World Track and Field Championships

10:00 am Pacific

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The World Track and Field Championships started yesterday in Berlin, Germany and run through next Sunday, the 23rd. Today will culminate with the Men's 100 Meter final in a couple of hours.

The first day is largely a qualifying day, but there were three event finals:

• Men's 20 km Race Walk

1. Valeriy Borchin (RUS) - 1:18:41
2. Hao Wang (CHN) - 1:19:06
3. Eder Sánchez (MEX) - 1:19:22

• Women's 10 km Run

1. Linet Chepwemoi Masai (KEN) - 30:51.24
2. Meselech Melkamu (ETH) - 30:51.34
3. Wude Ayalew (ETH) - 30:51.95

• Men's Shot Put

1. Christian Cantwell (USA) - 22.03
2. Tomasz Majewski (POL) - 21.91
3. Ralf Bartels (GER) - 21.37

My Take: I love track and field. Because the equipment for most events is minimal, people from all over the world can compete on relatively equal footing. Sure, the wealthier countries can afford better training on average, and larger countries have more people to draw from, but this is as close as it gets to a true athletic meritocracy. The strength, speed, and endurance of these athletes is truly incredible. If you ever have the opportunity to see a high level track meet up close, do it. You can't believe how much better these athletes are than your typical high school varsity runner. I've run several times against (well, in the same race as) Tony Young, the age group world record holder in the mile for in my age group - you have no idea how humbling that sort of experience is.