Christophe Lemaitre "White Lightning" 9.92 and 19.80!

[Electric Slide]

Way to go Christophe!!!

This is truly a moment comparable only to Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile. It's a psychological barrier that he broke down, changing the perception of what's possible. What we know about physiology today shows that perceived limits in the brain affect physical output. This barrier coming down will have far reaching results that we might not be able to imagine right now. My hope is that within a decade the myth of the slow white guy will disappear once and for all!

 

[JReb1]

I am so PROUD of our race right now, THANK YOU Lord Lemaitre!!!

 

[mastermulti]

with that 100 speed 20.30 is a shoe-in for the 200 if conditions are OK and he is feeling in top shape.

Don't know if he's done enough work to break Giles Queneherve's 20.16 NR but who knows?

 

[white lightning]

Christophe will be very tired. He will have to race the semis and the finals. That will make 6 races in 2 1/2 days. Hoping he is up to it but he will need to be since they want to double at the Euro Champs. I'm a little scared. He will need to be at his best to beat Chambers. With all of those races it will be tough. If anyone can do it, this wonder kid can! Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did mastermulti. Also thanks to everyone who has said comments and kind words towards me. Yes I wanted this as bad as ever and it has happened.





When I was younger, I only listen to rock. Maybe a little country but I never understood opera or gave it a chance. I have grown and matured and appreciate all aspects of white culture. I want to dedicate this song to say good bye to the stereotype that whites can't run a sub 10. I have always known they can and so have many of you. This is my dedication to putting that lie to sleep forever.

One of the most beautiful songs ever. My dedication to this moment in time. Enjoy it my friends. You guys are like a second family to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohXI3po8hK0Edited by: white lightning

 

[trackster]

Pretty song. Oh, and for what it's worth, on the same day LeMaitre ran 9.98, his great rival Dwain Chambers won his race in 10.14.

If breaking this barrier relaxes Christophe, so that his starts are better, he's not going to lose many races for a very long time.

 

[white lightning]

Good points trackster. Christophe has only lost two races all year indoors and outdoors. He lost to Asafa Powell when he ran a 10.09 and he lost to Chambers 9.99 to 10.02! He is getting the big race experience he needs so he won't be nervous come the euro champs. Think about that. He has lost only twice in how many races? Simply amazing. Hope he can keep it going today in the 200 semis and finals. I know he is exhausted but I'm hoping for the best. Good luck Christophe.

 

[mastermulti]

he has had really ideal competition to help his learning curve this season, hasn't he?

First, he kept his cool when racing Powell and he got to see how far he had to improve to beat the best.

Second, he raced well against Chambers who at this stage is more at his level.

Third, Mbanjock is a quality and proven sub 10.10 sprinter that Christophe can practice against regularly at home.

In all of these races he's been able to get confident with how fast he can actually go when he just reaches that big top end speed.
The secret to fast running is relaxation. Confidence in your ability helps induce that state of mind.
And now the sub 10 monkey with all that added pressure is off his back.

I think he believes he can win the European champs now.

 

[The Master]

Here is a shorter clip of the race with an interview at the end. We need a translator. Look at how young this kid looks in the interview. Talk about a boy who runs like a man! Phenom.
<div></div>
<div>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXsNoQmnIow</div>

"For me it was not a barrier, just a necessary step. Now it's done it's a good thing for the European championships, and now I can show my ambitions"
Edited by: The Master

 

[The Master]

I liked the comments from the two placegetters, both black guys who,as we've seen in the 60m celebrations from 6 months ago, are highly supportive of Christophe and generous in their praise. They KNOW he can run fast and don't seem to find it a threat



"Martial Mbandjock, second in 10.08, had his first words for the winner: "I have to congratulate Christophe. This day will long be remembered as the fastest French 100m ever. We all have a contribution in this record in pushing Christophe to do it."



Ronald Pognon, third in 10.34, who lost his national mark, was also full of admiration, "records are made to be broken, I'm happy for him as he is a very talented athlete and has a lot more in him for the future."

You're right, there is a good mood in the french team, they knew Christophe would run in less than 10s and were not jealous or something.

It helps to have good teammates like that.

Another good photo :

http://www.athle.com/asp.net/main.news/news.aspx?newsid=8539

Edited by: The Master

 

[Observer]

As happy as I am for CLM, I'm angry that countless thousands of young White kids -- boys and girls, but mostly boys -- were slotted away from track because they "couldn't succeed". We now see how another young white man -- still no more than a boy in terms of age -- came up from nothing, against ridicule, derision, and skepticism based solely on the color of his skin, and kicked that stereotype's ugly a$$ all the way back to Africa/Israel/Wherever.

