World Athletics Championships 2015

[Panda]

This starts next weekend and is taking place in Beijing this year in the Bird's Nest, the venue for the 2008 Olympics. As such this will be the first World Championships since Osaka in 2007 to be run on a traditional red track, rather than the more fashionable blue that's been used for the last three championships (unless it's been re-laid without me knowing). The 2017 World Championships will also be in a former Olympic stadium, when they are staged in London.

Athletics has had much coverage recently for the wrong reasons with allegations of doping by some of the leading athletes and trainers, as well as allegations the IAAF may have blocked a report that claimed a third of top athletes had violated anti-doping rules. The negative press isn't helped by twice-convicted drugs cheat Justin Gatlin threatening to dethrone Usain Bolt as the fastest man on the planet.

It casts a shadow over what is usually a very enjoyable sporting event and when cyclists are critical over the lack of action against doping in the sport, it suggests there is a serious problem.

In the meantime, we have to assume competitors are innocent until proven guilty and there are some fascinating battles to be fought over the course of nine days.

All eyes will be on the men's 100m to see if Usain Bolt can rediscover his old form and deny Cheatlin the most undeserving of gold medals. Another great battle will see Nijel Amos take on 800m world record holder David Rudisha, who has suffered multiple injury problems.

It's difficult to gauge how well GB will do but a repeat of the three golds won in Moscow seems unlikely. There are certainly some gold medal hopes with Mo Farah looking to defend his 10000m title but he's said he may not attempt the double in the 5000m. Greg Rutherford should be right in the mix in the long jump as he looks to complete a career grand slam of major titles. Christine Ohuruogu always peaks at the major championships and won her second world title two years ago but at 31, another gold might be too much to ask and she should be happy with a medal.

Jessica Ennis-Hill takes part in her first major championship since giving birth and while she's not back to her best yet, she does look in good enough form to challenge for a medal. Joining her in the heptathlon is Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who looked in gold medal form earlier in the year during the indoor season but has had injury setbacks since then and how well she can challenge will come down to her fitness. Tiffany Porter took hurdles bronze two years ago and with Sally Pearson missing out due to a broken wrist, she has a chance of challenging again. She's joined in the squad by her younger sister Cindy Ofili, who has chosen to represent GB over the USA or Nigeria.

There is a lot of potential in the GB squad and it's possible they could be in better shape in Rio next year. Last year's European Championships were very successful but some of the key names from last year are missing for various reasons. Adam Gemili, Will Sharman and Matt Hudson-Smith all miss out due to injury, while Jo Pavey (who is set to be awarded a bronze medal retrospectively from 2007 in light of new doping evidence) is sitting out this season to spend more time with her family ahead of attempting to reach the Olympics one last time in 2016.

Britain's women sprinters have shown huge improvement in recent years, winning 4x100m relay bronze two years ago, while Dina Asher-Smith became the first British woman to break 11 seconds for 100m this season, though she is focusing on the 200m in Beijing.

Shara Proctor broke the British long jump record earlier in the season and will be considered a medal contender, though she has a history of underperforming in the major championships. There have also been British records for Isobel Pooley in the high jump and Nick Miller in the hammer but again, medals look like a big ask.

The middle distance races can be very unpredictable and have produced surprise medals in the past, so maybe someone like Lynsey Sharp or Chris O'Hare could get into the mix if they get their tactics right, while Laura Muir and Laura Weightman have shown a lot of promise this year and Weightman in particular seems to have the determination to be a big race competitor, as shown by her European bronze medal last year.

As ever, the relays will offer four potential medal chances though a gold seems beyond any of them. So a lot of potential in the GB side but we shouldn't expect too much in terms of medals this year.

GB TEAM (2015 world rankings in brackets)

MEN
100m: James Dasaolu (68), Richard Kilty (39), Chijindu Ujah (18)
200m: Zharnel Hughes (14), Danny Talbot (43)
400m: Jarryd Dunn (35), Martyn Rooney (65), Rabah Yousif (31)
800m: Kyle Langford (60), Michael Rimmer (53)
1500m: Charlie Grice (31), Chris O'Hare (26)
5000m: Mo Farah (21), Tom Farrell (16)
10000m: Mo Farah (1)
110mH: Lawrence Clarke (32)
400mH: Niall Flannery (31), Jack Green (35)
High Jump: Robbie Grabarz (34)
Long Jump: Dan Bramble (15), Greg Rutherford (5)
Pole Vault: Steve Lewis (69)
Hammer: Mark Dry (21), Nick Miller (14)
20km Walk: Tom Bosworth (64)
4x100m Relay: Harry Aikines-Aryeety, James Ellington, Richard Kilty, Danny Talbot, Chijundu Ujah (5)
4x400m Relay: Jarryd Dunn, Jack Green, Nigel Levine, Martyn Rooney, Conrad Williams, Delano Williams, Rabah Yousif (7)

