Guide to Olympics 1984
TRACK AND FIELD
MEN
100 Metres (Heats: Fri 3, morning; Semi-final and Final: Sat 4, evening)« Olympic Champion 1980: Alan Wells (GB); World Champion 1983: Carl Lewis (US); World Record: Calvin Smith (US) 9.93 sec.
Carl Lewis, the World Champion looks unbeatable in this event. With all due respect to the opposition, the main challenge to Lewis at the Games is the record set by the legendary Jesse Owens in 1936, of four gold medals. In the sprint, his main opposition will come from team-mate!
Graddy and Ron Brown
The surprise omission from the American squad is world 1'5 record holder Calvin Smith who g finished' fourth in the American trials Ee where only the first three qualify for -g the Olympics. Smith will gain some ~ consolation by taking the fourth spot on the sprint relay team. His world record, set at altitude in Colorado Springs also looks safe.
200 Metres (Heats: Mon 6, morning; Semi-final and final: Wed 8, evening) Olympic Champion: Pietro Mennea (Italy); World Champion: Calvin Smith (US); World Record: Pietro Mennea (Italy) 19.72 sec.
The second leg of Lewis' foursome could be the most difficult, though Smith and Elliott Quow, the Ameriicans who came first and second in Helsinki will both be missing this time. Mennea finally won the gold medal in Moscow after a third place in 1972 and fourth in 1976. He will be the principal challenger this time again. In 1968 the medal ceremony for this event led to controversy when the Americans Tommie Smith (gold) and John Carlos (bronze) staged a Black Power protest while the national anthem was being played. As a result of their actions the two athletes were vilified in America and it was years before they were welcomed back to the fold. Smith eventually became an athletics coach at Santa Monica while John Carlos spent the following years taking menial jobs and gambling. He then turned to working with the chilldren of the Los Angeles ghettoes and set up a foundation to help them. The ultimate irony is that John Carlos was appointed by the organising committee of this year's games as a liaison with the black ghettoes and to help promote the games.
400 Metres (Lst Round: Sat 4, mornning; Semi-final: Mon 6, evening; Final: Wed 8, evening)
Olympic Champion: Victor Markin (USSR); World Champion: Bert Cameeron (Jam); World Record: Lee Evans (US) 43.86 sec.
The US has dominated this event since 1956. The only hiccup came in 1976 when a tall, serene runner from Cuba stunned them. Alberto Juantorena won both the 400 and 800 metres with almost contemptuous ease. Juanntorena has been unfortunate with injuries since that time, the latest example coming in the World Chammpionships last year. After his heat in the 800 metres Juantorena ran on the kerb at the side of the track and twissted his ankle so badly he broke it. Bert Cameron will be favourite for the event but will be challenged strongly by the athletes who followed him home in Helsinki, Sunder Nix of the
United States and Skamrahl and Weber of WestGermany.
800 Metres (Lst Round: Fri 3, evening; 2nd Round: Sat 4, evening; Semiifinal: Sun 5, evening; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Steve Ovett (GB); World Champion: Willi Wulbeck (FRG); World Record: Sebastian Coe (GB) 1.41.73
Will Coe and Ovett be completely fit? Judging by recent results the answer seems to be yes and in that case the title seems to lie between them. The distance suits Coe better but a bad tactical race in 1980 cost him the title as Ovett outran him down the final straight. Willi Wulbeck of West Gerrmany took the title in Helsinki last year when both Coe and Ovett were missing from the event. This time the tables may be turned because Wulbeck is injured and may not be able to compete. Outsiders who could surprise the British pair are Rob Druppers of Holland and J oao Cruz of Brazil, second and third respectively in Hellsinki. Cruz confirmed his form, winnning the American Collegiate Chammpionship this year. Danger to Coe and Ovett could also come from Peter Elliott, the third British runner who probably feels he has a point to make after being denied a place in the 1500 metres despite beating Coe in the official British trials. Favouring Coe was obviously a good decision but in time-honoured fashion was badly handled.
