13th September 2008

World Athletics Final- Day One

 

13 September 2008

 

 

British athletes were in the thick of the action in day one of the lucrative IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart today in what is the traditional annual climax to the summer track and field season.

Event by Event

Mo Farah (Newham & Essex) started well in the men’s 3000m but lost out as the pack split on the final bend of the race. The 25 year old former European Cross Country Champion finished in ninth place with 8.05:97.

 

He said: “Obviously im disappointed. I was in a great position at the bell but at 200m I knew they were going to go. It’s the end of the season for me, I haven’t decided if im going to do any cross-country, I’ll have to talk with my coach. I may just come back in March for the Indoors.”

 

The race was won by Bernard Lagat (USA) who ended his summer campaign in style with a new season best of 8.02:97.

 

Helen Clitheroe (Preston Harriers) placed ninth in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, crossing the line in 9.39:72. The British record holder said: “Considering I didn’t get invited until Friday and did a track session on Thursday night I don’t think it went too bad. It’s my third fastest time ever. I haven’t even thought about the winter, I’m going to do Shanghai next week and then have a long rest.”

 

Martyn Rooney (Croydon Harriers) finished his season with fifth place in the men’s 400m. The 21 year old, British number one was disappointed with his 45.82 effort: “It was my third slowest race this year. Since the Olympics I don’t feel nervous about races anymore and I think I’m missing that ‘up for it’ feeling. It’s the end of my season now and I’m tired. I’ve been running constantly since April, it’s a long time.”

 

Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford AC) emulated her recent Olympics frustration finishing in fourth and just out of contention again in the women’s 1500m. The 24 year old clocked 4.07:72: “I wanted to do something different in the race, get in the mix abit more at the front because I’ve found myself always drifting to the back this season. Me and my coach decided I would try and maintain my position abit more but not affect my go point. It went ok; I’m pleased with the position bearing in mind everything I’ve been through in the last few months competition wise. I’m going to run in Poland on Wednesday, UK Domestics this winter and possibly the European Indoors.”

 

Goldie Sayers (Belgrave Harriers) threw a best of 58.04m in the women’s javelin to finish sixth overall. The 26 year old, who was 4th in Beijing, was disappointed to have fallen short of the 60m mark again: “I have had problems with my elbow so haven’t picked up a javelin this week. It’s not the way I wanted to end my season. I felt like I needed sixth throws to get the right feeling today, not four. However, I performed at the right place this season, I would rather have done badly here than in Beijing.”

 

Olympic gold medallist Barbora Spotakova (CZE) gave the crowds something to smile about despite the bad conditions in Stuttgart, setting a new world record on her first attempt in the Javelin with an incredible throw of 72.28m.

 

 

Olympic silver medallist Germaine Mason progressed with the top contenders in the men’s high jump, taking the bar to 2.31m, where, unfortunately he failed twice. Stefan Holm (SWE) and Olympic champion Andrey Silnov (RUS) wowed crowds as they battled it out for first place, before Silnov claimed victory with his winning jump at 2.35m.

 

 

Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva) failed to get into the mix the men’s 100m. After a difficult season spent trying to recover from illness and injury suffered early on, the 32 year old placed eighth with 10.37. He said: “I just want to complete my season, my body has to know it’s finished properly. I’ve got two more competitions and then I’m done. It’s so frustrating because I ran 10.0 consistently last year. I’ll be training all winter and focussing on the World’s next summer.”

                       

 

 

 For full results visit: IAAF World Athletics Final