FORT MYERS, Fla. – Eagles fans can expect more than just high-level action on the court and pitch this fall. FGCU Athletics is excited to announce its full slate of themes and promotions for the 2025 volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s soccer seasons. From giveaways and grand prizes to themed game nights and concession specials, there is something in store for everyone in The Nest.

Marketing and Game Experience Updates

VOLLEYBALL – Alico Arena
Home Opener | BLUEOUT (Aug. 30 vs Missouri):

• Clear bags for the first 500 courtesy of Crown Roofing

Cinema Celebration and Camper Night (Aug. 30 vs JMU):

• Movie clips and movie trivia
• Post-game meet and greet for summer camp attendees wearing their camp shirts
• $2 popcorn and $3 beer for ALL FANS

Brunch and Blocks (Aug. 31 vs JMU):

• Specialty muffins at the concession stand
• Students who attend all matches this weekend are entered to win a MacBook

2024 Championship Celebration and Dirty Bird Appreciation (Sept. 30 vs Stetson):

• 2024 championship banners unveiled pre-match
• First 100 Dirty Birds receive Urban Buzz coupons

Mean Girls Night | PINKOUT (Oct. 3 vs West Georgia):

• Limited edition poster for the first 500 fans

Two weeks into the spring 2025 semester, it was time for me to host The Prospector Podcast for the first time ever. I had just been promoted to the role of multimedia editor and was still finding my footing, so walking into the studio I knew two things.  

First, what we were going to talk about. Second, that I’d have my friend from high school Cameron Mason, a contributor that semester, by my side as a co-host, but what I didn’t know is that an unplanned member would be joining us on that first episode.

Before going into the studio that day in early February, I was running down the plans with Cameron, who just so happened to be sitting next to Kristian Hernandez. Kristian, also a contributor at the time, happily offered to help us film the podcast. We didn’t really need help with camera work, after all the studio we used already had one, so I did the next best thing I could to include him. I asked if he wanted to co-host.

Despite it being last minute, Kristian said yes. Since that day he’s co-hosted 11 podcasts episodes with me and has served as the best ying to my yang that I can ask for. Whether it was him swiftly shooting down my request to be friends on episode six of season 12, helping me and Cameron properly tie our 10 anniversary balloons, or allowing me to compare him to a Minecraft Enderman after saying “because no one looks me in the eye,” in episode seven of season 12.

Most importantly, Kristian has been my support system for the podcast. No matter the day, or time, he’s always there, ready to work and help make the podcast as best as it can be by pitching topics or skit ideas, such as trying matcha in episode three of The Summer Spin-off.

I attribute Kristian and his attitude for giving The Prospector Podcast a feel-good view around the office. His willingness to participate spread like wildfire, as staff members and editors gained those emotions and always hopped on the podcast with a smile.

The podcast, however, is only one part of my job; the second part consists of filming, reporting, scripting and editing video packages. It is rigorous but pays off once the video is finished. I will say, the reason why I believe the video packages which can be viewed on YouTube, are of the quality that they are, is because of the people around me.

My first time filming, reporting and editing a video independently at the collegiate level was in January of this year, but I was lucky not to be alone. By my side was Ximena Cordero, former audience engagement editor and current web and copy editor. Ximena helped me with my vision for said video, pitching locations for my standup and ran around campus with me to get interviews. She also made sure my framing was right and that the audio was working. To this day, I know that every time I set off to make a video, I can always count on her to help.

I can say the same for the rest of the staff as well. When I look back to our Valentines Day video released last Spring, all I’m reminded of is getting to run around with Kristian and our photo editor Iziah Moreno, while collectively teaching former staff reporter Leah Austin on interviewing and shooting video. Those journeys also make for great conversations and laughs, which just make the work experience feel as if I’m out with friends.

As I scroll through previous podcast episodes and video packages while writing this story, I smile at the memory of our current editor-and-chief Evelyn Palma, sitting criss-cross at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Undergraduate Learning Center, focused on an online class session, with a pizza box sitting by her. She had jokingly suggested we do a mukbang for our segment on Cinemark’s Gamescape. Cameron, Kristian and I wanted to take her up on the idea and she actually brought us pizza to eat on episode four of season 12.

That episode is possibly the most fun I’ve had filming a podcast. We were in the middle of a dust storm, and the week was just about to end. I really can’t think of any better way to end a day than to eat pizza with some of your best friends after going through all the madness the world can offer you in a single day.

I believe that attitude of childlike wonder, a willingness to make creative thoughts into reality and a want to have fun is what molds this multimedia section and makes our video content at The Prospector standout in the collegiate student media world. 

Without a doubt, if you click any video on this section, or on YouTube, you are bound to feel the amount of heart and care that goes into every piece of content, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a representation of it.

Sebastian Perez-Navarro is the multimedia editor for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected] or Instagram and X @sebastianpn8, and on LinkedIn @sebastianperez-navarro.   

Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service  (wmurphy25@aol.com)

This Day in Track & Field–August 12

1937—Mel Walker had jumped 6-9 7/8 (ratified as 2.08 [6-9  ¾]) in Stockholm four days earlier to set an American Record, but the IAAF didn’t accept the mark as a World Record, since the bar fell off, even though it was well after Walker’s clearance. He took care of any confusion by getting over 6-10  ¼ (2.09) on this date in Malmö, Sweden.

Walker, a teammate of Jesse Owens at Ohio State, was the co-NCAA Champion (with another teammate-Dave Albritton) in 1936.

From his Wikipedia bio: Walker benefitted from a rule change that had previously outlawed diving, or clearing the bar first with his head. Walker used a variation of the Western roll

Photo

1939—Germany’s Rudolf Harbig won the 400-Meters in 46.0 in Frankfurt to break Archie Williams’ World Record of 46.1, which had been set at the 1936 NCAA Championships. Harbig had set a World Record of 1:46.6 for 800-meters the previous month.

WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_400_metres_world_record_progression

Racing Past: http://www.racingpast.ca/john_contents.php?id=125

Wiki Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Harbig

1960–The Mt.SAC Relays were only two years old, so few track fans in the U.S., let alone the world, had ever heard of Walnut, California. But that all changed when the results of this final pre-Olympic tuneup for the U.S. team that would compete in Rome spread throughout the T&F community.

World and American Records fell like dominoes, with Ralph Boston producing the most stunning performance of all. The 21-year old from Tennessee State long-jumped 26-11  ¼ (8.28) to break Jesse Owens’ 25-year old World Record of 26-8  ¼ (8.13).

Topping their own World Records were Bill Nieder in the Shot Put (65-10 [20.06]) and Hal Connolly in the Hammer (230-9 [70.33]), while Rink Babka matched the WR in the Discus (196-6 [59.91]). Another record fell in the Mile Relay, with a lineup of Eddie Southern (47.2), Earl Young (46.4), Otis Davis (45.9), and Jack Yerman (46.1) running 3:05.6. (The mark was inferior to the 4×400 record of 3:03.9).

American Records were set by Dyrol Burleson in the 1500 (3:41.3) and Bob Soth in the 6-miles (28:56.0) and tied by Dave Sime in the 100-meters (10.1) and Lee Calhoun and Willie May in the 110-hurdles (13.4).

Boston, Nieder,  Calhoun, and Davis (400) went on to win gold medals in their respective events at the Rome Olympics later that summer. Also winning gold was the 4×400 relay, with Glenn Davis replacing Southern.

A Look Back(2010 article/subscription might be required):

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-crowe-20100803,0,3162687.column

WR Progressions

Long Jump: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_jump_world_record_progression

Shot Put: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_shot_put_world_record_progression

Discus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_discus_world_record_progression

60-years ago: https://trackandfieldnews.com/walnut-1960-it-was-60-years-ago-today/

https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/world-records-12-aug-boston-connolly-nieder

1965—Billy Mills ran 28:17.6 for 10,000-meters in Augsburg, Germany, to break his 10-month old American Record of 28:24.4 that was set while winning the gold medal at the 1964 Olympics.

1972–Lyudmila Bragina set a pre-IAAF World Record of 8:53.0 for 3000-meters in Moscow.

WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women’s_3000_metres_world_record_progression

1975–After convincing meet officials to change the distance from 1500-meters, John Walker became the first man in history to break 3:50 for the Mile when he ran 3:49.4 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Tanzania’s Filbert Bayi had set the previous mark of 3:51.0 just three months earlier in Kingston, Jamaica.

To mark its 45^th anniversary (2020), Jeff Benjamin asked Walker to reflect on the race:

https://www.runblogrun.com/2020/08/august-12th-1975-the-40th-anniversary-of-john-walkers-3494-world-record-mile-race.html

WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mile_run_world_record_progression

1983—East Germany’s Detlef Michel won the Men’s Javelin at the inaugural World Championship in Helsinki with a throw of 293-7 (89.48), while runnerup Tom Petranoff, who had set a massive World Record of 327-2 (99.72) in May, could only manage to throw 280-10 (85.60) in the cold and wet conditions. The Soviet Union’s Dainis Kula (280-8 [85.56]) won bronze.

Despite hitting the last two hurdles, Greg Foster (13.42) was able to win the 1^st of his 3 World titles in the 110-Meter Hurdles over local favorite Arto Brygarre (13.46) and teammate Willie Gault (13.48).

“I’ve never hit a hurdle like that”, said Foster of his contact with hurdle #9. “I’ve never been that off-balance. I wanted to stop, but something kept me going”,

After East Germany’s Ronald Weigel started celebrating after finishing 1^st in the 50k-walk (3:43:08), he was mistakenly told he needed to walk another lap (which he did). Winning silver and bronze were Spain’s José Marín (3:46:32) and the Soviet Union’s Sergey Yung (3:49:03).

West Germany’s Patriz Ilg won the Steeplechase (8:15.06) over Poland’s Boguslaw Maminski (8:17.03) and Great Britain’s Colin Reitz (8:17.75).