But you gotta feel for the track recruiters, no? In the very old days, you just looked for a long-legged boy. And then somebody realized that the power guys could also run. Pretty soon, there's body types like not only Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson, but also the remarkable Walter Dix, who could be promoted as a role model for chubby boys everywhere, the muscularized Pillsbury dough boy, chocolate version. And now also the tall sprinter as per Bolt.

But at least there was somewhat of a commonality of skin tone.

And now, definitively, the return of the White 100m superstar, back from the memory hole.

What is the recruiter supposed to do, for what to look?

Really, a crazy sport. How does one develop talent, if there are not at least some rules-of-thumb about allocating resources on what talents are most likely to develop in an individual? Even early speed is not a great indicator as to future speed, because there are guys like Asafa Powell who run about 11s as an 18-year old, and then 1.3 seconds faster just a few years later.

It would be good for young White boys need to see Lemaitre on posters everywhere. He is just so identifiably typical European in both his looks and manners that so many people of European-descent could identify with him as a brother.

 

[freedom1]

Interview with Christophe from T & F News.

Christophe Lemaitre broke the French national 100m record and set a new European-leading mark for the year when he clocked 9.98 at the French Championships in Valence on Friday.

The 2009 European Athletics Rising Star, who has just turned 20, improved on the previous mark set by Ronald Pognon in 2005 by one-hundredth of a second.

Last year, Lemaitre showed off his prodigious talent when he set a European junior 100m record of 10.04 when winning at the 2009 European Athletics Junior Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.

In an interview with the French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe after his most recent record run, Lemaitre gave a reaction to his feat and reviewed his prospects at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, which will be held between July 26 â€" August 1.

It's now a few hours after you have gone under the 10-second barrier for the first time. How do you feel?
It's starting to sink in. I had a good race, I broke the record, but there is not much more to say. I did what I had to do, that's it.

How did your race go?
I was thinking about the title before the start, not the time. I had a pretty good start and, after forty metres, I was in front but I continued to force myself to the maximum to keep my lead.

You did not seem to be exploding with joy as you crossed the line. Why not?
Because there was a lot of wind, I preferred to check the reading first. Afterwards, it was too late. The joy was gone but I was happy inside and, as I said before, the main thing was the title.

Did Martial Mbandjock and Ronald Pognon say anything to you?
They both congratulated me. Martial also wished me good luck for the 200m. We all get along and that's important for the (French 4x100m) relay team.

Were you bothered by the expectations that had been raised that you were going to run under 10 seconds in Valence?
No, as a competitor, it is normal to want to get this time. It was also not necessarily a goal for the year. The main objective was to be the champion. However, no, it was not too much heavy pressure. Everyone wanted it but I was able to live with it.

You've entered into the history of sprinting?
The history of French sprinting, yes, but let's not say that I'm in the big league yet.

What do you think about the fact that you are the first white sprinter to run less than 10 seconds?
I'll hear it everywhere and I'll have to cope with it but for me, it is a superfluous matter.

What's your target now?
Everything is geared towards the 2012 Olympics in London. The French and European Championships, the Diamond League meetings and everything else, they only serve to prepare me for that.

What are your hopes for the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona?
My attitude will be the same there as it was here. I'll be in my own bubble. I worked to be the champion of France and I will work for the European Athletics Championships. Of course, I'd like to won the gold medal but if I step on the podium, it will still be a great performance.

 

[albinosprint]

Q You've entered into the history of sprinting?
A The history of French sprinting, yes, but let's not say that I'm in the big league yet.

I love this kid! he is like a rock star now, but he's letting the fame go to his head. he is such a class act and a great role model. now lets see that double today!

 

[freedom1]

I've been learning a few French words following all of this, e.g.,

Eclair blanc, Le Prodige, and that his name "Lemaitre" translates directly in to "The Master." Somehow that had slipped past me.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Words cannot express how happy I am for this moment! It would happen on a day when I'm driving across three states, and the same day that I get a job! I'm thrilled and elated right now! Congrats Christophe!!! May your triumphs be many in the future!

 

[guest301]

Congrats on your new job, Reb!

 

[white lightning]

Well Christophe made the finals. He ran a very solid time of 20.58 in the semi finals. Good luck to him in trying to win another national title.


