Ralph Lindeman Reports from Osaka (#3)
8/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Aug. 28, 2007
Air Force track and field head coach Ralph Lindeman is currently in Osaka, Japan, serving as the Head Manager for the United States' men's track and field team at the 11th-Annual International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Outdoor Championships for Athletics. Lindeman took time out of his schedule with Team USA to let Air Force fans know what he has been up to.
TUESDAY, AUG. 28
Through four days of competition our teams are competing well. We're right where we want to be in respect to the "medal count." A 1-2 finish in the men's shot put by Reese Hoffa and Adam Nelson, two very classy guys, and a huge 100-meter win by Tyson Gay have gotten us off to a great start. Our other huge surprise was a bronze medal in the women's 10k by former CU runner, Kara Goucher. Kara is married to former Colorado Springs resident and Doherty High School runner, Adam Goucher, who will run the 5000-meter event later this week.
Although I spend most of my time at the adjacent practice track preparing our athletes before they enter the stadium, the stadium atmosphere is brilliant. The crowds have been around 40-45,000 and though normally just abuzz, they go nuts when a Japanese athlete is in a final. Unlike American crowds at track meets, they chant and cheer like we would at a football game.
There are 203 countries represented by over 2000 athletes at these World Championships. Our biggest rivals in the medal count are Russia and Germany -- Russia is also off to a great start in these championships. Other countries that are among the best are Kenya, with its flock of world class distance runners, Belarus, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, all of whom have great field event athletess. Our biggest threats in the sprint and hurdle races are from "the Islands"-- Cuba, Jamaica, and Bahamas.
There's a lot of pageantry that goes along with a Championship like this -- opening ceremonies, award presentations, victory laps, video boards, music and interviews broadcast through the stadium, but in the end it's just another track meet. I get the same fire in my belly that I get in a Mountain West Conference Championship meet -- it's just that instead of BYU, TCU and Colorado State, it's Russia, Jamaica and Canada! Go USA!
Tomorrow Dana (Pounds) throws the javelin in the qualifying round -- she appears to be emotionally prepared and mentally ready to throw far. To those who know Dana, it won't surprise you that she's one of our most popular team members among both athletes and staff. Dana, of course, gets along with everybody, and she's really appreciated. I really hope she has a wonderful experience in that stadium tomorrow!
