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Paula
She just blew up. There's been a lot of soul-searching here about whether "she let us down" or not. It's nonsense. She was defeated by a combination of the conditions and her own mental state. I don't think her pulling up was a conscious decision; her brain was receiving too many "stop" signals.
I know it was just a joke, but obviously there's no comparison between her task and that of most of us here, whose main aim is just to finish. She runs the equivalent of a marathon every day in training, and holds the marathon world record so there's no doubting her capabilities.
She's an inspirational figure to many of us, and will remain so.
Despite all that, I did publicly predict (on the RW forum) that she wouldn't finish the race. I just had a very strong hunch that it would all be too much for her.
I can't understand the obituary tone of many commentators this morning. She's 30, not old at all for a marathon runner. No reason why she shouldn't have another go in China.
The big question at the moment is whether she'll compete in the 10K on Friday. I suspect she won't, but how great it would be if she did, and dragged a victory from somewhere.
The 100m was indeed amazing. I looked at that picture last night, or one v similar, and marvelled at the balletic quality of the finish.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
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