Martyn Rooney

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jacknyc

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Martyn Rooney of Great Britain won a big race today in London. His time is a European leading 44.83.
He beat top level competition, and must now be considered a medal contender at Beijing. He is only 21.

Also I think Britain might have an all white 4 x 400 relay team at the Olympics.
 
white lightning

white lightning

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Look at Britain compared with the US. They have a two elite white 100 meter sprinter for the men and women. Pickering and Laura Turner. They have 3 or 4 white 400 meter runners, a all white long jumping squad, and I could go on and on. Great Britain is not stereotype nearly as bad at the United States. If we only had their coaches and they could draw from our vast white population, the sky would be the limit! England is becoming one of the nations I really love to root for along with Germany, Australia, and a few others.

Great breakthrough for Rooney. I'm so happy for him.
 
devans

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Bear in mind that in Britain we only have about 4 - 5% black population. The majority of the non white population is Asian and only really a factor in racket sports. I believe in the U.S. there is about 18% black population (correct me if I am wrong) - so things are always going to be more difficult for white athletes.
Having said that what is much better in Britain is the media coverage. There are no assumptions that white sportsmen or soccer players are slower, and they are praised for their speed - if they are fast - as are black players.
 
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jacknyc

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Martyn won again tonight in Monaco in 44.72.
That's the fastest time in Europe this year, and a new personal best.
He is undefeated this year.
 
albinosprint

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anyone know what Rooney has been doing?
 
albinosprint

albinosprint

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that sucks. this kid has the potential to go sub 44.
 
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james81

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Rooney should be in good shape, opening with a 45.35, and his training partner, David Gillick, has already run 44.8 this year, twice infact, so the omens look good!
 
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charlie180

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Rooney doesn't look very good this season, he's got the third fastest time in Britain for the 400m but I can't seem him doing well in Berlin. He finished 7th in his last race a few days ago with a time of 46.22s, and was 5th at Crystal Palace with 45.63s.

Shame as I thought he'd break the British record this year.

I just hope he doesn't turn out to be another David Grindley. Edited by: charlie180
 
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jacknyc

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He's been injured - twice - this year.
Someone commented on another track discussion board that British 400m runners are never good 2 seasons in a row. Seems to be true, for both men and women.
Rooney and Andrew Steele were their best last year, and I can't even find a time for Steele this year. Tim Benjamin and Robert Tobin had similar stories the previous years. Same with Nicola Sanders, Katherine Merry, etc.
I hope Rooney can come back.
 
albinosprint

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Roger Black was pretty consistent.
 
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charlie180

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I agree about Roger Black, he is the exception. Others like Derek Redmond, David Grindley, Dwayne Ladejo, Mark Richardson, Daniel Caines, Jamie Baulch, Iwan Thomas etc have one or two sub 45s seasons and then get injured or just plain vanish off the face of the earth. I think that Black ran under 45s every season for almost ten years.

As for Andrew Steele he hasn't run the 400m this season, he ran the 100 and the 200 early this year, but hasn't run since. Presumably he's injured.
 
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greyghost

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roger black

he was such a physically strong athlete, with solid 200 meter times and built like a shorter distance sprinter. i am sure he could have run faster 2s had he focused on the 2 also . i believe he was an animal in the weights room !!! respect , what an athlete!!!! and drug free!!!
 
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