Finally got to see the Men's 200 meters last night (and since we didn't win didn't have to wait til midnight!) .. Couple of thoughts .. Not to take anything away from Kenteris, but Capel was clearly the top 200 man in Sydney .. However, no matter how good you are, you can't give everyone a head start and still win the race .. And essentially that is what happened in the final .. I don't know who the start and recall starters were .. Or what kind of experience they have .. But not recalling that race was the most glaring error I have seen at any level of competition, let alone an Olympic final .. Capel clearly moved and should have been called for a false start .. At the very least the field should have been called up and reset .. Instead Capel ended up spotting the field about 5 meters and the rest is history .. Never heard of Kenteris before, and won't make any comments regarding that .. Will say however, that he ran well for two days .. Set multiple PRs, and in the wake of the conditions earned his gold medal, as he better than anyone took advantage of Capel NOT being out in front coming off that turn .. Not Boldon, not Thompson or anyone else inn the race rose to the occasion during that 20+ seconds .. Boldon's secondary medals in Atlanta were blamed on youth and inexperience .. After Sydney's sprints I would say that we may have seen the changing of the guard with Fredericks and he - both extremely fast, but like Ottey just not able to get to the line first in the big ones .. This race was supposed to be Ato's to lose with Mo and MJ out .. And he did .. Lose it that is .. He was never a factor for two days .. Didn't look like a winner from heats to quarters to semis to final .. While he and Greene may have equivalent speed (give or take) Boldon does not have his partners passion for winning .. And that is something that Smith can't give him .. Oba too has all the gifts except the drive .. The passion .. That indomitable will to win .. Fast AND smooth, he should have been the 200 champion .. But when he runs he's just running .. You don't see that drive in his eyes .. That extra oomph in his drive/stride .. Linford Christie is looking like the next John Smith .. His charges have medalled in both sprints now (and his females have also done well) .. His athletes are starting to show that will to win .. So maybe it can be taught .. EArly prediction for 2004 ... Barring injury or the unexplained, if Greene is healthy come Athens he will win the sprint double .. Hands down .. No one else has his speed and no one else has his desire .. The only one I see stopping this train is Capel who is not quite as quick but perhaps a little stronger and has that "attitude" .. That head wagging, look at me I AM good, attitude .. And I know a lot of you out there don't like it .. But THAT is what wins the close races ... THAT is what separates the wheat from the chaff .. When all the training is done you GOTTA BELIEVE .. Greene believes .. Capel believes .. And coming down the stretch in the 200 final Kenteris believed .. Everyone else was guessing or hoping .. And it showed .. Conway Hill [EMAIL PROTECTED]
