Tokyo Olympics: Laura Muir secures place in Friday's 1500m final
- Published
Great Britain's Laura Muir qualifies for 1500m final after finishing second in semi-final
Tokyo Olympic Games on the BBC |
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Dates: 23 July-8 August Time in Tokyo: BST +8 |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and online; Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and Sounds; live text and video clips on BBC Sport website and app. |
Britain's Laura Muir was seventh fastest into Friday's 1500m final as the Scot continued her quest for a first major medal at Tokyo 2020.
The 28-year-old, who has three top-five World Championship finishes, eased to second in her semi-final in 4:00.73.
Dutch world champion Sifan Hassan, who is attempting an extraordinary 1500m-5,000m-10,000m treble, won in 4:00.23.
"Everybody always talks about the final but you've got to get there first," said Muir.
"I'm very happy that I'm there now and I can now focus on that."
Muir was coy however when asked what pace and tactics she would prefer to deploy in the final.
"I'm keeping my cards close to my chest for that one," she added. "I'll talk to you about it after the final!"
Defending Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya took the first and faster semi-final in 3:56.80.
Muir's British team-mate Katie Snowden, who ran a personal best 4:02.77 in the heats, finished ninth and failed to qualify.
Despite being the fastest Briton over 800m going into the Games, Muir has opted to concentrate exclusively on the 1500m in a bid to secure a podium place at least.
She is the third fastest woman in the field based on 2021 times behind Kipyegon and Hassan, with Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay and Genzebe Dibaba not taking part.
Williams makes 400m final
Highlights of the women's 400m semi-finals featuring Allyson Felix and Jodie Williams
Great Britain's Jodie Williams advanced to her first senior global final as she broke 50 seconds for the first time in the 400m semis.
The 27-year-old, a former world youth and junior champion over 100m, ran 49.97 to take the second automatic qualifying spot behind defending champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo. Her time improves her personal best by almost a second and is the eighth best into Friday's medal race.
"I'm so happy, it was just sinking in when I was walking just then and I started crying!" she said.
"It's been such a long journey and I needed to come here and make that final. Anything can happen so you've got to be there to challenge for medals.
"I just feel back to my old self. I used to come to champs and dominate heats and PB. I'm a championship performer and I feel so good to finally feel back to me!"
American great Allyson Felix, hunting her 10th Olympic medal, also made Friday's final, finishing second behind Jamaica's Stephenie Ann McPherson in her heat.
Britain's Ama Pipi failed to qualify with a seventh-place finish in her semi-final.
Britain's Pozzi progresses
Britain's Andrew Pozzi qualified for the final of the men's 110m hurdles as a fastest loser after being edged into fourth in a competitive first semi-final.
"I feel like I'm growing in this competition," Pozzi said. "I felt much more comfortable on that run and I'm really confident that tomorrow will be better again."
However, his GB team-mate David King failed to progress after finishing seventh in the third semi-final, dominated by American world champion Grant Holloway.
Holloway was easing down as he set the fastest time of the round in 13.13secs, with his compatriot Devon Allen - who won the second semi-final - slightly slower on 13.18.
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