Telegraph Suggests: Bolt vs Rudisha at 400 metres
Boxfresh
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The Daily Telegraph wrote an article saying it wold be a popular spectacle if they could get the 800 metere world record holder David Rudisha to race Usain Bolt over 400 metres, as it's a "comprimise" distance for both of them, and both are world class 400 metere runners, though neither specialises in it.
Rudisha's PB at 400 is 45.50 and Bolt's is 45.28, so they are pretty evenly matched at the distance, and it would not be a foregone conclusion as to who would win.
I don't think Bolt exactly needs the extra attention such a race would provide, but it might be smart for the top brass in world athletics to do it to help raise Rudisha's profile. Rudisha is an exceptional talent, but needs more of a push to become a well known superstar (and the sport needs more than just one superstar). A head to head race with Bolt, as an exhibition would do just that.
Rudisha's PB at 400 is 45.50 and Bolt's is 45.28, so they are pretty evenly matched at the distance, and it would not be a foregone conclusion as to who would win.
I don't think Bolt exactly needs the extra attention such a race would provide, but it might be smart for the top brass in world athletics to do it to help raise Rudisha's profile. Rudisha is an exceptional talent, but needs more of a push to become a well known superstar (and the sport needs more than just one superstar). A head to head race with Bolt, as an exhibition would do just that.
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So I doubt he'd agreed to it, in fact I'm starting to think he may not even go to the next olympics in 2016 to defend his current titles even though he'd still be in his 20s and theorectically he should still be right in the mix of things. And this will not be because of injuries (although that is a possibility), I have a strong feeling that within the next couple of years, Yohan Blake will improve even more and start to beat him on the biggest stages (world championships, etc) and he'll become a genuine threat to Bolt instead of just someone who is capable of winning if Bolt turns up with a half-ass performance. It all seems inevitable with the great strides Blake's made to establish himself on the world stage, and Bolt doesn't strike me as someone who particularly likes competition. He enjoys being the best, but would he thrive on the challenge of working hard everyday in the face of serious rivals? I don't think so.
Good point. There's not much incentive for Bolt to do this, unless he wants to help Rudisha raise his profile (and by extension, help the sport).
Rudisha could obviously run well under 45s if he trained for the 400m but I doubt that he could go sub 44 because you need a really good 200m speed. In fact, I'd be interested to see Kirani James have a crack at a 200m race now he's getting stronger.
They were/are direct rivals and it is claimed that an athlete is fastest over 150m as it removes the bend and allows for more acceleration. Both had a reputation so it was a 'money' race.
It will all come down to money. If some sponsor is prepared to put enough money on the table it will happen. Who is going to turn down a million (or more) for 40-odd seconds on the track?
Also not unheard of for 800m runners to take part in the 4x400 - Okoro, for example.
Although, in this case, I'd expect Bolt to have the advantage by some way. I'd like to see it but, as many have said, can't see what's in it for Bolt.