WOMEN
100m: Asha Philip (39)
200m: Margaret Adeyoye (61), Dina Asher-Smith (13), Bianca Williams (90)
400m: Christine Ohuruogu (13), Anyika Onuora (28)
800m: Jenny Meadows (40), Shelayna Oskan-Clarke (43), Lynsey Sharp (12)
1500m: Laura Muir (5), Laura Weightman (36)
5000m: Steph Twell (31)
10000m: Kate Avery (20)
100mH: Cindy Ofili (9), Tiffany Porter (6)
400mH: Meghan Beesley (20), Eilidh Child (13)
High Jump: Morgan Lake (13), Isobel Pooley (5)
Long Jump: Katarina Johnson-Thompson (72), Shara Proctor (3), Lorraine Ugen (10)
Pole Vault: Holly Bradshaw (33)
Hammer: Sophie Hitchon (21)
Javelin: Goldie Sayers (26)
Heptathlon: Jessica Ennis-Hill (4), Katarina Johnson-Thompson (-)
4x100m Relay: Dina Asher-Smith, Louise Bloor, Desiree Henry, Darryll Neita, Asha Philip, Bianca Williams, Jodie Williams (5)
4x400m Relay: Margaret Adeyoye, Seren Bundy-Davies, Eilidh Child, Kirsten McAslan, Laviai Neilson, Christine Ohuruogy, Anyika Onuora (4)

[Panda]

2015 World leaders:

MEN
100m: Justin Gatlin (USA)
200m: Justin Gatlin (USA)
400m: Isaac Makwala (Botswana)
800m: Amel Tuka (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
1500m: Asbel Kiprop (Kenya)
5000m: Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia)
10000m: Mo Farah (Great Britain)
110mH: Orlando Ortega (Cuba)
400mH: Bershawn Jackson (USA)
3000mSC: Jairus Kipchoge Birech (Kenya)
High Jump: Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar)
Long Jump: Jeff Henderson (USA)
Triple Jump: Pedro Pichardo (Cuba)
Pole Vault: Renaud Lavillenie (France)
Shot Put: Joe Kovacs (USA)
Discus: Piotr Malachowski (Poland)
Hammer: Pawel Fajdek (Poland)
Javelin: Julius Yego (Kenya)
Decathlon: Trey Hardee (USA)
20km Walk: Yusuke Suzuki (Japan)
50km Walk: Matej Toth (Slovakia)
Marathon: Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
4x100m Relay: USA
4x400m Relay: USA

WOMEN
100m: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
200m: Allyson Felix (USA)
400m: Francena McCorory (USA)
800m: Eunice Jepkoech Sum (Kenya)
1500m: Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia)
5000m: Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia)
10000m: Gelete Burka (Ethiopia)
100mH: Sharika Nelvis (USA)
400mH: Shamier Little (USA)
3000mSC: Habiba Ghribi (Tunisia)
High Jump: Anna Chicherova (Russia)
Long Jump: Tianna Bartoletta (USA)
Triple Jump: Ekaterina Koneva (Russia)
Pole Vault: Yarisley Silva (Cuba)
Shot Put: Christina Schwanitz (Germany)
Discus: Denia Caballero (Cuba)
Hammer: Anita Wlodarczyk (Poland)
Javelin: Sunette Viljoen (South Africa)
Heptathlon: Brianne Theisen Eaton (Canada)
20km Walk: Liu Hong (China)
Marathon: Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia)
4x100m Relay: USA
4x400m Relay: USA

[Deleted]

Will be glued to this as normal.

My views on performance enhancing drugs are controversial, although I'm surprised no one else shares them in the media.

