World Athletics Championships London 2017

Great athletics tonight and well done to the Kenyans for a terrific race in the 1500m. A good time as well 3.33 and all inside 3.39, so well done to all the runners for making it a good race. It contrasted very sharply with last summer's 1500m Olympic final. It is about time that the 1500m became the blue riband event of any games again.

Utterly fantastic 800m women's race. All inside 1.59, so although Lyndsey Sharp will be disappointed with her position, her performance was excellent but she was up against it against runners who can go 1.56 and below.

Great win by the Kenyan in the 5000m. One uplifting moment was the Syrian medallijng in the High
Jump, so well done to him.

I expect the US to win both 4*400 and the Poles to medal in at least one of these relays. Best European nation in these games given their contribution in both track and field, men and women. I am sure Team GM will medal as well.

 

Who to replace him? How about Dwain Chambers?

 

GB girls get silver in 4 x 400

 

I said Team GB and the Poles would medal. Six seconds behind the power house of the USA.

 

The US team are fantastic.

 

Another hamstring for the Jamaicans, but a fantastic run from the GB women. The USA are just a class apart, unfortunately.

I'd stick Paula Radcliffe in the hot seat personally, she's done her time as a pundit and why not have a woman commentating on men's distance running?

 

One of the newspapers said before the competition that Paula has already got the job.

 

Well done Trinidad and Tobago. Stuck with the US and applied the pressure at the killer moment. Martin Rooney left with a too much to do but a creditable run by Team GB. Hope it was inside 3.00 minutes. Just seen the times it was, 2.59 so that is pretty impressive.

 

I honestly didn't know that! She is the obvious choice in terms of retired GB distance legends. You could make a case for Liz McColgan, but nobody would understand her!

 

So if Paula Ratcliffe moves up, there's room for Dwain!!

 

The bottom line set for the GB team was 6-8 medals....the relays have just saved them and they acquired 6 medals. Support money should be safe.

 

Darren Campbell.

 

It should be increased. The people responsible should go and visit every primary school and encourage kids to take up athletics. Our top sports people, such as Steven Gerrard should visit schools in Liverpool and teach the youngsters the value of athletics. Then we would have more track and field stars.

 

Gerrard could coach kids in the falling on your arse event...

 

And when she stops competing I hope the BBC find room for the likes of Allyson Felix, Sally Pearson and a specialist from the field events.

 

That is the Long, Triple and High Jump where I think they all fall on their backsides. Sorted.

 

Steve Backley is doing a great job on the field events already!

 

How the UK could do a plethora of guys like him to compete in the javelin. IF Poland can find great field athletes, surely the UK with its bigger population can do it. It would take 10 to do this but a start needs to be made.

 

It helps to have been successful in your career so that you have the respect of athletes when you interview them, but there is also a talent in broadcasting. Not everyone can do it...have to get the balance right. No doubt the BBC would like to see how a candidate does in trackside interviews initially.....to see if they have presence and a natural style.

 

Lottery funding is the key. That was the key to success in the last 3 Olympics. The field events require specialist equipment which state schools don't always have these days. This should be addressed straight away.