To be considered in the poll, the sprinters had to be retired, have a personal best that is sub-10 seconds, and won silver at either the World or Olympic Championships. There are only 8 male sprinters that meet these criteria. So if these 8 sprinters were in their prime and lined up on an 8-lane track, try to decide who would come out on top.
Eulace Peacock Stanley Floyd Hal Davis Steve Williams
Since the 70s I thought the two best sprinters who never quite could make it in terms of major titles were Steve Williams and James Sanford.
But Peacock and Davis are excellent choices, omitting DexterDanner's rules. Not quite as sure about Floyd.
Id place Floyd (and Davis) ahead of Williams (and Peacock) and that is saying alot. Williams injured himself. Floyd like Davis was ready to go in 80 and would have had a very good shot at gold. This is not to say that Floyd or Davis were superior to Williams or Peacock, only that they had a better chance at gold. Injuries are part of the sport.
bijanc wrote:Steve Williams Linford Christie Ralph Metcalfe Charlie Greene
Not quite: Williams really does not belong as he won a world cup race in 77 (the late 70s equivalent of a WC). Christie was an OG gold medalist, so he likewise does not belong.
bijanc wrote:Steve Williams Linford Christie Ralph Metcalfe Charlie Greene
Not quite: Williams really does not belong as he won a world cup race in 77 (the late 70s equivalent of a WC). Christie was an OG gold medalist, so he likewise does not belong.
bijanc wrote:Steve Williams Linford Christie Ralph Metcalfe Charlie Greene
Not quite: Williams really does not belong as he won a world cup race in 77 (the late 70s equivalent of a WC). Christie was an OG gold medalist, so he likewise does not belong.
World Cup wasn't remotely the equivalent of a WC, limited as it was to just 8 runners, and never two from one country.
Williams didn't even win the AAU in '77; Don Quarrie did and he didn't run at the Cup.
but gh, it was inaugural ever one & had fantastic anticipation & in distance running it was like the "revenge" olympics for the africans
also, williams won in 10.13 which was a damn good time for that era - maybe he aimed to peak for it ( i doubt quarrie ran 10.13 when beating him in ncaa as you informed us )
( funny part reading results for that meet - they picked a f***ing ethiopian to run the 3ksc for african team there ( they are crap at it ) !!! - they coudn't find a kenyan ??? )
Chidi Imoh (Nigeria / Missouri) ALMOST qualifies for consideration with his 10.00 PR and silver medals in '91 Indoor WC 60m and '92 Bacelona 4x100.
Could anyone verify/clarify the "rumor" that Imoh currently is a US college track coach? If so, at which school? I appreciate any help with this. (I competed in the Big 8 Conference in the early 80's while Imoh was at Missouri).
paulthefan wrote:I forget, how was it that Quarrie did not get invited to the WCup. Did Leonard get the nod and why/how?.
It wasn't a matter of being invited. There was a trials meet and Leonard won the 100 and the 200. Quarrie was second in the 200--I don't think he ran the 100.
paulthefan wrote: I would place a 77Wcup win as the career equivalent of an 83 WC win. But this is subjective.
tandfman wrote:
paulthefan wrote:I forget, how was it that Quarrie did not get invited to the WCup. Did Leonard get the nod and why/how?.
It wasn't a matter of being invited. There was a trials meet and Leonard won the 100 and the 200. Quarrie was second in the 200--I don't think he ran the 100.
I guess that settles it, we should give Williams his due
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Last edited by paulthefan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:29 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Wow! Does Sime still hold the World Records in the 100, 220 and 440 today ? If so, he must hold the World Record for setting World Records on the same day, never ever having raced before, ever in his entire life!
Barney Ewell belongs on the list ahead of almost all of the names above. Picked up a silver in '48 at a quite advanced age for a sprinter in that era.... Id say in 44 he is the favorite, Davis gets Silver.