Firstly, providing the drugs are safe to take, I see nothing wrong with taking them in the quest to see what the human body can achieve. To me it isn't much different to having a specific diet or access to legal supplements etc. Of course, only wealthy countries will have access to expensive drugs, so there is a strong argument that this prevents athletics being a global inclusive sport.

Secondly, while there is money in athletics, there is so much more in other sports like football and basketball. You can't tell me that, with the money involved, these "athletes" aren't also doping on a large scale. Seems unfair athletics get picked out - perhaps because they are trying to control it?

The drugs issue will never put me off watching athletics, but it does seem some parts of the media won't be content until it is destroyed as a sport...

[rubcale]

Sometimes I feel like saying let everyone take whatever they want then it's a level playing field.

Maybe not 3 Golds but plenty of chances at Silver and Bronze.

[ligerdog7]

ill deffo waching bolt mo be aceeeeeeeeeee

hollaaa yooooo

mooo

g

wufyyyrufyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

kool

[Shireblogger]

The problem with unregulated drug use is that they are not harmless. There are so many stories of misery, illness and premature death involving athletes who have taken performance enhancing drugs. One of the very first drugs to be used in sport was strychnine, which in tiny quantities can give a short-term boost, but in small quantities is lethal. The ethics of drug use in sport haven't got much better since, with national federations, egotistical coaches, and greedy/ignorant athletes all taking huge risks.

[rubcale]

Gold for Farah im 10000m in great race - the Kenyand threw everything at him but he just managed to hold on.

Ennis-Hill and Johnson-Thompson lying ist and 2nd in Heptathlon after first day - only 80 points between them.

Javelin could be critical for Jess and Katarina should have a big advantage in long jump - tough to call but reasonale chance of both Gold and Silver for GB.

[Panda]

Other Brits on Day 1:

CJ Ujah through to the 100m semi-finals after finishing 2nd in his heat. Richard Kilty was 4th in his heat but made it through as a fastest loser with a time of 10.12, but James Dasaolu is out after running 10.13.

Niall Flannery ran a season's best to qualify 6th-fastest for the 400m hurdles semi-finals. World #1 Bershawn Jackson made a shock exit after only finishing 7th in his heat.

Laura Muir and Laura Weightman both progressed in the 1500m, though Weightman needed treatment on a head injury after falling just after crossing the finish line.

Nick Miller needed just one throw to qualify in 2nd place for the hammer final, just 13cm short of his own British record, but Mark Dry missed out.

Michael Rimmer and Kyle Langford were both eliminated in the first round of the 800m.

Steve Lewis failed to reach the pole vault final after failing at 5.55m. 5.70 was the qualifying mark.

[Panda]

Also, Mo Farah has confirmed he will run in the 5000m heats and attempt a third distance double in four years.

[raliverpool]

A really shame Johnson-Thompson blew the Long Jump, as if her third attempt had been legitimate she would have the Heptathlon Gold wrapped up.

[Deleted]

I really held no hope for Usain winning the 100m today (and even questioned if he would medal) but I'm so glad I was wrong. He showed his true greatness today with a fantastic victory - very emotional win!

[raliverpool]

Aug 23, 2015 15:31:05 GMT 1 @roos1ter said:

I really held no hope for Usain winning the 100m today (and even questioned if he would medal) but I'm so glad I was wrong. He showed his true greatness today with a fantastic victory - very emotional win!

I completely agree. I whooped with joy at him defeating "two times disgraced drug cheat".

As much fun as seeing John Terry unjustly sent off for a dive by a WBA player; or Sebastian Vettel spectacularly throwing his toys out the pram for his car's right tyre exploding because he decided to stop only once when several cars stopped three times to change tyres; and Australian bowler Peter Siddle showing their selectors that his exclusion until the dead rubber fifth & final test has probably cost them retaining the Ashes ......

[rubcale]

Maybe Bolt got inside Gatlin's head because he threw it way in the last couple of strides but a perfect result for the sport.

Whenever I think Gatlin I think of Kenny Roger's Coward Of The County.

[Tom]

Shame that with the time difference and not being on holiday i'm not going to be able to see much of this live. Missed the day 1 highlights yesterday (thought they were on later  ) and only just finished catching up with it on the iplayer. Looking forward to watching the live coverage of day 2 (not the overnight events - won't be bothering with any of that during the championships). I've stayed away from the results - a 1-2 in the heptathlon would be truly wonderful. It's the dream sporting result I've been hoping for after what happened about a year ago - it's what I've come back to every time I've thought about athletics since. Still can't believe KJT got through the high jump though!