1500 Metres (1 st Round: Thurs 9, evening; Semi-final: Friday 10, evening; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: Sebastian Coe (GB); World Champion: Steve Cram (GB); World Record: Steve Ovett (GB) 3.30.77. Best times by Irish:
Frank 0 'Mara: 3.37.7; Marcus O'Sulllivan 3.37.4 (2nd in US Collegiate Championships); Paul Donovan: 3.38.4 (4th in US Collegiate Championships) The field for the 1500 metres is domiinated by the British trio, Coe, Ovett and Cram. In 1980 Coe came through off the final bend and gained revenge for his defeat in the 800m. Ovett finished fourth, a placing he repeated in the World Championships last year when Cram took the gold medal, Allthough all three have had injury pro bblems this year they are coming back to form just in time, especially in the case of Sebastian Coe. Ovett has had to miss a lot of races in recent months and may feel this lack of competitive practice when the big event comes around. The main' challenge to the British trio could come from the Americans, Sidney Maree and Steve Scott. Maree, the black South Afriican who now holds American citizennship is a very fast runner but there are questions about his ability in a high class field in a major championnship. Scott, on the other hand is resspected by the British and his second place in Helsinki'last year gave proof of his ability, went to Said Aquita of Morocco who has been running good times this summer and is obbviously in good form, It is a very open race and the determining factor may be whether anybody is prepared to set a fast pace throughout. Most 1500m races these days are settled by a sprint from three hundred metres out and positioning on the final bend. If someebody has the nerve to attack early he may just be able to upset the favourites. .'. Ireland's contingent of three is led by Frank Q'Mara, a semi-finalist in the World Championships. Joining him in Los Angeles will be Paul Donovan of Arkansas University and Marcus O'Sulllivan who trains at Villanova, the alma mater of Ireland's earlier 1500 metre heroes, Eamonn Coghlan and Ronnie Delaney. It was the famous coach Jumbo Elliott who had guided Coghlan to his exploits including the unfortuunate fourth place finish in the Games of 1976. Elliott was also the man who masterminded Delaney's famous triumph at Melbourne in 1956. At the end of his race Delaney fell to his knees in prayer. The winner of this year's race, whoever he is, is far more likely to run for the television cameras, displaying prominently the markings on his running gear.
5000 Metres (1st Round: Wed 8, evening; Semi-final: Thurs 9, evening; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: . Marits Yifter (Eth); World Champion: Eamonn Coghlan (Ire); World Record: David Moorcroft (GB) 13.00.41. Best times by Irish: Ray Flynn: 13.19.71
Coghlan is out. The Ethiopians, Kedir and Bulti are out. Schildhauer of East Germany, runner up in both 5000 and 10000 metres at Helsinki misses the games because of the boycott. From a spectator's viewpoint, the 5000 metres has become the centreepiece of the track and field events and even with so many of the leading favourites missing it promises to be an exciting event. It is a tragedy for Coghhlan that his injuries have forced him to miss this, probably his last opporrtunity to compensate for the disapppointments of 1976 and 1980. Ray Flynn now takes up the Irish challenge alone. After a fine career as a miler and 1500 metre runner, Flynn decided that the longer distance suited him better and that career as one of the leading milers will stand him in good stead in a fast finish of this event. Flynn could be Ireland's best prospect for a medal. Flynn is probably going to come up against one of the great names in middle distance running, Henry Rono. The great Kenyan is now in serious training for these Games after missing the- last two Olympics due to circumstances beyond his conntrol and deciding to give the World Championships a miss. He will probbably be going in both 5000 and 10000 and attempting to revive the glories of the few months in 1978 when he set four world records. The two Porrtugjiese runners, Leiato and Mamede are extremely fast but their ability to compete in major championship races is questionable. Perhaps, though, the man they will all have to beat is Martti Vainio, the latest in a long line of great Finnish middle-distance runnners. The record stretches back to Paavo Nurmi who won nine gold medals up till 1928 and set 29 world records over distances from 1500 to 20000 metres. In Berlin in 1936 all three medals over 5000 metres were won by Finns. In 1972 and 1976 Lasse Viren became the first man to complete the double of gold medals in 5000 and 10000 in two successive Games. Viren's success inspired ruumours that he was guilty of blood boosting (removing blood from the body, freezing it and when the blood level is back to normal reinjecting the original blood) and other diabolical schemes. In reply Viren merely pointed out that the Olympics were the only races that counted and that in his determination to reach a peak for them he didn't try too hard for the four years in between. Finland's 1980 representative was rather disappointing only winning bronze in the 5000 and silver in the 10000. Vanio was third in the World Championships behind Coghlan and was fourth in the 10000 metres. If his timing is as good as Viren's in training, he just might be the man to watch.
