U.S. Olympic Trials – Ten Questions That Will Be Answered

On the eve of the second half of the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field, ten questions emerge in the minds of all of us who are passionate about this sport.

1. In the men’s 1500, who will show up: the good Alan Webb or his evil twin?
Little is known this year about the fitness level and mental state of Alan Webb, America’s talented yet often-dysfunctional middle distance star. Will the Alan Webb who begins his Olympic quest for a medal in the 1500 be the dominating miler who destroyed the ’04 OT 1500 field with one devastating move? Or will it be the dazed and confused Alan Webb who led the 2003 national championship 1500 with 200 meters to go and finished woefully out of the money? Always one to do his own thing, Webb has raced little this year and when he has raced, his performances have not been medal caliber. Is he playing possum? Or is he a non-factor? The possibility that America’s new middle distance darling Andrew Wheating may join defending World 1500 Champion Bernard Lagat in challenging Webb makes this event hard to handicap.

2. Will Shalane Flanagan be able to complete her distance double?
Flanagan looked awfully tough in last Friday’s women’s 10,000 final. She left World Championship bronze medalist Kara Goucher in her wake with a 66 second final 400. Flanagan has declared the 5000 her preferred event, but she will have to succeed against meritorious challenges not only from Goucher, but also from Jen Rhines and Lauren Fleshman who should be rested and ready roll in Friday’s final.

3. Will Allyson Felix learn to start quickly?
Even though she failed to make it to the podium in the 100, running the shorter sprint has been very good and hopefully instructional for Allyson Felix. Among other things, it has revealed her vulnerability in getting out of the blocks. In the past, her talent has been so dominating in the 200, she has been able to hide her start weakness. With the other U.S. sprinters, especially surprise 100 champion Muna Lee, poised to continue posting eye-popping marks in the furlong, Felix will need to replace her pitty-pat start with some focused power to avoid unexpected trouble in the 200.

4. Who will be the surprise Olympic team members to emerge in the final four days of these Olympic Trials?
Amy Begley surprised the track world by grabbing the third and final Olympic spot in the women’s 10,000. And what about Queen Harrison! Several days ago even the most knowledgeable track aficionados might have guessed her to be a Danish ruler. Now she will represent the U.S. in the 400 hurdles in Beijing. What surprises remain? David Neville in the men’s 400? LaShaunte’a Moore in the women’s 200? Stay tuned.

5. Can Hayward Field’s home court advantage propel favorite son Galen Rupp to an upset win in the 10,000?
Anybody who saw the Hayward Field magic lift the three Eugene runners to Olympic positions as they exploded down the final straightaway in the men’s 800 final knows that anything can happen. Rupp will be ready and the Hayward Field faithful will cheer his every step. But Abdi Abdirahman is a battled-tested veteran, prior national champion, and a man on a mission after last November’s Olympic Trials disappointment in the marathon. With 5,000 non-finisher Adam Goucher now in the race, the road to victory for Rupp may feel much tougher than the 25 rock solid laps he will need to produce for the win.

6. Can anyone deny Tyson Gay victory in the 200?
Except for his momentary and near-fatal mental lapse in the first round of the 100, Gay has looked invincible. Based upon how he looked in the 100, Wallace Spearman does not appear ready to give Gay a challenge. Don’t overlook Travis Padgett. The sparkling 9.85 he ran in the 100 final was not good enough to place him on the podium, so look for him to attack the 200 with extraordinary vengeance.

7. Can Allen Johnson find a way to regain past excellence for another moment of hurdle glory on the big stage?
Although Johnson will deny that age is becoming a factor, Father Time is catching up with one of the greatest 110 hurdlers of all time. This spring has not allowed Johnson to post the type of performances which would quiet the whispers. Can Johnson dig down and find one final moment of hurdling excellence? It seems unlikely, but the great ones often find a way – and he is a great one.

8. Will the women’s steeple final prompt CU’s Jenny Barringer to regret her Hayward Field record-setting win in Monday’s unimportant semi-final?
You can hardly blame her, but Barringer got carried away by the moment, the crowd, etc. and ran hard to eclipse the Hayward Field track record in the women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase semi-final. Track buffs will guarantee you that Barringer will only hold that track record for three days if she does not win again in Thursday night’s final. Many other talented women steeplers measured their efforts in gaining the final and will be ready to run much faster in the final. Will Jenny?

9. Can Colorado athletes make some noise in the final four days?
The great state of Colorado has sent more than a few accomplished athletes to these Olympic Trials. How will they fare in the waning days of this meet? In addition to Barringer who should be a top performer in the women’s 3000 meter steeplechase, look for Steve Slattery to compete for a podium position in the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase. Colorado has seven runners in the men’s 10,000 – and Adam Goucher, Dathan Ritzenhein, and the Torres brothers [Jorge and Ed] should perform very well.

10. Can these Olympic Trials prove to be the catalytic moment of rebirth for this sport?
No one, not Vin Lananna, not Bubba Thornton, not anyone could have realistically predicted the magical moments that have become almost routine during each day of these wonderful and perfectly-orchestrated Trials. We are all witnessing the future of this sport. More than a few people who love track are praying that no unexpected gaffe or disaster or drug revelation in the second half of this meet will do anything to mar this celebration, this incredible re-emergence of track and field. Of these ten questions, this is the only one which really matters in the long run. Let’s hope it is ultimately answered the right way.