This is from EME News. Each day, during the global championships, we see a Quote of the Day, Result of the Day, and Surprise of the Day. This is compiled by Alfons Juck and his team, Steven Mills and Paul Halford.
Selemon Barega, 2017 World Indoor Champs, Birmingham, photo by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts for RunBlogRun
Selemon Barega, battling Joshua Cheptegai, Jacob Kiplimo, 10,000m, July 30, 2021, photo via TV by Kathy Camara
EME NEWS (JUL 30, 2021)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Selemon Barega: “It’s very well known that we have been winners for the 10,000m competition. Since Kenenisa won the last time, we have been unable to achieve a gold medal. I am very proud. It means a lot to me.”
RESULT OF THE DAY
Marie-Josee Ta Lou equalling the African record of 10.78 to qualify fastest for the women’s 100m semifinal, the fastest ever 100 m women heat time at the Games.
SURPRISE OF THE DAY
No medal for Yomif Kejelcha in the men’s 10,000m; British record-holder Eilish McColgan exiting in the 5000m heats. Fedrick Dacres, Christina Schwanitz, Daniel Thomas-Dodd, Senni Salminen not qualifying.
TOP MARKS
WL/OR/ER POL mixed 4x400m 3:10.44. Best heat time ever in men steeple, best olympic heat time women 5000 m, best non qualifying time at Olympics at steeple and best non qualifying time ever in women 5000 m.
TOKYO NEWS
TOKYO (JPN): Initially disqualified from the mixed 4x400m relay, United States and the Dominican Republic have been reinstated. This means Spain, who had originally qualified, now miss out on a place in the final.
TOKYO (JPN): In light of the circumstances surrounding the disqualification and subsequent reinstatement of the USA team, the Jury has decided that the teams with the best 8 valid performances (as per the criteria for qualification for the final) shall participate in the final plus the USA team. This includes the German Team.
TOKYO (JPN): World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has said it was right for the Olympics to take place despite the rising number of coronavirus cases in Japan, informs ITV News. He said: “We should be here. I think we’re here respectfully. Of course, there has been some opposition, but I always sensed that once we got into the sport, that opposition wouldn’t completely disappear, but I think now people focused on the celebratory nature of the sports. I do think it’s important for athletes, 70% of the athletes that are here are only going to get one bite at this.”
TOKYO (JPN): Two athletes from Trinidad & Tobago, Andwuelle Wright (long jump) and Sparkle McKnight (400m hurdles) have been placed in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus, informs L’Equipe.
TOKYO (JPN): Twice Olympic shot champion Valerie Adams, who posted an automatic qualification for the final with 18.83m, is in a good place as she tries to regain her title, according to her coach, Dale Stevenson. Before the competition began, he told Stuff.co.nz: “She’s as ready as she’s ever been, in every sense – physically, technically and emotionally… She’s in the perfect spot.”
TOKYO (JPN): World indoor shot champion Anita Marton, who ended up 21st in qualifying, was pleased to get back to this level just seven months after giving birth. The Hungarian said: “I’m not dissatisfied, it’s a good foundation to continue. It’s kind of a new challenge to get back out of this after giving birth.” Via Hungarian federation.
TOKYO (JPN): Hungarian steeplechaser Viktória Wagner-Gyürkés has withdrawn from the Olympics due to a recurrent Achilles injury. Via Hungarian federation.
TOKYO (JPN): Speaking ahead of her appearance in the 100m heats from which she qualified by equalling her national record, Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji said she was unsure of her capability in the shorter event. The world 200m bronze medallist said: “An Olympic medal is always a dream. But it’s hard to tell if I can achieve that. It would be incredible to be in a final…. “I still don’t really know what I’m capable of over the 100 m. Even in the 200 m, I feel that there is potential, even if there are still details to be improved in the second part of the race.” SRF reports.
TOKYO (JPN): Burundi´s Francine Niyonsaba left for Tokyo convinced the hard part of her Olympic odyssey was behind her. “This has not been an easy journey since that silver medal in Rio,” she said after she qualified for 5000 m as she cannot compete in her previous event the 800 m. So there Niyonsaba was at Olympic Stadium on a humid Friday night, hanging with the lead pack with some of the biggest names in international distance running in a 5,000 qualifying heat, a nearly15-minute act of defiance and inspiration. She appeared to have qualified for Monday’s final comfortably. But she was disqualified, the official ruling was that Niyonsaba had stepped on the inside of the track at one point. Informs dailybulletin.com
