Yardbarker: Track and Field

Jamaica track and field coach resigns but will continue with Usain Bolt

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:41:58 -0500

Usain Bolt's coach will continue working with the Olympic champion and world record holder even though he is stepping down as Jamaica's national team coach after 22 years.

World’s Fastest Man Adopts World’s Fastest Pet

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:50:11 -0500

While visiting Kenya this week, world champion Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt adopted a baby cheetah. I applaud this cosmic symmetry, and wish it could be repeated throughout the sporting world: Charles Barkley could adopt a baby water buffalo, for instance. Hank Steinbrenner a *******. And so on. “During his trip, he has already impressed local children [...]

Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah (Yes, Really)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:21:25 -0500

Some things just seem too incredible to be real, such as the guy who's pledging to push the 100-meter mark to unthinkable lows adopting one of the world's fastest animals. And yet, to the right of this text is a picture of Usain Bolt with his adopted cheetah.Bolt, the world record holder at both 100m and 200m, told reporters at the weekend he was excited about his first meeting with a cheetah.But the BBC's Caroline Karobia in Nairobi says he appeared to be knocked out of his strid...

IAAF says it is reviewing gender tests on runner Caster Semenya of South Africa, won't decide until November

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:51:37 -0500

The IAAF said Friday it has received the results of gender tests on South African runner Caster Semenya but is still reviewing them and will not issue any final decision until November.

Disputed Manlady Olympic Runner Gets Makeover

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:15:10 -0500

In this continuing Caster Semenya saga, which - if she’s in fact a lady, as tests will soon “prove,” must be humiliating for her, one of our favorite details is that the letters in her name rearrange to spell “Yes, A Secret Man” and some people are taking that as a sign that it’s true, [...]

I'm too grown for this.

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:29:54 -0500

So, things went well for me in Zurich (9.95) and Zagreb (9.94). I hope the trend continues. Physically, I feel great and I think it shows...But MAN I'm missing home.

I'm used to being away from home for long stretches...it comes with the territory. And, I'm a grown man. What the heck do I look like being homesick?

Trust me...I've asked myself that quite a few times and I've just decided to give myself a pass.

All that stuff doesn't apply when you're married with a new baby. Yeah, it's sappy, I know. But a wife and a baby girl can do that to you. And what's so crazy is...I'm really not gone that long! I can't imagine what the baseball fathers do. Shoot. Tell me. Give me some pointers! I'm gone three months out of the year and y'all push, what? Eight?

I was doing okay until my wife sent me the most recent pictures of my daughter.

I left for Europe the day before she turned six-weeks old and today is her three-month birthday. I really wasn't tripping (on the outside) because I figured, "hey, she can't miss me if she doesn't know I'm gone." But, I know that I'm gone. Leaving was tough. No lie.

As a matter of fact, I must've looked pretty pitful because when I was standing in the security line at the airport this dude asked me if I was okay.

I'm laughing about it now, but for real, shout out to the nice people in the world - we need more folks like you hanging around.

Anyway, Wifey has been sending me pictures and videos of Kodie just about every day. She's laughing out loud now and doing the baby talk thing. And, from what I can tell, she's developing a little attitude. It's funny because she's so stinking little...too little to be fussing like she does over the phone.

Anyway, like I was saying, my wife sent these pictures to me yesterday. And, I probably would have been cool after seeing them, but I just found out that I wouldn't be coming home for a short four-day break...so it kind of tugged at my heart.

Look at that face.

Cute, huh? That's my fat fat.

Okay, just one more...

My wife thinks Kodie is spoiled now...just wait until I get home.

Yeah, so this is me (attempting to) suck it up. I'm gonna go do some push ups or something and get my mind right. I can't have that little girl getting me wrapped around her finger yet.

Next up...Memorial Van Damme in Brussels. Check me out.

2009 Weltklasse Zurich - 100M

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:26:21 -0500

There IS Life after World Championships...

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:52:08 -0500

It’s on to the circuit now. And, it is a little awkward.

Competing after World Championships is sort of like starting football season after the Super Bowl.

When the circuit begins, you leave behind the comforts of the Championships for reality. No more free wireless Internet. No more card games in the hotel lobby. No more catered breakfast, lunch and dinner. No more hospitality suites and snacks. I know. I know. Woe is me.

