The Hammer in Focus. There is still a passion for the ball and wire that burns in the heart of Men's Hammer Throw American Record holder and

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1 The Hammer in Focus by Lane C Dowell This article will appear in the April edition of Long and Strong, the official magazine of the National Throw s Coaches Association. For more information on Long and Strong and to subscribe go to Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. No more back 40 for the Hammer. We re moving into the spotlight on center stage at the 2012 USA Olympic Trials Sector Photo Courtesy of Nike There is still a passion for the ball and wire that burns in the heart of Men's Hammer Throw American Record holder and last USA Olympic Medalist, Lance Deal (82.52m). Britney Henry, a national championship hammer medalist, who was mentored by Coach Deal as an Oregon Duck and is still one of America s top tier masters of the event, has a feel for the fire that still burns in Deal s belly.

2 The passion that Lance had as a thrower flows right into the passion he has for the event. When you hear him talk about the hammer and what it is going to take place in Beaverton, the joy in his voice is contagious. His excitement has not only excited me for Hammer Time, but I feel that it has excited most of the hammer community. Lance truly wants what is best for the hammer throwers and the event itself. feel that it has excited most of the hammer community. Lance truly wants what is best for the hammer throwers and the event itself. Recently Long and Strong took a few minutes to chat with the gregarious American Record Holder. This article also contains comments from three of America s current best, Henry, Kibwe Johnson and Michael Mai, who are leading the USA s Hammer resurgence and have a great chance to claim a medal for Uncle Sam in London this summer. Kibwe Johnson Long & Strong: What prompted you to want to make the 2012 USA Olympic Trials Hammer Throw a focus event on the Nike campus in Beaverton, Oregon? Lance Deal: This was an idea that was discussed by the Steering Committee last time, but there was no appropriate venue. The Nike campus is a venue worthy of holding this competition. The whole idea from the outset was to get the hammer throw some well deserved recognition. L & S: Were there hurdles to clear with Nike and USATF? LD: Nike was on board from the beginning and the people there are a big part of the excitement that continues to grow surrounding this event. When the idea was vetted to Sue Humphrey and Mike Mcneese of the USATF at the convention and the throwers at the USATF Nationals last year in Eugene, it was met with almost unanimous approval. We have been working with John Chaplin to make sure that everything is top notch. L & S: The cage/facility you designed and built at Hayward Field in Eugene is state of the art. Tell us about the venue you have engineered on the Nike grounds. LD: Thank you for the compliment, but alas, I have not designed the cage for the Trials. Above all, we want to make this a straight up, down the line, big time competition. As such we have asked Gill Athletic to supply their top of the line IAAF cage, just like the one that will be in the Olympic Stadium in London. We have, however, done what I think is a spectacular job of making the throwing area and the surrounding stands, fan areas, coaches box, and athlete areas the best that anyone has ever seen.

3 L & S: What is Nike doing to help make the Hammer a spotlight Trial s event? LD: The marketing department at Nike along with Sports One (the event management company that is working on the festival in Eugene) and the events group at Nike have been the prime movers in this whole shebang. They have opened the campus to the event. They are designing a separate and special T shirt for the Nike employees and each Hammer Thrower. Most importantly, they are allowing us to throw hammers onto (and into) a world class soccer pitch!!! Sorry folks, I'm taking the first throw. Michael Mai (Major US Army), a medalist from the last two USATF National Championships spoke with excitement of seeing the event to which he has dedicated most of his life move into the limelight. USATF and some of the powerful players in their hierarchy have gone out of their way to assure the top hammer throwers that this event will be first class. I know I was very skeptical at first, but if the event is televised and we get the kind of fan support that they are expecting, it really will be better for the event. The hammer is probably in the best shape it has been in this country in 15 years. I believe we will have more people over the 'A' standard of 78m this year than in any one year in the history of USA hammer throwing. It will be great to have that highlighted this year and bring a higher profile for our event. Britney Henry Michael Mai L & S: How will the Hammer throw fit into the Trial s competition in that Eugene is about a two hour drive south of Beaverton (a Portland suburb)? LD: Hammer Time is on Thursday, June 21st. The Women's final is at 1:00pm and the Men's is at 5:00pm. There will be transportation the next day to Eugene for the Olympic team members and the alternates to participate in the opening ceremonies at Hayward where they will be awarded their medals. L & S: Will both Men's and Women's Qualifying and Finals be administered on the same day? LD: The competition will be a straightforward, normal meet format with two flights of 12. The top 9 go immediately (after warm up) to the final. L & S: As an athlete, why would you be very excited about competing in this special event?

