What can Watt do in the long jump?
Roar Pro By Jocelyn McLennan, 20 Jul 2012 Jocelyn McLennan is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- 2012 London Olympics, long jump, Olympics
Mitchell Watt should be buoyed by the 29 degree forecast and sunny skies this Friday in Monte Carlo for the final pre-Olympics Diamond League meeting, after the cold and wet all the athletes’ endured last weekend in London.
With so much at stake at the Games in nine short day’s time, you could understand why some athletes did not want to risk injury competing in those conditions at Crystal Palace.
It certainly would not have helped Steve Hooker’s confidence and Asafa Powell withdrew the day before not wishing to risk a slight groin strain further.
One of those who did compete, Brit Tiffany Porter, suffered a back injury which led to her less than par performance in the sprint hurdles.
World silver medallist Watt appears to have tapered his preparation perfectly by winning the London Diamond League meeting with a leap of 8:28 metres. The warmth of the Mediterranean hamlet should be just what the doctor ordered for his final dress rehearsal.
The Principality has always produced great conditions for the vertical jumps, but Watt will be hoping it transfers to the horizontal ones as well.
The only other Australians competing are Youcef Abdi in the steeplechase and Jarrod Bannister, fresh from his season best effort of 83.70 in finishing third, in the javelin at the Paris Diamond League meeting on 6 July. Like Watt, his preparation seems to be spot on.
The women’s pole vault has perhaps the most depth of any field with the return to competition of world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva. She will have her hands full with world champion Brazilian Fabiana Murer, new European Champion Jirina Ptacnikova, along with former world record holder, Russian Svetlana Feofanova.
The Monte Carlo Grand Prix usually attracts a stellar field but is somewhat depleted this year with the Games so close. Most athletes may have chosen to remain in team training camps, or in their regular European bases until the last possible moment to head to London.
The English summer weather so far would be one reason why some may not arrive until two to three days before their event, which for the elite performers is not an unusual practice for the Olympics as many stay in hotels and not the athlete’s village, in any case.
The Crowd Says (12) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- 2012 London Olympics, long jump, Olympics
July 20th 2012 @ 9:53am
Tom Callaghan said | July 20th 2012 @ 9:53am | Report comment
Is Watto a nailed on prospect like Sally Pearson? Will it take ‘the stadium to experience an earthquake’ to deny him gold as in Sally’s case………
July 20th 2012 @ 6:16pm
dudgeon said | July 20th 2012 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Jocelyn you are a light weight when it comes to athletic commentary. You haven’t been involved in the sport at a sophisticated level & the naivety of your writing is evidenceof this. Please transfer your literary services to social media!
July 20th 2012 @ 8:00pm
Johnno said | July 20th 2012 @ 8:00pm | Report comment
dudgeon if you don’t mind please, Jocelyn is a beautiful physically attractive woman. That is no way to treat a beautiful friendly lady like Jocelyn. You should wash your mouth out with soap and apologise to Jocelyn, if you were a gentleman.
July 20th 2012 @ 8:07pm
Rabbitz said | July 20th 2012 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
Johnno,
Exactly what has physical appearance got to do with the ability to write?
Are you saying that because Jocelyn is female and is (possibly) attractive that her writing should be judged differently? There is a term for that – discrimination.
While I am not going to comment on whether I agree with dudgeons opinion or not, it is just that, an opinion.
July 20th 2012 @ 8:50pm
Johnno said | July 20th 2012 @ 8:50pm | Report comment
Rabbitz.
You look like a man’s man. And you know how to treat a woman. Yes Jocelyn is female a lady, and as such she should be spoken to with respect that she deserves. Yes in my opinion Jocelyn is physically attractive and some out there in the World say physically attractive woman get an easy ride in life, men always treating them well and spoiling them or fauning over them. I don’t agree with that view. But dudgeon can have an opinion and it is that but ultimately if a woman any woman Jocelyn or any other woman, weather they are beautiful or are seen as beautiful physically or in personality I think they should be treated with respect. I am a young man and would never treat any lady with such strength as which dudgeon had towards Jocelyn. So I am sticking up for Jocelyn , who is a woman, . It is not discrimination , a woman should always be treated with respect and men should always be gentelman in the prescence of a woman.
And I just had to say I thought dudgeon it may or may not of been an opinion what he said , but I think he could of approached Jocelyn in a more friendly and polite manner, that woman deserve.
July 20th 2012 @ 9:33pm
Tom Callaghan said | July 20th 2012 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Look,
Readinig this column and comments from London I am presuming that it may not be inconceivable that some Australians may be satirising certain attitudes rather than expressing them.
After all, Australia is now a sophisticated,tolerant, and liberal society……isn’t it?
July 21st 2012 @ 7:56am
Rabbitz said | July 21st 2012 @ 7:56am | Report comment
You see Johnno, When it comes to the written word, especially on the interwebs, I don’t give a pair of rancid dingo’s kidneys what wedding tackle you are currently fitted with.
Everyone should be treated the same – with respect and have their opinion listened to. (When you listen you just may learn something new, this joint has taught me a great deal). I think we agree on this but we may be at odds over the finer points of its application.
I don’t know either Jocelyn or dudgeon and have no idea as to the veracity of their comments, however their opinions still stand.
Promoting discrimination based on appearance and gender is something I dislike. Debating someone based on their opinion (especially on a sports opinion blog) is ok.
After rereading the thread I concede that (in my view) dudgeon’s comment did cross the line as it failed to “play the ball not the (wo)man” which is a basic tenant of any debate and which the Editors apply on this site.
July 23rd 2012 @ 2:19pm
DanMan said | July 23rd 2012 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Damn Johnno that was the funniest thing I’ve read of yours so far – and there have been many. Keep it up mate
July 23rd 2012 @ 2:21pm
Johnno said | July 23rd 2012 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
I will Danman i will i promise, glad you find me funny.
July 21st 2012 @ 11:50pm
oldhacker said | July 21st 2012 @ 11:50pm | Report comment
Dudgeon, if you had another quotient of intelligence you’d be twins. Jocelyn clearly knows something about athletics. Maybe something she has postulated has upset you but do not knock her expertise or understanding. Love or loathe her opinions, she writes with understanding and knowledge. Or am I wasting keyboard time trying to explain this to you, Richard Cranium?
July 22nd 2012 @ 12:04am
Johnno said | July 22nd 2012 @ 12:04am | Report comment
I agree oldhacker with everything you say Dudgeon. He really should think more about what he writes.
July 23rd 2012 @ 10:16am
jameswm said | July 23rd 2012 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Where did that abuse come from? This is a site for armchair fans/critics anyway.
On topic, I saw Watt boom out a couple of fouls over 8.50 about a month ago, in the USA I think. Hopefully he can get back to that. 8.28 won’t be enough to get a medal.