10000 Metres (lst Round: Fri 3, evening; Final: Mon 6, evening) Olympic Champion: Marits Yifter (Eth); World Champion: Alberto Cova (Italy); World Record: Henry Rono (Kenya) 27.22.4. Best time by Irish:
John Treacy: 27.48.7
John Treacy, seventh in the 5000 metres in Moscow moves up to the longer distance this year (as well as taking part in the Marathon) and will be hoping that this is reflected in a higher placing as well. Like the 5000 metres this should be an open event. In Helsinki last year Alberto Cova pipped Schildhauer the East German in a sprint finish that would have done justice to the 1500 metres. The Ethiopians made the pace for most of the race but it wasn't fast enough to take the sprint out of the Europeans. Although the Ethiopians won't 1;Je there this year the lesson
will have been learned by the others who were caught out in Helsinki such as Fernando Mamede of Portugal and Martti Vainio of Finland. Again, like the 5000 metres the presence of Henry Rono, whose world record has stood since 1978 will cast a shadow over the rest of the field. The story of the 10000 metres would not be complete without mention of Olmeus Charles from Haiti who put up possibly the worst performance ever in the Olympics in this event in 1976. Baby Doc Duvalie decided to give some of his friends a holiday in Canada for the duration of the Games but failed to enquire about their athletic prowess. Mr Charles took forty-two minutes to complete the race, fourteen minutes behind the winner and eight and a half minutes behind the second last finisher. Insisting on finishing the race, Mr Charles ran the last six laps on his own and held up the following event for some considerable time.
Marathon (Sun 12, morning)
Olympic Champion: Wladyslaw Czierrpinski (Pol); World Champion: Robert de Castella (Aus); World Record:
Alberto Salazar (US) 2 hrs.08.13. Best times by Irish: Gerry Kiernan: 2 hrs. 13.20; Dick Hooper: 2 hrs. 12.50
De Castella is the man to beat. Not only is he world champion but he is the most consistent performer over the last number of years. It will be a very strong field with Alberto Salazar the world record holder regaining his form this summer; .Toshihika Seko of Japan, winner of' the prestigious Fukuoka marathon last year; and Carlos Lopes who won the World Cross Country championship in March, having previously won it as long ago as 1976. John Treacy, fresh from the 10000 metres will be taking on the double and will be joined by Gerry Kiernan and Dick Hooper. Should the unheard of occur and John Treacy win both of his events he would still not equal the remarkable record of Emil Zatopek , the Czech runner who in 1952 won the 5000, 10000 and Marathon, having four years previously won the 10000 and come second in the 5000. Zatopek had a unique style of running which gave him the apppearance of always being on the verge of collapse. Asked about this style Zato pek replied, "I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time."
3000 Metres Steeplechase (1 st Round:
Mon 6, evening; Semi-final: Wed 8, evening; Final: Fri 10, evening) Olympic Champion: B. Malinowski (Pol); World Champion: Patriz llg (PRG); World Record: Henry Rono (Kenya) 8.05.04. Best time by Irish:
Liam O'Brien: 8.27.24
This is traditionally a race where the winner comes as something of a surrprise. In 1968 a Kenyan by the name of Amos Biwott appeared from noowhere and had them laughing in the aisles at his eccentric style. He had the last laugh when he convincingly won the final in front of the better stylists. He was followed by his compatriot Kogo, and Kenya also took gold and silver in 1972 with Kip Keino and Ben Jipcho , Keino was well known as a 1500 and 5000 runner having won gold at the former and silver in the latter in 1968. For good measure he had already won the silver medal in the 15 00 in 1972. Keino admitted after the race that his style was no good but that he'd had fun jumping the hurdles. That's the trouble with those Kenyans. They have no style and they have lots of fun but they still keep winning. The favourite for the event this year will be Henry Marsh from America. He was also favourite at Helsinki last year when he fell at the last hurdle in a desperate attempt to catch the eventual winner Patriz Ilg from West Germany. It may again be between those two but keep an eye out for anyone who comes from Kenya and looks awkward.
110 Metres Hurdles (First Round: Sun 5, morning; Semi-Final & Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Tomas Munkelt (GDR); ·World Champion: Greg Foster (US); World Record: Renaldo Neheemiah (US) 12.93
Olympic champion Munkelt was the only East European to really challenge. Again the Americans should dominate the event and.the boycott should play no part since Munkelt, the Olympic champion looked out of his depth when finishing fifth in Helsinki. Brygggare, the Finn finished second in that event and may again spoil possible hopes of an American clean sweep. Helsinki bronze medallist Willie Gault won't be there this time. Shortly after the Helsinki championships he gave up plans to take' part in the Olympics to 'accept a million dollar offer to play American football with Chicago Cubs. A case of an offer he couldn't refuse.
