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Previews08 Aug 2012


Day 7 preview – London 2012

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Usain Bolt getting enthusiastic after the Men's 200m Round 1 Heats, London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 (© Getty Images)

London, UKholders David Rudisha, Usain Bolt, Barbora Spotakova and Ashton Eaton are all tipped to take gold in their respective events tomorrow evening (Thursday). And in the other final of the session, Christian Taylor could join that World-record club if he achieves both of his goals in the Triple Jump.

Despite being the biggest superstar to ever grace the sport, Bolt says he refuses to talk about himself being a legend – at least until after the 200m final. That takes place tomorrow evening, and he will once again line up against training partner and World 100m champion Yohan Blake, who looked just as easy as Bolt did in the semi-finals.

Just like the 100m final last weekend, the 200m promises to be a classic. While Bolt and Blake will be joined by a third Jamaican, Warren Weir, USA will be represented by just one athlete in the final – multiple World medallist Wallace Spearmon. European champion Churandy Martina will be out for redemption too. In Beijing four years ago he crossed the line in second place with a huge PB of 19.83, but was later disqualified for a lane violation. Also watch out for World bronze medallist Christophe Lemaitre, whose chances might be affected by being given the tight inside lane.

Rudisha looking to complete his CV

World record-holder and World champion – the one thing missing from David Rudisha's collection is the Olympic title. In tomorrow's 800m final he will look to fulfil his destiny, but it will not be easy.

He is up against Mohamed Aman – the young Ethiopian who ended Rudisha's winning streak last year – as well as long-time rival Abubaker Kaki and new teenage talent Nijel Amos. As one of the most dominant athletes in the world at present, anything other than gold for Rudisha would be a huge surprise.

Meanwhile in the javelin, Barbora Spotakova is out to defend her title. The Czech woman certainly looks in form to do so too, having qualified with ease with a throw in excess of 66 metres. She will renew her rivalry with the two women who helped make last year's World final in Daegu such an exciting one – World champion Mariya Abakumova and world leader Sunette Viljoen.

Taylor talking world records

Despite still being a relative newcomer to the international scene, World Triple Jump champion Christian Taylor makes no bones about his ambitions – not only does he want to win Olympic gold, but he is also out to break the world record of 18.29m.

His 17.96m to win in Daegu last year certainly makes him one of the most likely contenders to better Jonathan Edwards' mark, but he still has another 33 centimetres to go and a lot will depend on the conditions.

But there is no guarantee of victory either, and he will be taking on World Indoor champion Will Claye and Russia's Lyukman Adams, the man who defeated Taylor at the Oslo Diamond League this year.

Meanwhile, the men's Decathlon will draw to a close tomorrow as World record-holder Ashton Eaton will look to win his first outdoor global title. Although slightly adrift of his own World record pace on day one, he has a significant lead on his rivals and could well break the Olympic record tomorrow.

The women's 800m semi-finals will also take place tomorrow and the past three global champions – Mariya Savinova, Caster Semenya and Pamela Jelimo – are all in separate heats. If all goes well, it could make for a mouth-watering final on Saturday night.

The relays are always packed with drama, and tomorrow sees the men's 4x400m heats in the morning and the women's 4x100m heats in the evening. Regardless of how fast or successful a relay team might be, never rule out the possibility of one or two dropped batons!

The only field event qualifying round tomorrow will be the women's high jump, where Chaunte Lowe and Anna Chicherova are among the favourites to advance to the final.

Jon Mulkeen for the IAAF
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