2004 Olympic Trials | Day 6

Friday - 16 July 2004 - Sacramento, California: Up early to watch Lance Armstrong... then back to bed for a nice nap. Seriously, getting up at 4 a.m. is like not even going to bed. We had a nice day here at the RV... did a little housekeeping and entertained a steady stream of visitors, including DT's college roommate, Bruce, and Bruce's brothers Ryan and Neil - and their Father. Such fun - and so nice to see everyone again! At five o'clock, we headed over to the track... just in time for our seats to be in the shade!

Before I get started with tonight's happenings, I must report again on the women's 3000 steeple last night. Briana Shook said in today's Bee that she wasn't looking up and didn't notice the official waving her to the water hazard. The second place finisher said she noticed Briana by-passing the jump, but it happened too quickly for her shout-out to her. It was a stoopid mistake.

Really stoopid.

There is a theme to these Trials. Older competitors are not qualifying. People we have followed for years, many in their late 30's, are having to give it up. Sadly, in most cases they have hung-on for such a long time because there is no one coming up to challenge them. Now they are having to retire because their bodies just can't take it any longer. Andrew Bloom did not qualify in the discus. In many events at the trials, the winner (and sometimes the 2nd and 3rd place finishers) has not yet met the minimum qualifying mark to even enter the Olympics. (Just because you win your event here at the Trials, doesn't mean you get to go to Athens!!! There is an Olympic standard for every event... it is a confusing process... but your athletes must be able to run so-fast or jump so-high before competing in Athens.) I worry for the future of US Track & Field.

The 200m men's heats were very good tonight! (All five of them.) DT saw Maurice Green - dressed in jeans, chatting away on his cell phone - fifteen minutes before his heat, so assumed he had scratched to concentrate on the 100m. In the first heat, Justin Gatlin ran a blistering 20.06 and the announcer said it was the fastest time in America this year. In the second heat, Tyson Gay ran 20.07, so that was the 2nd fastest time in America this year. In the third heat, Bernard Williams ran 19.88, so THAT was the fastest time in America and Justin was bumped down to 2nd and Gay down to 3rd and on and on and on through the incredible heats!

The women's 200m heats were not as exciting. The most exciting thing to report is that Torri Edwards actually showed-up and ran. (Even my Mom is emailing me about Torri and the corruptness of sport.) Connie Moore, Torri Edwards, Muna Lee, Inger Miller and Marion Jones are among the 16 women moving to the semi's.

Then the Real Runners came out! Our Boy from American University, Sean O'Brien, was dead last in his 1500m heat. We also cheered for a runner from St. Joseph's, Karl Savage. Not a good day for the Hawks. However, America can be proud of her 1500m runners. Alan Webb and Michael Stember will race again in the final Sunday. Women's 1500m races were also good. Nichole Teter scratched, and will concentrate on her 800 race in Athens. Marla ran 4:09.63, just beating Suzy Favor Hamilton.

In the men's 5000m we had three winners, but none of them have made the Olympic qualifying mark and they only have until August 9 to do so. Timmy Broe, Jonathon Riley and Bolota Asmerom have a little running to do in the next few weeks. Many fans were still in the stands for the women's 10,000m final. Deena Drossin-Kastor took the lead and kept going. She lapped everyone but the 2nd and 3rd-place finishers. She took water several times during the race. On one lap, the medals were being awarded to the men's 5000m winners and Deena actually gave a "thumbs-up" to Broe on the Victory Stand! Deena blew-away the field in 31:09 and waited at the finish line, cheering and clapping for her future teammates as they crossed the tape - hugging them as they finished. Classy Lady.  Elva Dryer (2nd) and Kate O'Neill (3rd) have met the standard and will be in Athens. However, Deena has also made the marathon team and will concentrate on that event... so we will have two women in the 10,000m. Confusing, ain't it?

Trivial stuff: Dan O'Brien gave the medals to the women's shot put winner - Laura Gerraughty of North Carolina - and Alberto Salazar gave out medals tonight too. We scored 4 more Bengay patches.

After the meet, back at Our Intrigue, we were joined by Captain Jim the The Lovely Roxanne for adult beverages, smoked salmon and Track Talk before calling it a night. Lance has set our alarm for early tomorrow morning. Shabbat Shalom.

RV Park: Cal-Expo RV Park