Olympic Day 3 Preview
Each day I’ll be doing a fairly extensive but “just the facts, ma’am” preview. For something a little more narrative, head on over to Flotrack.
Some notes: names in gold, silver or bronze are the medal position predicted by Track and Field News, and all times are Eastern. “Gambler’s picks” are the odds in the UK.
Remember, you can watch live online at NBCOlympics.com
You also want to follow the IAAF’s live blog, they do a fantastic job.
Scheduled TV coverage
men’s 100m dash, plus apparatus finals in
Gymnastics, the women’s springboard
final in Diving, and a Beach Volleyball matchup.
steeplechase, and qualifying in the high
jump, plus the men’s singles final in Badminton.
6:00 AM Women’s Marathon
Defending World Marathon Majors Champion: Liliya Shobukhova (RUS)
Defending World Champion: Edna Kiplagat (RUS)
Defending Olympic Champion: Constantina Diṭă-Tomescu (ROM)
2012 World Leader: Mary Keitany (KEN)
Track and Field News’ Medal Picks: Mary Keitany (KEN), Liliya Shobukhova (RUS), Edna Kiplagat (RUS)
Gambler’s Medal Picks: Mary Keitany (KEN), Liliya Shobukhova (RUS), Tiki Gelana (ETH)
TFN Preview | IAAF Preview | All-time Olympic stats
Recent headlines about this event have centered around who might not be in this event: world record holder Paula Radcliffe and American Desi Davila. Radcliffe is out with injury, and Davila has had some problems that impacted her ability to get to the start line. Davila is still on the start list and plans to run, but she’s highly unlikely to make a difference in the race.
Based on their excellent road racing records, the favorites are Kenyan Mary Keitany and Edna Kiplagat and Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova, but Team USA has legitimate medal threats in Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher. Both have excellent track credentials, with Flanagan winning Olympic 10k bronze in 2008 and Goucher winning Worlds 10k bronze in 2007, and both appear to be in top condition.
The others who are expected to challenge come from the expected places: Kenya (Priscah Jeptoo) and Ethiopia (Aselefech Mergia, Tiki Gelana) but there are alwats surprises in Olympic marathons. One who could surprise is Rhode Island-based Kiwi Kim Smith, who led the 2011 Boston Marathon before succombing to injury. Her pre-Olympic preparations have gone well, topped off with a half marathon win and a course record at the B.A.A. 10k.
2:00 PM Women’s 400m Hurdles heats
Qualifying format: top four in each heat plus four more by time qualify to Monday’s semifinals
Notables by heat…
Heat 1: Zuzana Hejnová (CZE), Vania Stambolova (BUL), T’erea Brown (USA), Sarah-Lynn Wells (CAN)
Heat 2: Natalya Antyukh (RUS), Kaliese Spencer (JAM)
Heat 3: Lashinda Demus(USA), Denisa Rosolová (CZE)
Heat 4: Irina Davydova (RUS), Georganne Moline (USA)
Heat 5: >Melaine Walker (JAM), Perri Shakes-Drayton (GBR)
2:05 PM Men’s High Jump qualifying
Qualifying format: top twelve ore everyone over 2.32m, whichever is more, qualify to Tuesday’s final
Notables in group A: Andrey Silnov (RUS), Derek Drouin (CAN), Aleksandr Shustov (RUS), Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), Guowei Zhang (CHN)
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