Being a World Champion going into the Olympics

What athletes have been affected by he pressure and expectation of going into the Olympics as World Champion to the extent that they drastically under perform? Anyone know of any examples?

if memory serves me right didn't Liu Xaing blow it big time in beijing?

spencerclarke wrote:if memory serves me right didn't Liu Xaing blow it big time in beijing?

Nope. He had a severely injured achilles tendon.

Colin Jackson? but then I'm not sure he underperformed really, just came up against some truly excellent athletes.

Dreamer it's just a case of another Welsh guy bottling it when it counts..... Sonia O'Sulllivan won the 95 5000m world and didn't place in Atlanta.

ah, away with you Thomond!






I can't think of any other specifics really? Maybe in a field event?

rugbydreamer wrote:Colin Jackson? but then I'm not sure he underperformed really, just came up against some truly excellent athletes.

The one time, Colin Jackson went to the Olympics as World Champ was Sydney 2000. His win in Seville in 1999 was helped by reigning Olympic & World Champion Allen Johnson being injured and, the World number 1 that year, Mark Crear being DQ'd for 2 false starts in the quarter finals. Going into Olympic year Jackson would have been seen as a contender but not really the favourite.

yeah wasn't sure he'd be a favourite trickstat, but I confess, I'm not so clued up on dates of when he won things, always remember him being a contender for sure though.

Maybe Asafa Powell.

I was thinking him Josiah, but then, I'm not 100% sure he's actually ever won the World Championships? the relay aye, but not sure on the individual Gold medal.

I can confirm that Asafa Powell has never won individual gold at the Olympics or World Champs.

didn't think he had trickstat, tis the Commonwealth games he's won, no?

My mistake then, I guess he's one of those who can't control his mind in the biggest events..

Correct - Asafa Powell did win the Commonwealth Games back in 2006.

In 1991 the World Champs were in the far east (Tokyo) and the 1992 Olympics in western Europe (Barcelona). In 2011 the World Champs were also in the far east (Daegu) and the 2012 Olympics will also be in western Europe (London).

A notable statistic is that of all the athletes who won individual titles in Tokyo in '91 only one Marie-Jose Perec (women's 400m) went on to win the Olympics in Barcelona.

While I personally think more of the Daegu champions will win in London, it does suggest that winning both titles in these circumstances is particularly tough. In both cases, the far eastern world champs took place relatively late in the season, which may be relevant.