There’s really nothing else like the European track circuit. It’s European country-hopping at its best – and you learn SO much. The need for a converter, toilet tokens, and a second (or third) language to name a few…

It’s funny because every year there is a group of new athletes who turn pro and cross the pond for their first tour of the European track circuit. I laugh when I see them...all red-eyed and sluggish... because I remember MY first year on the circuit... Man that was a LONG two months

I basically jumped off the plane and into the bed. My eyes burned so badly it felt like I had sand in them. I was so happy when my head hit the pillow! I slept for 5 hours....and it was that good sleep. That kind of sleep that you get after a really good butt whooping - that mouth open, drool on the pillow, wake up with a headache wondering where you are sleep...And, when I did wake up it was 2 am and I was WIDE awake.

I thought I'd watch TV and fall right back asleep. Naw. Not even a little bit.

That night I re-discovered the BBC and learned more about the United States than I could’ve ever wanted to know. You THINK you know what's going on in the world…but you have no idea until you sit down and really listen to another perspective.

Anyway, that morning, I decided to shave and line myself up. You know, look decent for my track meet – it was going to be televised. Well, that was the beginning of a bad day. I blew up my edges – they started smoking and the cord melted – and I shorted out my Playstation. (Yeah, nobody told me about the whole voltage conversion thing). Frustrated, I showered in a shower stall made for a skinny troll and went downstairs for breakfast. This was not the bacon, scrambled eggs and biscuit breakfast you’re picturing. Nothing like IHOP. Breakfast consisted of salmon, watery eggs and stone-hard super dry bread – and orange juice with all the pulp in it. Yeah, tasty, I know.

Lunch wasn’t much better. I asked for a hamburger and that’s exactly what I got – a piece of ham wedged between two slices of bread. The same thing happened when I asked for a cheeseburger – bread and cheese – no meat. Needless to say, at the end of the day, I was sick as a dog and in desperate need of Pepto-Bismol. Yeah, well…it sucks when you’re sick and can’t read the labels at the pharmacy. So yes, I advocate bilingual – even trilingual education. Everyone else speaks two or three languages, why shouldn’t we?

Like I said…that was a LONG two months, and I’m so happy I made it through. Now I pack two converters, and bring my portable DVD player and two week’s worth of movies for down time and airport layovers. I put my bodysuit, spikes, and an extra pair of underwear in my backpack along with my laptop and extra batteries because your trip to Europe isn’t complete until you lose your luggage. I save my Euros for my next trip over because the Euro always seems to trump the dollar (why lose money if you don’t have to?). I keep a calling card, Skype account and a friend with an international phone just in case there is an emergency. And, I make sure I have headphones and blanket and earplugs for the plane ride home. You taking notes?

You learn best when you learn the hard way. Here’s to the first timer’s on the circuit!

Check me out today – I’m competing in the 100M at the Weltklasse Zurich meeting. It will air in the states on NBC this Sunday, August 30 at 12PM. I’m sure it will find its way to YouTube before then though. If I find it, I’ll post it.

Until next time…

Fanarchy TONIGHT!

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:50:17 -0500

The folks at Versus have invited me to be a guest on Fanarchy tonight! I'm looking forward to it. Make sure you check it out! 9:30 CT on Versus.

Go to http://www.versus.com and use the channel finder to locate the Versus channel in your area.

It's past my bedtime, so you will hear more from me later.

WOW. A Protest. Really?

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:08:10 -0500

Some call me a perpetual optimist, and that’s something that I can claim, but man, the Lord is testing my spirit. I’m pretty good at picking myself up off the floor, but what do you say at a time like this? Two events with the same outcome, all in 12 month’s time. This is the worst kind of déjà vu…

It’s hard to get over this feeling without punching the wall and dropping a few f-bombs. Honestly, that’s how I feel. But, I know none of that will make this feeling that I’m feeling go away.

Rules are rules and we have rules for a reason. I respect the rules and the rule makers.

And, since we’re walking the tight rope of rules, yes, we were disqualified on a technicality.

A technicality that the officials missed. A technicality that the commentators missed. A technicality that the cameras missed. A technicality that required a slow motion, frame-by-frame HD-quality, 10-camera angle booth-style review, an hour after the race was done.

Hey, if that’s what it takes, then so be it. We stepped onto the track ready. We’ve been ready. The fans were waiting. And, now they are the biggest losers. The fans were cheated today. They were cheated out of a race that was a long time coming. And for what? A technicality.

