British Long Jump War of Words: Who is to blame?

While British athletes continue to perform well at the World Athletics Championships in the track events, their counterparts in the field events have come up woefully short so far. This trend unfortunately continued with the rather embarrassing event of Greg Rutherford, Olympic champion from just 12 months ago, failing to even qualify for the final of the long jump. However, there is more to this failure than merely individual disappointment for Rutherford. This is due to the controversial circumstances in which he secured qualification for the team ahead of the athlete who actually won the British title, Chris Tomlinson.

Tomlinson was livid at being overlooked due to what he perceived as reputation alone

Tomlinson was angered at the decision by UK athletics to overlook him in favour of the Olympic champion, at the time of the team’s announcement. Directly following the world championship qualifying session for the final of event in which Rutherford finished in 14^th position, Tomlinson reached boiling point and took to social media to express his disgust.

 

“Words can’t describe my anger,” the rejected Tomlinson tweeted. “Season ruined on media profile & not current athletic form. Thanks for the support from the athletics community.”

 

Greg Rutherford had a rather blunt response to this when told of the twitter outburst by exclaiming:

“I’m still British number one and still jumped further multiple times than him this year.”

He said: “No matter what, if you’re looking at somebody who failed the distance but won more head-to-heads and still has a major title behind them, it’s a no brainer.”

“Surely, you’d pick that person in the same scenario?

Rutherford played a key part in Super Saturday at the London Olympics shocking the world to become Olympic champion, on a night that the British public remembered fondly as British Athletics’ greatest ever.

Tomlinson clearly feels that selection was based on reputation rather than current form, and to a certain extent he has a point. Rutherford has been struggling for form this year after a disruptive 12months in which he split with his American coach Dan Pfaff and surprisingly lost sponsorship following the high of his Olympic success. To compound his misery he suffered a ruptured hamstring recently and hadn’t actually competed competitively since July. By all accounts Rutherford couldn’t have been in much worse shape to enter a global event, recovering from injury only weeks before the event, with no competitions left to sharpen up.

Both Tomlinson and Rutherford had failed to reach the A qualifying standard for the Championships albeit by only a few cm; both failing to reach the 8.25m required for an automatic place in the team. Over the season Rutherford held the slightest of advantages in terms of his seasons best as his 8.22m slightly outweighs Tomlinson’s 8.21m. Tomlinson’s disappointment at missing out on selection for the championships was compounded by the fact that his rival had been picked despite having not been able to compete since he suffered his hamstring injury at the Diamond League meeting in Paris on 6 July, one week before the trials. At the event in question Tomlinson finished second and Rutherford fourth, Tomlinson followed this up by winning the trials in Rutherford’s absence.

British selectors have their own policy in which if there is no automatic qualifier reaching the A standard, they choose only one athlete to represent them at the event. In most cases this makes perfect sense so not to bloat the team with athletes who clearly are not up to the task of competing on the world stage, however in the case of the long jump this is actually a mistake that need not have been committed. This is due to the reality that the qualifying standard in the long jump is abnormally high as illustrated by the fact that it took a jump of 8.31m, just 6cm over the A standard, to win Olympic Gold last year. In addition to this, only one athlete achieved this distance in the qualifying session on Wednesday, from which Rutherford was eliminated. It would seem that this war of words between Rutherford and Tomlinson could have been avoided by allowing both to compete, especially baring in mind both are established athletes who have performed well in global events in the past.Though Tomlinson’s point that Rutherford has been struggling with injury and so was in poor current form is valid and adds fuel to his argument, it would have been equally as bizarre to have left out an athlete who won the Olympics just a year ago after showing solid early season form which was superior to that of Tomlinson.

 

British jumping legend Jonathan Edwards believes that the selectors made a mistake in how they came to a decision on who would don the British jersey at the championships.

The world record holder and two-time world champion in the triple-jump said: “Chris Tomlinson is an athlete who could easily finish in the top six with his season’s best.” This seasons best of course being one which wasn’t good enough to reach the qualifying standard. He went on to explain:

“I know they’re trying to look to reduce numbers but they should  be doing that across the board, not just in field events. It doesn’t really encourage athletes to take up the field events. He has been to a lot of major championships and been talked about as pulling a big jump out of the bag to win a medal but it’s not quite happened. But Greg has done that, he’s the Olympic champion and you had to take him too, no question.”

Edwards clearly feels that by denying an athlete of Tomlinson’s quality a place at the championships, British athletics are reducing their chances of success and as a result are also making the event less attractive to future athletes.

