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Reactions: Sprinters in 2000 Users tell us who will be the athletes to watch in Sydney
Posted: Wednesday January 26, 2000 02:38 PM
CNNSI.com asked users to tell us which sprinters will shine in Sydney. A sampling of the most interesting responses follow:
Michael Johnson will shine as the most exciting sprinter in Sydney because he's the man! I believe when it's time to perform he will shine because this is his last meet and he will go out with a bang.
Michael Johnson is the man to watch in the upcoming Olympics. In his peak, Michael aims at breaking both his records in the 200 and 400. I believe he could do it, and I'll be watching him beat every single competitor in the Olympics as he maintains his formidable status as the world's fastest man ever.
Without a doubt Michael Johnson. Who knows how much lower he could've taken the 400-meter sprint record in Seville had conditions/circumstances been more favorable. I just shudder to think about it. Sydney will probably be his last Olympic performance. What better time or place is there to secure and enrich his unprecedented legacy as the greatest sprinter in the written history of humankind, than the 2000 Olympic Games?
I'll definitely be looking at the two HSI training partners -- Ato Boldon and Maurice Green. Over the past few years they have not only been quite entertaining to look at, but they have also been great competitors and great ambassadors of the sport. Amidst the controversy that the sport has undergone over the past few months, these guys continue to be on top of their game, sounding a loud warning to their rivals.
I will be watching Chris Huffins. It is true he is not a true sprinter but rather a decathlete, however, he has the record for the 100 meters in the decathalon at 10.2. Its pretty impressive he can run that fast and do every other event he is required to.
I think that Bruny Surin of Canada will shine at the Olympics. I believe this because he is not a cocky man and doesn't put down other athletes. These attributes affect many things in his life and can bring only good to him. It's like what goes around comes around. Maurice Greene excelled last year, but there is always a surprise, always. Some guy from who knows where will come along and destroy the rest of the field. None can be on the top forever! But I do commend Greene because as we all know he has a great chance of winning the 100 and may be the 200. It's a matter of time and if he is not injured and so on. Bruny is strong and also has a very high chance of winning this event. I would actually like to see Koji Ito of Japan win the 100. I know he is not well-known, however, it would send a message around the world that this event can also be dominated by other cultures..but we will see.
Marion Jones and Maurice Greene will be the two sprinters to watch. Jones is long overdue for world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints, and I think 2000 will be her year. Greene is so far ahead of the field in terms of fitness and technique -- barring injury, it's going to be hard to beat him in Sydney.
Merlene Ottey has not gotten the respect deserved from the media and sporting arena. Name another athlete, male or female, who has shown such endurance, strength and longevity in the sport. Long-live may you Miss Ottey, you deserved to be in the World Track and Field Hall of Fame.
I will definitely be watching Marion Jones and Michael Johnson. I think that Marion is going to set the new world record, and I really don't want to miss that. And who would want to miss Superman beat everyone senseless.
Bruny Surin of Canada is ready to perform. He has been sprinting at a very high level for many years and is peaking going into this Olympic year. The soft, well-spoken man tied Donovan Bailey's 100-meter Canadian record last year. Bruny just goes about his business. Watch out !
This may be the most memorable Olympics ever in sprinting. Michael Johnson's last ever, fresh from setting the decade old record in the 400 meter, will be exciting to see. Maurice Greene, also just off a world record time in the 100 meter will be the most exciting sprinter in Sydney -- or shall I say male sprinter. With Marion Jones dominating the sport the past year, she could win more than two gold medals and will establish herself as a legend possibly. But with others such as Ato Boldon and Donovan Bailey there, they will give them all a run for their money. But the biggest question yet to be answered....Can anyone stop U.S.A. sprinters? Well will see....
Perhaps the most exciting final of the sprints (the women's 200m) has been buried amongst all this talk about the Michael Johnson vs. Maurice Greene race. The two favored athletes in the women's event (Inger Miller and Marion Jones both USA) are in fine shape and both 200-meter specialists. Marion Jones dominated 97-98 and most of '99, but Inger Miller screamed a 21.77 at the '99 World Champs, making a favorite unclear. That means, the two will probably push each other to an exceptional performance, whereas in the men's 200, we'll be lucky if we even see a sub 19.9 second run. I mean, think about it -- Marion Jones ran 21.62 with no one nearby to give competition, and Inger Miller ran 21.77 in a similar scenario. You've got to assume that if both are running in that form, in the most important meet in existence, we're gonna see a phenomenal time. I will definitely be paying more attention to the women's 200-meter final. Unless Marion Jones gets injured! Again, this clash is going to happen. Though I am uncertain what the time will be (due to the strange winds of the Stadium), I'm hoping around 21.50-55. This race could produce the fastest non Flo-Jo time, ever.(!)
Bruny Surin will be the class act of the games at his last major race. He will announce his retirement after winning the 4X100 m and taking his second gold medal. He will not break the world record, but he will come out of nowhere to take the 100-meter title while all attention is focussed on the Americans vs. Donovan Bailey.
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