Britain’s Lina Nielsen falls at final barrier as Femke Bol and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone win their races ahead of showdown in final
After the drama of the men’s 1500m final at the Paris Olympics there is another classic match-up on the track on Thursday when world record-holder Sydney McLaughlin takes on European record-holder Femke Bol in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Unlike the men’s metric mile, though, it’s hard to imagine an upset.
McLaughlin was the fastest of the semi-finalists on Tuesday as she won her race in 52.13. Racing in a separate semi, Bol ran 52.57 looking just as relaxed.
What does Bol expect in the final? “I have no idea,” she says. “I know I will do everything in my power to be at my best. Then we’ll see.
“I really have to focus on my own race and I will have to use the sharpness and adrenaline on the day. We will then see where I end up.”
Femke Bol (Getty)
At the start of the athletics programme Bol ran a terrific anchor to earn Netherlands gold. Bol said: “I had a hard time during the heats, but ever since I just felt like I had to go (for it). Tonight, I was so excited to go for it again, because this is what I’ve been waiting for.
“Hopefully I’ll be able (to show up for the finals) in the best form and shape of my life. We’ll see in two days’ time.”
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Getty)
Jessie Knight bowed out with 54.90 for sixth in Bol’s heat and there was a disaster for fellow Brit Lina Nielsen who finished last in her race after hitting the final hurdle badly and falling before getting up to jog in.
“I’m really disappointed,” said Nielsen. “I risked it, and the risk didn’t pay off today. However, I can be proud that I fought my way to try and get to that final.”
On the fall, she added: “To be honest, there’s no time to think. I saw the last hurdle coming and I was in a lot of pain. That’s the 400m hurdles, it’s lactic central. And then the next thing I know I was on the floor.
“I was just really confused. But I know it happens in the 400m hurdles, it’s just the nature of the event.”
Matt Hudson-Smith (Getty)
Matt Hudson-Smith breezed into the men’s 400m final with an imperious display but GB team-mate Charlie Dobson bowed out in Tuesday night’s semi-finals.
Hudson-Smith won his heat in 44.07 and made it look easy as he shut down with 30-40m to go and strolled home, barely breaking stride as he jogged off the track. Mike Norman of the United States finished runner-up in 44.26.
With only the first two in each semi guaranteed to qualify, Dobson was fourth in his race in 44.48 as Quincy Hall of the United States clocked 43.95 to win from Jereem Richards of Jamaica.
Kirani James of Grenada was the other semi winner in 43.78 from Commonwealth champion Muzala Samukonga, who ran a Zambian record of 43.81.
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