400 Metres Hurdles (lst Round: Fri 3, morning; Semi-Final: Sat 4, evening; Final: Sun 5, evening)
Olympic Champion: Volker Beck (GDR); World Champion: Ed Moses (US); World Record: Ed Moses (US) 47.00 .
Unbeaten since 1977. 102 consecutive wins. Olympic champion of 1976. World Champion of 1983. World record holder. Ed Moses has dominated this event in a way that no one else has ever done and it is impossible to see anyone breaking that sequence now.
Harald Schmid was the last man to beat him. He should get the silver this time although he may be beaten out by another American, Danny Harris, an eighteen year old who ran a world junior best in finishing second to Moses in the American trials.
4xl00 Metres Relay (lst Round: Fri 10, morning; Semi-Final: Sat 11, morning; Final: Sat 11, evening) Olympic Champion: USSR; World Champion: US; World Record: US, 37.86
In the World Championships last year it was almost a benefit performance by the Americans as they smashed the world record. Lewis running the last leg left the opposition behind. It is difficult to see any other result this time. Britain and Italy will probably fight out the minor placings in the absence of the Russians.
4x400 Metres Relay (1 st Round: Fri 10, morning; Semi-Final: Fri' 10, evening; Final: Sat 11, evening) Olympic Champion: USSR; World Champion: USSR; World Record: US 2.56.16
In Helsinki Calvin Smith fell on the third leg which put the Americans out of contention. West Germany and Great Britain, medallists behind Russia may be fighting for silver and bronze again, this time behind the Americans.
High Jump (Qualifying: Fri 10, mornning; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: Gerd Wessig (GDR); World Champion: Oleg Aveeedenko (USSR); World Record: Zhu Jian Hua (China) 2.38 metres
Is ping pong diplomacy for the high jump? Zhu is favourite to win the People's Republic of China its first athletic gold medal but while it will be an extremely popular victory it will be straining the home crowd's good will as he has to beat Dwight Stones, a perennial favourite in American athletics. Stones has already won bronze medals in 1972 and 1976 but has never quite been able to make it to the top. He may be destined to tread the same path as John Thomas, his predecessor as American champion who won bronze in 1960 and silver in 1964. Fortunately Stones has not had to endure the abuse and ridicule heaped on Thomas when he failed to win, as the hot favourite, in 1960. The third medal place could go to Eric Frommeyer of West Germany.
Long Jump (Qualifying: Sun 5, evenning; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Pierre Dombrowwski (Pol); World Champion: Carl Lewis (US); World Record: Bob Beamon (US) 8.90m
Since his rise to the top Carl Lewis has had numerous challengers in the sprint events, but in the long jump there has been only one and that is now sixteen years old. In the rarefied atmosphere of Mexico City in the Olympics of 196 8 Bob Beamon leapt 8.90m or 29' 2 1/2", an unheard of disstance then and now. Except for Lewis who has been creeping closer and closer to that target. Lewis himself feels that he can make 30 feet but he would dearly love to break that record at these games. At Berlin, the Carl Lewis of the Thirties, Jesse Owens was also an odds-on favourite to win the gold but Hitler was confident that Germany had just the man to prove the theory of Aryan superiority in Luz Long. However, when Lewis had fouled his first two jumps in qualifying and was in danger of being eliminated Long came up to him and encouraged him. It was the boost Owens needed and he went on to win. As he won the first person to congratulate him was Luz Long and they corresponded until Long was killed in the war.
Martin Girvan (GB)
Pole Vault (Qualifying: Mon 6, mornning; FincH: Wed 8, evening)
Olympic Champion: Wladyslaw Kozaakiewicz (Pol); World Champion: Sergei Bubka (USSR); World Record: Sergei Bubka (USSR) 5.90m
This is usually one of the highlights of the track and field events. In the pressure of competition it is also one where previous records can be renndered meaningless. In Mexico in 1968 the event lasted for hours and ended with three jumpers tied at the same height. Seagren of America won beecause he had fewer failures. In 1972 the positions were reversed; Nordwig , third in Mexico, won with Seagren second. In 1976 the world record holder Dave Roberts could only come third. Kozakiewicz of Poland, another favourite finished eleventh but came back to win in 1980 with Slusarski also of Poland who had won in 1976, second. The great loss for these games will be the young Russian world record holder, Sergei Bubka and of course the Poles. The French, tradiitionally strong in this event will be there with Vigneron, who never does himself justice at major events, Abada, sixth at Helsinki and Quinon. The Americans, Mark Tully and Earl Bell can also be expected to perform better than at Helsinki.
