800m Women:
The women’s 800m will be a competitive event that includes the world number one-ranked Kenia Sinclair. The Jamaican is having a scintillating season which began at the Penn Relays, where she ran an impressive 800m anchor leg to lead the Jamaican sprint medley team to victory over Phoebe Wright and her USA team. To increase her strength and stamina, Sinclair stepped up to the 1500m and won all her races in impressive fashion. At the London Diamond League in early August, however, she was beaten by Britain’s Jenny Meadows after attempting to go wire to wire.
For Sinclair, the dress rehearsal is over and we feel that she is more than ready for the big dance. That notwithstanding she will be pushed by Meadows, the US trio of Phoebe Wright, Alice Schmidt and Alysia Johnson-Montano, who are all in fine form. The defending world champion, South Africa’s Caster Semenya, should be respected despite her inconsistent performances this season. Word from her camp is that she is not committed to training and is not in competitive shape.
Picks: (1) Kenia Sinclair (2) Jenny Meadows (3) Alice Schmidt
110m Hurdles Men:
At the 2009 Berlin World Championships, Dayron Robles (Cuba) and Liu Xiang (China) did not compete due to injury. Barbados’s Ryan Braithwaite capitalized on their absence to claim the gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles. In Daegu the story line is very different. Both Liu Xiang and Dayron Robles are back, and in good shape. Since Berlin, there has been the emergence of David Oliver (USA) who had an undefeated 2010 season and on several occasions threatened the world record of 12.87secs. This season saw the rise of the USA’s Jason Richardson, who has hit top form and has seriously challenged Robles and Oliver. There is also Jamaica’s Dwight Thomas and Aries Merritt (USA). The final outcome will be decided by the quartet of Oliver, Xiang, Robles and Richardson.
Picks: (1) Dayron Robles (Cuba) (2) Jason Richardson (USA) (3) Lui Xiang (CHN). Upset Alert: David Oliver
4x100 Relay Men:
This race belongs to the Sprint Factory. The Jamaican 4x1 team of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Michael Frater, and Nesta Carter should defeat the competition. The absence of Steve Mulling and possibly Asafa Powell may weaken the team to some extent, but the proliferation of talented sprinters who are ready to take their place, is a testimony to the depth of the Jamaican team. The US and Trinidad and Tobago teams will challenge the Jamaicans, but Jamaica should prevail.
Picks: (1) Jamaica (2) USA (3) Trinidad. Upset Alert: China
4x100 Relay Women:
This is a straight two-team race between Jamaica and USA. Carmelita Jeter will lead a strong US team that will likely include Marshevet Myers and Mikele Barber. The US women have been very impressive this season, beating a weakened Jamaican team at the Penn Relays in late April. The Jamaican team of Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kerron Stewart and possibly Sherone Simpson should give the US a fight. Teams from Russia, Bahamas, Poland, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago should also be in the mix. Russia has historically been very well coached and prepared, and should the US or Jamaica falter, they could capture the gold. The Bahamian team with promising youngsters in its lineup could also ascend the podium.
Picks: (1) USA (2) Jamaica (3) Russia. Upset Alert: Bahamas
4x400 Relay Men:
The men’s 4x4 finals should provide lots of firework as the Bahamian team lead by Demetrius Pinder and Chris “the Fireman” Brown will seek to take gold medals back to Nassau. But the Bahamian quartet will have to repel the challenges of a somewhat weakened but still formidable USA team. Despite the absences of Jeremy Wariner, the USA team lead by LaShawn Merritt and Tony McQuay will certainly be in contention. Other teams that should figure in the final outcome are the young Trinidad team, lead by 2009 400m bronze medalist Renny Quow, Jamaica and Russia. However, the team that may create a nightmare for everyone has to be the Belgians, lead by twin brothers Jonathan and Kevin Borlee, both excellent quarter-milers with season best 44.97 and 44.74, respectively.
Picks: (1) Bahamas (2) USA (3) Jamaica. Upset Alert: Belgium
4x400 Relay Women:
This is a race in which Russia, USA and Jamaica are leading the way. While the Russians have the best qualifying time of 3:21.26, the Jamaicans and Americans will pose a real threat. The USA lead by the versatile Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross, who are both in fine form, will match strides with the Jamaican team of Rosemarie Whyte and 400m hurdles sensation Kaliese Spencer. The presence of Spencer may provide the spark that could take Jamaica to the top of the podium. Germany and Great Britain are talented and will be poised to capture the top prize should the other teams slip.
Picks: (1) USA (2) Jamaica (3) Russia. Upset Alert: Great Britain