69

Conditions off website were temp: 15°C Humidity:: 59 % Conditionsi: cloudy

Also, Boden ran 56.69 over the hurdles.

[Tuariki]

Hooker and Pearson for gold. There, I said it. My trans Tasman cousins from West Island will get one more gold than NZ.

[Vault-emort]

Hopefully the Aussie mainland will - via Pearson, Watt, Tallent and a couple more field-eventers - tally at least four more medals than our pacific island colonies!

[user4]

Steffensen is down to run in Italy (Pergine) today (vs Offereins):
http://www.fidal.it/risultati/2012/COD3316/GaraL060.htm
(that's the startlist NOT the result)

Result bad for Offereins and unconvincing for Steffensen.

1 3 521 STEFFENSEN John 1982 SM AUS01 AUSTRALIA 46.37 1022

Plus more details on the racism story. Apparently Steffensen was referring to team official at Beijing. Story in the SMH - Steffensen racially vilified in Beijing

If true, if he was called those racially demeaning names then something is foul down under.

[Vault-emort]

If trueif he was called those racially demeaning names then something is foul down under.

If is a big word in the Steffensen world. As much as I admire his athletic ability and even - at times - his personality, I sometimes cannot believe the things that come out of his mouth. Mostly they're sensational and do not always withstand proper scrutiny.

Even if this story is true, perhaps it's a case of the boy who cried wolf.

It's a shame that the Stawell injury (when he was looking damn good) seems to have affected his last (?) Olympic campaign - with some luck he could have added more decent results to his career record.

Anyway I guess the latest controversies will help his tell-all book which surely has to come out next year? Title - 'In John We Trust'?

[jjimbojames]

Would be interesting to know why he was kicked out of the room he was sharing with Hooker; Steff implies Hooker was on his side, which would mean someone else made the call

Likely to be a bit more to it than what appears in that article, though...

[AS]

Hooker is backing up Steffensen's story re: the Beijing incident:

http://www.theage.com.au/olympics/athle ... 22lbt.html

[onestepatatime]

With all of the carry on from Steffenson it seems that a number of key points have been lost in the wash.
1. If he feels so strongly about the Beijing incident, why has it only really surfaced publicly 4 years later after he missed an individual berth for London? Steffenson has always spouted other strong views in the public domain - why did he bottle it?

2. 46.02 of late is no indication that he is back in shape. That is where he should have been opening his season back in December so that he could build to sub 45 shape for London. Even if he did hit a low 45 in London, given his prep it is highly unlikely that he will be able to back up through subsequent rounds.

3. More importantly, to be medal competitve in London he needs to start sub 45.0 - 45.5 and get faster with each round - how many actual 400's has he races this last 8 months to prepare for that? What has he done that involves subsequent backing up to prepare for that? Most importantly WTF was he doing running in the Stawell Gift in an Olympic year? How does prepare him for his biggest challenge this year and potentially his last crack at the Olympics?

4. What has Steffenson really done at a major Championship level on an individual basis since the Melb Comm Games - ahem 6 years ago? He hasn't got near that PB in that time, but expects to be selected for a comp where he will have to run much faster to survive a semi final.

In closing Steffenson has been his own worst enemy. His planning for major titles has been very ordinary and lacking focus to say the least. And to deflect the reality of career that has gone downhill, has reverted to blaming all an sundry for his outcomes. With all of the arguments with AA he has been the constant. He has forgotten that when you point the finger at someone you have three of your own fingers pointing back at you. It's a great pity because he could have been the fastest 400 metre runner we have ever had.

[mal]

Seems the Solomon choice showed solomnic wisdom by the selectors.

Wonderful performance by him to do everything that you suggested. Faster by each round. He isn't going to medal, but he's been an inspiration the way he's competed.

What a star, now and to come.

[Athleticsimaging]

Seems the Solomon choice showed solomnic wisdom by the selectors.

No, Solomonic wisdom would have been telling both of them that the relay was not getting a run in order to have one of them in the individual 400. The one that gave up the individual place to save the relay team from death would get the individual run.

[GMH454]

great day to be an athlete here in OZ.. thanks Sally

[mal]

Seems the Solomon choice showed solomnic wisdom by the selectors.

No, Solomonic wisdom would have been telling both of them that the relay was not getting a run in order to have one of them in the individual 400. The one that gave up the individual place to save the relay team from death would get the individual run.