Czech Helena Fibingerová won the Women’s Shot Put (69-3/4 [21.05]), with the East German duo of Helma Knorscheidt (67-11 [20.70]) and Ilona Briesenick (67-5  ½ [20.56]) finishing 2^nd and 3^rd.

Medalists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF Coverage

Sports Illustrated Vault: https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/08/22/putting-it-all-on-the-line

Videos

M110h: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcIA6cynX-U

MSC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfEgyJze4ro

1984—37-year old Carlos Lopes (2:09:21) of Portugal won the Men’s Marathon at the L.A. Olympics over Ireland’s John Treacy (2:09:56) and Great Britain’s Charlie Spedding (2:09:58). Other notable finishers: 10.New Zealand’s Rod Dixon (2:12:57), and Americans Pete Pfitzinger (11^th/2:13:53) and Alberto Salazar(15^th/2:14:19).

Medalists/Results: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1984_Summer_Olympics

https://olympics.com/en/video/portugal-s-lopes-wins-marathon-los-angeles-1984

1987–Judi Brown-King won the 400-meter hurdles at the Pan-American Games in Indianapolis in 54.23 to set an American Record. Finishing 2nd was Jamaica’s Sandra Farmer (54.59), who would later represent the U.S. in international competition. She broke Brown-King’s AR when she ran 53.75 in 1989.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/12/Judi-Brown-King-broke-her-own-US-record-in-the/7328555739200/

1987–Italy’s Alessandro Andrei broke the World Record in the Shot Put, not once, not twice, but three times in Viareggio, Italy. His 3^rd-round toss of 74-6  ½ (22.72) broke the previous mark of 74-3 ½ (22.64), which had been set by East Germany’s Udo Beyer in 1986. He then threw 74-11  ¼ (22.84) and 75-2 (22.91/now #6 All-Time) in the next two rounds. His final effort of 74-7  ¼ (22.74) was better than Beyer’s record, giving Andrei the four longest marks in history at the time.

Video(22.91): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3hAdITRWHU

Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWsBMUQ_c8

https://www.technogym.com/us/newsroom/alessandro-andrei-shot-put-strength-training/

WR Progression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_shot_put_world_record_progression\

Conversion: https://www.usatf.org/resources/statistics/calculators

1990—Notable winners (and some of their later accomplishments) at the 3^rd World Junior (Under-20) Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria(August 8-12).

Moses Kiptanui (KEN) 1500 (3:38.32/CR)—Set 2 World Records and won 3 World titles in the Steeplechase

Matthew Birir (KEN) Steeplechase (8:31.02/CR)—1992 Olympic Champion-Steeplechase

Dragutin Topić  (YUG)  High Jump (7-9  ¼ [2.37]) World Junior Record—bronze medalist 1997 World Indoor Championships

Jean Galfione (FRA) Pole Vault (17-10  ½ [5.45]) 1996 Olympic Champion, 1999 World Indoor Champion

Derartu Tulu  (ETH) 10,000 (32:56.26)   2-time Olympic Champion-10,000(1992, 2000)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_World_Junior_Championships_in_Athletics

1995—The U.S. had won the Men’s 4×100 relay at the first four World Championships, but that streak came to an end in Gothenburg,Sweden, when Jon Drummond and Tony McCall failed to connect on the 2^nd exchange in the qualifying round. It appeared that McCall was at fault, but the veteran Drummond was quick to shoulder the blame.

Allen Johnson (13.00) won the first of his four World titles in the 110-meter hurdles, edging Great Britain’s Tony Jarrett (13.04) for the win. Finishing 3^rd was 2-time Olympic Champion Roger Kingdom (13.19) and 4^th was Jack Pierce (13.27).

Former Villanova star Sonia O’Sullivan (Ireland) won the Women’s 5000-meters  in 14:46.47, taking the lead from Portugal’s Fernanda Ribeiro (14:48.54), the World Record holder, in the final 200-meters.  Finishing 3^rd was Morocco’s Zahra Ouaziz (14:53.77). Finishing out of the medals in 4^th & 5^th were Romania’s Gabriela Szabo (14:56.57), the World Indoor Champion at 3000-meters, and Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe (14:57.02). This was the first time women ran 5000-meters at the World Championships after competing at 3000-meters at the four previous editions.

“After the first three laps, it was quite clear that the kick would be decisive”, said O’Sullivan. “I never look back and I didn’t tonight.”

A week after jumping a wind-aided 29-4  ¾ (8.96) in Sestriere, Italy, Cuba’s Iván Pedroso won the first of his four World titles in the Men’s Long Jump with a leap of  28-6  ½ (8.70). James Beckford set a Jamaican Record of 27-2  ¾ (8.30 in the final round to “take” the silver medal away from World Record holder Mike Powell (27-2  ½ [8.29]), who was dealing with a sore back and a broken toe!

