media_artricles :: 2015

Crawford: Sprinters need more endurance work

NATIONAL TRACK legend Hasely Crawford has cited a lack of intense training over the 200 metre distance as Trinidad and Tobago’s primary downfall in the men and women’s 100m individual events at the just concluded Toronto edition of the Pan American Games.

TT advanced to the finals of both male and female versions of the 100m in commanding style but were unable to execute when it mattered most, and failed to secure any podium places in their respective events. Returning sprinters Kelly-Ann Baptiste (11.05) and Semoy Hackett (11.16) placed fifth and eighth respectively, while reigning national 100m sprint king, Keston Bledman (10.12) was fourth.

TT’s first ever Olympic gold medallist expressed the view that the trio were unable to remain in top form after enduring two rounds of qualifier competition prior to the medal race.

“I think the three of them, including Richard Thompson, have to run some more 200 metres,” said the 1976 Summer Games 100m champion. “All the top athletes now, like Usain Bolt, are using the 200m as a gauge. And this is what I think needs to be done for both TT’s male and female athletes. They need to run more 200m so they can repeat a strong performance in the final after competing throughout the previous rounds.”

Crawford also commented on what he felt were misleading and negative comments about the sprinters on a radio programme last week.

“Baptiste and Hackett have had their challenges over the past two years and only recently returned to the international circuit,” explained Crawford. “What they have experienced is not an easy thing to go through. I personally think that they did exceptionally well, based on the fact that they did not have many 200m runs under their belt.

“They did well leading up to the finals and I think that was a fantastic achievement. After coming off two years of non-competition and making a finals, yes we wanted them to medal, but we have to understand what these women have been through,” he added.

As for Bledman, who clocked a blistering 9.86 seconds on home soil one month ago, Crawford observed that the Simplex athlete may have suffered an injury after his Pan Am semi-final run. According to him, Bledman was seen clutching his groin after the semi-final and was then visibly uncomfortable in the final race.

“I think he may have picked up on an injury just before the final and he did not seem himself. I did not speak to him but I can guarantee that he hurt that muscle hence the reason why he did not medal in the final. I think Bledman needs to work on his start, he’s not starting very well. He needs to do a lot of starts and a lot of ‘over-distance’. The speed is there but the strength isn’t. He cannot endure those three and four rounds of racing at the same time,” said the now 64-year old veteran athlete.

And with the IAAF World Championships just under a month away, Crawford does not believe there is enough time to significantly improve these times. But, he is optimistic that 12 months of intense training and competition can produce several podium places for team TT at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“They have a year,” he stated. “If they want to get to that Olympic podium they need to do more 200m and over-distance work. Staying in top form after two and three races is when you show true mettle. But, we are not deterred and are intent on coming big at the Olympics next year.”

Crawford also lauded the recent exploits of youngster Machel Cedenio, who picked up silver in the Pam Am 400m and then hauled the 4x400m relay team to gold on Saturday night. He believes Cedenio is certain for an Olympic medal in Brazil.

“If you look at the history of track and field, 99 percent of the athletes that win the Junior Worlds go on to be become World and Olympic champions. I wanted a gold medal from Machel but I think he started too slow. Had he gone out a little faster, he would have won. He’s a great medal prospect once he continues in this stride. We have some bright prospects for the Olympics, once we get back Lendore (Deon) on the team, it’s a certain medal (4x400m),” the former track star concluded.

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