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Five Olympics – five memories.
Trying to sum up an Olympics in one race is a challenge but one that I am ready to take on. Having been privileged to be at just about every track and field Olympic session 2008-2024, I am well-placed to make the choice.
Beijing 2008
The beginning of the Usain Bolt era with his gold medals at 100 and 200 would seem to make it an easy choice but I am going for a more personal one, the women’s 400m. I had got to know Christine Ohuruogu earlier in 2008. Sanya Richards was the favorite and by half-way she had just a big lead that the race seemed over. Then Christine started to cut the deficit, Sanya seemed to be running through quicksand. Christine won in 49.62.
London 2012
It has come to be called summer Saturday – that 45 minute period when Jess Ennis completed the final event in the heptathlon, Mo Farah won the 10K and Greg Rutherford won the long-jump.
Rutherford, who was simultaneously Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champion, always felt that he did not get the credit his achievements merited. Rutherford entered the press conference room and said “well, guys, I seem to have fluked another one!”
His coach, Dan Pfaff, explained to me that it was a very windy day and while Greg might not hav been the best long-jumper in absolutely terms, he was the one who managed the conditions best.
Ennis was the favorite for the heptathlon but as the face of the games, she had the added pressure of being the face of the home games. She handled the pressure and held her performance together well. For Mo Farah there was the added pressure of attempting and succeeding in pulling off a 5K and 10K double.
Rio 2016
There were so many stellar performances in Rio. Elaine Thompson’s sprint double. Faith Kipyegon winning the 1500m. Littel did we know how often we would repeat that phrase. Mo Farah successfully defending his two titles, similarly Bolt or Wayde van Niekerk’s world record are all worthy of a mention. But my choice is the women’s 5k. Vivian Cheruiyot ran a Kenyan record but placed second behind Ethiopian Almaz Ayana’s world record, amidst murmuring of fair-play or the lack of it. In the 5k, Cheruiyot Hellen Obiri and Mercy Cherono hatched a plan. If none of them could beat Ayana individually, perhaps together they could. They ran as a team, potentially sacrificing individual glory for their country. It worked with Cheruiyot winning from Obiri with Ayana third. Mercy Cherono was fourth but joined the others on the lap of honor.
Tokyo 2020/2021
There were so many highlights! The successive morning world records in the 400m hurdles by Sydney McLaughin and Karsten Warholm. Sifan Hassan falling, getting up and still making the final on her way to medal in 10K, 5K and 1500. But my choice is the men’s high jump when Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim elected to share the gold medal rather than have a jump off. With Marcel Jacobs winning the 100m it was special day for Italy.
Paris 2024
The middle distance races were eagerly awaited with British interest aplenty. The big question in the women’s 800 was could Keely Hodkinson finally get gold and stop being the perennial bridesmaid. The answer a resounding Yes! Faith Kipyegon to win the 1500 with a potential minor British medal. Faith won but without threatening her own world record. Laura Muir set a new PR but was only fifth with Georgia Bell taking bronze with a National record for GB!
In the men’s 1500. The big question was: can Josh Kerr beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen again and take Olympic gold to add to last year’s world gold. And what about 2022 world champion, Jake Wightman? In the event, Wightman was injured. Kerr duly beat Ingebrigtsen but Cole Hocker (USA) snuck in on the line to win the race.