I’ll tell you this. Life teaches the best lessons and I’m learning them – this time, twice over.

I’m angry. I’m frustrated, and I don’t understand how something like this could happen to me – to Team USA – TWICE.

And it’s not that I really don’t understand. I’m not stupid. I was there. I’ve been there.

I guess what I’m saying is… I live to compete. I am a competitor. That means I want to beat you when you’re at your best, and that I’m going to give it my all come hell or high water, no matter what the occasion – EVERY SINGLE TIME. So when things don’t pan out like I expect it, it’s naturally a disappointment. And, I’m still trying to put words to what happened yesterday. Disappointment just doesn’t cut it.

And it’s annoying because you hear so much criticism. Yeah, that’s part of the process – but hear me out.

I think sometimes folks forget that I – WE – represent an entire nation. We wear the United States of America across our chests proudly. We’re representing our mommas, daddies, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, friends and everyone else who has ever made a difference in our lives – not to mention countless strangers who just love the sport – every time we compete.

Why then would we do anything less than bring the best that we’ve got each and every time we step on the track? I guess I’m “talking” to the folks who will, and always do, dissect our races from the comfort of their living room couches. The ones who had a brother who ran track in high school, or knew someone who knew someone who coached a summer track team once or twice and think they can do me better than me. Every sport has those folks…they bring life to the discussion…and they keep things interesting, but if you’re going to be a real fan, please, don’t dog us. A true fan will never kick their team when they’re down.

Comments and criticism come easily when you’re behind closed doors watching a crowd of 50,000 people instead of standing in front of them. And, I’m not making excuses. That’s what a professional athlete is paid to do. But does that mean we are infallible? Does it mean that we are invincible? Nah, not at all…we’re just human. So just keep that in your back pocket for future reference, and I’ll keep it moving.

Usain Bolt 200m 19.19 World Record, Berlin 2009, Video

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:41:40 -0500

Usain Bolt 200m 19.19 World Record, Berlin 2009, Video. This is absolutely ridiculous. People that have made comments that I am some kind of jealous writer because I think he is most likely using PED’s. I would say I am a realist. Everyone in the world can run, and everyone in the world has been [...]

Usain Bolt is Not Like Us

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:34:51 -0500

I mean, this is just crazy. Usain Bolt destroyed another record today, this time blasting through the 200 m in 19.19 seconds, .11 seconds better than the previous record (video below). In light of the Smack item this morning that relayed the story of a female sprinter being subjected to a gender test, we were [...]

Gender Controversy: A debate

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:33:00 -0500

Any big event is going to be with its fair share of controversy. That’s just the way things work. The World Championships in Berlin are no different. Today a story has emerged that has the word written all over it. The women’s 800 meter final is tonight and it may or may not go off with this season’s best performer, South Africa’s Caster Semenya in the field. If you’ve been watching closely and happened to have caught the prelim of this event, you may remember she was part of the mix-up that caused the previous World Champion to fall and come in dead last, and herself to come extremely close to taking a bad fall, but somehow managing to save herself and finish the race in 1st.

But I’m getting ahead of myself here just a bit…the fact that I’m referring to Semenya as a “she” is the whole reason for the controversy. It seems there has been testing done (or there will be in the near future) to see whether she’s male or both, and therein is where the problem lies. According to IAAF rules, a competitor must be fully female to compete in women’s events. She seemingly came out of nowhere and burst onto the international scene to be the best in the world and that was the first clue that something was amiss. Add to that her running style and mannerisms and people really begin to scratch their head.

The fact remains that nothing has been confirmed yet but that of course does not stop tongues from wagging. And if it is true, perhaps she didn’t knowingly try to gain an unfair advantage and figured she wants to live her life as a woman and therefore it wasn’t something she truly thought about when she laced up her spikes. You can see from this interview that she is very new to the sport and comes from an extremely simple background. It could be something that was never even discussed with her teammates and coaches, and now unfortunately it is turning into a global media story. For that, I do feel sorry for her. But it’s hard enough racing against the best females in the world, who wants to also add to the mix those who have extra testosterone and other beneficial male characteristics?

So what do you make of the story? It will be horrible if it turned out not to be true, but if it is, I think it wouldn't be fair to let her compete. I guess I feel like the only fair thing that could be done in the future would be to allow them their own category, just as the Paralympians have. But for the immediate future, it just seems like the 800 final will have a fair share of controversy surrounding it.

