Worlds, Day 3

Today
Results
IAAF summary / SI summary
Video-on-demand
Event reports: Men's 1500 & women's 800 semis / Women's pole vault / Women's triple jump Women's steeple / Men's hammer / Men's 10k / Women's 100

Tomorrow
Event schedule / IAAF preview
TV: Versus, 1-3 PM (replays at 8 & 11 PM)
Web: Universal Sports, 4:05 AM (afternoon session), 11:45 AM (evening session); IAAF Radio, 11 AM
Highlights: Men's Steeple, Men's 400 hurdles, Women's 400, Men's Triple Jump, Women's Javelin

My thoughts on day 3 of the worlds...

Surprises, surprises. The undefeatable Isinabyeva no-heighted in the pole vault.

The dominating Russian machine in women's middle-distance running became just above average and nothing more. Galkina was a mortal in the steeplechase and got beat, running a good 13 second slower than in the opressive Beijing heat last year. They got just one finalist in the 800 meters. Looks like they're going to have to come up with a new doping plan!

Speaking of the steeple, am I being too rough to think Barringer's American Record in 5th place was an under-achievement? She was way back early and then moved up late. It's possible she was running all-out in the first third of the race, but if she had been able to be in the race when the break was made I think she could have won a medal.

The USA has made a step up in middle-distance from the last few years. The 800 is still the weakest part of the women's national program, but compare Beijing (where none qualified to the semis) and here (where all did but none to the finals) and it's a bit better. Vessey is not ready for prime time, but give her a year and she probably will be.

The men's 1500? Three finalists, baa-bee, and they all looked damn good getting there. You know how long it's been since we had three finalists in an Olympics or Worlds 1500? 1912, I think.

And the men's 10k...Ritz broke his PR by 13 seconds for 6th, and Rupp ran 27:37 for 8th. The best result in decades and it feels like we can do better.

I hear Larry Rawson was in fine Rawson form in an ESPN interview.

Fantasy league? Savigne came through for a win in the triple jump, ditto for Bekele in the 10k, but Pars bombed for fourth in the hammer. My daily transfer was dropping Mikhnevich (fourth in the women's shot) for Paula Radcliffe (looks like a lock for women's marathon).