| |
NOMINEE |
THE SKINNY |
| Overrated |
Non-U.S. sprinters |
First the Canadians, now the British.
Yak, yak, yak. Every year there's some group of sprinters who claim that they're
going to take down the mighty Americans. Not gonna happen anymore. After a slide
that lasted through the mid-90s, the U.S. -- led by world record holder Maurice
Greene -- is back on top in the world, especially in the prized 4x100-meter
relay. |
| Underrated |
Money |
Two things the public doesn't understand about
track and field: 1) The very best athletes are millionaires. For instance,
distance runner Gabriela Szabo of Romania and 800-meter star Wilson Kipketer of
Denmark spilt a $1 million bonus for winning all seven of last year's Golden
League meets. Michael Johnson can make $100,000 just for showing up. 2) There is
money only for the very best and even world champions like U.S. discus thrower
Anthony Washington have to work full-time jobs to keep competing. Never have so
few made so much. Never have so many made so
little. |
| Annoying |
The drug controversy |
For the umpteenth consecutive year,
the shadow of performance-enhancing substances hangs over the sport like a
guillotine. Somebody sets a record, he or she must be on the juice. Last
summer's high-profile positives by 1992 Olympic gold medalist Linford Christie
and grand dame Merlene Ottey ruined the the start of the World Championships and
left the sport wallowing in
depression. |
| Breakthrough |
Inger Miller |
The understudy who not only got
the stage for a night, but stole the show. When Marion Jones went down with a
back injury in the 200 meters at the worlds, Miller torched the final in 21.77
seconds, a time that even Jones might not have beaten. This, after a personal
best 10.79 behind Jones in the 100. "It's a not a one-woman show
anymore," Miller said after that race, and she's
right. |
| Uplifting |
Lyudmila Engqvist |
By a landslide. It is rare enough for
a world-class athlete to survive cancer and return to competition. Lance
Armstrong did it, famously. Sweden's Engqvist returned to a top level in the
100-meter hurdles in the middle of chemotherapy and took a bronze medal at the
worlds in Seville. When she crossed the line in her semifinal, she shook her
fist and then began to sob. The stadium sobbed with
her. |
| MVP |
Maurice Greene |
The U.S. sprinter broke the sacred 100-meter world
record when he ran 9.79 seconds in June. That performance matched the dirty time
run by Ben Johnson at the 1988 Olympics, which resulted in the biggest scandal
in the sport's history. Greene helped clear track's conscience and turn those
magic three digits from a curse into a celebration. It also made Mo the man for
Sydney's centerpiece
event. |
Storyline to
follow in 2000 |
Team Marion |
Few people with any knowledge
of track and field doubt that Marion Jones is one of the most surpassing sprint
talents ever to wear spikes. A year ago, it seemed likely she would break
Flo-Jo's untouchable records in the 100 and 200. Since then, she has been
managed terribly by a small group that includes her agent (Charles Wells), coach
(Trevor Graham) and husband (shotputter C.J. Hunter). If she does well in
Sydney, it will be in spite of her "support"
group. |