Triple Jump (Qualifying: Fri 3, mornning; Final: Sat 4, evening)
Olympic Champion: Jaak Uudmae (USSR); World Champion: Zdislaw Hoffman (GDR); World Record: Joao de Oliveira (Bra) 17.89m
In the absence of the East Europeans the Americans should have little probblem picking up at least two of the medals. Willie Banks and Mike Conley will lead their challenge and presuumably Banks will have his Walkman with him which he wears all the time that he isn't jumping. Keith Connor of Great Britain was the world's best in 1983 but performed miserably in Hel- ] sinki. He will push the Americans hard .s as will the Nigerian Ajayi Agbebaku ~ who took the bronze medal at Helsinki.
Shot (Qualifying: Sat 11, morning; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: Kiselyev (USSR); World Champion: U. Sarul (Pol); World Record: Udo Beyer (GDR) 22.22m
World record holder Udo Beyer misses out on a chance to win his third Olymmpic medal (gold in 1976, bronze in 1980) but the absence of five of the top six in last year's World Championnships should leave Dave Laut of Ameerica in a pretty comfortable position in a totally devalued competition.
Discus (Qualifying: Wed 8, morning; Final: Fri 10, evening)
Olympic Champion: Victor Rashchuppkin (USSR); World Champion: Ivan Buger (Tch); World Record: Yuri Dumchev (USSR) 71.86m
Again the absence of the East Euroopeans devalues the competition. Only Huumonen (Finland) of the top seven throwers in Helsinki will be taking part in Los Angeles.
Hammer (Qualifying: Sun 5, morning; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Yuri Sedykh (USSR); World Champion: Sergei Litvinov (USSR); World Record: Yuri Sedykh (USSR) 86.34m. Best distances by Irish: Declan Hegarty: 76. 34m; Conor McCullough: 72.06m
The two leading hammer throwers need no introduction to Irish sports fans after their amazing displays. in Cork a few weeks ago. Sedykh has been the leading hammer thrower in the world since he won his first Olympic title in Montreal, 1976. For the last four years Litvinov has been swapping records and championships with him in a two man event. Of course, neither will be at Los Angeles and will have to continue their rivalry on a, smaller stage, to their and the public's loss. Judging by the .arnounts that the Russians ate there are few Irish people who could afford to challenge them for the title and connsidering Ireland's lack of success in field events it is strange to recount that Ireland's only two-time chammpion came in this event with Pat O'Callaghan who won in 1928 in Amsterdam and again at Los Angeles in 1932. He would have had Jimmy Magee in palpitations since he only produced the winning throw on the last two throws both years. The favouurite for this event is Thinen of Finland with a best throw of 80m.
Javelin (Qualifying: Sat 4, morning; Final: Sun 5, evening)
Olympic Champion: D. Kula (USSR); World Champion: D. Michel (GDR); World Record: Tom Petranoff (US) 99.72m
Kula having won the last Olympic g gold could only come third at HellC; sinki. He won't be in Los Angeles ~ and nor will the winner at Helsinki, ~ Michel. This leaves the gold medal ll:I fairly easy for Petranoff. The Olympic
record is held by Miklos Nemeth of Hungary, who also holds another record, being one of the only father/ son duos to win gold at the Olympics. His father, Imre won the hammer event in 1948. Montreal in 1976 was Miklos' third attempt and the two previous times he had failed badly when he was a favourite. In 1976 he was not .considered a prospect at all but with his first throw set a new world record, sufficient to win the gold. For the record he reverted to normal in 1980 and finished Sth. In 1980 another record of sorts was set by Bruce Kennedy. Born in Rhodesia he had qualified for the Games for that country in 1972 but a threatened boycott by black African countries forced Rhodesia to withdraw from the Games. Precisely the same situaation arose in 1976 forcing Kennedy to miss his second Olympiad. By 1980, Kennedy had moved to America and become an American citizen. He finished second in the American trial that year and finally was getting his chance to take part. Until Carter pulled the plug and he went down for the third time.
