Olympic Track Trials 2012: The 5 Best Track & Field Rivalries in the World

Although the Olympic Games are international in nature, some of the very best rivalries exist between athletes who compete under a common flag.

There is no better place to showcase this phenomenon than at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

We thought it fitting to present a short list of great rivalries within the sport—as nations are beginning to compete at their respective Olympic trials on the road to London 2012.

Rivalries lift one's competitive nature to a higher level, beyond the stakes of merely winning or losing. 

Rivalries are personal.

A true rivalry will evoke phrases like "unfinished business," "bragging rights" and "grudge match."

Rivals have a way of meeting at the top. Look for these great athletes—with a few sparks along the way—as they proceed on their journey to London.

Turinesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) vs Meseret Defar (Ethiopia), 5,000 Meters

This famous rivalry was at its peak in 2006 when the two multiple world and Olympic champions met seven times.

They've only raced each other three times since—most recently in the Adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meet two weeks ago—in the 5,000-meters—which Turinesh Dibaba won handily in 14 minutes, 50.80 seconds.

But the 5K is Meseret Defar's specialty and she owns the world's second-fastest time this year, a 14:35.65 she recorded earlier in Rome.

It is conceivable (and probable) that both rivals will qualify for the Ethiopian team in the 10K as well as the 5K. This spells double trouble for the rest of the world.

Do rivalries get any better than this?

Normally, no. But the national rivalry brewing between the Ethiopians and the Kenyans—for world dominance in the distance races—may be even better.

Perhaps it's time these old adversaries worked together as a team.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard

Dibaba 13, Defar 18

Barbora Spotakova (Czech) vs Mariya Abakumova (Russia), Javelin

These two ladies merit "rival" status based on their long-standing propensity to meet in head-to-head competition and medal in the big meets.

Barbora Spotakova is a world champion and defending Olympic champion as well as the world record-holder (237 feet, 2 inches), while Mariya Abakumova (236'2") is the defending 2011 world champion.

Their thrilling finish in Daegu 2011 and again this year in Doha only solidifies that status.

But now, a relative newcomer has pried her way into the mix—Sunette Viljoen of South Africa.

She's the current world leader (227'6") and has been in the thick of many top-three finishes lately.

And don't count out Germany's Christina Obergfoll. She has a lifetime best of 230'3".

Still, it is Spotakova and Abakumova who seem to always pull the best out of each other.

And those aren't plug nickels they're kissing in the photo.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard

Spotakova  15, Abakumova  12

Asbel Kiprop (Kenya) vs Silas Kiplagat (Kenya) 1,500 Meters

Many times the rivals are countrymen.

But when the gun goes off, national pride, allegiance and even friendship becomes secondary.

Silas Kiplagat, 22, is the world-leader in the metric mile (1,500-meters) at three minutes, 29.63 seconds.

Asbel Kiprop, also 22, is the world-leader in the actual mile, sporting a 3:49.22 time.

Kiprop, running almost effortlessly, has been on fire this summer, especially in his mile races. But Kiplagat narrowly beat him at the 1,500 distance earlier in Doha.

In London, it will be the shorter distance contested. If both make the finals (does a bear live in the woods?), it will be a toss-up.

And one helluva race.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard

Kiprop  5, Kiplagat  5

Shalane Flanagan (USA) vs Kara Goucher (USA), Marathon

It's hard to imagine Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher as rivals.

After all, they are American compatriots, training partners and USA teammates who have already qualified for the Olympic marathon.

Flanagan, the American record-holder in the 10,000-meters, finished third in the 10k at the ongoing US Track and Field Trials in Eugene. That race amounted to little more than a training run for Flanagan as it would have been unfeasible to double in the 10,000 in London. Only a single day separates the two races there.

In the marathon, however, Goucher and Flanagan might put their competitive differences aside to conspire against the powerful East Africans as they run their course through the streets of London.

But if it should come down to an Olympic medal hanging in the balance, you can bet their antagonism will blossom again. Yes, there was a time when their bitter rivalry was in full bloom.

Here is a must-see video which will almost convince you of their mutual animosity. Almost.

If ever there was a one-sided rivalry, this is it.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard

Flanagan  12, Goucher  2

Christian Cantwell (USA) vs Reese Hoffa (USA), Shot Put

Say what you want about the elite male sprinters never seeming to get together for head-to-head competition (one reason the current crop of men's sprinters didn't make this list).

The world's best men's shot putters will meet anytime, anywhere. Just draw a circle and bring a measuring tape.

These guys have got to be a promoter's dream.

Christian Cantwell and Reese Hoffa have been doing battle since their college days in 2000.

And while Hoffa has gotten the better of Cantwell in their last four meetings, Cantwell's massive launch of 73 feet, 11.5 inches in 2004 still lies out there—unmatched since.

There are no other human Howitzers in the current century who have consistently thrown the 16-pound cannonball over 70-feet than these two.

Hoffa and Cantwell are presently No. 1 and 2 in the world. Look at their record of longevity. Expect them to be on the podium in London.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard

Cantwell  72, Hoffa  45

Note: there's one more bonus slide—a possible rivalry in the making

English Gardner (USA) vs Kimberlyn Duncan (USA), Sprints

A fellow track fan and writer, Conway Hill, mentioned how English Gardner (Oregon) and Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU) reminded him of legendary sprint rivals Gail Devers and Gwen Torrence.

I agree.

Both are current NCAA champions—Gardner in the 60-meters (indoor) and the 100 (outdoor) and Duncan in the 200—and both have a legitimate shot at making the USA Olympic team.

Duncan is currently second in the world in the 200 (22.19 seconds) and sixth in the world in the 100 (10.96). Gardner holds the American junior record in the 100 (11.03) and recently ran a 51.1 split (out of the blocks) in Oregon's NCAA championship win in the 4x400-meter relay.

If this budding rivalry develops into something even close to Devers/Torrence, track fans will only benefit.

Keep your eye on these two—if you're fast enough.

Career Head-to-Head Scorecard (100-meters)

Gardner  1, Duncan  1  (to be continued)

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