Elsewhere, big disappointment for Dasaolu, and it only makes it more frustrating that Gemeli wasn't fit enough to compete. That said, Gatlin's heat looked in complete contrast to all the others with a massive following wind. Couldn't help thinking if only Dasaolu and Kilty had been in that heat they may have qualified...

Finally, in 20 odd years of watching athletics I've never been as excited about a British female sprinter as I am about Dina Asher Smith. In fact it's maybe been a while since I've been as excited about any British sprinter tbh. At the end of last year I read about her world junior run and an interview with her. That run was into a significant headwind IIRC, so, so impressive, and obviously since then she's run sub 11 seconds (which actually after that junior run last year didn't come as a surprise). She comes across as mature for her age and very grounded. If she stays that way then I genuinely think she'll be competing for world and Olympic medals further down the line, and i'm starting to think maybe gold even though i'm trying not to get carried away and want to just enjoy the ride.

[Panda]

Jess now 5/2 favourite to win SPOTY, ahead of Chris Froome. Mo Farah a surprisingly long 33/1.


Other Brits on Day 2:

Meghan Beesley ran a PB to progress in the 400m hurdles, along with Eilidh Child.

GB captain Martyn Rooney also ran a PB in the 400m, though it was only enough for 4th in his heat. His time of 44.45 was the fastest ever by a British athlete at the World Championships and saw him qualify as a fastest loser, with Rabah Yousif also making it through after he won his heat.

Asha Philip finished 3rd in her heat to reach the 100m semi-finals.

There was disappointment for Nick Miller in the hammer final after he had two no throws, then couldn't break into the top 8 with his third, meaning he was eliminated and finished down in 11th place.

Niall Flannery was eliminated in the 400m hurdles after finishing 4th in his semi-final.

Laura Muir made it through to the 1500m final after finishing 3rd in a quick semi-final won by world #1 Genzebe Dibaba. Unfortunately, Laura Weightman had to withdraw as a result of the head injury she suffered yesterday.


Day 3:

Morning:
Holly Bradshaw pole vault qualifying
Greg Rutherford and Dan Bramble in long jump qualifying
Christine Ohuruogu and Anyika Onuora in the first round of the 400m

Evening:
Eilidh Child and Meghan Beesley in the 400m hurdles semi-finals
Asha Philip in the 100m semi-finals
Rabah Yousif and Martyn Rooney in the 400m semi-finals
Kate Avery in the 10000m

[Tom]

Amazing from Jess, shocker from KJT. Not expecting anything in the long jump from KJT, i'm still surprised she's doing both events but would love it if she medalled. Shara Proctor is the genuine medal hope there.

Obviously great that Bolt won, but could that be his last world championships?

[Panda]

Brits on Day 3:
Greg Rutherford qualified comfortably for the long jump final in 2nd place but Dan Bramble went out.
Holly Bradshaw cleared a season's best to reach the pole vault final.
Eilidh Child made it through to the 400m hurdles final as a fastest loser after finishing 3rd in her semi-final.
Rabah Yousif ran a huge PB to reach the 400m final but Martyn Rooney couldn't match his 1st round performance and was eliminated.
Christine Ohuruogu won her 400m heat with ease, while Anyika Onuora ran a PB to progress as well.
Asha Philip didn't reach the 100m final after finishing 7th in her semi.
Kate Avery was 15th out of 25 in the 10000m.



Day 4:

no morning session

Evening:
Greg Rutherford in the long jump final
Laura Muir in the 1500m final
Christine Ohuruogu and Anyika Onuora in the 400m semi-finals
Zharnel Hughes and Danny Talbot in the 200m heats

Also:
Women's discus
Men's 400m hurdles
Men's 800m (no Amos after he messed up in the semis, and no World Champion Aman after he was DQ'd for making contact with another runner)

[Panda]

Superb performance by Greg Rutherford, dominating the long jump to complete the career grand slam. He is the 5th British athlete to hold all four major titles at the same time (and indeed win all four in their career), after Daley Thompson, Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell and Jonathan Edwards. Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah both need Commonwealth gold to complete the set, while Christine Ohuruogu needs the European title.