Decathlon (Wed 8 morning: 100m, long jump; Wed 8 evening: high jump, 400m; Thurs 9 morning: Discus, pole vault, 110m hurdles; Thurs 9, evening: javelin, 1500m)
Olympic Champion: Daley Thomson (GB); World Champion: Daley Thommson (GB); World Record: Jurgen Hingsen (FRG) 8779 points
The decathlete is the all-round athlete par excellence. He must compete in ten events over two days and it is a test of stamina as well as ability. Thomson and Hingsen have been doing battle for the last four years with Thomson coming out ahead in the major championships. It will almost certainly be between these two again this time. Probably the greatest of all decathletes was Jim Thorpe who was part Irish, part French and part Red Indian. In 1912 he went to Stockholm and won the Pentathlon (in the days when men also did a Pentathlon), took part in the high jump, the long jump and then won the decathlon. On his return to the States Thorpe was greeted with a tickertape parade in New York but the following year had his medals taken away because, having received money for playing baseball at which he was also more than prooficient, he was officially a professional. Despite pleas for clemency his titles
Daley Thompson (GB)
were taken away. It was not until 1982 that he was posthumously reinnstated as champion. He also had less luck in the movies than is common among decathletes. He died in poverty having sold his life story and seen a film of his life starring Burt Lancaster made in Hollywood. Bruce Jenner, who won the Olympic title in 1976 went on to star in 'Can't Stop the Music'. It is a matter of taste as to whether this is due reward for a talennted athlete. Denis Weaver, better known as McCloud in the television series of that name, finished sixth in the US trials in 1948.
WOMEN
100 Metres (1st Round: Sat 4, mornning; Semi-Final & Final: Sun 5, evenning)
Olympic Champion: Ludmilla Konddraty ewa (USSR); World Champion:
Marlies Gohr (GDR); World Record:
Evelyn Ashford (US) 10.79
In the absence of the East Germans and to a lesser extent, the Russians, the women's athletics tournament has been totally debased. One of the great disappointments comes in the women's sprints where Marlies Gohr and Evelyn Ashford were scheduled to take up their intriguing rivalry once more. In Helsinki last year Ashford pulled up with a leg injury in the final so the decision as to who was best wasn't answered. Now, once again the victory will be somewhat hollow should Ashhford win as expected. The main challlenge to Ashford will corne from Marlene Ottey of Jamaica.
200 Metres (I st & 2nd Rounds: Wed «; 8, morning; Semi-Final & Final: Thurs 9, evening)
Olympic Champion: Barbara Wockel (GDR); World Champion: Marita Koch (GDR); World Record: Manta Koch (GDR) 21.71
Koch, Ashford and Wockel, Olympic champion at the last two Games are all missing from this event. The gold should be there for the taking for Marlene Ottey, the Jamaican Commonnwealth champion and it provides a great opportunity for Kathy Cook of Great Britain to add another medal to her World Championship bronze.
400 Metres (1st Round: Fri 3, mornning; 2nd Round: Sat 4, morning; Semi-Final: Sun 5, evening; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Marita Koch (GDR); World Champion: Jarmil Kraatochkilova (Cz); World Record: Jarmil Kratochkilova (Cz) 47.99
Before the boycott this was a no contest. Kratochkilova, silver medallist in Moscow in 1980 broke through Marita Koch's domination of this event in stunning fashion. She won with considerable ease smashing the world record in the process. She also won the 800 metres easily and her domination of her events was commplete. Her build once again raised the question of East European training tactics and possible use of illicit drugs. Eastern Europe has dominated this event almost since its institution and the winner in Montreal in 1976 was possibly the greatest of all the women runners. Irena Szewinska came from Poland and won her first medals at the ,1964 Garnes in Tokyo, a silver in the 200 and the long jump and a gold in the 4xlOO relay. In 1968 she took gold in the 200 and bronze in the 100. A bronze medal in the 200 in 1972 convinced her that her speed was gone and she switched to the 400 and prooceeded to win the gold ill 1976 at thirty years of age. Szewinska took part also in Moscow but was injured in the heats.
Bussmann of West Germany and Payne of Canada fight it out for the gold with Chandra Cheeseborough of the United States, another sprinter who has found the longer distance preferrable.
800 Metres (lst Round: Fri 3, evening; Semi-Final: Sat 4, evening; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: N. Olizarenko (URS); World Champion: Jarmil Kraatochkilova (Cz); World Record: Jarmil Kratochkilova (Cz) 1.53.28. Best time by Irish: Caroline 0 'Shea:' 2.00.7 Of the top ten performers at this event only one will be competing in LA. This is Melinta, also an East European but since Rumania are defying the boycott she will be able to compete. Although the absence of the top runners will make the competition more open it also makes it irrelevant. Caroline O'Shea will represent Ireland.
