I am sorry but did it annoy anyone else when an NPC could move at godly speeds just because of their weight or whatever? It had them CONSTANTLY in your face in a battle which made using the 'dodge roll' useless because before you recovered from it they would be mashing on you again the second you got up. I just hoped the NPC's speed is toned down slightly to make it a bit more realistic and... you know... fair.

I think thats why Skyrim will have a basic general speed, and you will be faster or slower based on perks and certain races.
Allowing combat to stay fluid and not hyper crazy like if you were level 50 in Oblivion.

Well they did say for Skyrim that you can't be a medieval Muhammad Ali dodging and weaving this time.

But really, the removal/limiting of speed/athletics should allow for the game to have a better implemented combat/chase mechanics. Your opponents will probably be able to sprint to though.

I just hope they keep the followers as fast as us, because I hated morrowind how you had to wait for you followers.