Medalists in other events:

Women’s Discus: Belarus’ Ellina Zvereva (225-2 [68.46]), Germany’s Ilke Wyludda(220-6 [67.20]), Russia’s Olga

Chernyavskaya (219-4 [66.86[])

Men’s Marathon: Spain’s Martín Fiz (2:11:41), Mexico’s Dionicio Cerón (2:12:13), Brazil’s Luíz Antônio dos Santos

(2:12:49)

Medalists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF Coverage

Athletics Weekly Recap: https://athleticsweekly.com/london-2017/iaaf-world-championships-history-gothenburg-1995-65488/

Videos: M110h  W10k  MLJ  MMar

1998—Finishing 2^nd to Mozambique’s Maria Mutola (1:56.11), Jearl Miles-Clark ran 1:56.43 in Zürich to break her own American Record (1:56.78) in the 800-meters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=XFDSBG0gk_0

HOF Bio: https://www.usatf.org/athlete-bios/jearl-miles-clark

2001—Mozambique’s Maria Mutola (1:57.17), the 1993 World Champion, had to work hard to win her 2^nd title 8 years later on the final day of competition in Edmonton, Canada. Seemingly out of gold medal contention as she entered the homestretch in 3^rd place, she managed to overtake Austria’s Stephanie Graf (1:57.20) with a well-timed lean at the finish. Surinam’s Letitia Vriesde (1:57.35), the leader with 60-meters to go, captured the bronze medal. Mutola, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the event,  called it “probably the most difficult race I have ever run”. She would win her 3^rd World title 2 years later in Paris.

Romania’s Lidia Șimon (2:26:01), the silver medalist the year before at the Sydney Olympics, stepped up to gold in the early morning’s Women’s Marathon, outdueling Japan’s Reiko Tosa (2:26:06) for the win. Russia’s Svetlana Zakharova won the bronze medal (2:26:18).

South Africa’s Hestrie Cloete, with fewer misses at lower heights, won the Women’s High Jump over Ukraine’s Inga Babakova, the defending champion, as both cleared 6-6  ¾ (2.00). Sweden’s Kajsa Bergqvist, who was tied for 1^st with Cloete after clearing 6-5  ½ (1.97), finished 3^rd after missing her 3 attempts at 6-6  ¾. Bergqvist was a 2-time NCAA Champion while at SMU (1997,1999).

Czech Jan Železný won his 3^rd World title in the Men’s Javelin with a Championship Record throw of 304-5 (92.80). Winning silver and bronze were Finland’s Aki Parviainen(299-7 [91.31]) and Greece’s Konstantinos Gatsioudis (295-1 [89.95), who also won bronze in 1997 and silver in 1999. 4^th with a personal best throw of 295-5 (87.00) was American Breaux Greer.

Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj (3:30.68) held off Kenya’s Bernard Lagat (3:31.10) to win the 3^rd of his four World titles in the Men’s 1500 Meters. 3^rd was France’s Driss Maazouzi (3:31.54). Just as he did at the 1999 Worlds, Adil Kaouch acted as a rabbit for teammate El Guerrouj, setting a quick pace of 55.41/1:53.69 through the 1^st 800-meters before limping home in 11^th place (3:48.45).

It was not a good day for the U.S. relay teams. Jearl Miles-Clark (50.2), who had won two gold and two silver medals in the Women’s 4×400 at the four previous Worlds, Monique Hennagan (49.7), and Michelle Collins (50.) had built a         7-meter lead though the first three legs, but anchor Suziann Reid dropped the baton as she tried to switch hands after receiving it from Collins. By the time she retrieved it, the other leading teams were too far ahead and the U.S. had to settle for a 4^th-place (3:26.88) finish behind Jamaica (3:20.65), Germany (3:21.97), and Russia (3:24.92). Reid’s bad luck in the relay would continue four years later in the qualifying round at the 2005 World Championships in Gothenburg when her lane violation on the opening leg led to the U.S., which had won its heat, being disqualified!

The U.S. finished 1^st (2:57.54) in the Men’s 4×400, but was later stripped of the title when 2^nd leg Antonio Pettigrew admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during this period. Moving up to first was the Bahamas (2:58.19), followed by Jamaica (2:58.39) and Poland (2:59.71).

And then there was the Men’s 4×100, the final event of the Championships.

A U.S. lineup of Mickey Grimes, Bernard Williams, Dennis Mitchell, and Tim Montgomery was a dominant “winner” over South Africa, 37.96-38.47 (the biggest margin of victory at the Worlds since 1983). However, just like in the men’s 4×400, the team was subsequently stripped of its title and the accompanying gold medals due to Montgomery’s doping violations.

Thus South Africa belatedly won its 2^nd gold medal of the day (see Women’s HJ), with Trinidad & Tobago (38.58) and Australia (38.83) winning silver and bronze, respectively.

Veteran Ato Boldon ran the 2^nd leg for T&T, and was joined by youngsters Marc Burns (18), Jacey Harper (21), and Darrel Brown, who, at 16-years, 305-days, became the youngest ever male medalist at the World Championships.

Boldon, the captain and coach of the T&T team, refers to the race as the “proudest moment” of his career. This from a man who is one of the most decorated sprinters in history.  “My whole career had been just me, and now I had young teammates to mentor and lead, and then we got a silver medal at Worlds, our country’s very first in the 4×1, Olympics or Worlds”.

