ACOG - News - IBM

(31 July 1996; Day 12

Athletics Doubling Not Uncommon, But Double Gold Medals Are

With the interest surrounding Michael JOHNSON's (USA) attempt at a 200/400m double at the Olympic Games, it would be easy to think that competing in two events is a rare, maybe superhuman, feat. But at least 25 well-known athletes are attempting it in Atlanta, although those who win gold medals in both will enter Olympics lore.

There's little doubt that managing to come out on top in two events is difficult, even though the competition is spread out over 10 days. The large number of entries make multiple rounds necessary (as many as four in the sprints, and three in distance running events like the steeplechase and 5000 meters), and the heat and humidity in Atlanta and a rock-hard Olympic Stadium track don't lend themselves well to quick recoveries. Some events, however, are well-suited to multiple efforts by their similarity, plus careful planning of the Olympic competition schedule.

Marie-Jose Perec of France (L) races ahead of Greek Katerina Koffa during heat 6 of women's 200m first round 31 July at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta. Perec, the gold medalist in the 400m 29 July, won the heat in 22.62. (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) AFP PHOTO/IOPP/Daniel GARCIA

JOHNSON's 200/400m attempt would seem a natural, although it's not that common because the two require different energy systems and mentality. His hopes for double gold are still alive, along with women's 400 meter champion Marie-Jose PEREC (FRA). Australia's Cathy FREEMAN is also running the 200 and 400. She won the silver behind PEREC in the 400 on Monday, and has a good shot at medaling in the shorter event.

Much more common is the 100/200 meters double. In fact, it's the most popular one in this year's athletics competition, probably because the two sprints require pretty much the same talent: The ability to start well and run very fast. Recovery is also relatively quick. Double golds won't happen in the pair this year, however, since men's 100 winner Donovan BAILEY (CAN) usually sticks to just one individual event, and women's champion Gail DEVERS (USA) seeks a different double in the 100m hurdles. Carl LEWIS (USA) pulled off 100/200m triumphs in 1984, and added long jump and relay gold medals to his collection in Los Angeles.

Less prevalent are distance doubles, although two athletes are on track for gold this week. Haile GEBRSELASSIE (ETH) is on his way after a stunning 10,000m win on Monday. He begins qualifying in the 5000m Wednesday. Also in the running is Svetlana MASTERKOVA (RUS), whose big kick crushed the women's 800m field. She made good use of it again Wednesday morning in advancing to the 1500m semifinals.

Seen even less is doubling in the throws and jumps. John GODINA (USA), the shot put silver medalist, also competed in the discus but did not make the final. Corrie DE BRUIN (NED) is trying it on the women's side. Mike CONLEY (USA), the longest performer in history in the long jump and triple jump, wanted to try a double there, but he failed to make the U.S. team in the long jump. Throwing the shot and discus differ technically, so athletes usually focus on one to achieve success at the international level. Much of the same is true in the jumps, with the added toll that triple jumping takes on the body.

So what does it take to win a double at the Olympics? For starters, some luck in the schedule. JOHNSON lobbied for and won a change in the 200/400m timetable, separating the two so he would not have to run heats in both on the same day. The 100m is complete by day two, with the 400m not beginning until day six. Much the same is true for the women's 800/1500m. But a double in the men's 800/1500 is made virtually impossible, with six efforts interspersed over eight days.

It also requires an athlete of tremendous ability and versatility. Both JOHNSON and GEBRSELASSIE are world record holders, while PEREC has run the fastest women's 400m time over the last 10 years. The three have dominated their events for the last several campaigns, and have been extremely successful in moving up or down in distance. And they have lengthy unbeaten streaks. Their talent allows them to respond to almost any tactics that their opponents dish out, plus they are able to relax in preliminary rounds that are often exhausting to mere mortals.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brett Ayers.


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