Men's Final - Hooker 5.96 OR, Lukyanenko 5.85

[SlickVT]

Congrats to Hooker for getting it done!

Checking the weather in Beijing, it seems like weather is nice. However, the competition did not really live up to the expectations. With Brad out, there was still a solid field. Anyone know why? Headwind, broken rotisserie?

[rainbowgirl28]

Four 3rd attempt makes in a row?!

Who does that, seriously?

[rainbowgirl28]

Congrats to Hooker for getting it done!

Checking the weather in Beijing, it seems like weather is nice. However, the competition did not really live up to the expectations. With Brad out, there was still a solid field. Anyone know why? Headwind, broken rotisserie?

I have been getting the impression there is not much wind at track level because of the stadium design. Equipment seemed to work OK tonight.

Maybe it was really muggy?

[rainbowgirl28]

IAAF:

22:40
And they're playing "Down Under" on the stadium speakers again.

[rainbowgirl28]

BBC:

1540: "Hooker. First Aussie male to win Gold in Athletics for 60 years. Long time between drinks."
wickedboy4 on 606

[achtungpv]

If he continues, he might as well go for 6.16...and time out his first 2.

[rainbowgirl28]

IAAF:

22:46
Hooker's entitled to more jumps, of course, but he's had about enough.

[Sebes]

You guys said they were tired a couple of bars ago...put it back up and keep jumping!

[rainbowgirl28]

OK sounds like it is officially over:

IAAF:

22:47
That's the end of our long day in the Bird's Nest. Thanks for reading, we'll be back tomorrow evening at 19:00 for a full night of seven finals.

[rainbowgirl28]

I am officially going to bed... I will post articles and such later!

[BruceFlorman]

I am officially going to bed... I will post articles and such later!

Thanks again, Becca.

[altius]

Our commentators said there was a head/side wind early on - not sure if it improved later.

Hhopefully folk will now appreciate what a great coach Alex Parnov is. Perhaps they will even know his name! Markov World Champion and 6.0, His daughter Vicki, World Youth Champion and 4.40 at 16 and now Steve. However you should know that Steve's original coach from the age of 13 , Mark Stewart, took him to 5.92 before he went to Alex. Like virtually all of our coaches in track and field, Mark works full time and Steve needed a full time coach if he was to continue to develop. So Steve moved to Perth with Mark's blessing. Finally some people may remember that Mark coached Emma George to a world record as the first woman over 15 feet -seems a long time ago now.

A great competition -we even saw some of it!!!!