#Tokyo2020 400 Meter Specialists ? Michael Norman x Sydney Mclaughlin @Mike_Norman22 x @GoSydGo

If you haven't been paying attention but the running community is on fire right now, especially performances by the Poland Men's 4x400 at the World Championship.  We are truly fortunate to watch greatness executed, this past weekend Michael Norman from the University of Southern California, broke the world indoor record in the 400 Meters with a blistering time 44.52 then anchored the USC Men's 4x400 to a new world Record of 3:00.77. In the women's 400 Sydney Mclaughlin breaks her own World Record Under 20 in the 400 meters with a time of 50.36. 

If you aren't familiar with names of Sydney Mclaughlin & Michael Norman it's time to get acclimated. Both have been torching the track scene since there High School careers. Providing me and many others the excitement of a 2020 Olympics. Both are young barring injuries it maybe safe to say that the United States should make some noise in Tokyo in the 400 Meters. 

Poland Sets the World Indoor Record in the 4x400 Relay

First reaction was like no way, what happened ? Like most running enthusiast i had to find the video to actually see what happened. As a proud of American there are some stapled events that for the 39 years i have been living American Track & Field does very well in the sprint relays.

The Polish team of Karol Zalewski, Rafal Omelko, Lukasz Krawczuk and Jakub Krzewina won in 3:01.77. That shaved 0.36 seconds off the previous record of 3:02.13, which was set by the United States in 2014. via Press reader

 BIRMINGHAM, England — The recipe for defeating the United States in a 4×400-meter relay is simple: hold the race in England. <---- I disagree with that statement. As a Coach and athlete myself we train for results, we train for execution, I am not shock this is a way of life, this is a mentality. Yes the track world and America is in awe on how this could happen, and I say very simple, best explained by the second leg, Rafal Omelko.

“It is a big shock and surprise for us,” Omelko said. “We were targeting the European record, but really did not expect a result like this and never dreamed about the world record.” As far as I am concern Dreams Are Tangible Goals.. Here in the States many are baffled some have gone as far and conducted research check out How Four Polish Guys Beat the US to Break the 4×400 World Record (3:01.77)  

The race was in control by the US, I will give always props and credit when it's due and earned. The first and second leg of Poland did their job keeping the US in eye sight keeping the race close and most important giving the 3rd & 4th leg an opportunity for victory. Below is the race let me know your thoughts ? US will be back as always but for now salute to the four men who didn't pull an upset they just worked hard and achieved the possible. Dreams Are Tangible Goals

Here’s a look at how the Poles and Americans stacked up, leg-by-leg:

Poland

Name                   Outdoor PR      Indoor PR  Unofficial Split

Karol Zalewski     45.8                  446.2          45.85

Rafal Omelko       45.14                46.08          45.10

Lukasz Krawczuk 45.65               46.26          45.90

Jakub Krzewina   45.11                 46.26           44.93

USA

Name                 Outdoor PR     Indoor PR     Unofficial Split

Fred Kerley       43.7                  44.85             44.84 (FAT)

Michael Cherry  44.66              45.53              45.27

Aldrich Bailey   45.19                45.59              46.05

Vernon Norwood 44.44          45.31                45.67