Track And Field World Championship in Osaka

The 11th Track & Field World Championships kicked off at Osaka, Japan this weekend and a few medals have already been won by some athletes. I was watching the 20 km men's walk last night when coming home slightly drunk. This is wonderful stuff to watch before you go to bed. There isn't happening anything, just a few guys walking through streets. But because the weather over there has been very hot and humid lately a few people weren't able to cope with the conditions. A German athlete was redirected by an official and had to turn around a few metres to get back on track. Some newspaper was guessing that he might have got himself a shock because he collapsed 200 metres before the finish line. The winner himself had cramps in his legs after crossing the finish line.
Later that day there was the final of the men's 100 metres competition which is always a huge fuzz. This year's favourites were world record holder Asafa Powell from Jamaica and Tyson Gay from the USA. Gay won, Powell came in 3rd but this final didn't have the flair and glamour like some finals of the past. Maybe it's because I didn't follow the 100 metres competition as closely as I did a few years back.

But the one thing I like about watching Track & Field is the commentators on German television. There is a station called Eurosport and the two guys doing the commentary there are Dirk Thiele and Siggi Heinrich. Those guys are on air for hours and hours and still they always give you the impression they are having the time of their lives. Even boring competitions become interesting when those two sit behind the microphone. They have a clear division on who is doing what, Thiele commenting on the long disctance running, Heinrich doing the sprint competitions. The same goes for throwing and jumping. They are hilarious at times but both experts on their respective fields. I love to listen to them and hope to do so over the next few days.