2011년 6월 29일 수요일

The Hardest Track Event, the 400 meter


It is well known that the most difficult event in the competition is the 400 meter race. Because it takes around over 50 seconds to convert inhaled oxygen into energy, sprinters have to run to 100 meters with state of oxygen-depletion in the body.

Michael Johnson (USA) is a prominent athlete of this event. His world record of 42.18 seconds in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 is still not broken.  He was the only person to win in both the 200m and 400m over the course of the Olympics and World Championships history.  This amazing athlete won 54 consecutive times in the 400m until 1996.

He described his tactics for the 400m running as the “four Ps.” The first P stands for ‘Push’ where athletes run at their fastest speed from start to the 100m mark.  The second P is for ‘Pace’ controlling one’s rate of running until the 200m mark. The third P is for ‘Position’ with those around you.  The last P is ‘Pray’ eagerly for winning.  If even such a great athlete like Michael Johnson has to “pray,” then indeed this is a difficult event!

A lot of athletes will participate in the 400m during the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011. The women’s 400m final and men’s final will be held on the 29th of August and 30th of August, respectively.

Athletes will need all the cheering they can get in such a tough race. 

댓글 없음:

댓글 쓰기