Some articles: (If you google it, you can find plenty more)

Daily Telegraph

The Age

Interview after the Semi's:

Bolt wins 100 meter at worlds in record time

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:20:06 -0500

Usain Bolt ran to another world record Sunday, winning the 100-meter race in 9.58 seconds at the world championships. Bolt shaved .11 seconds off the record he set at the Beijing Olympics, beating defending champion Tyson Gay, who set a U.S. record of 9.71 seconds. In the fastest 100 ever, Asafa Powell took Jamaica's second medal, a bronze with a time of 9.84. The race had been the most anticipated event of the world championships and lived fully up to its billing.

Lolo Jones vs. Alison Stokke - The Great Track Debate

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:26:24 -0500

Allison Stokke already has a huge base of fans on the internet who have seen her pics online for the past year and a half, while Lolo Jones is clearly the hottest runner since the Beijing Olympics. Make your vote count at InGameNow.

Allison Stokke Headlines the Sweet 16

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:07:19 -0500

In the #2 Leryn Franco vs. #3 Allison Stokke matchup, it was close. But overall, InGameNow agreed with the popular vote and Allison beat out competitor Leryn. Here is how it was decided. Jimmy: Franco over Stokke: Nice effort by the youngster, but she's going against a legend Poll: Stokke over Franco: Stokke 58% Franco 42% IGN: Stokke over Franco: Allison is the perfect example of less is more Click the link for the other members of the InGameNow World's Hottest Athlete Sweet 16!

Allison Stokke vs. Leryn Franco

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:34:28 -0500

#3. Allison Stokke Stokke had an easy first round victory due to her established internet fame. Now she faces real competition. A vote for Stokke ensures plenty more pictures of her stretching and pole vaulting as she gets kissed by the California sun. vs #2. Leryn Franco Franco has been such a hit since the Olympics that you almost felt sorry for the competition. After an easy first round KO, Leryn is up against another popular sensation in Stokke. Leryn has graced runways and calend...

Amy Acuff vs. Lolo Jones, Both Going for the World's Hottest Athlete

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:43:21 -0500

In Round 2, we have a playboy model, high jumper Amy Acuff vs. a hurdler who Amy claims is the hottest athlete - Lolo Jones. Those are not my words, those are from our interview with Amy Acuff. Did I mention that Amy can dunk? And we have the video to prove it! Come join us in choosing the World's Hottest Athlete - InGameNow Bracket-style! Just follow the link!

"Junk Food"

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:28:02 -0500

Nine months of training, Nine months weights. Nine months of staying in shape...Nine months of low fat this, skim milk that, can't have this, or you're-going-to-pay-for-it! Finally! The season is over and that means two things: Football and junk food! I'm taking it all in, enjoying and indulging in anything baked, fried, or smothered. And, the good thing is, it's all legal. No weight training, practice, or sweating for three more weeks. I can re-introduce myself to Twinkies, Ding Dongs, oatmeal cream pies, chocolate chip cookies....and as I type, I'm downing a Dr. Pepper ice cream float! Life is good. I can eat again! But you know what....even my new found food freedom has its limitations...or should I say, disappointments. You know how every once in a while, you get an undeniable craving for something? It seems to just fall out of the sky and slap you in the head...and you can't ignore it. It's like a mini-obsession...It could be a Cinnabon, or a funnel cake with extra powdered sugar..I don't know, pick you poision...but you have to have it...like right then. Well this weekend...I had one of those attacks. The Cowboys had lost and in my saddened frustration, it hit me: extra long cheese coney from Sonic. I glanced at the clock. It was 10:45 p.m. I grabbed my computer, Googled the nearest Sonic and called. "What time do y'all close tonight?" The voice on the other end of the telephone said, "12:00 a.m. sir." Bet! I grabbed my keys and headed to my car. During my ten minute drive, I mindlessly scrolled through the menu in my head. I decided to add an Oreo Cookie Sonic Blast with chocolate syrup. Or, so I thought. As I pulled into the driveway...the lights cut off. I paused as my heat began to sink. I pressed the red button on the drive-up menu and waited. I looked at the clock. 10:58 p.m. I waited some more. "Hello?" a static-y voice said, "Uhh, we're closed." I blinked. and stared back at the red button. "No, you're not." "Um, yes we are. We are closed." Trying to control the rage bubbling up in my empty, sugar-craved stomach, I said, "No, I just called ten...(I looked back at the clock...11:01 p.m.) sixteen minutes ago and the girl said y'all didn't close until 12 a.m." No reply. I sat there. I watched as the voice behind the red button walked out from behind the window, locked the door, and jumped in a waiting car. My stomach growled. I contemplated many things..many things that my mother would not approve of...many things that would probably embarass my wife... You know, I can't quite express the frustration I felt at that moment. I mean, all I wanted was an extra long cheese coney with a oreo cookie sonic blast. Was that too much to ask? I was hungry, I was at the right place, and I had money...but the two things I wanted most in life...an extra long cheese coney and a oreo cookie sonic blast were....not there. Have you ever been in that place before? Maybe you hid the last piece of cake it the back of the fridge, and you came home and it was gone...or maybe you wrote your name on the last red soda and your roommate drank it....or maybe you were about to eat your last scoop of ice cream and warm apple pie and your son or daughter asked if they could have some...either way, plain and simple....the plans you had for your tastebuds and stomach fell short of expectation. How do you cope with that!??! Help me out man.

