6.00 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Athletics: Bahamian Miller dives to win Olympic 400m gold

Published
By Agencies

Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas snatched an upset victory in the Olympic 400m, diving headfirst at the finish line to defeat US star Allyson Felix.

Miller, a silver medallist behind Felix at the World Championships in Beijing last year, threw herself across the line to win in 49.44sec.

Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete in history, took silver in 49.51sec with Shericka Jackson of Jamaica claiming bronze in 49.85.

It was a courageous performance from Miller, the 22-year-old whose great-uncle Leslie Miller competed in the 400m at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Miller burned through the first 300 metres and had built up a comfortable lead heading into the home stretch.

But the experienced Felix, the 2012 Olympics 200m champion, who overcame a debilitating ankle injury this season to reach Rio, appeared to have timed her race to perfection.

The 30-year-old gradually reeled in Miller over the closing metres as the finish loomed.

But Miller's desperate late, all-or-nothing dive was to prove the difference and after an agonising delay of a few seconds, she was confirmed as the winner.

It was the second dive finish of the evening.

Earlier, Brazil's Joao Vitor de Oliveira had produced a near identical moment to secure qualification from his 110m hurdles heat, delighting the home crowd.

Felix meanwhile was left to reflect on a disappointing defeat which comes after a year which began with the Los Angeles native eyeing a rare Olympic double.

She had hoped to challenge for both the 200m and 400m titles in Rio, aiming to become the first woman to win both races in the same Olympics since Marie-Jose Perec in 1996.

But a freak training injury in April - when she twisted an ankle on a medicine ball in the gym - left her scrambling to recover her peak form.

She failed to make the 200m squad for Rio at the US Olympic trials but won the 400m despite not being fully fit.

Her silver on Monday is the 20th track medal she has won at the Olympics or World Championships since her debut in the Athens Games in 2004. No other female athlete has won more.

Devastating

Kenya's David Rudisha stormed to victory in the Olympic 800 metres final on Monday, retaining his title with a devastating final-lap sprint.

Rudisha, the world champion and world record holder, hit top gear in the final 300 metres to become the first man since New Zealander Peter Snell in 1964 to successfully defend the Olympic 800m title.

"I am so excited. It is the greatest moment of my career," Rudisha told reporters.

Rudisha struggled for much of the season and came third in Kenya's Olympic trials but burst into form as the Games neared, setting a season's best time of 1.42.15 to snatch gold.

After winning his first Olympic gold and setting a world record at the London Games, Rudisha suffered a couple of injury-ravaged years that dented his confidence and caused him to miss the 2013 world championships.

But the six foot three inches tall Maasai runner looked in total control of the race as his long stride and fluid running style propelled him to victory.

"It's been very difficult," Rudisha said, referring to his injuries. "I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and given me hope."

The 27-year-old crossed the line several metres ahead of Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi, the London Games gold medal winner over 1,500m.

Fast-finishing American Clayton Murphy set a personal best time to take bronze.