Dec 14, 2001 03:11 AM
7803 Views
(Updated Dec 14, 2001 03:11 AM)
This review is not about Taco Bell, the makers of Cat Infested Tacos and Gorditas. Track and Field is a combination of endurance, speed and strength events. For some reason most of the events are dominated by African and Caribbean descent members.
Track and Field is a way to keep fit and build up those muscles as well as a test of the mind, body and soul.
Some Events in Track and Field to Do!
The 100m is known as the Most Watched Sporting Event in History besides the Super Bowl. The winner of the 100m is creditted with being the fastes man in the world regardless of any other event they may win or someone else wins. The 100m is the one that counts.
The event is held at championships every 2 years and at Grand Prix races every few months around the world. The most popular race is viewed upon the public in the Olympics which comes every 4 years.
The 100m race consists of 8 of the fastest men who qualified each of their first 3 heats to make it to the final race. Most races are between late 9 seconds to mid 10 seconds. The winner is the first person who crosses the white line.
The 10 second barrier was broken back in the mid 1950's by Jesse Owens a famous runner. Since then, the record has only been beaten by 0.21 seconds and at a small record margin of victory each time. It was broken by almost a quarter of a second in 1988 by Canadian Ben Johnson, but later was found to have anabolic steroids in his urine sample.
The 200m is a race halfway around the track and has been dominated by Michael Johnson each year, whom shattered the record during the Olympics by almost half a second. The record was held by an Italian ..... an Italian??? back in 1974 Pietro Minnea had the record. Yes, an italian I am surpised.
Other races included are the 400m, 800, 1500m, 3000m, 5K Marathon and the 26 Mile Long Marathon, the 4x100m relay, 4x200, and 4x400.
Some field events to watch for are the Womens Pentathlon ( 5 field and track events), the Decathlon (10 Mens Events).
These can be anywhere from the High Jump (Record 2m45cm by Javier Sottomayer), the Long Jump which the record is a huge 27 feet, and the Shot Put where all the fat and muscular men from Bulgaria usaully excel throwing this circular stone of different sizes.
My Track and Field History
Personal Bests are :
100m = 11.89 seconds (14 years old, havent been timed since
200m = 24.31 (same age)
400m = 1.00:32 (16 years old)
High Jump = 1.75m (18 years old)
5K Run = 19 minutes, 34 seconds
Javier Sottomayer : The Jumping Jellybean!
Javier Sottomayer is a cuban athlete who excels in the high jump event, a quick jog towards a horizontal pole and the winner is whoever jumps over the highest pole.
He has never been found with any drug performance enhancing drug and that is why I like him. He is my idol in track and field. He jumped over a pole that was 2 metres and 45 centimeters without knocking it down. Measure out that height and try even touching it!
His style is his sunglasses and the tight suit with the Cuban colors. Since the high jump is my favorite event, I praise the record holder, the King of the High Jump!
Overall Thoughts on Track and Field ...
A lot of us may not be fast or strong or athletic and thats where the media plays a role. For the slow people, watching the kings is awesome. But to actually participate in an event is a dream come true. I ran in high school for the 100m and the feeling is incredible when your school is behind you 100%, screaming their lungs out. I came in 3rd in the competition which was pretty good, but it seemed the 1st and 2nd place winners were way out my league. Track is fun; yet I prefer the field events better!
