Talented runners....

Mamede and Lopes in 1984 at Stockholms Stadion

On July 2, 1984, at Stockholm Stadium.....he and his club mate Carlos Lopes broke the current world record of the 10,000 meters. What could have been a brilliant career for Mamede never materialized due to his bad nerves during international championships. Just a few months later, and in excellent physical shape, he abandoned the race during the 10,000 meters final at the Los Angeles Olympics. In a time when psychological training was non-existent for elite athletes, his extraordinary talent was wasted.

His only medal at international level was a bronze medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Madrid in 1981. Fernando Mamede passed away on January 27, 2026, aged 74.

Was Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 100-meter world record wind assisted...?

The Omega wind gauge (stationary tube) registered 0.0 wind during the race

On July 16, 1988, Florence Griffith-Joyner ran 10.49 in the 100-meters at the United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. Looking at the little flag being held by the official standing behind the start line, it would appear as if there was a strong crosswind coming from the left of the runners (the flag is actually even moving slightly backwards). There is definitely no tailwind, and how could such a crosswind favor the runners ? She outdistances the other competitors as well, and she seems to be the only one in the race to "benefit" from those winds...? 

Anyway....technically, Flo-Jo is still the best sprinter of all time, and that includes both male and female athletes. Her running during that year of 1988 is no less than close to perfection.