World Championships Day 5: Errant photographers, and a kid who finally listened to Dad

Lots of discussion about the cameraman who wandered onto the track last night during the steeple chase final. 

There was an official at the finish line who was screaming at the guy to move, but the cameraman had earphones on and couldn’t hear anything except his producer back in the TV trailer. The producer should have told him that a race was in progress and to stay off the track. Since that didn’t happen, hopefully the producer recognized the situation and told the cameraman to freeze in place. The guy was not moving as the pack went around him, because if he was, someone it would’ve been hit by a 65 pound camera. That’s usually not what you want to have happen in the world championship final.

This morning, an official who is not working the meet ripped us ‘for letting this happen.’ 

I probably didn’t need extra caffeine today, but…I (somehow) calmly explained that World Athletics has kept us off the track to an unprecedented degree. They want very few bodies in sight, especially on the infield, and the marshals are being kept under the stands. None of us like it, but it’s not our call. Then this person ripped us for Devon Allen’s DQ with the false start. Again, the starting line referee, an ITO (International Technical Official) made the call based of the exact wording of the rule. No leeway or interpretation. 

Having said that: it’s an overly punitive rule that pushes spectators away. Not what we want. 

Oh, and check out the Kenyan hidden behind the tall guy in red. That face is saying, “DUDE!!!! GET OFF THE TRACK!!” And in Swahili, no less…

It’s hard to screw up breakfast, and today the bacon was nice and crispy. 

(Sorry, that’s not jámon, as my friend Liz in Spain would prefer. She’s probably offended).

A little bike ride on Excalibur; bought this beast in 1990 and she’s still kickin’ it. A nice paint job helps. 

A stop at South Eugene High School; this is the unofficial practice track for big meets. One relay team is practicing handoffs, and a bunch of race walkers are doing laps as well. 

Meanwhile, the lazy Americans are standing around doing nothing. Donovan Brazier on the left, Craig Engels on the right. I think they were secretly checking out my posh bike. 

A little pad thai always sticks to the ribs. 

To the track, and the men’s 1500m final…

Alex, I’ll take ‘Who the Hell is Jake Wightman’ for $1000. 

Seriously. I had never heard of the guy. Smart money was on Little Brigtsen (not to be confused with his older brothers MiddleBrigtsen and ElderBrigtsen). Jakob is the reigning Olympic Champion and just a robot out there, but the Brit (not the Brigt) laid the wood to him with 300 to go and somehow held him off. 

The coolest part of this story? Jake’s dad WAS THE STADIUM ANNOUNCER FOR THIS RACE!!! I don’t know how Poppy held his composure. As Jake crossed, the announcer’s face flashed onto the jumbotron; as the masses wondered why, Dad said, “THAT’S MY SON!” 

First Brit to win a global 1500m title since 1984. The Olympic victor that year was Sebastian Coe, now the President of World Athletics, and in attendance at Eugene. 

Very cool moment. 

Day 4: Don’t you hate it when your clothes don’t fit (and errant photographers)

Day 3: Marathons, Dance Cams, and not enough caffeine

Day 2: Celebrity Day at the Track

Day 1: Preview