Dibaba Delivers/Historic 400 Metres

It was one of the most competitive fields at these championships and outside of Usain Bolt, Genzebe Dibaba would have felt the most pressure to get gold. She had just set the World record and now everyone expected her to win. She has done the first part of a rare and difficult 1500/5000 double. Laura Muir has had a difficult start to her international career and came good to make the final and finish fifth in front of new American record-holder Shannon Rowbury and former World champion Jenny Simpson, who lost a shoe and finished 11th.

The 400 metres was the first time that three athletes had broken 44 seconds. Defending champion Merritt ran a PB 43.65 and only got silver. The champion van Nickert left the stadium on a stretcher after his 43.48 South African record (4th all-time). The Olympic champion James, could only take bronze with 43.78.

Rabah Yousif had never broken 45 until his semi final PB 44.54 (7th UK all-time). He impressed again to finish 6th in 44.68.

tag 2000