<TABLE id=ctnResultats cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0>
<T>
<TR>
<TD =subers colSpan=9>200m / TCM | M | Semi f. 1 | Chr : E | Vt : +1.7</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>1</TD>
<TD =s>20''58 Q</TD>
<TD =s>LEMAITRE Christophe</TD>
<TD =s>As Aix-les-bains *</TD>
<TD =s>073</TD>
<TD =s>R-A</TD>
<TD =s>ESM</A>/90</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1141</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>2</TD>
<TD =s>20''95 Q</TD>
<TD =s>PESSONNEAUX Pierre-alexis</TD>
<TD =s>As Aix-les-bains *</TD>
<TD =s>073</TD>
<TD =s>R-A</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1086</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>3</TD>
<TD =s>21''03 Q</TD>
<TD =s>NAPRIX Bruno</TD>
<TD =s>Entente Franconville Cesame Va</TD>
<TD =s>095</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>ESM</A>/88</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1075</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>4</TD>
<TD =s>21''24 Q</TD>
<TD =s>ADALBERT Alexandre</TD>
<TD =s>Neuilly-plaisance Sports</TD>
<TD =s>093</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1045</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>5</TD>
<TD =s>21''29</TD>
<TD =s>TACITE Sebastien</TD>
<TD =s>Cercle Athletique De L'eure *</TD>
<TD =s>027</TD>
<TD =s>H-N</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/83</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1038</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>6</TD>
<TD =s>21''35</TD>
<TD =s>LAMY Martin</TD>
<TD =s>Stade Laval</TD>
<TD =s>053</TD>
<TD =s>P-L</TD>
<TD =s>ESM</A>/90</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1029</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>7</TD>
<TD =s>21''54</TD>
<TD =s>GUFFROY Guillaume</TD>
<TD =s>Athle 91 *</TD>
<TD =s>091</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/85</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1003</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>8</TD>
<TD =s>21''71</TD>
<TD =s>NEGRIT Jessy</TD>
<TD =s>Gosier Ac</TD>
<TD =s>971</TD>
<TD =s>GUA</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/86</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>979</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =subers colSpan=9>200m / TCM | M | Semi f. 2 | Chr : E | Vt : +1.3</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>1</TD>
<TD =s>20''62 Q</TD>
<TD =s>ALERTE David</TD>
<TD =s>Entente Franconville Cesame Va</TD>
<TD =s>095</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/84</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1135</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>2</TD>
<TD =s>21''16 Q</TD>
<TD =s>MELFORT Jimmy</TD>
<TD =s>Alsace Nord Athletisme*</TD>
<TD =s>067</TD>
<TD =s>ALS</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/78</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1056</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>3</TD>
<TD =s>21''20 Q</TD>
<TD =s>BASSAW Ben</TD>
<TD =s>Grand Angouleme Athletisme</TD>
<TD =s>016</TD>
<TD =s>POI</TD>
<TD =s>ESM</A>/89</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1051</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>4</TD>
<TD =s>21''25 Q</TD>
<TD =s>SIROY Jerome</TD>
<TD =s>Lagardere Paris Racing</TD>
<TD =s>075</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1044</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>5</TD>
<TD =s>21''29</TD>
<TD =s>ANOUMAN Guy-elphege</TD>
<TD =s>Ermont Eaubonne Athle 95 *</TD>
<TD =s>095</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>CAM</A>/94</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1038</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>6</TD>
<TD =s>21''33</TD>
<TD =s>QUESTE Edouard</TD>
<TD =s>Artois Athletisme*</TD>
<TD =s>062</TD>
<TD =s>NPC</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/85</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1032</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>7</TD>
<TD =s>21''52</TD>
<TD =s>COUFFE Antony</TD>
<TD =s>Ea Cergy Pontoise Athletisme *</TD>
<TD =s>095</TD>
<TD =s>I-F</TD>
<TD =s>SEM</A>/84</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>1006</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD =s>8</TD>
<TD =s>21''78</TD>
<TD =s>HUTEAU Clement</TD>
<TD =s>Ajs La Garde</TD>
<TD =s>083</TD>
<TD =s>C-A</TD>
<TD =s>ESM</A>/88</TD>
<TD =s></TD>
<TD =s>970</TD></TR></T></TABLE>

 

[The Master]

Yoy can see the results there :

http://www.athle.com/asp.net/main.news/news.aspx?newsid=8543

Just click on 200m TCM on your right where it's in green and flash.

Final now.

Edited by: The Master

 

[The Master]

20'16 in the 200m !

 

[white lightning]

He does it again. The kid is amazing. He ran a 20.16 for the easy win! Outstanding. He went so much faster than i would have thought possible. This is his 6th race and he has to be exhausted. All I can say is WOW!!!!

