This is my daily chat with #RunBlogRun viewers and track fans on all things track & field!
This is Coffee With Larry for June 1, 2023.
Welcome to Las Vegas!
We visited Vegas to see my family, and you will hear the dulcet French countryside accent of my brother-in-law, Gervais Henric.
Our topics today:
1. LA Grand Prix shows the promise and frustration of events in the US.
2. Promise because, in the end, the performances of athletes shined, frustration that, even with little marketing, the meet had 4,000 on Friday and 7,249 on Saturday.
Valarie Allman, USATF Distance Classic track & field meet May 26, 2023, Los Angeles, USA, photo by Kevin Morris
3. Lack of communication scared the meet, with the #2 event having three open lanes due to Aleia Hobbs not running final (planned), Sha’Carri Richardson, and Marie Jose Ta Lou (unplanned), pulling out with cramps. That meet did not have 3 sprinters ready to race, and NBC had no warning on LIVE TV, which shows another reason why TV absolutely despises the amateurism in our sport.
Women’s 100 meters, USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix Gold Label track & field meet May 26, 2023, Los Angeles, USA, photo by Kevin Morris
4. Cramps happen, as Sha’Carri and Marie Jose noted, but meets can be aware, and in typical fashion, no one knew what was going on.
5. Thank God that the Men’s 100 meters, the last event on the broadcast, lived up to the hype so that the Women’s 100mm was not such a clusterf#ck.
12. Need a shot put or a hurdle? Please check with our sponsor, www.fibersportUSA.com, for your equipment needs!
13. Mondo Duplantis opened up outdoors at 5.91m for the in, in tough conditions, and did a fine interview post-event.
Here’s a good story about @mondohoss600 . I observed Mondo warming up on Saturday, signing autographs, taking selfies, and chatting with fans who were totally starstruck. Mondo gets it, and he speaks with the media often. His sponsors do more than get their money’s worth. Thanks… https://t.co/1AOEMR5GPP
16. Brooks has supported our brand since 1990. First, as American Athletics, then, in 1994-2016 for American Track & Field, and from 2006-present on RunBlogRun. Please support the brands that support the media you love!
