The people of London will be hoping that he might hang on one year to compete in the World Championships next year even if it is as a relay runner as at the Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Even such a cameo role is worth the admission price.
The British will hope that their own double double winner Mo Farrah (5,000 metres/10,000 metres) will run next year even if in the marathon. Farrah who is on our list of Cooks Gardens sub 4 minute milers again displayed his blistering speed in sensational last laps in both races.
Farrah who did not make the final at his first Olympics in Beijing should give our young first time middle distance Olympians hope and inspiration. Hamish Carson who joined the Cooks Gardens sub 4 minute milers in January and Julian Matthew will have learned much from their 1500 Olympic experiences.
The New Zealand Track and Field team made a real impact in Rio. They returned with four medals (1 silver and three bronze medals) equaled in number only by the sailing team (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) and one more than the rowing team ( 2 golds and 1 silver). Four is the most athletics medals won at any Olympics.
The global nature of the sport was clearly illustrated in the marathon with 153 starters from 80 different countries. 43 different counties won at least one medal in the Track and Field programme and although without a gold medal New Zealand was 16th in the official medal table they were 8th in the total number of medals won.
It is interesting to note that sailing medals were won by 17 countries with New Zealand second in the official table and on total medals won. Rowing medals were won by 20 different countries with New Zealand lying second equal with Germany on the table and also second equal on medals won; outstanding achievements.
I wrote last week about Valerie Adams' silver medal in the Shot and how victory was taken from her in the dramatic final round. I also mentioned the commendable dignity shown by Adams after the event. Adams had made an outstanding recovery from injury and was always high on the medal hopes.
Fellow Shot Put athlete Tom Walsh was also a strong medal hope after winning the World Indoor Championships and placings in the Diamond League. Walsh delivered and at 24 years of age has the potential for a long career.
The other two medals were less expected. I wrote last week about Eliza McCartney's Pole Vault qualification and the stresses of that qualifying competition. In the final McCartney was outstanding and her coolness under pressure and her smile and delight at being amongst the world elite has captured the nation's imagination. Her manager former Whanganui athlete Scott Newman might be a busy man in the months and years ahead.
19-year-old McCartney was realistically looking to Tokyo in 2020 has such an exciting future.
Nick Willis' bronze medal was a wonderful bonus on the final day. Willis has now run in three successive Olympic finals and at 33 years is the oldest Olympic 1500 metres medal winner.
His silver medal in Beijing and his bronze medal at the weekend places him amongst the list of New Zealand greats. On that list he joins Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell, John Walker, John Davies and Rod Dixon in New Zealand's proud record over the classic event. Willis also heads the Cooks Gardens role of honour with a record five sub 4 minute miles on the famous track.
