Did Rimmer really just injure himself in a pointless race?

Oh dear...

He just gives us so much ammo.

Not his weekend - he pulls up and doesn't finish. Victory goes to Charlie Grice.

Now we have what amounts to Jenny vs. Lyndsey in the 800m. Not sure I'm keen on either winning to be honest...

Adelle Tracey takes the women's 800... now selectors will have to choose between Sharp and Meadows. Have a feeling Sharp won't want to compete at Portland though.

Well that was unexpected!

Adelle did look handy with a hundred to go though, so I dared to believe.

Great 800. Adelle Tracey has the Portland standard from outdoors. Good indoor PB by 0.64s for Leah Barrow in 2nd. She seems sure to smash her 2:03 outdoor PB this summer. Lynsey has just fallen off since her 2:00.3. 5th in the Millrose in 2:01.55 and then this.

Leah Barrow almost stole it there - she clocked a 2:03.18 PB for her efforts.

Well, that was pretty much average for a UK indoor champs - flashes of brilliance (still can't believe the highest quality performance was Bosworth's 3,000m RW!) but mediocre overall.

Here's hoping the 2018 edition is better, what with Birmingham hosting that year's WICh and all...only seven months after London 2017!

If everyone is fit the 100 hurdles at Olympic trials could be epic. Add Cindy Ofili & Jess to the mix you've got 5 sub 13 runners.

Twas ever thus I think But with World Indoors being later than usual and travel required to West Coast has put a lot of people off.

Am sure the lure of another home champs will see more big names putting their hands up for 2018 plus with Commonwealths in April that year people will use indoors to get race sharp

To the best of my knowledge, the following 13 Brits are guaranteed a ticket to Portland (qualifying performance included):

Perhaps this sort of thing with the BBC has made her lose some focus.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/35230754

Others spots that can be filled where athletes are interested in selection:-

Men

1500 = Chris O'Hare has the standard and could go if he chooses. Think selectors would pick him if he decides to go
3000 = Tom Farrell. As he ran trials I assume he's interested and will probably be selected
60h = Lawrence Clarke. As above
HJ = Robbie Grabarz. As he is coming back into form & was close to 2.31 today an easy decision for the selectors
LJ = Greg Rutherford. This is exactly the calibre of athlete that the discretionary element of selection is designed for
60m = Well this is the one that's going to take up the time in the selection meeting. Personally I'm a big one for going with trials results. As we saw some of the fields this weekend were thin. If we don't reward performances like Andy Robertson's then what incentive is there for athletes to turn up for trials if the selectors just play favourites? There is no guarantee based on the form he has shown so far this season that Kilty would have finished top 2. Sean Safo-Antwi has run well this season but not quite at his best yesterday & you have to wonder if he has designs on performing well in Portland then he should have run better at trials. My pick is Andy Robertson but I have a horrible feeling the selectors will go with Kilty

Women

60m = In contrast to the mens pick, selecting Dina is a complete no brainer
800m = If Lynsey wants to go then I'm sure she'll be picked. If not, Jenny Meadows has the qualifier but I'm not sure she is in good enough form and I think she would be better declining selection if offered and get herself ready for outdoors and one last shot at the Olympics. It will be even more difficult to earn selection for Rio
1500m = Alison Leonard. I think she'll be picked along with Hannah
3000m = Josephine Moultrie can be picked but I wonder if they'll pick her. The British selectors have a habit of overlooking people who aren't funded or seen as having potential so I wouldn't be surprised to see her name missing
60h = Serita Solomon should be picked as she finished in a comfortable 2nd at the trials. Lucy Hatton does have a quicker SB and beat Serita at the Euro Indoors last year. As I have previously mentioned though I prefer going on the trials result. Cindy Ofili has run under 8 seconds this year and could be picked but having concentrated on her Collegiate races and not contested trials this would be hugely contentious
HJ = Although Lake won, Isobel Pooley has the standard which Morgan doesn't. I would select her and give her more champs experience
LJ = Shara Proctor. As the World silver medalist she will surely be picked.

4x4 Teams can also be selected but with the top guys all opting out and only 1 other individual qualified in Levine I really think it's unlikely. The selection document says they will only pick teams if they have medal potential and with the top tier not there you really can't say that

Pentathlon = It is possible that Morgan Lake could get an invite. As things stand she is ranked 7th in the Pentathlon standings. The top 5 are picked and already Nafi Thiam who is above her has decided not to go so in these cases they just work their way down the list. Depending on who else from this list wants to go or from the top ranked Heptathletes from 2015 list it's possible they may end up inviting her. There is also a wild card pick. 2 Americans have already qualified so it can't get used for a home athlete. Putting my cynical hat on, perhaps Morgan being sponsored by Nike won't do her chances any harm here.

You were right, the selectors did opt for Kilty - however, he has chosen not to defend his title. Now it's just Robertson vs Safo-Antwi (still a somewhat hard call to make).

This story is very fishy. Very odd that on Saturday Kilty was arguing the case for his selection and then 24 hours later changes his mind.

I'm sure the selectors will have approached Kilty about his availability for Portland but surely they can't tell him anything definitive before the selection meeting which is taking place today. If that were the case I'd be furious if I was one of the athletes sweating on selection today.

Kilty obviously knew his selection was up in the air and decided to cut his losses, thus avoiding either the humiliation of being snubbed as defending champ or the controversy if he does get the nod.

Still Portland's loss is Rio's gain. Kilty... 100m final, running close to 9.95 seconds to make it. I don't doubt him, neither should you!

On a rather less fantastical note, it does sound a trifle suspect. The other two fella's seemed better choices for the second spot after Sheffield, and perhaps Kilty knew it.

Be interesting to see what the squad is.

Another world lead from left field - Dong Bin (CHN) produced a 17.41m AR in the Chinese National Indoor Grand Prix earlier today. Barely anyone else has broken 17m this season.

Aregawi tested positive.

Oh, wow!

More info here - http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...eden-suspended - including info on her recent tax/residency/nationality 'difficulties'.

For the first time (?) in a major championships the medal ceremonies in Portland won't be conducted in the stadium.

Instead, after each of the evening sessions, they will be part of the Fan Festival at a popular town square.

From the media newsletter:

Source: http://portland2016.com/wp-content/u...tter-2-19b.pdf

Seems like a good idea, as long as there's plenty of people there.

Well, the IAAF are going to be busy if they're going to get involved in the whole fake nationalities thing as well.

Hannah England came 4th in that Moscow race...might be up for a medal?

Failed test was from last Month so unlikely at this stage unless they go back & re-test with better technology etc.

Another one ticked off from the London 2012 Womens 1500 doping bingo game.

If Lisa Dobriskey races this year, instead of running with an I Run Clean message on her bib as per the latest gimmick perhaps she should have I Told You So on hers

Kilty needs to qualify & gain selection for Rio first. One doesn't want to count any chickens. There's always Amsterdam if that doesn't work out though.

Sounds similar to what they do in the Winter Olympics & works well there