Kenyan costs to her third successive Olympic crown, whereas Jessica Hull takes silver and Georgia Bell’s fast rise continues as she smashes British mark for bronze
Religion Kipyegon cemented her standing because the world best feminine 1500m runner in historical past – if not one of the best ever on each the ladies’s and males’s aspect – as she dismantled the Video games report to win her third successive Olympic gold medal over the space.
With a searing end, the Kenyan flew to a time of three:51.29, with the ever-improving Australian Jessica Hull successful silver in 3:52.56. There was additionally a fairly good run from Georgia Bell, who eliminated virtually 4 seconds from her PB and broke Laura Muir’s British report to take bronze in 3:52.61.
Muir, the 2021 Olympic silver medallist, lowered her PB with 3:53.37 to come back residence simply behind Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who was fourth and in addition ran her quickest ever time, 3:52.75.
No athlete in historical past has ever gained three Olympic 1500m gold medals however Kipyegon was imperious as she strode away from the chasing pack within the latter levels.
It was a very satisfying win for the four-time world champion, who was disqualified within the 5000m after which reinstated in second place after tangling with Gudaf Tsegay. The Ethiopian, who had set the early 1500m tempo, completed final.
“After what I went via over the 5000m, it actually took plenty of vitality in me,” stated Kipyegon. “It shook my mentality, I used to be considering the entire night time what occurred, however popping out at present and simply executing and operating my race was simply what I needed.”
(l to r) Jessica Hull, Religion Kipyegon and Georgia Bell (Getty)
Hull has turned herself in to a severe contender on the world stage and set the 2000m world report within the run-up to those Video games, whereas Bell’s is a very outstanding story.
The previous duathlete solely returned to athletics final summer time however, underneath the steering of coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows – mentors to Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson – she has gone from power to power. Bell was born in Paris earlier than shifting to the UK and the French capital will now have a particular place in her coronary heart for a really completely different cause.
Bell is at present on a sabbatical from her job in cyber safety and he or she has been unstoppable within the 1500m, kicking off the yr because the British 1500m Indoor champion and ending fourth on the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
She then set a private finest of three:56.54 on the Paris Diamond League in July, having additionally gained the British title. Now she is an Olympic medallist.
“On the beginning line I actually had the sensation that if I simply caught in there I’d be capable of do one thing particular, so I’m over the moon to get a medal.
“It was painful. I noticed the primary lap undergo in 60, 61 seconds. I had thought it will go like that. I simply thought: ‘Don’t let the hole open up’, and I hoped I’d be capable of end sturdy. That’s what I used to be actually attempting to do, simply dig deep. I solely realised how briskly it was once I crossed the road.”
Tsegay had in reality led the sector via the opening lap in 59.23 earlier than Kipyegon started shifting up from fourth to second across the 800m mark that was reached in 2:03.27.
Kipyegon was in entrance on the bell, with Tsegay falling again and Hull and Welteji in closest order. Muir was additionally scorching her approach up the sector however Bell had positioned herself higher for the closing cost that will take her to a medal.
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