One Foot...

   A track coach once said, "I like it (track) because everyone can do it.  Put one foot in front of the other."


   "Athletics" competitors are doing that these days in Rio, on a blue track in a stadium that looks huge, on TV.  on the biggest stage in the world, runners have the spotlight at the Games.


   Yesterday, three American women made history by sweeping the 100 meter hurdles event.  Ashton Eaton performed well enough in the first day's decathlon events to position himself for a shot at gold.  Justin Gatlin's sideways glance may have cost him a place in the 200 meter final.


   The thing that I'm really jazzed about is the steeplechasers.  In what may be the throw-away event of the Track and Field competition, Americans medaled on both the women's and the men's side.


    First, Emma Coburn set an American record for the 3000 meter race at 9:07.63, and won bronze.  Coburn led significant portions of the race, a strategy which proved valid when Ruth Jebet employed her well known finishing kick.  If Coburn doesn't work to put herself out front, she probably does not hold on for third.  Jebet is from Kenya - the middle and long-distance breeding ground of the world, but competed in Rio for Bahrain, a practice that has become more and more common in the last three or four years.


   On the men's side, Evan jager ran an 8:04 to get silver.  this is the first time Americans of both genders have medaled in Steeplechase.  I will point out once again that this USA squad is being led by it's women, who represent more than half of the 554 competitors in Rio.


   You may have heard about the hair tie - shortly before the beginning of the women's race, Coburn found herself without a hair tie, and so, borrowed Jager's.  Jager wore the same time in his race....that is the most decorated hair tie in history.  Find that thing on eBay.  I'll bid on it!