Medalists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF Report/Results

https://www.worldathletics.org/results/world-athletics-championships/2001/8th-iaaf-world-championships-6947294

Videos

Men’s 1500: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Q4567VD6U

Women’s 4×400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc7EaGRG8Dw

2005–Jumping two days later than planned because of strong winds, Russia’s Yelena Isinbaeva raised her World Record in the Women’s Pole Vault to 16-5  ¼ (5.01) at the World Championships in Helsinki, which was the host for the inaugural Worlds in 1983. Winning silver and bronze were Poland’s Monika Pyrek (15-1 [4.60]) and Czech Pavla Rybová   (14-9 [4/50]).

One of the many fans taking pictures from the stands was Stacy Dragila, the winner of the 1^st two World titles in the event (1999,2001)!

19-year old Allyson Felix won the first of her three World titles in the Women’s 200 (22.16), becoming the youngest athlete, man or woman, to win a sprint medal at the World Championships. Teammate Rachelle Boone-Smith edged France’s Christine Arron for the silver medal (22.31 for both). Finishing 4^th was Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown (22.38), who had won gold the previous year at the Athens Olympics. Starting in lane 7, VCB was in medal contention coming off the turn, but struggled in the homestretch, even veering into lane 8 for a few strides (without obstructing anyone)! She would win a 2^nd Olympic gold in 2008 and her sole World title in the 200 in 2011.

Another 2004 Olympic gold medalist fared better, as Jeremy Wariner won the first of his two World titles in the Men’s 400 (43.93). U.S. teammate Andrew Rock (44.35) won the silver medal and Canada’s Tyler Christopher (44.44) edged the Bahamas’ Chris Brown (44.48) for the bronze.  “I was concentrating on being first at 300 meters,” said Wariner, “and it went well. After I came off the last turn I just told myself, stay strong. Two gold medals in two years is nice. I had no pressure. I just ran my own race.”

In one of the best events of the Championships (run in decent weather!), France’s Ladji Doucouré (13.07) won the Men’s 110m-Hurdles over China’s Liu Xiang (13.08), the 2004 Olympic Champion, and Allen Johnson (13.10), who was seeking his 5^th World title. Johnson’s American teammates filled the next 3 slots—Dominique Arnold (13.13), Terrence Trammell (13.20), and Joel Brown (13.47).

Cuba’s Yipsi Moreno (239-9 [73.08]) won the Women’s Hammer over Russia’s Tatyana Lysenko (237-9 [72.46]) and France’s Manuela Montebrun (234-3 [71.41]). Russia’s Olga Kuzenkova (246-5 [75.10] was the original “winner”, but was subsequently stripped of her title for a doping violation. Lysenko would win the Hammer at the 2011 World Championships, but would be stripped of the gold medals she “won” at the 2012 Olympics and 2013 Worlds for doping violations.

Russia got a 1-2 finish from Sergey Kirdyapkin (3:38:08) and Aleksey Voyevodin (3:41:25) in the Men’s 50k Walk, with Italy’s Alex Schwazer (3:41.54) taking the bronze.

The U.S. failed to make it out of the qualifying round in the Men’s 4×100 when Mardy Scales and Leonard Scott failed to connect on the first exchange.

Medalists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF Report/Results

Videos: M110H  W200  M400  WPV

2012—Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich (2:08:01) won the Olympic Marathon, the final event, in London over Kenyans Abel Kirui (2:08:27) and Wilson Kiprotich (2:09:37). 37-year old Meb Keflezighi (2:11:06), the silver medalist in 2004, finished a creditable 4^th.

Results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_–_Men%27s_marathon

Report: https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/olympic-games/news/london-2012-event-report-mens-marathon

2013—Botswana’s Amantle Montsho seemed to be well on her way to repeating as the World Champion in the Women’s 400-Meters in Moscow, but Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu, the 2007 Champion, finished off her incredible stretch drive by edging in front with her last stride to steal the win, with both being timed in 49.41. Finishing 3^rd was Jamaica’s Stephenie Ann McPherson(49.99).

It took five years for David Oliver (13.00), the bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, to return to the medal stand at a global championship, but he did it in a big way here, winning gold in the 110-Meter Hurdles. Finishing 2^nd was Ryan Wilson (13.13), who had made his first U.S. team at the age of 33 with his win at the U.S. Championships in June. Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov (13.24) edged defending champion Jason Richardson (13.27) to win the bronze medal.

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 2009 Champion, dominated the Women’s 100-Meters, winning in 10.71 over Murielle Ahouré (10.93) and Carmelita Jeter(10.94). She would go on to become a 5-time World Champion in the 100 (2015,  2019, 2022).

New Zealand’s Valerie Adams, who won her 2^nd Olympic title the previous year in London, won her 4^th straight World title in the Women’s Shot Put with her winning toss of 68-6 (20.88). 2^nd was Germany’s Christina Schwanitz (66-11  ½ [20.41]), with China’s Gong Lijiao (65-5  ½ [19.95]) edging American Michelle Carter (65-5 [19.94]) for 3^rd place.