I am running out of words to describe what I'm witnessing. Congrats Christophe because you are now double French Champion at 100 &amp; 200 meters. You also have entered into the elite class of sprinters. This is awesome! Here is the results.


<TABLE id=ctnResultats cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0><T>
<T>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=9 ="subers">200m / TCM | M | Finale 1 | Chr : E | Vt : +1.2</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">1</TD>
<TD ="s">20''16</TD>
<TD ="s">LEMAITRE Christophe</TD>
<TD ="s">As Aix-les-bains *</TD>
<TD ="s">073</TD>
<TD ="s">R-A</TD>
<TD ="s">ESM</A>/90</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1204</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">2</TD>
<TD ="s">20''55</TD>
<TD ="s">ALERTE David</TD>
<TD ="s">Entente Franconville Cesame Va</TD>
<TD ="s">095</TD>
<TD ="s">I-F</TD>
<TD ="s">SEM</A>/84</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1145</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">3</TD>
<TD ="s">20''95</TD>
<TD ="s">PESSONNEAUX Pierre-alexis</TD>
<TD ="s">As Aix-les-bains *</TD>
<TD ="s">073</TD>
<TD ="s">R-A</TD>
<TD ="s">SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1086</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">4</TD>
<TD ="s">20''96</TD>
<TD ="s">BASSAW Ben</TD>
<TD ="s">Grand Angouleme Athletisme</TD>
<TD ="s">016</TD>
<TD ="s">POI</TD>
<TD ="s">ESM</A>/89</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1085</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">5</TD>
<TD ="s">21''02</TD>
<TD ="s">NAPRIX Bruno</TD>
<TD ="s">Entente Franconville Cesame Va</TD>
<TD ="s">095</TD>
<TD ="s">I-F</TD>
<TD ="s">ESM</A>/88</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1076</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">6</TD>
<TD ="s">21''26</TD>
<TD ="s">ADALBERT Alexandre</TD>
<TD ="s">Neuilly-plaisance Sports</TD>
<TD ="s">093</TD>
<TD ="s">I-F</TD>
<TD ="s">SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1042</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">7</TD>
<TD ="s">21''27</TD>
<TD ="s">SIROY Jerome</TD>
<TD ="s">Lagardere Paris Racing</TD>
<TD ="s">075</TD>
<TD ="s">I-F</TD>
<TD ="s">SEM</A>/87</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">1041</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD ="s">8</TD>
<TD ="s">21''79</TD>
<TD ="s">MELFORT Jimmy</TD>
<TD ="s">Alsace Nord Athletisme*</TD>
<TD ="s">067</TD>
<TD ="s">ALS</TD>
<TD ="s">SEM</A>/78</TD>
<TD ="s"></TD>
<TD ="s">969</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>Edited by: white lightning

 

[white lightning]

He tied the national record. So what more can we say except that the kid is incredible. I would love to see him get that first sub 20 someday in a normal meet without rounds. I was honestly expecting a time in the 20.30's so again he has went above and beyond even my expectations. Christophe is ready for the Euro Champs. No doubt about it. Chambers better watch out. With Guliyev being out for the whole summer, this has made up for it. The time also gives him the fastest times in Europe over both the 100 &amp; 200 meters!

Way to go PepeLeFlew! You are the best.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Simply paradigm shattering what The Master did in the 100 and 200 this week! My hat is off to him. The nice thing is that this is likely to continue as the psy-wall has been obliterated!

 

[freddie]

Meanwhile in Gateshead, England: Gay and Powell only ran 0.02 and 0.04 seconds faster than Lemaitre did yesterday; albeit into a headwind. Adjusted for reaction time all three ran almost identical times.

 

[trackster]

20.16 is fantastic!! I've always said he could be dominant at the 200!! Sub-20 is an even bigger lock than sub-10 was.

Did anyone see the race? Looks like Martin Lamy didn't make the final (he must have been having a bad weekend). Anyone else to pull for?

Oh, and post the video ASAP!!!!

 

[freddie]

Also in Gateshead Dix and Spearman (19.6x men) were slower by 0.1 seconds in the 200 than Lemaitre today - a slight headwind however.

 

[freedom1]

In a way it's good Chambers beat him during their first meeting. Now it's revenge time. &lt;heh heh&gt;

Lemaitre has a better build for the 200 than 100. He's going to obliterate 20.00.

He said in the interview, that 10.00 meant nothing to him. It was "superfluous." I wish Macro, Craig, Shirvo and others would've approached it the same way.