NSA Photosequence 5 4 X IOOm Relay Women USA and URS

[ j s ^ ^ ] 3 9 ' '05 '988
«1 By I A A r
NSA Photosequence 5
4 X IOOm Relay Women
USA and URS
Sygiicnc« by Hsiinar Hiinimcl | • HiimTrn'l AVS I9St()
The sequence shows the third baton excange in the second
heat at the Und World Championships in Athletics 1987 in
Rome.
The USA team, which won both this race in 41.96 sec (and
the final in 41.48 sec) has Florence Griffith handing over the
baton to Pam Marshall.
The USSR team finished second in this race in 42.47 sec (third
in the final in 42.33 sec). Natalya German is passing the baton to Olga Antonova.
Florence GRIFFITH (USA):
Born December 21th 1959; 1,70 m; 59 kg, best: lt).96 sec
(1987).
Pam MARSHALL (USA):
Born August 16th 1960; 1,78 m; 63 kg; best: 11.01 sec (1987).
Natalya GERMAN (URS):
Born November lOth 1963; 1,71 m; 62 kg; best: 11.21 sec
(1987).
Olga ANTONOVA (URS):
Born February I6th 1960; 1,64 m; 54 kg; best: H.19 sec
(1987).
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Comment by Ennio Preatoni
National Coach of the Italian
Women Sprint and Relay Teams
This issue's photosequence is ©ctremely interesting and significant in
that it is focussed on two of the main points that characterize relay
events: the start technique of lhe outgoing runner and the exchange
technique.
First of all, the sequence 1-5 shows two different start positions of
the outgoing runners Marshall (USA) and Antonova (URS).
Although Pam Marshall's position is not technically ideal for an
efficient acceleration, it is preferable because It is economically very
sound, allowing the runner to reach a fair flying speed in a short
time. The Soviet athlete's start technique is better suited to junior
races where the stress is on the didactic element.
The two techniques commonly used by most major leams for lhe
exchange of the baton are clearly shown in the sequence 24-36.
Both take-overs are technically correct bul, in the Griffith-Marshall
exchange, we can observe that the two runners stretch their arms too
far upwards to an un-natural position.
The «underhand« take-over of the Soviet runners can be described as
a model exchange.
Lastly, the sequence 29-34 shows how the «overhand» take-over is
more efficient since the free distance between the two US athletes is
greater.
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