Looking back 2nd and 4th was pretty darn good in 2004, the team is even deeper
this year if you are looking at the pr's these guys have plus they are all young
too. Jonas is still the world leader I believe? but Jesse and Andra I think
both have enough experience to be in medal contention.

Also there have been some pretty good U.S. high jumpers to hang it up in their
prime. Nathan Leeper had won four straight us titles before hanging it up
prematurely (he came back briefly in 04 but for only a couple months) and you
have to wonder about Charles Clingler, that is the one guy I think could have
challenged for the world record down the road. I watched him have some narrow
misses at 2.41 at the prefontaine in 02 but he needed to get a real job for his
family etc. There just aren't a lot of opportunities for u.s. high jumpers to to
make a living out of it. Like many of the field events very few do it full
time. There are about what 4 guys that high jump full time in the us?

There also many opportunities in the US for big meets. How many top caliber
meets are there for u.s. high jumpers? Pre Classic the last two years but they
have had high jump three or four times in the past 13 years. There is Drake and
Penn but those are stellar college meets at best with a huge weather question
mark every year, nothing else in the Visa Championship series. Indoor usa's but
most say that is the lowest energy meet they compete in all year compared to
european indoor meets or even other collegiate meets there are more fans at etc.

The top guys are young though and have loads of talent plus Jamie and Tora are
always pretty consistent.
________________________________
> To: highjump@yahoogroups.com
> From: denis@...
> Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:46:07 +0100
> Subject: Re: [HJ] Re: scissors
>
>
> I am pretty much in agreement with Dwight
>
> After Atlanta Charles Austin wanted what he (or his manager) thought was an
appropriate fee for an Olympic Champion. Unfortunately the meet promoters
thought that was too much. Distance races can be set up for records week after
week. The high jump can't. I think that was the start of the demise on the men's
major circuit. One height looks like another from the bleachers so they need to
be saying record attempt most weeks.
>
> Bear in mind even when it is the men's turn on the Golden League the promoter
doesn't have to put an event on
>
> The women's event always was a cheaper option as well and now with Vlasic....
>
> If you want in on the circuit either jump high or get an agent who is part of
the inner circle. Jesse has and so he gets the meets
>
> I don't particularly think the USA is in decline. They are pretty much as good
as they have been internationally
>
> I thought we had seen the last of Andra after 2003 but he is still hanging in
there. Jesse is progressing steadily. They are both young. Jamie popped a 2m30 a
couple of days ago. The USA boys need to get into Europe more and not just put
up good domestic marks
>
> Donald Thomas is a talent but can he stay healthy? As to Beijing. Its never
been more open.
>
> Denis Doyle
>
>
>