Olympic T&F Preview - Womens Sprints

[TheGlyde]

My previews/tips:

The 100m

The Female 100m will be a batte of USA vs Jamacia, with all 6 athletes likely to make the final.

Glyde's tips
Gold: Torri Edwards (USA)
Silver: Kerron Stewart (JAM)
Bronze: Lauryn Williams (USA)

Flier for a medal
Mune Lee (USA)

Stewart and Edwards I tip to battle for the gold, and Edwards I'll give the edge here, but only barely. I'm giving Lauryn Williams the Bronze based on championship pedigree, but Muna Lee, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Sherone Simpson have all run sub 11 this year

Tipped Finalists:
Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM)
Sherone Simpson (JAM)
Kim Gevart (BEL)
Chandra Sturrup (BAH)

Along with the Jamacian pair likely to make the final, Perennial finalists Kim Gevart and Chandra Sturrup are likely to be there. Don't count out 32 year old Debbie Ferguson (BAH), or Kelly-Ann Baptiste from Trinidad & Tobago.

The 200m

The Womens 200m should again be a battle between USA & Jamacia.

Glyde's tips
Gold: Veronia Cambpell-Brown (JAM)
Silver: Allyson Felix (USA)
Bronze: Kerron Stewart (JAM)

Flier for a medal
Sherone Simpson (JAM)

Brown can't be happy about only running the 200m at the games, and I expect to see a focused performance to win the gold. Allyson Felix though, is not going to make it easy and could easily capitalise on the smallest slip up. I'm giving Kerron Stewart the Bronze over Simpson as Simpson is running the 100m, and Stewart has gone under 22 this year.

Tipped Finalists:
Muna Lee (USA)
Marshevet Hooker (USA)
Muriel Hurtis (FRA)
Anastasiya Kapachinskaya (RUS)

Muna Lee could challenge for a medal, the 3rd American Marshevet Hooker came through when it counted at the US trials, and though she should make the final, will likely be outmatched once there. I'll tip Muriel Hurtis (FRA) and Anastasiya Kapachinskaya (RUS) to make up the numbers, with Debbie Ferguson (BAH) again an outside chance.

The 400m

The 400m is a little more open than the shorter sprints...

Glyde's tips
Gold: Sanya Richards (USA)
Silver: Anastasiya Kapachinskaya (RUS)
Bronze: Novelene Williams (JAM)

Flier for a medal
Amantle Montsho (BOT)

I think Sanya Richards is a small level above the rest of the field here, Williams and Kapachinskaya are experienced, and I expect them to medal, but Richards looks good for the gold for me. Watch out for Amantle Montsho (BOT), with a 49.83 this year if she can replicate that at the right time will be in the medal hunt.

Tipped Finalists:
Rosemarie Whyte (JAM)
Yulia Gushchina (RUS)
Christine Ohuruogu (GBR)
Mary Wineberg (USA)

Rosemary White will be in the final and could challenge for medals, the rest of the finalists probably are out of medal contention, and I expect to see Gushchina (RUS) Ohuruogu (GBR) and Wineberg (USA) there over Shericka Williams (JAM), Tatyana Firova (RUS) and the still recovering Dee Dee Trotter (USA).

[TheGlyde]

Underestimated the Jamacians way too much in the womens 100m, and overestimated the Americans. Edwards choked, Williams and Lee were out of the medals, and Fraser & Simpson were in. Stweart I tipped for Silver and she got it, after a dead heat. Ferguson I thought may make the final, but Kwakye was a surprise for me.

Got the womens 200 spot on, tipping the trifecta, and only missing two of the finalists, overlooking Mothersill & Ferguson, tho I did put Debbie down for an outside chance.

The 400, well Richards & Kapachinskaya were well below my estimations, Ohuruogu went well above, and Williams was a surprise. Montsho made the final but couldn't replicate her early season form, while I overlooked Firova for the final.