4 LD: All of the people that are going to be there will be interested in watching the hammer, which will be contested on a great venue with a big crowd. Nobody leaves before the Finals to watch the 800m. L & S: What provisions are being made for the fan base? LD: There will be stands for 1000 with great sightlines and standing room along the right side of the sector and if needed at the end of the sector. How far out depends on how far Kibwe is throwing. There is also going to be live TV coverage for both Finals. Sector Photo Courtesy of Nike Kibwe Johnson, last year s National Men s Hammer Gold Medalist, who is toying with the 80m mark, had this to say about the 2012 Trials Hammer. I think competing on the Nike campus will grant huge exposure to our event and shed some light on what it is we crazy people do. People generally know next to nothing about the event yet always seem fascinated by it. It's a win win. L & S: What are your goals for the Hammer as they relate to this event/facility? LD: Very simply, the same as the rest of the Trials. Best hammer competition, ever!

5 L & S: Lance, you obviously still have a burning passion for the Hammer. Update us on the life of our American Record Holder after leaving coaching at Oregon. LD: I miss coaching a bit, but I still coach Britney Henry, so I'm not totally out of it. I very much enjoy the challenges of my current multi faceted position. Britney Henry had this to say about moving the 2012 Trails Hammer into the FIELD and track spotlight. I believe that it is a great opportunity to finally showcase the hammer on a grand stage. We, as throwers, will have maximum exposure with media and our fans. We're very fortunate that Nike wants to take us under their wing and put on a great event for us. I am also looking forward to tearing up a soccer field and not getting in trouble for it. L & S: What's next? Will you ever relegate this unique event to the back burner? LD: I will say that I don't miss throwing. It hurts too much. I enjoy talking about the hammer and all the throws, really. I have not found the right platform to pass on my crazy ideas about this crazy event, but I am confident that the opportunity will arise when it is time. L & S: It appears we are making great strides forward in the USA bringing the event back to top tier status. Would you agree? Do you wish to speculate how long before another American will medal in the Olympic Games? LD: The women are especially kicking some butt. That is great to see. Of course I told Kibwe that his 80m throw (80.31m 2011 national championship winning throw) was fabulous, and that he could be satisfied and quit now. He laughed at me. I still can't figure out why. I am 100% accurate on my speculations about how far someone will throw in a given meet. The reason for that is I always speculate after the fact. I will tell you that I really hope we don't wait another 40 years between Medals. I know all of the throwers out there now, and I would cheer for any of them to be the next US Olympic Medalist. Only this time, get a Gold. Hal Connolly Lance Deal Hal Connolly was the last US Olympic Gold Medalist 1956 (63.19m) in Melbourne, while Lance Deal, our American Record Holder garnered the Silver Medal in the Atlanta Games in 1996 with a mighty heave of 81.12m.

6 If you have never watched the Hammer via the tube or live, it is truly a unique event and dare I say the most technical in the sport of FIELD and track. Those who compete in the dance of the ball and wire are called crazy. Why? Well, if one is off her/his rocker for training arduously for 6 10 years, the time most say it takes to master this addicting event, then the label fits. In my association with athletics, specifically the Hammer, I prefer to call those who pick it up and follow the rocky road to some sort of mastery are the true athletes of our sport. There is no room for slackers or nutsos here. Just the most dedicated athletes you will ever see at a FIELD and track competition. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all those that moved this fantastic event from the back forty into the public eye. We deeply appreciate your efforts. Only the cows will be disappointed.