Day 2 (16th) Morning Wrap

Day Two kicked off with the heats of the womens 800m. Madeleine Pape, the newly minted World University Games Champion, and sole Aussie representative, lined up against World Champion Janeth Jepkosgei. And for even more flavour, the new world leader and huge phenomenon, at only 18 years old, South Africa's Caster Semenya (who has a 1:56.72 solo run in windy conditions to her name). She's a powerful looking runner, who seems to have strength way past her age.

The first lap went around without incident, with Pape sitting in third. With 200m to go, Semenya moved effortlessly up the inside, and Pape started dropping. But with 150m to go, Semenya, who was forcing through the inside, tripped up with Jepkopsgei, who fell to the track. Semenya managed to stay on her feet, and sprinted through to win the heat, while Jepkosgei came in last, and Pape running a gutsy race to come in sixth. Semenya's tactics clearly need work, but there's no doubt that she is the one to beat. Bad news is her ankle is in trouble after the fall. But if her ankle holds up, I would find all the money you can, and place it on her. She looked to clearly relaxed and not even bothered by the pace changes, we're still waiting for her to look like she's doing anything but jogging.

Heat five was the other heat of interest, with Olympic Champion Pamela Jelimo, who had bee struggling to find the same kind of form again this year; and American Maggie Vessey, who had previously held the world leading time with a recent 1:57.84. Vessey lead while Jelimo sat at the back. 400m was passed in a ridiculous 64 seconds. But when Vessey made a break down the back straight, Jelimo moved up to her shoulder, and rounded the straight in front. Jelimo powered away from Vessey to take the win in a 59 second lap, with Vessey looking ok in second. But Jelimo seems to be back!

Pape: "I thought I'd be able to finish off better even though there was a fall. I felt like I didn't make the most of the opportunity. I really did [pause when there was the fall], I don't know why no one else did, I just seemed to get distracted by it I think, and everyone else just took the opening and went. So I was behind a bit and I think I just lost my composure when that happened."

Semenya: "I started fast because I wanted to be in the first lane. [Then came the fall.] I don't know what happened, I didn't see anything because I was looking forward. I just saw the Kenyan fall down and I tried to jump over. But I twisted my ankle in the process. I went through the first round and it went well, but at the moment, I can't feel my ankle. I need to see the physio to check my leg. If it's not good, I'll quit."

Vessey: "I was out front this time. Having a plan is difficult because you don't really know what the others are going to do until the race starts out. During the race I tried to pay attention to the monitors to see where I was."

Jelimo: "I tried to run but it was as if there was something there [on her ankle]. I have some pressure being the only Kenyan left, but I know it will be fine. The field is tough, it's going to be tactical."

Youcef Abdi, sixth in last year's Olympics, lined up in the mens steeple. Abdi hadn't had the best year this year due to injury, but was on the way back up. He started off the race in the middle of the pack, very well placed. But as the race went on, a gap started to open up between Abdi, and the lead pack. As the pace quickened, Abdi dropped off the back. The Kenyans looked particularly easy in qualifying for the final, it will be interesting to see which one of them actually makes it across the line first.

Abdi: "It was a tough day at the office, but I'll come back bigger and stronger next year."

In the womens 100m heats, all the favourites got through without event, with Carmelita Jeter the fastest qualifier in 11.22 seconds. Meanwhile, in the womens shot put, Valerie Vili needed only one throw to qualify for the final in the number one spot. And in the womens javelin, Australian Kim Mickle just missed qualification for the final, finishing in 15th spot, three shy of the position required.

Come back tonight for the Usain Bolt show! And be sure to look out for our separate report on the womens 20km walk.

 

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'Hills are speedword in disguise '
Frank Shorter