With his 1^st-jump clearance of 19-3  ¾ (5.89), Germany’s Raphael Holzdeppe won the gold medal in the Men’s Pole Vault over France’s Renaud Lavillenie, who cleared that height on his 3^rd attempt. (Both missed their 3 attempts at

19-6  ½ (5.96). Misses also came into play in deciding who would win the bronze medal, with Germany’s Björn Otto getting the edge over American Brad Walker (19-1 [5/82] for both).

Poland’s Paweł Fajdek got his winning throw (268-11 [81.97] in the Men’s Hammer in the opening round. 2^nd was Hungary’s Krisztián Pars (263-5 [80.30]) and 3^rd was Czech Lukáš Melich (260-4 [79.36]). It was the first of Fajdek’s 5 straight World titles.

Medalists/Results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF Coverage

Additional Reports

Videos: W400  W100  M110h  MPV(Winning jump)

2016—Track & field competition at the Rio Olympics got off to a rousing start during the morning session with an extraordinary Women’s 10,000-Meters.

Not content with the super-fast pace set by Kenya’s April Nawowuna through the first 5000-meters (14:46.81), Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana decided to increase the tempo with 12 laps to go. She went on to win in 29:17.45, smashing the previous World Record of 29:31.78, which was set by China’s Wang Junxia in 1993 under questionable circumstances.

Also finishing under 30-minutes were Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot (29:32.53), Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba (29:42.56), the 2-time defending Olympic Champion, and Nawowuna (29:53.51). Those were the 3-4-5 fastest times in history (at the time).

The first 13 finishers all ran personal bests, including 6^th-placer Molly Huddle, who ran 30:13.17 to break Shalane Flanagan’s American Record of 30:22.22, set when she won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics.

It comes with the territory these days when athletes produce exceptional performances, but Ayana laughed when the issue of doping was brought up at the post-race press conference: “My doping is my training. My doping is Jesus. Otherwise, I’m crystal clear.”

Saving her best for last, Michelle Carter, the “Shot Diva”, threw an American Record of 67-8  ¼ (20.63) in the final round to snatch the gold medal in the Women’s Shot Put from New Zealand’s Valerie Adams (67-0 [20.42]), the defending champion. Working in the NBC booth as an analyst, Trey Hardee let out a scream of joy for his fellow ex-Texas Longhorn.

Cheering from the stands was Michael Carter, Michelle’s dad, who was the silver medalist in the Men’s Shot Put at the 1984 Olympics in L.A.!

It was a 1-2 sweep for China in the Men’s 20k Walk, with Wang Zhen (1:19:14) winning over Cai Zelin (1:19:26). Australia’s Dane Bird-Smith (1:19:37) won the bronze medal.

Medalists/Results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_2016_Summer_Olympics

Results: https://www.worldathletics.org/results/olympic-games/2016/the-xxxi-olympic-games-7093747

Videos

W10k: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV_eFh01HxA

WSP(11 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C1xVNPezcA

https://www.si.com/olympics/2016/08/12/almaz-ayana-world-record-rio-2016-olympics-10000-meters-molly-huddle

2017—Things didn’t go as well as hoped-for for Mo Farah and Usain Bolt in their final championship appearances.

Farah had won 10 straight global titles at 5000 and 10,000-meters, including his win at 10k earlier at these World Championships here in London. Much to the disappointment of the loyal British crowd, that streak came to an end when he was outsprinted for the gold medal in a tactical 5000 by Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris (13:32.79-13:33.22).  American Paul Chelimo won the bronze medal (13:33.30) after initially being disqualified for stepping over his inside line.

In the final event of the day, the Men’s 4×100, Bolt received the baton in 3^rd place, ready to make one last grand stretch-run on the anchor leg when he pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury and fell to the track. Meanwhile, British fans were concentrating on the race upfront, as former LSU star Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake held off American Christian Coleman to give the “home” team the win in 37.47, a National Record. The U.S. finished 2^nd in 37.52, followed by Japan in 38.04.

The U.S., with a lineup of Aaliyah Brown, Allyson Felix, Morolake Akinosun, and 100-meter champion Tori Bowie, beat Great Britain to win the Women’s 4×100, 41.82-42.12. Jamaica was 3^rd in 42.19.

The U.S. was hoping to match their 2016 Olympic medal sweep in the Women’s 100-meter hurdles, but it was not to be as Australia’s Sally Pearson, returning to the stadium where she won Olympic gold in 2012, edged Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic Champion, 12.59-12.63. Harper-Nelson’s silver would be the only American medal this time around, with Germany’s Pamela Dutkiewicz (12.72) beating out Keni Harrison (12.74) and Christina Manning (12.74) for the bronze.

Russia’s Maria Lasitskene, competing as an “Authorized Neutral Athlete”, was sitting in 3^rd place in the Women’s High Jump after missing her first attempt at 6-6  ¼ (1.99]). Passing to 6-7 (2.01), she cleared on her 1^st attempt to take the lead over Ukraine’s Yuliya Levchenko, who cleared on her 2^nd try, and Poland’s Kamila Lićwinko, who missed twice before passing to 6-8 (2.03/missing on her only attempt). Lasitskene cleared 6-8 on her 1^st attempt and the gold medal was hers after Levchenko missed all 3 of her attempts.

