American middle-distance standouts Matt Centrowitz and Nick Symmonds are about to toe the line in Dublin for the Morton Pre-Games to sharpen up their speed before the Olympic Games in London.
Centrowitz, who is running the 800m as a final tune-up before the Olympic 1500m, will be looking reach the medal podium in London, much like how he did in last year’s World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. In the Diamond League Meet in London last week, Centro didn’t have his best day at the office, running a 1:48.42 800m.
Able to shrug it off, he said on Twitter (@MattCentrowitz): “Not a great day on the track. Ran 1:48 and finished last. Then on top of that I got randomly drug tested lol. I musta looked suspect in last.”
Acknowledging that he struggled with a minor knee injury and that he hasn’t raced an 800 in some time, we think tonight’s showing should be stronger. With one 800 under his belt to allow him to acclimate to the two-lap distance…
Our prediction for his 800m today: 1:46.8
Nick Symmonds (@NickSymmonds), who has encouraged his followers on Twitter to predict his 400m time, is coming off of a 1:43.78 800m at the Monaco Diamond League Meet. In our interview with Symmonds in May, he noted that he doesn’t put on a pair of spikes for fast intervals until late in his season. Odds are…right now…he’s feeling fit as ever.
With the Olympic Trials Championship and a few 1:43s to his name for this season, a fast 400 may be the final confidence-booster he needs. So…
Our prediction for his 400m today: 46.28
And be sure to check the results for the mile, as Americans David Torrence, Will Leer, Garrett Heath, Ryan Hall, and Jack Bolas will be looking for fast times.