Tweet
Outside of the bizarre Oregon dirt and water commercials, this event delivered day after day.
For one, Ato Bolden is as good as what he does as anyone in broadcasting. Sonya Richards-Ross and Leigh Diffy do a nice job as well. But just tons of outstanding athletes, and refreshingly, almost (or none at all) political statements and or commentary.
Sydney McLaughlin taking the 400H WR under 51 was the moment of the meet, unless Armound Duplantis out did her by setting a new WR in the pole vault (the 5th time he's done that) on the very last activity of the meet just a few minutes ago.
Duplantis is a different character. Born in Louisiana and lived in the USA most of his life (he's spent some summers in Sweden. His mom is Swedish) he's always represented Sweden. His father was a 19 foot vaulter. His mom a heptathlete and volleyball player. One older brother an accomplished vaulter at LSU. The other brother is the all time hit leader for LSU baseball (no small task). His younger sister is a vaulter (freshman) at LSU. The athletic genes are strong in the Duplantis family.
McLaughlin returned to the track tonight to anchor the 4X400 relay for team USA and, naturally, brought home the gold in one of the fastest splits of all time. In fact, her 50.68 in the 400H was a time that would have gotten her 7th place in the OPEN 400 final. Crazy.
Men's shot put, women's javelin, both 4X100 relays, heptathlon (new American superstar born), decathlon.....just a bunch of great competition, good crowds, lots of American champions. Great 10 days.
I neglected to mention that Duplantis' WR brought back memories of American Earl Bell setting a WR in Cessna Stadium back in the mid 70s. Saw it live as a young boy from the west bleachers. Crowd went nuts after the announcer made everyone aware of the fact that he was about to attempt a world record.
I don't remember the weather, but it's Kansas...I have to think it was windy. Seems like an amazing accomplishment (more so than just breaking a WR which is amazing by itself).
For one, Ato Bolden is as good as what he does as anyone in broadcasting. Sonya Richards-Ross and Leigh Diffy do a nice job as well. But just tons of outstanding athletes, and refreshingly, almost (or none at all) political statements and or commentary.
Sydney McLaughlin taking the 400H WR under 51 was the moment of the meet, unless Armound Duplantis out did her by setting a new WR in the pole vault (the 5th time he's done that) on the very last activity of the meet just a few minutes ago.
Duplantis is a different character. Born in Louisiana and lived in the USA most of his life (he's spent some summers in Sweden. His mom is Swedish) he's always represented Sweden. His father was a 19 foot vaulter. His mom a heptathlete and volleyball player. One older brother an accomplished vaulter at LSU. The other brother is the all time hit leader for LSU baseball (no small task). His younger sister is a vaulter (freshman) at LSU. The athletic genes are strong in the Duplantis family.
McLaughlin returned to the track tonight to anchor the 4X400 relay for team USA and, naturally, brought home the gold in one of the fastest splits of all time. In fact, her 50.68 in the 400H was a time that would have gotten her 7th place in the OPEN 400 final. Crazy.
Men's shot put, women's javelin, both 4X100 relays, heptathlon (new American superstar born), decathlon.....just a bunch of great competition, good crowds, lots of American champions. Great 10 days.
I neglected to mention that Duplantis' WR brought back memories of American Earl Bell setting a WR in Cessna Stadium back in the mid 70s. Saw it live as a young boy from the west bleachers. Crowd went nuts after the announcer made everyone aware of the fact that he was about to attempt a world record.
I don't remember the weather, but it's Kansas...I have to think it was windy. Seems like an amazing accomplishment (more so than just breaking a WR which is amazing by itself).
Comment