Germany’s Johannes Vetter (294-11 [89.89]) won the Men’s Javelin over the Czech duo of Jakub Vadlejch (294-4 [89.73]) and Petr Frydrych (289-9 [88.32).

France’s Kevin Mayer (8768)  won the Decathlon over Germany’s Rico Freimuth (8564) and Kai Kazmirek (8488).

Medalists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_World_Championships_in_Athletics

IAAF: https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/iaaf-world-championships-london-2017-7093740

IAAF Reports/Other Links

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/sports/usain-bolt-relay-world-championships.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2017/08/12/mo-farah-last-race-5000m-final-live-updates/

Videos

M5000  Farah Interview  W100h  W4x100  M4x100  MJT  Decathlon  WHJ

World Championships History(Great stats book)

2018—The European Championships in Berlin ended with a bang as 18-year old prodigy Armand “Mondo” Duplantis

won the Men’s Pole Vault and improved U.S. High School, World Junior, and American Records with his sensational clearance of 19-10  ¼ (6.05).

Born in the U.S. (Louisiana), he was competing for Sweden, the  birthplace of his mother Helena, a former heptathlete. Since he had dual-citizenship at the time, his winning mark was ratified as an American Record (Broken in 2019 by Sam Kendricks: 19-10  ½ [6.06])

While his American Record didn’t last long, his U.S. High School and World Junior standards could last for a very long time. He has since raised the World Record to 20-7  ¼  (6.28) and won 2 Olympic (’21, ‘24) and 2 World (’22, ‘23) titles.

As mentioned yesterday (Aug.11), another teenager, 17-year old Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) was a double winner at the “Euros” (1500-5000).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_European_Athletics_Championships

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDPAwOmxF7Y

Born On This Day*

Austra Skujytė-Lithuania  46 (1979) set a World Record of 8358 points in the rarely contested Women’s Decathlon in

Columbia, Missouri. Skujytė, a 2-time NCAA Champion in the Heptathlon while at Kansas State, was also a 2-time

Olympic medalist in the Hep, winning silver in 2004, and bronze in 2012 (2000-12^th).

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/88242

https://mutigers.com/news/2005/4/15/Austra_Skujyte_Sets_World_Record_In_Women_s_Decathlon.aspx

https://decathletesofeurope.co.uk/interviews/decathlon-world-record-holder-austra-skujyte-i-want-them-to-break-my-record/

Julie Jenkins-Donley 61 (1964) 1987 NCAA Champion—800m (BYU)

1992 U.S. Olympian—800m (semi-finalist)

Made the 1992 Olympic team after being sidelined for 9 months after being hit by a van in NY in 1991 while trying to get to

  the U.S. Championships on Randall’s Island!

Started her collegiate career at Adams State…4-time NAIA Champion (Indoor—600y, 880y; Outdoor-800,1500)

PB: 1:57.82 (1990)  RMAC Hall of Fame (2012): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYAJZ5syjhw

http://rmacsports.org/hof.aspx?hof=23

Esther Stroy  72 (1953)  1968 U.S. Olympian—400m (1^st round)…Was only 15 at the time

2-time U.S. Indoor Champion—220y (1971, 1972)

PBs: 11.5 (1972), 23.4 (1972), 53.5 (1968)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Stroy

Oral History 1968 Olympics (scroll down):

https://starkcenter.org/the-1968-u-s-olympic-team-oral-history-project/

Edwin Roberts—Trinidad & Tobago  84 (1941) 2-time Olympic bronze medalist—1964 (200, 4×400); 1968-200 (4^th)

1965 NCAA Small  College Champion—220y (North Carolina College)

2^nd at the NCAA Championships in 1964 (200m/to Bob Hayes) and 1965 (220y).

1964 Penn Relays Champion-440y relay (North Carolina College)…won the 100y in 1964 & 1965

PB: 20.34 (1968)   Long-time official at the Penn Relays

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Roberts

https://www.usatf.org/resources/alumni/alumni-association-board/alumni-association-board/edwin-roberts

https://pennrelays.com/honors/wall-of-fame/edwin-roberts/106

Roberts and former Relays Director Dave Johnson showing off their

Penn Relays watches during the 2022 World Championships in Eugene!

Deceased

Charlie Moore 91 (1929-Oct.8, 2020) 1952 Olympic gold medalist—400-meter hurdles (silver-4×400)

1949 NCAA Champion—440y (Cornell); 1951 NCAA Champion—220y-hurdles/straight

4-time U.S. Champion—400m-hurdles (1949-1952);

Set two World Records in the 440y-hurdles in 1952 (51.9, 51.6); PB: 50.7 (1952)

Former Athletic Director at Cornell; Former President of the IC4A

From a 2020 interview with Karen Rosen for TeamUSA.org:

A diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer has only strengthened Moore’s resolve to make the most of his remaining time.

  The 91-year-old recently helped bring fiber optic broadband to his rural Pennsylvania community, which desperately needed

    it, and has also advocated for more emergency medical responders.

