2008 U.S. Olympic Trials PREVIEW – Lagat heads middle distance fields

Eugene, Oregon – The U.S. Olympic Trials begin here today, and to steal a phrase from Baron de Coubertin, the important thing is not winning, but finishing in the top three.

It’s that simple: it doesn’t matter if you’re the World record holder, or the 2004

Olympic champion or the 2007 World champion, or have won 10 consecutive U.S. national championships, unless you finish first, second or third in your event here, you won’t be going to Beijing.

Of course, the winner of each event is the 2008 U.S. national champion, which usually involves bonus money from shoe sponsors, and of course we’re talking about very competitive athletes who hate to lose in any competition – but almost every runner, jumper or thrower competing here would gladly settle for a third place right now.

Since the schedule mimics the Olympics, the athletes will be going through four rounds of the 100 and 200 and the 100/110 hurdles, and three rounds of the 400/400 hurdles, the 800 and the 1500. This should result in a fire-hardened group for Beijing, although wear and tear, injuries and accidents may be expected in the process.

Sprints – Gay hot favourite, closest call in women’s 100

With that lengthy preface, what can you expect from the next 10 days?

There really isn’t much of a form chart – many athletes have competed sparingly indoors and during the short outdoor season – so we’ll try to highlight some of the events where fireworks may be expected (a full-scale event-by-event preview would be as long as some novels are).