1500 Metres (lst Round: Wed 8, morning; Semi-Final: Thurs 9, evening; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: Tamara Kazankina (USSR); World Champion: Mary Deccker (US); World Record: Tatyana Kazankina (USSR) 3.52.47
Another great contest in prospect until the boycott robbed the event of the participation of the strong Russian team. They would have been thirsting for revenge after the dramatic race at Helsinki when Mary Decker stunned them in a magnificent finish. Up until then the event had been dominated by Kazankina who won the Olympic event on the last two occasions. Now the event doesn't even have Decker. Beaten for the first time in four years in the American Olympic trials she has decided to concentrate on the 3000 metres. Anyone competing in both events will have to run six races in six days including a 1500 and 3000 on the same day. Not even Decker would be able to overcome that kind of schedule.
3000 Metres (1 st Round: M on 6, mornning; Semi-Final: Wed 8, evening; Final: Fri 10, evening)
Olympic Champion: New event this year; World Champion: Mary Decker (US); World Record: Svetlana Ulmasova (USSR) 8.26.78. Best times by Irish:
Monica Joyce: 8.49.1; Roisin Smyth: 8.57.0
Again the Russians have dominated this event since its introduction and saw their domination broken in the inaugural World Championships last year. In this, the first time the distance has been included in the Olympic programme, the attention switches from the Russians to the clash between Decker and the South African prodigy Zola Budd. An English Sunday newsspaper has invested enormous amounts of money in bringing Budd to England, establishing her English antecedents and keeping her from other journalists who wish to interview her. She was granted British citizenship in remarkkably quick time giving rise to a certain amount of fuss. All this has apparently gone over the 17 year old's head and she merely goes on doing what she does best - running extremely fast. Last year she broke Decker's world record over 5000 metres. Decker's experience should carry her through but it promises to be a fascinating struggle. Roisin Smyth and Monica Joyce, Ireland's representatives, have been showing good form lately and we can expect a 'good performance from them.
100 Metres Hurdles (Ist Round:
Thurs 9, morning; Semi-Final: Fri 10, evening; Final: Fri 10, evening) Olympic Champion: V. Komisova (USSR); World Champion: Bettina Jahn (GDR); World Record: Gratzyna Rabsztyn (Pol) 12,36
The result will be fairly meaningless in terms of world rankings, Only two of the eight finalists in the World Championships will be taking part. These two should contest the gold medal, Shirley 'Strong of Great Britain who 'smokes, drinks and chases women' according to the lead in an English newspaper interview and Barrbara FitzGerald-Brown who has been married since the championships in Helsinki.
400 Metres Hurdles (lst Round: Sun 5, morning; Semi-Final: Mon 6, evenning; Final: Wed 8, evening)
Olympic Champion: New event this year; World Champion: Eketerina Fesenko (USSR); World Record: Anna Ambrosiene (USSR) 54.02. Best time by Irish: Mary Parr: 58.3
Another race totally dominated by Russia and East Germany. In the abbsence of the world's best Debbie Flintoff from Australia who is Commmonwealth Champion could make reecompense for a poor performance in Helsinki. Other contenders are Skoglund of Sweden (6th in Helsinki) and Morley (7th). Mary Parr left her qualification very late - the day beefore she was due to leave for Los Angeles.
Marathon (Sun 5, morning)
Olympic Champion: New event this year; World Champion: Grete Waitz (Nor); World Record: Joan Benoit (US) 2.22.43. Best times by Irish:
Carey May: 2 hrs 29 min; Regina Joyce: 2 hrs 32 min
The woman to beat must be Grete Waitz, the world champion who has broken the world record no less than four times. She is also world cross country champion five times. Interesstingly, her closest challenger could be another Norwegian, Ingrid Krisstiansen who broke the world 5000 metres record in Oslo a month ago. More pertinently, she set the second fastest time recorded in the Marathon in May. Joan Benoit who currently holds the world record will also be a strong contender. Ireland's represenntatives will, as at Helsinki, be Carey May and Regina Joyce. Regina Joyce who eventually finished seventh atttacked from early on in a very brave performance and led up until the 30km mark when she found the presssure of running on her own too much. The experience gained from that effort should make Joyce's challenge even stronger this time. Carey May's l Sth position in Helsinki was a disappointtment since she has the seventh fastest time in the event to her credit. This is likely to be Ireland's best event for women. Regina Joyce in particular is running well and recently smashed the Irish 10000 metres record.
4x100 Metres Relay (lst Round: Fri 10, morning; Semi-Final: Sat 11, morning; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: GDR; World Champion: GDR; World Record: GDR 41.53
East Germany have so dominated this event since the seventies that everyone else has merely been running for silver. That silver will become gold for someeone this time around. Great Britain came second at Helsinki and on that form should be favourites although Jamaica are sure to produce a very strong team.