Like your classic reference.

The right guy got the run.

The rest were disappointing to say the least.

They should quietly, or with a cake, retire. Solomon is the only one worth throwing any energy behind.

So much 'talent' twittering their way through their preparation. Maybe there is an expiration date on talent after all? Fire your shot and leave.

[El Toro]

Story on Dani Samuels and her sister who is playing basketball with the Canberra Capitals this season.

Samuels siblings set hearts on Rio

[AS]

Steve Hooker's split with coach Parnov and is joining Dean Pfaff in USA:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/more- ... 6494980060

[AS]

And a little aside that I couldn't post in the locked Lance Armstrong thread, now disgraced Aussie cyclist Matt White has an awkward link to Australian athletics:

He is married to now retired walker Jane Saville (and was during his admitted misdoings on US Postal around 2003).

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/more- ... 6494871368

It's certainly an unfortunate situation for one of our finest female Olympians of this century (a medalist from Athens and super unlucky in Sydney to be disqualified while leading).

[AS]

Aussie aths has just lost an Olympian to rugby (SPer Dale Stevenson): http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/un ... 285s8.html

[Tuariki]

Aussie aths has just lost an Olympian to rugby (SPer Dale Stevenson): http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/un ... 285s8.html

The Wallabies certainly need some power and strength up front.

However, Stevenson still won't help the Wallabies beat the All Blacks. And I predict he will get squashed by the All Black front row - if he ever gets that far.

[El Toro]

Looks like Jana is going OK with her new sport and we won't see her over the sticks ever again. Story in the courier mail.

Jana achieves best ever result

[Speedster]

Looks like Jana is going OK with her new sport and we won't see her over the sticks ever again. Story in the courier mail.

Jana achieves best ever result

She's really suited to it with her height and build, you've got to have that mass behind you and she's naturally really strong. For these reasons I always found it funny that Lolo and Tianna Madison where both trying the sport, who are both much shorter with slighter builds.

[mal]

Looks like Jana is going OK with her new sport and we won't see her over the sticks ever again. Story in the courier mail.

Jana achieves best ever result

Amusing how she was surprised Pittman 'rose' to the occasion.

When she (the driver) has never achieved in an occasion like Pittman.

[El Toro]

Amusing how she was surprised Pittman 'rose' to the occasion.

When she (the driver) has never achieved in an occasion like Pittman.

To be fair to the driver, I think she was referring to on ice performance not sporting performance generally. Although, push, push, push, jump, sit, shit yourself for 30 seconds doesn't seem too hard to me.

I am wondering how this sort of explosive work on an unforgiving suface works with her toe injury. Will it hold up or was it only a result of her less than straight line hurdling action?

[mal]

I think the ice thing changes the game re her toe. On the track or turf you get degrees of purchase. On the ice you get purchase or no purchase. I'd like to see the shoes they wear.

I would think they are less flexible than track shoes which are really designed to weigh nothing and put spikes on the balls of your feet. I don't think there'd be as much give in ice shoes. Hence, less pressure on the toes. Maybe.

[El Toro]

Here's a close up of a set of spikes. They seem to have multiple pivot points rather than a single plate like track spikes: Spikes closeup

Some more info on the variety of shoes needed for bobsleigh. Make sure to read the section on the spikes and preferred spike etiquette when getting into the sled.

What's in the bag?

A photo of some old style shoes in this explanatory diagram - loving the sleekness!

Bobsleigh basics

The spike structure may have been derived from the track brush spikes banned by IAAf in the late sixties. This article by Len Johnson speculates that it may have been as a result of Willie Davenport taking up the sport around that time.

[El Toro]

Sunday Telegraph had a big two page spread today. Apparently the driver, Astrid Radjenovic, trained for hurdles with Jana years ago. I had a quick look and couldn't find any reference to her on the performance lists, so can't say how good she was.

[El Toro]

Interesting story about Nova Peris being preselected as Labor candidate for NT in the Senate.

PM slammed over Peris pick

[AS]

Nice distance news:

"Ballarat's Collis Birmingham won the Marugame half marathon in Japan on Sunday in 60.55, beating Olympic silver medallist Abel Kirui and posting an Australian and Oceania record."

And Mitchell Watt opens his summer: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/athletic ... 2dsoq.html