7 August 2012

Day Five Morning Session

Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats

Lawrence Clarke (coach: Malcolm Arnold) eased into tomorrow’s semi-finals with an assured second place finish in heat one in a time of 13.42.

"I’ve dreamt of this moment for the last four years and I was determined not to come to the start line and make a hash of it," he said. "I sat in the blocks just so I actually started the race so I’m through to the semi-finals which was my aim."

Unfortunately Clarke’s training partner Andrew Pozzi (Malcolm Arnold), who has been struggling with injury of late, pulled up after hurdle one and did not finish heat three.

"It went coming out of the blocks and it’s the first time I’ve been full speed out the blocks since Crystal Palace," Pozzi revealed. "I thought I could manage it and get over hurdle two but it completely wiped out and that was me."

There was a win for Andy Turner (Lloyd Cowan) in heat six with 13.42. He said: "I’m pleased I got from A to B without making a mistake. I tried to keep everything relaxed and safe, I think I can go a fair bit faster in the semi."

Women’s Javelin Qualification

Goldie Sayers (Dan Pfaff) did not qualify for the javelin final. Since breaking her own British record a few weeks ago at Crystal Palace, Sayers has been struggling with injury and that was clear to see this morning with three no throws.

"It is a difficult pill to swallow," said Sayers. "I had got myself fit. I am sure I will get criticised for competing but I had a throwing session a few days ago that went very well. I think I trapped a nerve in warm-up and just couldn’t feel my hand. That is when you realise how skilful throwing a javelin is. Normally I can rely on my arm but today I just couldn’t."

Women’s 5000m Heats

Barbara Parker (Sean Burris) recorded a new personal best in heat one of 15:12.81 to cross the line in ninth spot. However, it was not enough to earn a place in the final.

In heat two 10,000m duo Julia Bleasdale (Nic Bideau) and Jo Pavey (Gavin Pavey) will take their places on the start line in the final. Bleasdale set a lifetime best of 15:02.00 to finish fourth, while Pavey a season’s best of 15:02.84 to finish 7th and qualify as a fastest loser.

Bleasdale added: "The times are insignificant right now, the important thing is making the final. I feel in 14.50 shape so it was more about making the final than the time."

Men’s Triple Jump Qualification

Phillips Idowu’s (Aston Moore) best jump of 16.53m was not enough to qualify for the final.

He said: "It’s not good. I was supposed to come out here and qualify and I didn’t. It’s not completely sunk in yet. All I know is that it wasn’t  a great competition so that was that.

"I have to regroup and prepare for the future. I haven’t finished competing, I don’t think you’ve seen the best of me yet. Regardless of my achievements at these Games I was never going to finish this year."

Men’s 200m Heats

Christian Malcolm (Dan Pfaff) secured his place in the semi-finals with a second place finish in heat three, recording a time of 20.59.

"It was alright, I expected a little bit more this morning, but I’m not an early morning person but the main thing is to qualify," he said.

James Ellington (John Powell) suffered disappointment in heat seven and does not make the semi-finals. The London-born athlete finished sixth in 21.23.

Day Five Evening Session

Women’s Long Jump Qualification

Shara Proctor (Rana Reider) continued her excellent  2012 summer season form and qualified for tomorrow’s long jump final with her first jump of 6.83m.

“This is a dream come true,” admitted Proctor.

“All I wanted to do was make it through to the final – that was the hardest part, I did it, now I’ve just got to go back tomorrow jump far and get a medal. I feel like I’m in good shape and I want to go over 7metres, but I’m not going after a distance, I’m just trying to get a medal and whatever it takes that’s what I have to do.”

Women’s 110m Hurdles Semi-Finals

Tiffany Porter (James Henry) bowed out at the semi-final stage after failing to finish in the top two in heat two. Her time of 12.79 was not enough to earn a fastest loser spot.

Men’s 800m Semi-Finals

Andrew Osagie (Craig Winrow) ran the race of his life in semi-final two to claim a place in Thursday’s Olympic final. run of 1:44.74 earned a second place finish with David Rudisha winning the race. 

"Oh wow, I think anyone watching on TV would have seen the surprise on my face as I had another gear. I’m so happy, relief is an understatement," said Osagie.

"I’ve always wanted to make an Olympic final and to do it in London 25 minutes from my house is a dream come true."

Men’s Discus Final

Lawrence Okoye (John Hillier) missed the top eight cut and did not progress to the latter stages of the final. 61.03m was the Croydon-born athlete’s best effort and subesquently finished 12th.

"Shocked is my overall feeling," said Okoye. 

"I was trying too hard today but it’s come and gone now and I’ve just got to move on. I didn’t really anticipate coming last in the final."

Men’s High Jump Final

Robbie Grabarz (Fuzz Ahmed) won Team GB’s fifth track and field medal of the Games. A best jump of 2.29 secured a bronze medal.

"I got a bronze medal, it’s incredible," said Grabarz.

"It feels a little bit like fiction right now, to the general public  I have come from nowhere and they’ll be like who is this kid with a medal round his neck, it’s fantastic.

"It seems slightly surreal. I planned for it, made the right decisions and knew I’d got the training in and the talent to achieve this, but just to make it come true is the difficult thing."

Women’s 200m Semi-Finals

There was no 200m joy for Team GB duo Margaret Adeoye (Linford Christie) and Abi Oyepitan (Tony Lester) as they bowed out in the semi-finals. Adeoye finished seventh in semi-final one and Oyepitan sixth in semi-final three.