Middle distance runners Jessica Hull and Georgia Griffith led an action-packed qualifying session at the track where eight Australians achieved best performances or showed their guts and determination in Paris.
Jessica and Georgia comfortably progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s 1500m. Linden Hall just missed out on progressing automatically and will look to recover for the repechage.
In heat one, Georgia was impressive to finish fourth in 3:59.22. The 2023 World Championship finalist looked comfortable throughout and her time was just outside her personal best of 3:59.04 from April.
When Ethiopian 5000m world record holder Gudaf Tsegay moved forward after just 300m, Georgia quickly responded and was then positioned herself perfectly for the rest of the race.
The pace was sufficient to avoid getting boxed in and she covered all moves in the final lap to assure herself of a top-six finish.
“I wanted to be aggressive at the start, and then in the last hundred just make sure I ran right to the line,” Georgia said.
“I was really happy with how it played out and putting myself towards the front, and really happy to be just off my personal best as well.
“Hopefully there’s more to come and nice to get the nerves out now. I feel a lot more relaxed and am keen for the semis.”
Jessica Hull conserved energy and covered the moves to comfortably finish second in her heat in 4:02.70. Although Hull broke her own Australian record (3:50.83) last month in Paris, that meet was not held at Stade de France.
“That was my first time here and I’ve never raced in a full Olympic stadium like that, so it was pretty cool. I just went on to feel in the race, and I felt great.
“I can’t falter my prep at all. I’ve been healthy, I’ve hit every workout. I’m really fit. I’ve got great races behind me that make me confident. I couldn’t be in a better position coming in. So now it’s time to unlock that and see what that looks like as we go through the rounds.”
There was one moment of concern where some girls around Jess got bumped with 350m to go. But she stayed out of trouble and kicked away down the back straight.
Jess said the feeling in the team is very positive with three medals from the athletics team already.
“Seeing people like Matt Denny and Nina yesterday being so rock solid for their qualifiers,” she said.
“Having those guys around me, like Matt Denny, just gives you a little fist bump every time you walk past him.
“It’s a little connection moment, you’re like, okay, he believes in that. I’m capable of what he’s capable of and just those little things, it’s such a good team, and I think we feed off each other really well.”
Linden moved to the front pretty early in heat two to keep the pace solid. She looked good, however when the moves started after the bell she was passed and was soon sitting sixth with 250m to go. She finished eighth in 4:03.89, with the heat won in 3:59.73.
Linden, who was sixth at Tokyo 2020, was positive after the race, considering she injured calf 10 days ago.
“That was the furthest I’ve run in two weeks. I felt it in the last 300m,” Linden said.
“It’s been wild. We went from probably doing strides the day before to being able to do a little bit more the last of three, four days. All very different to what was planned and what is normal leading into a race. But we’ll reset and try again.”
Tayleb Willis finished fifth in his 110m hurdles repechage in 13.67s. He was disappointed to not progress.
His first feeling after the race was relief after what has been a breakthrough season.
He set his sights on Kyle Vander-Kuyp’s Australian record and the final at Los Angeles 2028.
“I came from absolutely nothing at the start of the year, this was like my first year at senior high,” Tayleb said.
“So I’ve done well here but obviously with me I always want to win, always want to be the best.
‘That hurts but it’s a journey. You’re not going to be Olympic champion your first year on this hurdle height. So give me four years and I’ll definitely be in the final, going for a medal. Mark my words!”
Ellie Beer ran another impressive 400m. She was fourth in 51.65s to place fourth but it wasn’t enough to progress to the semi-finals. She ran a personal best of 51.47 in her heat.
“I wanted more. I really had a goal coming in doing a PB, and I did that PB in the heats, but I guess I was still a little bit disappointed because I really wanted to make that semi,” Ellie said.
“I decided I’m going to go out back out there and repeat that personal best but it didn’t meet my expectations.
“I know 10- year-old me would be so proud of myself right now. But us athletes, we’ve got high expectations of ourselves, and when it doesn’t go according to plan, sometimes we get down on ourselves.”
Cameron McEntrye on Olympic debut in a stadium with an amazing atmosphere threw 81.18m.
The last time an Australian threw further at the Olympic Games was Jarrod Bannister in 2008. Unfortunately, he was 1.71m short of making the Olympic final.
“My biggest goal with this comp was to leave everything out there and I feel like I achieved that,” Cameron said.
“I’m happy I really attacked that last one and can walk away happy.”
Triple Olympian Brooke Buschkuehl was unable to find her best form and qualify for the long jump final. She was disappointed to not be able to jump near her best and make the final.
Brooke took time to reflect on the tough year she has had.
“I’m obviously disappointed but I think my result today is a reflection of how my season’s been going from start to finish,” Brooke said.
“It’s been hard. I’m proud of myself for overcoming so many challenges this year and getting to my third Olympic Games.”
Calab Law didn’t race the 200m repechage round. He decided to save himself for the 4x100m relay where the Australians are targeting the Australian record and a place in the final later in the week.
In the finals session in Paris, two Aussies will be competing in Olympic semi-finals at their first Games. Reece Holder races in the men’s 400m at 3:35am (AEST) and Alanah Yukich competes in the 400m hurdles at 4:05am (AEST).