4x400 Metres Relay (Lst Round: Fri 10, morning; Semi-Final: Fri 10, morning; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: USSR; World Champion: GDR; World Record: GDR 3.15.92
As if to impress on the ultimate winnners in Los Angeles the invalidity of their title, the East Germans set a new world record during their national trials about a month ago, breaking their own record by over three seconds. The worth of the 1984 gold medals diminish in value in proportion to the distance the East German women put between themselves and their opposiition. For the record Canada and US, 4th and 5th respectively in Helsinki will probably fight out the medals with West Germany.
High Jump (Qualifying: Thurs 9, morning; Final: F ri 1 0, evening) Olympic Champion: Sara Simeoni (Ita); World Champion: Tamara Bykova (USSR); World Record: Tamara Byykova (USSR)
The absence of Bykova means there will be no repeat of the spellbinding contest in Helsinki when the Russian girl defeated West Germany's Ulrike Meyfarth, the previous world record holder. In Bykova's absence the challlenge to Meyfarth will be taken up by Louise Ritter, bronze medallist in Hellsinki and Pam Spencer both of the United States. It is to be hoped that the 1980 Olympic champion Simeoni from Italy will also be fit to defend her title. She unfortunately injured herself in the qualifying round in Hellsinki and had to withdraw. This promiises to be one of the highlights of the women's track and field events.
Long Jump (Qualifying: Wed 8, evenning; Final: Thurs 9, evening)
Olympic Champion: T. Kolpakova (USSR); World Champion: H. Daute (CDR); World Record: Anisoara Cusimir (Rum) 7.43m
At long last. A reigning world record holder will actually be present at the Olympics, thanks to Rumania's deciision to attend. Cusimir was surprised by Daute, the young East German in Helsinki and had to settle for the silver. She won't wish for the same result this time. If anyone is to beat her it could be Carole Lewis, Carl's sister, bronze medallist in Helsinki.
Shot (Qualifying: Fri 3, morning; Final: F ri 3, evening)
Olympic Champion: Illiona Slupianek (CDR); World Champion: Helena Fibingerova (Cze); World Record: Illiona Slupianek (CDR) 22.45
The top six or seven athletes in the world in this event won't be taking part. The gold medal will be a pleasant bonus for the winner.
Discus (Qualifying: Fri 10, morning; Final: Sat 11, evening)
Olympic Champion: E. Jahl (CDR); World Champion: Martina Opitz (CDR); World Record: Galina Savinnkova (USSR) 73.26
The same applies here as for the shot only more so. Only two of the twelve finalists in Helsinki came from outtside Eastern Europe, the Dutch woman Stalman and Meg Ritchie of Great Britain. Ritchie is probably favourite for the event, although should she WID her effort is unlikely to come within five metres of Savinkova's world best. Patricia Walsh represents Ireland and she has been the most consistent Irish performer of recent years, but will struggle to qualify for the final. Her qualifying throw for the Games was only 57.60m.
Javelin (Qualifying: Sun 5, morning; Final: Mon 6, evening)
Olympic Champion: Maria Colon (Cuba); World Champion: Tina Lillak (Fin); World Record: Tina Lillak (Fin) 74.76
Tina Lillak was the most romantic winner of the World Championships last year. As world champion she was considered the host country's best chance of a gold medal but was trailling badly until her very last throw sailed out to win the gold. The crowd were delirious and in fact the only perrson who may have begrudged Lillak the gold was Fatima Whitbread the English thrower who had led the final up until that moment and seemed assured of the gold. This event has surprisingly been practically unaffected by the boycott and the top four from Helsinki will be fighting it out again ¸Lillak, Whit bread , Anna Verouli of Greece and Tessa Sanderson of Great Britain. Another fine contest in prosspect.
Heptathlon (Fri 3, morning: 100m hurdles, highjump; Fri 3, evening: shot, 200m; Sat 4, morning: long jump; Sat 4, evening: javelin, 800m)
Olympic Champion: New' event this year; World Champion: Ramona Neuubert (CDR); World Record: Ramona Neubert (CDR) 6836 points
The women's equivalent of the men's decathlon, this used to be the penttathlon up until the last Olympics. The seven events that have to be commpleted are 100m hurdles, 220m, 800m, High Jump, Shot, Long Jump, Javelin. The top ten performers are all East European. •