Track and Field corruption? Your move centro?
Inside Line Newsletter 2
Matthew Centrowitz washed up?
Ever since the infamous “your move Centro” comment, seeing how Matthew Centrowitz performs in races is one of the most highly anticipated spectacles in distance running.
After his recent 800m performance, many “lets run warriors” are saying this is the end for Centro. He ran 1:50.98 and placed 6th. This isn’t exactly what you expect from the defending Olympics champion. However, people have bad races we get it, but compared to his teammates success at the Bowerman Track club, Centro is currently a massive outlier. This is not his only “interesting” result within the 2021 season. Centrowitz ran at the Sound running meet, where he ran a timid (for him) 3:40.31 where he finished 8th.
Saying this, It's April. Not June, July or August. It’s not when it matters. But with everyone currently performing so well, it’s hard to see Centro rising to their level in a few months.
Marathon selection drama continues
Accusations of corruption and nepotism at the highest levels of British Athletics have continued this week as Trackstaa revealed more details of Charlotte Purdue’s omission from the GB Olympic marathon team. After Purdue’s appeal was unsuccessful, Tracktaa’s secret sources confirmed that despite evidence to the contrary, British Athletics identified Purdue as unacceptable injury risk after rules required her to submit her medical history owing to her status as a GB funded athlete.
However, for non-funded athletes such as Jess Piasecki, there was no such requirement and the selection panel have seemingly overlooked the fact that Jess, a brilliant athlete without question, has nonetheless had 3 knee operations since January 2020 and is currently unable to even cross-train. This is even more bizarre when you consider that Purdue’s PB is over a minute quicker than Twell. Another athlete who didn’t run the trials, yet was selected over Purdue. This story has legs, for sure and is likely to run and run - unlike Piasecki right now…
You can access our full article here.
Colleen Quigley brand speculation continues
When Colleen Quigley announced she was leaving Bowerman track club, it came as a bit of a shock. When a high profile athlete leaves a brand, the first question is what’s next. Colleen added to the surprise and anticipation by having some Saucony shoes in the background of one of her Instagram stories. However, this never developed further. Interestingly, she was pictured the other day wearing some Asics shoes. So what brand is it Colleen?
Quigley recently responded to one of our questions about her next brand. To which she claimed the announcement will be soon and she’s really excited to share.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen engagement
Sorry to break it to everyone, but Jakob Ingebrigtsen is engaged. The couple have been together for 5 years. Since Jakob, Henrik and Fillip share so many familiarities I’m guessing Jakob felt left out not being married yet… At 20 years old a wedding might seem a bit intimidating for many reasons, one being how expensive they can be. But I guess when you have your own tv programme and are sponsored by Nike, Mercedes and a bank. The cost isn’t really an issue…
Chris Chavez is my hero
Chris Chavez, owner of Citius mag, has done an amazing feat of running 48 miles in 48 hours. This entails 4 miles run, each 4 hours. Raising over $48,000 for the Release Recovery Foundation.
Ole Miss Joe Walker Invite
The fourth iteration of the Joe Walker Invite took place this weekend at the Ole Miss Track and Field Complex in Oxford, Mississippi. A promising meet threw up an extraordinary helping of track action with All-American Senior, Waleed Suliman becoming the first American to achieve the US Olympic Trials standard in the 1500m with a stunning 3:36.53, to go second in the NCAA and be the first American to run sub 3:37 outdoors this year.
The WesFly CEO himself, Everett Smulders, clocked a 3:42.86 to come 15th and earn a 1500m PB. Ole Miss didn’t have it all their own way though with Isai Rodriguez of Oklahoma State won the men’s 5000m in facility record 13:41.02, enough to secure 9th in the NCAA. It was another OSU athlete who took the meeting record in the 3000m steeplechase too, Ryan Smeeton running 8:51.73
In a weekend packed with high quality action, the meet saw six new facility records in the men’s 800m, men’s 1500m, men’s and women’s steeplechase and men’s and women’s 5km.
Tsgey beats Gidey at altitude but wears Nike spikes
Recent indoor 1500m World record breaker Gudaf Tsegay beats the current 5000m World record holder Letesenbet Gidey by 7 seconds. A time of A 14:49.7 at 7,726 feet of altitude. Which equates to a 14:01.94 according to the NCAA altitude conversion program. Which would shatter the current World record. Interesting Tsgey chose to wear Nike spikes, instead of the Adidas spikes she wore to break the 1500m World record. Weird decision by the Adidas athlete.
Miramar Invitational
In the sunshine State of Florida at the Miramar Invitational, the headlines were stolen by U20 Sha’Carri Richardson after she ran a frankly jaw-dropping 100m PB of 10.72 to move to 6th on the all-time world-performance list and become the 4th fastest U.S woman of all time. It’s the fastest time ever in history in April!
Elsewhere, Shamier Little ran the fastest 400m time in the world edging her compatriot Quanera Hayes by one hundredth of a second, 49.91 to 49.92.
There was success on the men’s side too with Kyree King running sub-10 for the first time in 9.97 edging out 2019 world championship runner up Justin Gatlin in the process. Wins also followed for Grant Holloway (13.04w), Kenny Selmon (48.81), Justin Robinson (45.23) and Michael Saruni, best known for the 800m, winning the 1500m in 3:45.84.
Flotrack doing a podcast on how to grow the sport LOL
This is a joke right? I haven’t listened to the podcast, but I believe it's essentially the hosts suggesting ways to improve/grow the sport. I mean come on. Number one on that list is not charge extortionate prices to watch streams. Oh and maybe don’t falsely copyright strike people
Magic Johnson “is a fan” of track and field
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr, has expressed his interest in track and field this week on twitter. It’s somewhat sad that some of the biggest track and field news is that a retired basketball legend somewhat seems to like the sport. But also I guess it’s some good exposure for the sport nonetheless!