Those of us who were up early on Wednesday morning in North America were looking to see Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs medal in the women’s steeplechase. We knew that it was a little crazy, but after London 2017, when Emma Coburn took gold and Courtney Frerichs took silver, we knew it could happen!
But, it was not to be!
Courtney Frerichs charged away from the field with 3 laps to go, and built a sizable lead, only to be caught by one athlete, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, giving Uganda their first Olympic gold in the women’s steeplechase. Courtney Frerichs’ bold move netted her the silver and Hyvin Kiyeng took the bronze for Kenya.
Emma Coburn was disqualified as she had a difficult last kilometer.
The following is in Courtney’s own words, from the remote mixed zone, on how her race went!
Courtney Frerichs, 2021 US Olympic Trials, photo by Kevin Morris. On August 4, Courtney Frerichs nearly stole the race, holding onto the Olympic silver medal. Her bold move totally broke the race apart! Congrats to Coaches Jerry Schumacher, Pascal Dobert of the Bowerman Track Club.
Courtney Frerichs speaks on her front running strategy, which almost stole the race:
“It can be the really hard way to run, it doesn’t necessarily feel good but I knew that was going to be my best shot.
“I think I laid it all out there. I was feeling it over that last lap and just trying to hold it together for the win.
“I didn’t win, but I came away with the silver and I am over the moon.”
How Courtney felt about her teammate Emma COBURN (USA), who was disqualified:
“Emma has been my idol in the event. Whenever I started steeplechasing, she was the person I was looking to. She really brought all of us steeplechasers along.
“It is heartbreaking because I thought we had the talent to both be on the podium together. That was the dream.
“I know I wouldn’t be here without her. I know this is not the end for her. She will be back and we will keep pushing each other.”
Courtney spoke on how she felt when she knew that she had a medal:
“It was surreal. It was everything I ever dreamed about. It’s been a long journey to the starting line.
“Recently I have been dealing with the mental aspect of the sport. I think I am a much more resilient athlete now.”