 

Together with comments made by Edwards, fellow British field event legend Steve Backley was quick to ensure that though many saw the decision as one that was questionable, its important to place no blame at the feet of Rutherford.

“After all, Greg doesn’t pick the team, so it’s not his fault Chris didn’t get the nod from team boss Neil Black. Chris could have earned his place by going out and jumping the ‘A’ standard and making the situation about Greg’s fitness academic.”

 

It is clear that the situation could have been handled much better by the selectors and seems ludicrous that they would give up a chance of achieving a better result by choosing just one of the two world class athletes at their disposal, regardless of whether or not they had reached the qualifying standard. Greg Rutherford is an Olympic champion and shares the British record with Chris Tomlinson after all (8.35m); a record which isn’t far above the A qualifying standard itself. When two athletes are of such a similar level, they are able to push each other to greater performances as in-team rivalry is added to that of the competition from other nations. Neither athlete is wrong with their views on the conflict , with both athletes making a compelling argument that supports their inclusion. A change of policy perhaps must be the result of such a conflict.

 

Asafa Powell (before testing positive for a banned substance) was dejected as he struggled with injury at the Jamaican trials. He failed to achieve a place in the top 3 in the final and therefore, regardless of the fact he is one of the best sprinters of all time, failed to make the team.

With the new competitive attitude that has been implemented by new performance director Neil Black, athletes such as William Sharman have been vocal in their disappointment so far in this championships when achieving results that are respectable, but are in turn not attaining the very top levels that they deemed achievable. This is the attitude which is ingrained into athletes performing in the nations at the very top of the sport such as Jamaica and the USA. While it is clear that these nations have far deeper reserves of talent in comparison to that of their British counterparts, a move towards the tougher trials structure implemented in these nations may be best when looking to progress to a winning mentality in the squad. The best possible example of the harsh nature of such trials is that even the great Usain Bolt, holder of every global championship and world record in the events that he has competed, had to qualify in the top 3 places for the 100m in the Jamaican trials due to the depth of athletes attaining the 'A' standard in the event. This structure leaves no option of injury or failure and it is very clear cut, the best performers in the trials go to the event alongside any existing champions from the championships themselves. With Britain's lack of world class talent in some events I would not be so foolish as to exclude those injured athletes that miss the trials, or those clearly of the level to compete at the very top. It is however very important that in events of depth we allow for the trials to possess meaning and therefore be used to mirror the pressurised nature of a championships, in order to best prepare athletes to perform in such environments and separate the able from those who freeze on the top level of competition.

 

World Championships 2013: British Team Preview

Just a year on from the ecstasy of the London Olympics the eyes of the world once again fall upon athletics to entertain with the show-piece that is the World athletics championships in Moscow. Athletics like many other sports has been swallowed into a mire of drugs and cheats with many of the worlds top athletes being found guilty in just the last 6 months alone. The extortionate level of athletes who have been found guilty, after seemingly improved testing from WADA, is no better illustrated than by the fact that host nation Russia have had over 40 athletes found guilty prior to the upcoming championships. While the sport has been tarnished, and it’s credibility is at an all time low, it is refreshing to find that none of the aforementioned cheats were found from British shores. It is important that clean athletes and their success are not overshadowed by those who have shamed themselves.

Spirits in the British camp are high which according to UKA performance director Neil Black, is based on the fact they are hugely confident ahead of the championships. In an incredibly upbeat manner he told reporters.

“We are without question, genuinely, in a better position going into the world championships than we were before London 2012”. “We are better prepared. We are more focused. And we are even more excited in the potential that will come from this competition.”

This may seem a very optimistic claim by Black, who unlike his predecessor Van Commenee, does not want to heap pressure on athletes by setting targets. He does however believe that the potential in the group can match Britain’s best ever haul of 3 Gold medals in a World Championships in 1993. When you take into account the fact that Mo Farah looks to be in irresistible form, and if anything has become even better than the athlete that won double gold last year in the Olympics, the haul of 3 golds may not be out of the question. Farah competes in both the 10,000 and 5,000m and is a big favourite to emulate his success from the London Olympics before moving on to marathon distance next year. If you take into account that in terms of gold medals Farah could put us 2/3 of the way to the record haul, it becomes evident that Black may well have a point.