“I had been a man of purpose,” said Moore, who enjoyed successful careers in business, philanthropy, U.S. Olympic volunteer

  leadership and as athletic director of his alma mater, Cornell. “I still have my purpose, a focus on both family and

  humanitarianism. I am busy and really very happy with my life and I’m prepared to deal with what comes next.

“I’ve had such a full, impactful life that I have no regrets.”

https://cornellbigred.com/news/2020/10/10/mens-track-field-cornell-mourns-loss-of-charlie-moore-51-olympic-legend-and-former-ad.aspx

https://cornellbigred.com/news/2017/12/20/big-red-bios-an-olympic-life-charlie-moore-51.aspx

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78806

Year formed: 2009. 

NVL Coach: Jose Castro. 

Social media handles: @teamsouthwales (instagram) and TeamSouthWales (Facebook). 

Website: Click here. 

The Team South Wales men’s team may only have formed ahead of the 2024-25, but they quickly encountered success in their maiden season. 

Competing in the South West League, the team “built a strong and dedicated squad of 17 committed players who trained consistently to a high standard”, according to Head Coach Jose Castro. 

That dedication was rewarded as the team secured the SWVA League Division 1 title at the first time of asking. 

Buoyed by that success, the men are now following the club’s women’s team into the NVL, who first played National League volleyball back in 2010-11. 

Back then, the women ended their first season at that level as Division 3 champions and the men, no doubt, will be hoping a similar story unfolds. 

“We are looking forward to challenge ourselves and compete against good teams, so that we can learn and improve,” said Jose, on reasons why the club applied to join the NVL. 

“We aim to solidify our culture of commitment, teamwork and performance.” 

Team South Wales’ women’s team was established in 2009 and play at Eastern Community Campus in Cardiff. 

Since then, the team has progressed through every division, reaching the Super 8s in 2013. 

Along the way, it reached the National Shield final twice, securing victory in 2012 and, last season, they were promoted back to Division 1 South, having finished second in Division 2 West. 

Those exploits have acted as significant inspiration for the men’s team who are also looking to progress up the national ladder. 

In their debut season, with a home base at the University of South Wales Sport Park in Pontypridd, they will face the likes of Weymouth, City of Bristol, Spelthorne Tigers, Bristol 2, Bedminster, Urbond Portsmouth, Guildford International and Southampton 2. 

Jose added: “This moment (the men joining the NVL) marks a significant milestone in the club’s history, especially as the women’s team are making their return to NVL Division 1. 

“Our motivation is to compete at the highest possible level, and the NVL offers an outstanding platform to achieve this ambition.” 

Team South Wales has a strong link with Cardiff Beach Volleyball Club, with players regularly transitioning between beach and indoor volleyball. 

The club hopes to use this partnership to further strengthen its teams moving forward.

Find out more about the NVL by clicking here. 

Today, eSports has global audiences in the hundreds of millions, billion-dollar sponsorship deals, and players who train as rigorously as traditional athletes.

The question is no longer if eSports will join the Olympic program – but when, and how.

The Rise of Competitive Gaming

What began in small LAN cafes and niche tournaments has grown into a global phenomenon. Games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Dota 2 now sell out arenas and offer prize pools rivaling those of major sports leagues.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already acknowledged eSports’ potential, hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023. While it focused largely on “virtual sports” (like cycling simulators and virtual taekwondo), it signaled that gaming is on the IOC’s radar.

It has since announced the inaugural Olympic eSports Games to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, as the road to eSports at the Olympics has officially begun.

The Case For Olympic Inclusion

Massive Global Reach: eSports taps into a younger demographic that traditional sports struggle to capture, especially Gen-Z audiences.

Skill & Training: Professional players train 8–12 hours a day, honing reflexes, strategy, and team coordination.

Inclusivity: eSports offers gender-neutral competition and accessibility to athletes regardless of physical limitations.

Digital Integration: The Olympic movement is seeking ways to remain relevant in a digital-first entertainment landscape.

The Hurdles to Overcome

Game Selection: Which title gets chosen? With games tied to private publishers, the IOC faces licensing and neutrality challenges.

Standardisation: Game patches, updates, and meta shifts could impact fairness in competition.

Perception: Skeptics question whether eSports meets the traditional definition of “sport,” especially given its lack of physical exertion.

Anti-Doping & Integrity: Like any sport, eSports must address concerns about performance-enhancing substances, cheating, and match-fixing, as sports betting rapidly rises in popularity on eSports markets.

What Could Olympic eSports Look Like?

The most likely path is a parallel competition alongside the Games, much like the way skateboarding and surfing debuted – starting small, building credibility, and – eventually – moving into full medal events. Early Olympic eSports may lean toward virtual sports simulations (FIFA, NBA 2K, Gran Turismo) before embracing pure competitive titles.

The Olympic torch may one day light up a digital arena. With younger audiences demanding new forms of competition and the eSports industry showing no signs of slowing, it feels less like a question of “if,” and more like “when.”

Whether you’re a traditionalist or a gamer, the future of the Games could be played with a keyboard and mouse, as much as with a ball and bat.