I just happen to watch PJ’s 100m and 200m performances from Melbourne (SBS Channel). I have to mention him in this discussion because apart from him and Davies no other sprinter ran in Perth recently (and at that point in time). ARS has not run at the meet in Melbourne, and Lawal has not run in Perth yet. It leaves me with PJ only.
At this stage I’d like to think the track (and good tail wind) in Perth may largely contribute to some outstanding recent performances. If one thinks peaking and periodisation plays a major role, taking PJ’s example, I’d like to point out the following;
PJ has specifically moved to Perth closer to this track - apparently because the track is the fastest in Australia
he has run his fastest time in years on that particular track
immediately after this run he ran 10.40+ in Melbourne, and prior (from memory) - 10.40-10.60
the meet in Perth was not of major significance (meaning he would not have peaked for that meet)
being a seasoned athlete one would expect him to be more consistent if he was having an above ordinary season (volatility in results rarely happens when one is in a top notch form)
Now, Let’s take ARS and Lawal into consideration, as well.
If ARS repeats his performance at the Nationals (peak?) and runs faster or as fast (let’s take under 10.30) when having the best competition around himself, I’d say he is in a good form;
Lawal has not run in Perth yet and his best time (this season) is 10.33 (if I am right) - pretty much similar to ARS’s previous PB. I saw both of them last year when Lawal ran 10.29 (fastest in AUS last year) and on one more occasion (can’t remember the results anymore). Lawal seems to me a faster runner than ARS (or at least until now). Now, if Lawal runs in Perth at the Nationals and beats PJ and ARS in his PB time of anywhere from 10.10-10.20 (PB 10.29 - 0.20 the Perth track factor), it will only confirm that the track is the fastest in AUS. PJ and ARS would need to back up their performances (10.18 and 10.17) to make this argument valid.
If this eventuates, what I would like to see is any of the mentioned sprinters back up their performances at any other track anywhere in AUS or in the world.
Is this realistic to expect from the above athletes?
PJ is 37-38 y.o. and his clock is ticking away. Lawal is over 30 himself. So, it all comes down to Davies and ARS (youngest) to prove that they can run fast (qualifiers) on any other track. Once that happens - I’d say - $hit, it is talent, proper training and periodisation, indeed!
Until that happens, I will be looking forward for my athletes to run (fast) in Perth, too
sounds like many sprinters/ coaches who haven’t posted fast times are jealous of the times posted in Perth, simple ego-protecting, anyone can find stat’s to support their argument by cherry picking.
no doubt Perth is fast, but everyone wont run a legit PB there.
Maybe they are suggesting there should be more fast tracks, I seem to recall that no athlete has run under 10s in Australia yet can on a regular basis in other countries. Wonder how many of those other countries have indoor tracks built to improve performanc.
Actually one of the coaches who has these views has an athlete that recently pb’d in Perth. And the only stats that have been posted on here have been high level stats (not picking and choosing low level ones that appear to support an argument), so I really don’t know what you’re suggesting.
I personally think that another Aussie track that can consistently produce fast times is an exciting prospect, and if correctly managed could help boost the profile of the sport in this country. However it may be a two edged sword; internationally, Australians have a (some might say well deserved) reputation of only being able to run fast domestically and as such can have difficulty getting lanes overseas compared with lesser athletes. One track that can consistently produce fast times may perpetuate, if not exacerbate, this. Similarly, if these times cannot be matched os, particularly at major champs, our own supporter base and media may see this as an easy generalization to make as well.
Maybe they are suggesting there should be more fast tracks, I seem to recall that no athlete has run under 10s in Australia yet can on a regular basis in other countries. Wonder how many of those other countries have indoor tracks built to improve performanc.
I heard Perth are bringing in the smartest guys in Stawell, you know … the guys who measured the track at Central Park, so that’ll sort out all of Perth’s issues. So much for a fast track. None of that chaps. Every track race from now on will be at least 3.2 metres per 100m too long. OK so the 400m is … (4 x 2.3m = 9.2) … now going to be contested over 409.2m. Don’t complain though, you may not qualify for the Commonwealth Games but you can make a claim for a world record at the new official distance. Ditto for the Stay Well gift. They can claim another world professional record for the official, though rarely run distance of 123.2m. Sorry Youngy but really … what a joke
I know plenty of athletes who have been to Perth and not run PB’s- no doubt the track is good but you have to be good shape to make the most of the conditions.
From memory PJ ran 9.91,9.88 windy on the old perth track and still ran fast over seas(9.93 ) - same can be said for Shirvo.
A trip to Perth doesn’t = Pb, when you factor travel from the East Coast ( 14 hrs both ways ) and adjustment in time zones- etc athletes really sacrifice 5 days of training to race there and take a financial hit. If they do PB congratulations- balance of probabilities most athletes won’t PB there, especially when you consider all the other variables when racing in Perth.
most of the times getting the attention is for the 100m, not sure I have come across many breakthrough PBs in the 200 or 400, probably because the favourable tailwind for the 100m means a back straight headwind for the 400m
Not sure about the layout of the new stadium. Are they racing the 100m from west to east (towards the inland). That’s how it used to be at the old track. But I was there in 87 when Ben ran against Allan Wells and they turned it around and Ben won walking to the line in 9.7 hand & windy.
It’s great when officials go to the trouble of turning the 100s around so athletes benefit from the wind on any given day. But it would be much better if the track designers allowed in their plans to run the sprints in either direction.
It would be just as easy to run on the otherside of the track, if anyone breaks an Aust record running in the wrong direction it won’t be recognised. The IAAF rules say curbing on the left in lane one.
IAAF rules say clockwise with curbing on the left, no ,more than 9 complete lanes in 400m track as many as you like in a straight, curbing to be on the left in lane 1. Can’t be bothered looking up the IAAF rules and the T&F construction manual for the rule numbers…
You know that AA are now following the rules (about bloody time), from the time you check in to the time you walk off the track you are in their hands, like it or lump it, can’t see why running the wrong way would be any different.
