Analysis
of prospects for Overall IAAF Grand Prix 2001
Mark
Butler for the IAAF
Men
Allen Johnson's win in the Berlin 110m
hurdles was vital, because it carried him into a two-point lead in the overall
standings with a score of 80. If he wins again in Melbourne, his challengers
will need to break world records in order to overtake the American for the
Overall Grand Prix award
of $100,000.
Next in line are 800m World Champion André Bucher and long jumper Kevin Dilworth, USA, both on 78 points. Dilworth can count himself very unlucky. Originally he was on 79 but lost a point when Iván Pedroso's protest about the Berlin long jump was upheld. However, if Johnson is beaten, the way opens up for Dilworth and Bucher to contest the title. The odds favour Bucher, who has a better winning record this year, with 10 out of 11 in distance races outdoors. Should both he and Dilworth win, they each would have an overall score of 102 (78 + 24 for a win in Melbourne). Then, we would need to consult the IAAF Scoring Tables in order to break the tie. Bucher's personal best of 1:42.55 is worth 1245 points, whereas Dilworth's 8.47 from 1996 would score 1226.
There is the exciting prospect that all of the principal three could be beaten. Each will face tough rivals, notably Anier Garcia (three wins over Johnson this season), Yuriy Borzakovskiy (beat Bucher in Brussels) and Pedroso. It is quite possible that Hicham El Guerrouj or Paul Bitok could claim overall awards if any of the top three falter. Note that overall prize money in 2001 is given for the first three only: 1st, $100,000; 2nd, $60,000; 3rd, $30,000.
Overall Men's
Standings
1 Allen Johnson USA 80
=2 André Bucher SUI 78
Kevin Dilworth USA 78
=4 Hicham El Guerrouj MAR 76
Paul Bitok KEN 76
6 Bernard Lagat KEN 73
7 Anier García CUB 71
8 Boris Henry GER 66
Women
Violeta Szekely has won nine out of 11 races this year, with her only defeats
coming in the two World Championship finals at 1500m, indoors and out. This has
left her with a huge points advantage at the top of the overall standings with
92, 11 ahead of Maria Mutola. If Mutola wins in Melbourne, she will total 105
points (81 + 24). Szekely could place fourth in Melbourne, but that still would
be enough to outscore Mutola (92 + 15 for fourth place = 107).
Mutola, of course, will have a race on her hands in the 800m. Her arch-rival Stephanie Graf is also within range of overall prize money as is Ukrainian 400m hurdler Tatyana Tereshchuk. However, Swedish high jumper Kajsa Bergqvist is best-placed to take advantage should Mutola be defeated.
Overall Women's
Standings
1 Violeta Szekely ROM 92
2 Maria Mutola MOZ 81
3 Kajsa Bergqvist SWE 77.5
4 Tatyana Tereshchuk UKR 75
5 Stephanie Graf AUT 74
6 Debbie-Ann Parris JAM 71
7 Natalya Gorelova RUS 70
8 Hestrie Cloete RSA 69.5
