by Larry EderThe women’s 1,500 meters in London was a scorcher. In a presser for the New Balance Fifth Avenue mile on September 7, Jenny Simpson, the silver medalist, noted that, if one did not consider the entire 1,500 meter rounds and final, one did not get a full appreciation of the event. Jenny Simpson was spot on.
Faith Kipyegon is the Olympic champion. She is fearless, and her speed over the last lap is exciting to watch. With 250 meters to go, Sifan Hassan was in full run, and Faith Kipyegon was right there. The duel was on. If one watches the race, one sees the dynamic duo gaining some real estate on Jenny Simpson, with Laura Muir moving into third as well.
Caster Semenya, Faith Kipyegon, Jenny Simpson, the battle for London, photo by PhotoRun.net
But that was not for long. Sifan Hassan came back to Simpson and Muir. Simpson ran on the inside, ala Steve Ovett, GBR’s fine runner from the 1970s and 1980s, (Moscow 1980 800m champion), and moved from fourth to bronze, to silver, and was still gaining at the finish. As Hassan collapsed, Faith Kipyegon pressed on for the finish.
What most had not considered, was one Caster Semenya. Caster Semenya was making a last ditch run, pretty impressive for an 800 meter specialist, to take a medal in the 1,500 meters. Look at the picture, as she nips Laura Muir at the finish, with Semenya taking the bronze.
The presser was informative and full of information on Jenny Simpson, the consumate tactician, Caster Semenya, the consumate politician, and Faith Kipyegon, a very happy gold medalist.
