Olympic T&F Preview - Mens Jumps

[TheGlyde]

My previews/tips:

The Long Jump

The Long Jump is always one of the most exciting events, USA traditionally has strong medal propositions here, but may miss out this year.

Glyde's tips
Gold: Irving Saladino (PAN)
Silver: Louis Tsatoumas (GRE)
Bronze: Ibrahim Camejo (CUB)

Flier for a medal
Trevell Quinley (USA)

If Saladino gets it right, he should run away with the gold, with an 8.73 this year and no-one else has been past 8.50. Tsatoumas and Camejo should battle for the minors, with only 2cm separating their seasons bests, but I'll go with Tsatoumas, who has been past 8.30m twice this year. I'm putting Quinley in as a possible medalist, as the Americans usually rise to the occasion in the Long Jump.

Tipped Finalists:
Mohamed Salman Al Khuwalidi (KSA)
Hussein Taher Al-Sabee (KSA)
Brian Johnson (USA)
Wilfredo Martinez (CUB)

The Long Jump can be unpredictable, a few fouls can get a favourite under pressure and in trouble, and one sweet pop on the board could get these guys in medal contention. All have jumped at least 8.30 this year and a jump like that on the night could well have them in medal contention.

TheTriple Jump

Glyde's tips
Gold: Philips Idowu (GBR)
Silver: Arnie David Girat (CUB)
Bronze: Randy Lewis (GRN)

Flier for a medal
Jadel Gregorio (BRA)

Idowu should be the class of this field, with 4 jumps over 17.40 this year he should definately pick up a medal, and is my tip for gold. Girat and Lewis are the only other athletes who have been past 17.40 twice this year, so I pick them for the minors, but watch out for 2007 Silver medalist Gregorio, who has a habit of popping out big jumps when it counts.

Tipped Finalists:
Dmitrij Valukevic (SVK)
Marian Oprea (ROU)
Aarik Wilson (USA)
Leevan Sands (BHA)

Wilson will fly the American flag here, and matching his seasons best of 17.43 could have him in medal contention. Oprea and Sands are experienced competitors I expect to see in the final, and Valukevic has a 17.46 to his credit this year, which should have him in the mix.

The High Jump

Glyde's tips
Gold: Stefan Holm (SWE)
Silver: Andrey Silnov (RUS)
Bronze: Yaroslav Rybakov (RUS)

Flier for a medal
Donald Thomas (BAH)

Silnov has the top jump this year, but Holm has been at the top for years and I'm tipping him to make it back to back Olympic titles. Rybakov, with 4 jumps of 2.32 or better this year should also be in the mix, but I'm going to tip a real flier for a possible medal here, Last years surprise world champion Donald Thomas, who has been out of sorts all season but is incredibly raw and talented, if he gets it together on the night like he did in Osaka, he could again surprise.

Tipped Finalists:
Dusty Jonas (USA)
Andra Manson (USA)
Mickael Hanany (FRA)
Kabelo Kgosiemang (BOT)

The thing with field events is, they can be unpredictable, the High Jump battle for places 3rd-8th could be very tight and go a myriad of different ways, any of these 4 guys could grab a medal, all have been over 2.32 this year.

The Pole Vault

Glyde's tips
Gold: Brad Walker (USA)
Silver: Evgeniy Lukyanenko (RUS)
Bronze: Steve Hooker (AUS)

Flier for a medal
Denys Yurchenko (UKR)

The Pole Vault looks like a clear battle between the top 3, Walker, Lukyanenko and Aussie boy Hooker, but the Vault is by far the most unpredictable of the jumps. Hooker is one of Australia's few medal chances on Athletics, and I'll be pulling for him, but he does not have a good record at major championships. If one of the top 3 falters, Yurchenko has the experience and form to try and nab a medal.

Tipped Finalists:
Maksym Mazuryk (UKR)
Sergey Kucheryanu (RUS)
Derek Miles (USA)
Tim Lobinger (GER)

Miles should be in the final with a chance at a high placing, and Lobinger always prepares well for the big meets, look for Mazuryk and Kucheryanu to be in the competition at least into the early 5.80s

[TheGlyde]

In the Mens LJ I tipped the gold & Bronze Medalists, while Mokoena was the surprise for me. The Americans & Soudi's disappointed, while Makusha was another surprise.

The TJ was a huge surprise for me, with Évora upsetting Idowu. Lewis & Gregório disappointed while Sands grabbed Bronze. The Americans again missed the final here.

In the HJ, Holm missed the medals to finish 4th, Silnov and Rybakov I had as medalists but not quite the right positions. Mason was a big surprise for me, and Thomas may have proved last year was a fluke. Once again, the Americans missed the final.

To the Pv, and heres a result I didnt expect but loved to watch, my man for Bronze Hooker took the gold and Olympic record for Australia. Lukyanenko I picked for Silver, and Yurchenko I tipped to be in the medals if anyone faltered. Derek Miles was one of the few I picked for the final, and it was good to see USA make a final in jumps.