I am still digesting all the highs and lows of last week’s Rome Golden Gala.
I remember being at the post race press conference, and Usain Bolt issued this statement:
"I think it was the fact that I got a good start that threw me off. I got the perfect start, but five steps in I stumbled. It was one of those things – I guess I’ll have to do my strength work on this. I think it’s just time to get it back together. This season for some reason it goes right back to ground zero. The good start threw me a little bit, then it got all over the place. It was just not me."
When you look back at the results, Usain Bolt clearly had the best reaction time (yes, they were using the same Omega Starting Blocks as last year).
Photo credits: Simone Proietti
So What Have We Learned?
If I had 2 words to give to Mr. Bolt, or any 100m sprinter, that is:
Energy Distribution
A good start sets you up for the entire race, but don’t forget all the parts of the race. Drive phase. Transition. Max Velocity. Speed Endurance.
You may have a good start or drive phase, but you better have all the elements in place.
But honestly, I am not worried. I have always said you need at least 5-7 100m races before you can find your peak form. (400m sprinters need a bit less, like 3-5 races)
So Usain may be a bit “rusty”, but don’t worry, give him more races under his belt, and barring injury, we’ll see him peak at the right place and at the right time.
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A good start is the one that puts you in the best position to execute the rest of the phases of your race , being out well ,even out in front does not always put you in good sprint form….Also my experience has been that when you are used to a slow start you’re prepared for the visuals ( seeing every-ones ass in front of you) getting out well almost startles you ,throws you off balance ,tangles up your feet…this usually happens during indoor season …Bolt can beat all of the sprinters ,,,but watch the WR drop if he gets comfortable with the start SW
Is this Steve Williams one of the top sprinters in the mid 70’s?
@Wilfred, yes, Steve is the real deal.
Jimson i think same.
he had some injury this season, he ran a little injuried in Cayman too and perhaps Rome was only his 1st serious race in the season and he was in bad shape.
With trials and several races in July he will be in good shape :)
When you have a split time of 6.29 in the 60m at 100m there is no force distribution
Hello
My oh My ! I recall watching and rooting for Steve Williams as a kid.
I thought he was the one to beat Borzov. Oddly or maybe not Borzov did not turn out to be the main threat at Montreal in ’76. Question-If Ben Johnson was in his prime now how would he do ? The drug testing is tougher but then again pharmacology terchnology advances on both sides of the fence. And if the Eastern Bloc was still intact don’t you think that that there would be new drugs,masking agents and blocking agents ?