Coffee with Larry, July 15, 2024, 400 meter hurdles in Monaco, Brooks Johnson, Femke Bol Impresses, and thoughts on John Bennett, architect of VISA Decathlon Program

This is my daily chat with #RunBlogRun viewers and track fans on track & field!

This is Coffee with Larry for Monday, July 15, 2024.

Our topics:

1. Great to meet on Friday in Monaco!

2. Five Big Moments from Monaco, by Stuart Weir: https://www.runblogrun.com/2024/07/five-highlights-from-monaco.html

3. Three Amigos battle it out over 400m hurdles! by Stuart Weir, https://www.runblogrun.com/2024/07/the-mens-400-meter-hurdles-in-herculis-monaco-the-three-amigos-delivered-in-monaco.html

4. RAK Half marathon announces 2025 date, February 1, 2025, plus Pre-registration offer! https://www.runblogrun.com/2024/07/the-2025-ras-al-khaimah-half-marathon-announced-for-february-1-2025.html

5. We just received the sad news, John Bennett, RIP, 1932-2024.

One of the most important people in sports marketing and global Olympic marketing, John Bennett, former VISA Executive VP for Marketing, built the VISA Decathlon Program, 1990-2000, with Coaches Harry Marra and Fred Samara, has just died. He was 91. Watch for the story tomorrow of this fantastic man and marketing visionary. Keep him in your prayers, as well as his lovely wife of 65 years, Ann, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Truly a man among men.

Also watch for a tribute on our podcast tomorrow as well.

John Bennett was a good man, and his support of VISA saved American Athletics magazine. Then, American Track & Field, with VISA’s ad support and the support of the VISA Decathlon program, brought medals back to the US if should always be a huge US athletic presence.

6. Femke Bol ran 50.95, a new European record at 400-meter hurdles this past weekend. Only the second woman to break 51 seconds in the 400m hurdles!

7. Some thoughts on Brooks Johnson.

Have a great day! See you tomorrow!

Thanks for watching Coffee with Larry!