Just got back from Edmonton. Haven't had a chance to read many posts, so
I'll probably be repeating some stuff.
The meet itself was excellently produced. Those Video screens make a huge
difference! They were well used and offered some great views when I was
roving the stadium and sitting in the North end by the Pole Vaulters.
Hersh and Hill did a bang up job of keeping us informed, so much better
than John Ridgeon and Pepe Le Pew, although I'm damned if I knew Hill
spoke such fluent French!
Most enjoyed event: Woman's PV. Dragila and Feofanova going at it hammer
and tongs. What a contrast in athletes. Dragila built solidly, Feofanova
looking like a waif.
Interesting stats: In the second 1500 semi, where Kevin Sullivan no
showed, they ran 53 something for the 3d lap. In the 5000 the last 1600
was 4.03; the last 800 1.54+. Just goes to show the best 1500 man does
not necessarily win these kinds of races. Reminded me of 1972 5000 with
Viren doing 4.01 for last 1600 in much slower race. In the 10,000 the
first 2000 was 5.09, as was the last.
Fan fun: I couldn't stand the breakfast at my motel so went next door to
the Holiday Inn and found out the British team was there. Had Buffet
every morning amongst the likes of Edwards, Macey, Backley. Saw Edwards
outside in a photo op standing on a grass knoll with his medal, with the
back drop being the traffic on Calgary trail and a huge IKEA store.
While waiting for the plane at Edmonton I recognized Mike Conley sitting
across from me. He ended up across the aisle from me in the plane. As we
were deplaning he
motioned me to go ahead of him and I couldn't resist saying: "No, after
you Mr. Conley." He gave me a look of what I took to be surprised
pleasure at being recognized. Two of the greatest triple jumpers ever in
one week, wow.
Fans behind me told me two MJ stories. 1. They were sitting in a
Restaurant when they noticed MJ sitting at the next table. When he
realized he'd been spotted he asked the manager to move him to a booth,
far away. 2. One of the guys was a steward on an airplane with MJ aboard.
He wrote him a very nice and obsequious note asking him for a signature
for a friend of his who was a huge MJ fan. He got his reply when the
plane landed ,and MJ turned at the door and threw a paper airplane at
him...with his signature on it.
On the day of the men's Discus I got to my seat after being over at the
men's HJ and found a camera man and his lady boom operator ensconced in
my seat, which was right next to the athlete's and coaches area. "These
seats are taken" he told me imperiously in that oh so Germanic way. "This
is my seat." I said in my best impression of C.J. Hunter (C.J. outweighs
me by a mere 40 lbs). The lady boom operator realized that diplomacy was
required and started to explain to me that they were filming the middle
aged gentleman on the athletes side. I quickly put 2 and 2 together and
said: "Oh you mean for Lars?" She nodded, pleased by my knowledge of
Teutonic Disci throwing. I agreed to sit in an, alas too ubiquitous,
unoccupied seat, and she gave me a pin as a payoff.
The elderly gentleman was Lars Riedel's coach, and he had three cameras
on him at one time or another for German TV. As Alekna was leading early,
all they got was Sturm und Drang. When Buss cleared 2.36 in the HJ, I
politely, if ironically, inquired if they had perhaps had been filming
the wrong coach. The Black Forest itself could have been set alight by
the looks I got. Then Lars came through and his Coach went ....well
Teutonic, and everybody left happy.
IMHO: I don't think Szabo would have won the 5000 anyway. She dropped
back before the big kick, and I think she was tired from the 1500 and the
heats, as well as the heat and humidity. I had no trouble with Canadian
fans being boosterish. They also cheered on anyone they were told to
cheer on by John Ridgeon, who diplomatically emphasized Canadian
achievements (?). I can't get all excited by the fuss over Yegorova when
there are so many athletes out there who have not been caught. e.g.
Kederis, (who clearly doesn't have great speed but simply doesn't slow
down like the others), Thannou, Pintusevich, who are built like tanks, et
al.
Most fun: Bahama band! Some fans may have wanted their money back but
there were many around them having a ball. I was downtown accidentally
during Caribbean fest and got to walk with the band and the crowd for a
mile. I lost a few pounds!
Phil Wyckoff
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