Just where are the other medals expected to come from? The British squad has lost what was it’s other best chance of winning gold as Jessica Ennis-Hill has unfortunately failed to fully recover from injury in time to do herself justice in the Heptathlon. In addition to this fellow Olympic champion Greg Rutherford has been hampered by injury all season and is at best an outside hope for a medal. Another that has tasted success on a global level, defending World champion in the 400m hurdles Dai Green has had what could be described as a disastrous season so far. Green has been hampered by illness but lacks any sort of form in the build up to the championships. He is staying positive and hoping that he can peak ready for the championships, using the rounds to sharpen up his race, however it would be a surprise to see Green medal in what is perhaps the strongest field of any event at the championships. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Green outperformed by fellow Brit Rhys Williams who himself is in encouraging form and a place in the final for the two would be looked at as a success.

One athlete who has shown her class in major championships throughout her career is Christine Ohoruogu. The former Olympic and world champion in the 400m is in outstanding form; In fact she has never before been in better form in the lead up to a major championships running fast times and performing at a very high level. The rounds structure at a major championships suits Ohurougu who has always been successful in peaking at the right time for the championships and gets stronger throughout the rounds. Expect Ohurougu to medal and so long as she is in contention at the 300m mark do not be surprised to see her standing atop the podium once again.

The other main medal hopeful on current form would have to be Perri Shakes Drayton in the 400m hurdles. Bursting with talent Shakes Drayton let the occasion of the home Olympics get the better of her last year and was hugely disappointed not to reach the final. Only two women have run faster times than Shakes Drayton this year, and she is improving all of the time. Unfortunately competitor Zuzana Hejnova looks to be a class above the rest of the field and is a truly exceptional athlete, however if Shakes Drayton manages to run to her potential a medal is very much a possibility.

As has always been the case, Britain’s other main chances to medal lie in the relays. In particular the women’s 4x400m have a hugely impressive team with hungry youngsters who are improving all of the time in the shape of Shakes Drayton, Child, Onoura and Cox in addition to the experience of Ohuruogu. This team has already earlier this year broken the British 4x400m record and has a real chance of silver or gold. Minimum expectation should be to win the bronze medal, but with the USA team lacking Olympic champion Richards Ross and the usually strong teams of Jamaica and Russia struggling for form, expect Britain to be closer to the front than ever before. In fact if by some way Britain can give Ohuruogu the baton in contention going into the last leg it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility to see them bring home gold. The other relay with a realistic medal chance is the mens 4x100m relay, providing they manage to get the baton round as this has been Britain’s nemesis for years in the event. A team boasting new British sprint sensation Jason Dasaoulu in addition to championship veteran Dwain Chambers and young pretender Adam Gemili will be a threat regardless of who manages to secure the 4^th spot in the team. With the great Jamaica and USA teams ahead of them, bronze is the best Britain can hope for on talent alone. However in what is the most unpredictable of events in terms of baton changes and disqualifications anything can happen; any type of medal will be a success in what is a very strong field. The mens 4x400m is a little weaker than in the past and has some athletes who have not been in the best of form this year. If they manage to peak for the championships and rediscover past form, they are most certainly an outside chance for the bronze medal.

There are those athletes in the team who are very capable of a shock and will be looking to firstly secure a place in the final before hoping to sneak a medal. The most likely candidates in Britain’s case are Jason Dasauolu in the mens 100m, Shara Proctor in the long jump and Tiffany Porter in the women’s 110m hurdles. Dasauolu ran an incredible 9.91 at the British championships for a PB and an introduction to the worlds elite. He has failed to appear since though so quite what shape he goes into the competition in is unknown outside the camp. If Dasaoulu manages to match or better his PB in the final he will most certainly be in contention for a bronze medal in an event expected to be dominated by Bolt and Gatlin, however there is an incredible strength in depth of sub 10 seconds runners in the field and any medal would be a huge surprise Proctor and Porter will expect to reach the final of their events and if they manage to perform to their best they cannot be dismissed as medal chances however top 5 finishes should be looked at as a success for either athlete.

Finally there are a group of young athletes who will be looking to make a name for themselves and start fulfilling their potential. In Ennis Hill’s absence the stage is set For Johnson Thompson to take centre stage. She is the future of British athletics and has such a huge potential that even at this early stage in her career it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the mix at the top of the leaderboard in the Heptathlon. Though a medal is probably a step too far this time round, expect the seeds to be sown for a successful career her in Moscow. In addition to Johnson Thompson Sophie Hitchon (hammer), Jess Judd (800m), and William Sharman (110m h) will be hoping to reach the finals and announce themselves at world level in these championships.

Even baring in mind injuries and lack of form, this is a very string British team and should be successful enough to achieve at least 5 medals. It is a team full of young promise and signals the start of the path for the new generation of British athletes. Black has every right to be excited and while 3 golds will be hard to replicate, it is by no means out of the question. It will be very interesting to see just how much his confidence has rubbed off on the athletes throughout the championships.