Other Brits on Day 4:
Laura Muir finished 5th in the 1500m final
Christine Ohuruogu reached the 400m final in a typically ominous season's best time. Anyika Onuora missed out but did run another PB, going under 51 seconds for the first time.
Zharnel Hughes and Danny Talbot both reached the 200m semi-finals, Hughes 3rd fastest and Talbot just 0.05 off his PB.


Day 5:

Morning:
Mo Farah and Tom Farrell in the 5000m heats
Lynsey Sharp, Jenny Meadows and Shelayna Oskan-Clarke in the 800m heats
Sophie Hitchon in hammer qualifying
Lawrence Clarke in the 110m hurdles heats

Evening:
Holly Bradshaw in the pole vault final
Eilidh Child in the 400m hurdles final
Rabah Yousif in the 400m final
Dina Asher-Smith, Bianca Williams and Margaret Adeoye in the 200m heats
Zharnel Hughes and Danny Talbot in the 200m semi-finals

 

[Panda]

GB gold medalists at global championships since the World Championships began in 1983:


1983 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Helsinki) (2 golds)
Steve Cram (1500m)
Daley Thompson (Decathlon)


1984 OLYMPICS (Los Angeles) (3 golds)
Sebastian Coe (1500m)
Tessa Sanderson (Javelin)
Daley Thompson (Decathlon)



1987 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Rome) (1 gold)
Fatima Whitbread (Javelin)



1988 OLYMPICS (Seoul) (0 golds)



1991 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Tokyo) (2 golds)
Liz McColgan (10000m)
Roger Black, Derek Redmond, John Regis, Kriss Akabusi, Ade Mafe, Mark Richardson (4x400m relay)



1992 OLYMPICS (Barcelona) (2 golds)
Linford Christie (100m)
Sally Gunnell (400m hurdles)



1993 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Stuttgart) (3 golds)
Linford Christie (100m)
Sally Gunnell (400m hurdles)
Colin Jackson (110m hurdles)



1995 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Gothenburg) (1 gold)
Jonathan Edwards (Triple jump)



1996 OLYMPICS (Atlanta) (0 golds)



1997 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Athens) (1 gold)
Iwan Thomas, Roger Black, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson (4x400m relay - awarded retrospectively in 2009)



1999 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Seville) (1 gold)
Colin Jackson (110m hurdles)



2000 OLYMPICS (Sydney) (2 golds)
Jonathan Edwards (Triple jump)
Denise Lewis (Heptathlon)



2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Edmonton) (1 gold)
Jonathan Edwards (Triple jump)



2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Paris) (0 golds)



2004 OLYMPICS (Athens) (3 golds)
Kelly Holmes (800m & 1500m)
Jason Gardener, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish, Mark Lewis-Francis (4x100m relay)



2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Helsinki) (1 gold)
Paula Radcliffe (Marathon)



2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Osaka) (1 gold)
Christine Ohuruogu (400m)



2008 OLYMPICS (Beijing) (1 gold)
Christine Ohuruogu (400m)



2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Berlin) (2 golds)
Jessica Ennis (Heptathlon)
Philips Idowu (Triple jump)



2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Daegu) (2 golds)
Mo Farah (5000m)
Dai Greene (400m hurdles)



2012 OLYMPICS (London) (4 golds)
Jessica Ennis (Heptathlon)
Mo Farah (5000m & 10000m)
Greg Rutherford (Long jump)



2013 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Moscow) (3 golds)
Mo Farah (5000m & 10000m)
Christine Ohuruogu (400m)



2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Beijing) (3 golds)
Jessica Ennis-Hill (Heptathlon)
Mo Farah (10000m)
Greg Rutherford (Long jump)



2016 OLYMPICS (Rio de Janeiro)



2017 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (London)



2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Doha)



2020 OLYMPICS (Tokyo)



2021 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Eugene)

[rubcale]

The amkw up of contestants for SPOTY will be interesting - I don't see how they can ignore any one of Ennis-Hill,Farah or Rutherford which is already three.

On form Ohuruogu should probably only win a Bronze at best but then with Chritine you just don't know.

I'm a bit diasppointed with some of the races. If some of these athletes had brains they'd be dangerous!

At least the Kenyans did try to take Mo on the 10000m but the 800m yeterday was pathetic - Rudisha was just allowed to win. Two or three of the other athletes could have taken it out and would probably have beaten him. Naive running - but then what do I know!