New York Times missed an opportunity to accurately describe what happens during 100m

The New York Times created a Wonderful Graphic to describe what was happening during the 100m final. Unfortunately they got some of the comments wrong. 

This article from Wall Street Journal describes the process very well and shows acceleration up to 50m and deceleration after 70m.

NYT: His reaction times are often slow

The reaction times of Bolt and Gatlin was 0.155 vs 0.153, so the initial difference isn't due to the reaction time is due to their initial stride pattern and body angle. Taller athletes are at a disadvantage remember Carl Lewis? 

NYT: Bolt usually gets to full speed (about 12 meters a second) at the 60-meter mark. By then, Gatlin’s lead had evaporated.

Usain Bolt probably reached a higher top speed by about 50-70m accounting for closing the gap. 

NYT: Bolt owns this part of the race for a simple reason: He creates more force into the ground in less time than anyone else.

This description is probably valid for 40-60m. After 60-70m it is all about who is decelerating the least. 
Usain Bolt takes fewer strides overall and conserves his energy much better. 

Even when he relaxes, looks left, smiles at Justin Gatlin and taps his chest he is still not decelerating as much as anyone else.

This man is so fast he has enough time to stop and cheese for the camera before crossing the finish line. #Bolt pic.twitter.com/UOxZzAQWR3

— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) August 15, 2016

Wayde van Niekerk breaks World Record on way to Olympic gold

I woke up this morning at 2:50 to watch Wayde van Niekerk destroy the 400m world record. Destroy is probably not the best choice of words. It is not in Wayde's nature to destroy anything. He is a gentle soul that works very hard. I did, however, woke up all the dogs in the neighbourhood and destroy my upper thigh while watching that last 120m of the most excellently executed 400m.
If Wayde reacted as fast as Kirani James to the gun he may have been the first human to run below 43seconds for 400m.

I am glad/proud to say I told you so:

I believe the one individual world record in real danger of being broken is 400m and @WaydeDreamer can do it.

— Corneil du Plessis (@corneil) August 13, 2016

Wayde van Niekerk breaks another barrier! 19.94 for 200m

The records are tumbling.
http://www.supersport.com/athletics/sa-track-and-field/news/150714/Van_Niekerk_breaks_SA_200m_record

Wayde van Niekerk dips below 44 seconds in 400m

This is fantastic! To anyone asking where did this come from now? This is no fluke, Wayde has been making steady progress the last few years in one the most difficult events in athletics. Difficult you say? Yes, ask anybody who has ever prepared for and competed in 400m at the highest levels. Your performance is determined by your ability to convert all your available energy into as much speed as possible for 400m.
If you misjudge this you hit the wall. You would have seen athletics look like someone is adding bricks to a hidden back pack and they become unable to lift their legs as high or as fast. Their stride length shorten and every one else suddenly looks faster. If they are still running 10m after the finish line they could have completed in a faster time. With the perfect 400m race you should feel beautiful for 200m and are usually unaware of the first half of the race. Then you start feeling nausea at around 250-300m but you relax while maintain form and speed until 1 step after the finish line.

Most 400m hurdlers would rather jump over a hurdle 10 times than running 400m without the hurdles. Most 800m runners would rather do 2 laps than 1.

Read more here http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/van-niekerk-paris

Mbualeni Mulaudzi dies in car crash

Mbualeni Mulaudzi reached the pinnacle. Mbualeni Mulaudzi is an example of what can be acheived by hard work. He was also a very clever tactician.
Sadly he has died in a car crash like so many South Africans. He will be missed and I am sure his tactics will be studied by many.

http://wintergames.ap.org/article/former-800-world-champ-mulaudzi-dies-car-crash

South Africans deserves more!

http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2013/08/26/going-for-gold-in-partying-not-the-olympics

Great 100m by Anaso Jobodwana. Next target is the final!

http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/14th-iaaf-world-championships-4873/results/men/100-metres/heats/result#resultheader

How about a new SA Record on the way to the final? That is probably what it is going require.