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Another 1968 Olympic Book by Richard Hoffer, Journalist

When you think of the Political Olympics, you immediately think of 1936 & 1972.  Some may include 1968 “up there” in the ranks.  While you`re at it, add 1980 and 1984.  Heck, add Montreal 1976 with the African boycott and the whole Taiwan mess.
That is why Ben Johnson’s 1988 Seoul race was so special.  For […]

Italian Sprint Heroes - Livio Berruti 200m Rome 1960

During my prime running years, Pietro Mennea’s 200m WR was the holy grail.  19.72 was the 200m WR standard for 17 years.
In fact, Pietro Mennea won the 200m 1980 Olympics in the Moscow Boycotted Olympics.  He also won the Bronze medal at 1972 Munich Olympics at the same distance.  Mennea competed in 4 Olympics (72-76-80-84).
When […]

The 2016 Summer Olympics Winner is…

Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are bidding to host the 2016 Games with the IOC voting on the best bids on October 2 at its session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In my opinion, Chicago has the edge only if President Obama attends the meetings and starts lobbying for it.  In the past, political figures such […]

Running Fast and Injury Free by Gordon Pirie

Gordon Pirie was a British long distance runner who died in 1991.  He is most famous for his silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in the 5000 meters.
If you read last week’s post about the end of the Adidas and Puma Feud, then you’ll be intrigued by the connection of Gordon Pirie and Adi […]

Otis Davis, 1960 400 meter and 4×400m Olympic Champion

In my last article about the Harry Jerome, Bill Bowerman and the University of Oregon connection, I didn’t mention Otis Davis, the Rome 1960 400 meter and USA 4×400m Olympic Champion.
I am currently in Rome, so there is a special connection every time I visit the Rome Olympic Stadium, whether it’s for the Rome Golden […]

George Silk - Women Runners at the Olympics

I am a collector of Olympic memorabilia.
I love the old stuff, and I try to collect videos of past Olympics, books, post cards, posters, T-shirts, and even a Michael Johnson collectors watch (Thanks Derek of Running Mechanics for the birthday gift!).
But my favourite collection has to be the Time Life magazines.
The […]

100-200-400 Sprint Doubles and Triples

When Michael Johnson became the first man to win the 200-400 double at the same Olympics, a lot of people didn’t know that feat was accomplished TWICE by a female athlete.  USA’s Valerie Brisco-Hooks did it in the Eastern Boycott Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 1984.  Then Marie-Jose Perec of France did it hours […]

Technological Innovations in Track and Field

Let’s face it, the new swimming suits have helped demolish world records at a record pace (no pun intended).
Ross and Jonathan from the Science of Sport quoted the average age of a swimming world record for men was 13 months and 8 months for women.  That’s a World Record every year!
By comparison, the average […]

The Important Thing in the Olympic Games

This is what the Olympics are all about.
Below is one of my favourite pictures from the Olympics.
The motto is a classic:
"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well"
- Pierre […]

The “Speed City” Documentary – We Need your Help

Bud Winter coached at San Jose State University from 1944 - 1974 and was responsible for the legendary “Speed City” in the mid 1960’s.
In total, he produced 1 NCAA Championship, 49 NCAA records, and 27 Olympians including including Tommie Smith, Lee Evans, John Carlos, and Ronnie Ray Smith, just to name a few. He also […]

Sebastian Coe - The Winning Mind: My Inside Track on Great Leadership

Now I know why Sebastian Coe was upset at Dwain Chambers’ book. Because it was released one month before his own book, The Winning Mind.

With all the hype surrounding Chambers’ book, Coe’s book went literally unnoticed.

Anyone who ran track between 1978 and 1984 can remember the intense rivalry between Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett. […]

More Good Sportsmanship Stories in the News

The guardian.co.uk had a good piece on famous moments when sportsmanship triumphed over competitiveness. It was written by Max Davidson who is promoting his new book It’s Not the Winning That Counts: The Most Inspiring Moments of Sporting Chivalry.

I wrote about Good Sportsmanship Stories and 3 Feel Good Stories of the Year last year.

Of […]

Bob Hayes 1964 Olympic 4×100m Relay in HD Video

If you are going to buy an Olympic History DVD, my first choice is Bud Greenspan.

My second choice is the official documentary of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics - Tokyo Olympiad - Criterion Collection by Kon Ichikawa.

Why?

Because there are no interviews and practically no dialog in this documentary. It’s about capturing the emotions and heartbreaks […]

The 100 meters - World’s First 10 Seconds Flat Race

Let’s face it. The average public only cares about 3 events in Track and Field.

The 100 meters, the Mile, and the Marathon. The biggest Mile milestone (no pun intended) will forever be known as the 4 minute mile.

In the Men’s 100 meters, that benchmark is 10 seconds flat. Period. Even today, […]

Armin Hary - The 1960 100 meter Olympic Champion

Armin Hary from Germany, the Rome 1960 100 meter Olympic champion, was considered the fastest starter due to his reaction time to the gun and quick acceleration out of the blocks. He earned the nickname “Thief of Starts” from the term “Thief of Hearts” and was often accused of jumping or anticipating the gun. […]

What is Speed Reserve? Part 1 - 400 meter Sprinter types

Before I discuss the topic of speed reserve, I want to talk about the different types of 400 meter sprinters.

Types of 400 meter runners

100/200 sprinters moving up to the 400m: In the past, short sprinters moving up the distance were rare. Remember Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire? Today, we’ve […]

Frank Wykoff on Track and Field Starting Blocks Controversy

When you hear the name Frank Wykoff, you immediately think of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Gold medal 4×100 meter relay, along with Ralph Metcalfe and the 2 Jewish athletes that didn’t run (Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller). Frank Wykoff ran the anchor leg in a World Record time of 39.8 seconds.

Frank Wykoff had […]

Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution

Starting blocks were developed in the late 1920’s over the alternative of digging holes into the ground. They were patented in 1935, and have officially been used at the start of sprint races since 1937. Several iterations of starting blocks have been filed by the US patent office since then.

They have always been […]

Olympic 100 meter Sprint Videos

This YouTube video is called Break the limit - Tribute to Sprinters with the background music “Desert Rose” by Sting.

It starts off with the first electronic recorded 100 meters under 10 seconds by Jim Hines in the 1968 Olympics. I love this video because Lennox Lewis of Jamaica is wearing a simple short sleeve […]

1996 Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team Inducted to Sports Hall of Fame

1996 Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team Inducted to Sports Hall of Fame in November 2008.

12 years after winning the Gold medal in Atlanta, the Gold Medal 4×100m Relay Team of Donovan Bailey, Carlton Chambers, Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert and Bruny Surin were inducted to the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Also receiving the honours were David […]

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