Epic Failure

The 10 we're sending to Belgrade isn't even quite a B-team. We're arguably sending a stronger team to the Euro Jnrs in Vilnius than we are here. The Euros were decided by British Swimming that it was the 3rd priority meet for the summer.

I mean we've never really had much sustained field success. We've had just over 1 person per decade for my life time - Whitbread, Backley, Edwards, Idowu, Rutherford - in terms of sustained success. Of the 121 medals won at WCs, only 15 are field medals. Of the 210 Olympic medals, it is only 35.

It's the rankings at the end of June, i believe. So if Ireland were to stay where they are, then yes they would get the next spot that way if Bangladesh win tonight. I'm not sure what impact (if any) the results this week will have on the rankings though.

As long as we have the "increased standards" swimming-style model, I don't think it matters much what else we do. That policy is absolutely crippling GBR participation at worlds and Olympics in field events. And without the visability of those athletes, it's tough to see where the potential stars of the future are going to come from.

If the Dutch want a challenge, let's get them to try and move this statue of old Otto in Hamburg...

I'd like there to be a change in mentality in the ICC and for them to insist that anyone coming north to play England also play at least 1 of Ireland and Scotland whilst they are there. Only way the game will ever grow is more chances and exposure for smaller nations.

I don't see Lally getting the distance unless she gets another competition in Ramona. Kenneth Ikeji in the hammer is in roughly the same situation as Norris - both about 30cm short. Bekah Walton in the javelin needs to find about 1.5m. She's been consistently improving over the last couple of years, so it's not outside the range of possible. We've got a couple of promising female TJers and LJers but I think the Q is likely to be beyond them this year. Nicole Yeargin (400m) ran 51.32 earlier today, so she's not too far away. Seamus Derbyshire (400m H) ran a flat PB today but would need a substantial hurdles PB to challenge that mark. Holly Bradshaw (PV), Eugene Amo-Dadzie (100m) are a couple of other older athletes looking for the standard.

A small amount but much less unfair. Rain ruined England's chances of a win in that game too! At least this way both sides completed the same number of games.

ruin the fairytale for . They had their chances to be fair. Some strong death bowling from Aus probably the difference.

In terms of the BBC, I love London obviously and Barcelona because it is the first games that I remember properly. And, you know, they used Barcelona for the music. How can anyone not love that? Still not a patch on the Beeb's Manchester Commonwealth Games use of This Is The One. That was inspired.

Scotland have still got 2 perfectly reasonable shots. Either Namibia knocking off England (much more likely in a shortened game) or beating Aus tomorrow. Far better for the game if one of those were to happen than a rain decided conclusion.

Not yet they aren't. The cutoff point before the match is abandoned is still about 90 mins away. But it's looking likely.

We always tend to start relatively slowly and looking at the schedule I'd expect not much different here. Day 1 and 2 are often relatively quiet days for GBR medal gathering. On the subject of which country will have the best day one, obviously the US and China are always going to be strong favourites for that, but that makes them boring choices. But I fancy Australia to do well. They've got medal shots in both cycling events, the rugby, diving and all 4 swimming events - obviously some of those medal shots are much stronger than others (Titmus is much more likely than, say, a male cyclist) but they are all possible without being crazy.

But as you point out in your first sentence, it's the comparison between the men and the women that's the killer. The men are a perfectly good team with lots of medal chances. But the women are on the next level above that.

It says a lot that a disappointing championships still sees us 3rd on the medal table! I fully expect that in Birmingham we'll be back on top. That time for the women's relay would have beaten the NRs of all bar USA, Jamaica, East Germany, Russia, us, Germany, France and Cote d'Ivore. Shows how impressive they were, even without Lansiquot.

I mean, it's possible that the selection was the best 4 available today and also a test to see form etc. Better to find out now that AHW might not be able to be relied on than in Paris etc. I guess I'm just a glass half full/see the positive type person. In better news, good work by the women's 4x100m. Dealt with the changes very well, and a sub 42 clocking is always good. Keeps us as most likely to prosper if something untoward were to happen to the US or Jamaica (or both).

Sure, but that point about other nations impressing has to be viewed in context as well. Not all of them have trials like we do. And performing here is great but if it means you peak too early and then don't medal in Paris, is it worth it? In both 2012 and 2016 we sent weakened teams to the Euros, and finished down the medal tables. Then at each Olympics we were the top European nation in athletics. Now obviously that could just be coincidence. But it could also be better planning. We'll never know for certain.

Yeah, he went 3rd to 7th because everyone else was faster than him! With all due respect to AHW, it's not his fault that he's not as quick as others countries runners. But that doesn't mean that his leg was actually worse! Davey overtook people but was overtaking people who were going even slower. It's always going to look a stronger leg. I'll openly admit that I don't have anywhere near enough knowledge about sport science to know what impact the workload of champs like this have on trials. It's only just over 2 weeks away. So I'm not willing to say that there's no detriment. The way that UKA have approached it does imply that *they* think there could be. I dunno *shrugs*

We have no info on an injury, but then we didn't have any info on Keely being ill until post race. Also, the splits for GBR were as follows: Harries - 45.78 Ohoize - 45.2 Davey - 45.6 AHW - 45.36 I want to see a team trying to win. But sometimes the best way to win is to time your effort (both in a race and in a season).

The last leg splits were all outstanding bar Haydock-Wilson. His was adequate (45.36) but everyone else was sub 45. So it wasn't so much him going backwards as everyone else going forwards!

What if they want to see what AHW can do? Maybe Charlie C is carrying a knock? Maybe they want him at full strength for the trials to see if he can qualify in the individual? Again, anything happening in Rome has to be looked at in relation to Paris (and the trials first).

With a clean run, sure. But doing this has meant that all 4 legs are different from the heats (in terms of handoffs). Will be a good test of how well drilled they are to deal with that many changes.

I mean, they were fairly clear ahead of time that this was a development meet for the relays.

Women's 4x100m is interesting - DAS - Henry - Hunt - Neita. Lots of change from the heats.

GBR going with Harries - Ohoize - Davey - AHW in the 4x4, so fair to say they don't really care whether they medal here.