Flashes of Panic

Well, yes, I did cast a vote in yesterday’s mid-term elections, but I’m talking about the IAAF Athlete of the Year selection. The internet vote was a little bizarre, tipped heavily (on the women’s side) in favor of Sherone Simpson of Jamaica, who is in fact on the short list. However, the internet vote and the “IAAF Family” vote—which, to my surprise, includes me—were weighted 30% and 70%, respectively, and my votes for Liu Xiang (there’s nothing like breaking a very old world record) and Meseret Defar (trying to make up for missing her world record) may have played a role in putting those two on the short list as well. I’m hoping the “Special Jury” agrees with me.

The men’s vote is pretty tough; after all, Asafa Powell tied his own World Record twice this year, and Kenenisa Bekele—who was AOY in ‘04 and ‘05—did win the cross-country double for the last time. But Bekele, my sentimental favorite, didn’t really have a good year otherwise, and Powell was uneven as well.

Now Playing: Waiting For Somebody by Paul Westerberg

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