Far too much focus is being given to the wind factor leading to the inexact science of adjusting times and diminishing performances. A 9.78 under any circumstance is absolutely positively fast as hell and no substance or stimulus, short of towing or a hurricane will produce such a mark in anything less than an extraordinarily talented runner. Charlie is right (again)-focus on the field and the margin. By placing more emphasis on these factors we can place a greater number of performances in proper perspective (such as Marion’s 10.75 in Sydney , which arguably could have been a 10.6 or less somewhere else).
Very, very few humans will ever (now or 50 years from now) experience or witness a run in the 9.7’s under any conditions. This is, incidentally, why Mo should never have attempted to diminish Tim’s achievement by emphasizing the 2.0. I’m not sure how one could be unconvinced that Greene is a top contender for gold in Athens.
Incidentally, does ANYONE, have the names and times for the other runners in Indianapolis during Flo-Jo’s 10.49 race?
Couldn’t agree more, and you’re dead right about Marion in Sydney- only technical issues have prevented her from showing what she can really do- something in line with the promise shown by her running 11.18 at age 14! There were some other great times in Flo’s race, notably Ashford but I don’t know it off hand- in the high 10.70s, I think. Anyone have them?
I was speaking specifically of the Olympic trials held in Indianapolis. Thank you though.
It was at this event that the world record of 10.49 was set by Flo-Jo. Of course, it is widely thought that she was assisted by very strong tailwinds above the legal limit. It appears that the other runners may have been 1.5-3 tenths faster than normal or even personal bests. I’m uncertain however. The Ashford time would put things into perspective some as her pb would have been the existing world record.