Usain Bolt & Asafa Powell Dance Off

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:12:26 -0500

The thing about Jamaican's winning the gold---there's no white guy to do a victory dance like basketball.

A Defiant Marion Jones Vows to Shave Five Seconds Off Six Month Prison Term

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:38:55 -0500

In an exclusive prison interview granted to the Sportsman's Daily, disgraced sprinter Marion Jones spoke candidly of her ordeal and her hopes for a shortened sentence. Her mood was generally wistful and contrite, though when the issue of a Presidential commutation came up, she became defiant, vowing to take matters into her own hands if her request is turned down.

Allison Stokke- Need i say more?

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:01:42 -0500

First off, I think that the key to what makes Stokke so intriguing is the fact that she is extremely talented at her sport. In my own experience, most sports fans including me, prefer Maria Sharapova to Anna Kournikova. Yes, both are attractive, but Sharapova is actually really good at what she does. Not like Kournikova, who couldn`t win a tournament if you handed it to her on a silver platter. That's why Sharapova matters.

Stokke Inflation, Part II

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:01:20 -0500

Definition: Where a writer of a site spends an inordinate amount of time researching an article that gets a decent amount of traffic, then links to pictures of an attractive female athlete which receives about a hundred times more attention.

Newest Allison Stokke Photos

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:24:13 -0500

Here's the latest photos of pole vaulting phenom Allison Stokke, as she soars to new heights with the Cal track & field team

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: ALLISON STOKKE

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:47:22 -0500

Since this is the first-year of blogging for PartMule ? however choppy ? I thought we should end the year by giving out a Sportsman of the Year award?.or better yet, Sportswoman of the Year. I've never been enamored by the politics behind SOTY awards that, all-in-all, end up being a love fest for the most popular athlete of the year?.versus being handed to the truest, most deserving athlete. So, it is in that spirit, that we award the Sportsperson of the Year to Miss Allison Stokke.

The U.K. Has Very Hot Jewish Athletes

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:25:04 -0500

Distance running is not a sport that most people would describe as watchable. At least it wasn't.

Breaux Greer: Possibly The Coolest Guy In Sports

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:51:08 -0500

I bet you've never heard of Breaux Greer, but he is one of the most fun and down-to-earth guys in the wacky world of sports. Breaux is far-and-away the best in his field - throwing a javelin - but he doesn't think it's a very big deal. How refreshing.

Hassan Mead is a Bigger Badass Than You

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:08:26 -0500

I don't care if you are the guy from "Over the Top" that chugs motor oil before a match, Hassan Mead is tougher than you. I don't care if you are Chong Li from Blood Sport, Hassan Mead is tougher than you. I don't care if you are Malibu, Hassan Mead is tougher than you.

Allison Stokke: The New World of the Internet and Female Athletes...

Tue, 29 May 2007 14:44:37 -0500

The Washington Post today has a story on the front page of their website about Allison Stokke, an 18-year old pole vaulter from California who is not getting attention for her athletic or academic achievements, but for the way she looks. Needless to say, she nor her family does not welcome the attention. She had been featured on various blogs like With Leather and other messsage boards and forums.