4 March 2011

Showing her new teammates how she operates at a major championships, Tiffany Ofili (coach: James Henry / Arnett Chisholm) qualified in the opening round of the 60m hurdles in 8.05. Her second place dash was strong from start to finish, leaving plenty in the tank for the afternoon session which will see her contest a semi-final and also the final before the end of the day.  

In the men’s 400m heats all three British boys qualified to the semi-finals- which will be held this evening- in similar fashion leading from start to finish in a self-assured manner.

Richard Buck (coach: Steve Fudge) got the men’s 400m heats off to a good start running a confident two laps in 46.57. The City of York athlete took on the race from the gun and maintained first place to the line, despite advancements from Frenchman Yoan Decimus.

“I learnt from my mistakes two years ago where I didn’t win my heats and made my own life very difficult. I wasn’t going to do that again. The plan was win the heat and get a good lane for the semi and I’ve done that.”

With an outside lane draw Richard Strachan (coach: Linford Christie) took up where Buck left off, winning his heat in a 47.54 in a similar fashion. He came onto the home straight in first, checked behind him as the group approached the line and when it was safe to ease off and still take the win he did just that.

Nigel Levine (Coach: Simon Duberley) was pressured more closely by his peers but took the lead and held it throughout. He dipped across the line first and qualified with a time of 47.73.

Reigning European Indoor Champion Mo Farah (coach: Alberto Salazar) progressed smoothly through to the 3000m final, winning his heat in 8:02.36. Farah sat in the pack for the first 2000m before taking the lead, he was challenged by Rui Silva of Portugal and the Italian Daniele Meucci but ran a controlled race to cross the line first and secure his qualification.

“The waiting wasn’t good, hopefully that will be better tomorrow. I’m happy with that but I need to save as much energy as possible. I’ll get in the ice bath now and rest well.”

Andrew Baddeley (coach: Andrew Hobdell) was confident of his own pace and ability during his heat, letting the pack move around him which resulted in him sitting in second, mid pack and last during the race. With four laps to go he kicked on, with two for company, and qualified comfortably in the third automatic spot with a time of 8:01.56.