The analysis of the overall strength of the world's 2012 110‐meter hurdles of track and field – and the prediction of Liu Xiang's 2012 competitive level

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research comprehensively into the development pattern of the world's 110‐meter hurdles of the coming two years. It aims to provide a detailed reference to the preparation of the 2012 London Olympics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the GM (2, 1) model, GM (1, 1) model, GM (1, 1) residual fixing model, and the method of recursive compensation by grey numbers of identical dimensions.

Findings

In 2012, the strongest athletes of 110‐meter hurdles are predicted to be: USA athlete Oliver, USA athlete Ash and Cuba athlete Robles. Liu Xiang has the possibility of winning the medal in the 2012 London Olympics.

Practical implications

Because every athlete is an individual that grows up gradually, there are two characteristics in his information: continuity and incompleteness. We can use the grey system methods.

Originality/value

The paper successfully applies the grey prediction to the case study in the field of competitive sports.

Citation

Jiajin, L. and Zijian, S. (2012), "The analysis of the overall strength of the world's 2012 110‐meter hurdles of track and field – and the prediction of Liu Xiang's 2012 competitive level", Grey Systems: Theory and Application, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 350-358. https://doi.org/10.1108/20439371211273249