Gen Lalonde sets another Canadian record in steeplechase final
Peruth Chemutai takes the win for Uganda – the first Olympic medal for a Ugandan woman, with Courtney Frerichs winning silver for Team USA
Gen Lalonde has done it again – lowered the Canadian record in the 3,000m steeplechase, which she set in the first round just a few days ago in Tokyo. Moments ago at National Stadium, Lalonde ran 9:22.40 for 11th place in the exciting steeple final. The race showed the Canadian’s experience and patience as she sat in the mid-pack through seven and a half laps of the track, jumped over 28 barriers and navigated the water jumps with skill.
RELATED: Gen Lalonde sets national record in 3,000m steeplechase semi-final
Another race, another record. Geneviève Lalonde crosses the line in the women's 3,000-metre steeplechase, in a new Canadian Record time of 9:22.40! Her 11th-place finish is the best ever finish for a Canadian woman in the event!#ExperienceGreatness #Athletics #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/j4Fl87Kfti
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) August 4, 2021
The race was dominated by the Africans Peruth Chemutai, world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and 2015 world champion Hyvin Kiyeng early on, but Courtney Frerichs of Team USA went to the front early and established a dominant lead, giving it up only in the final 300m, for a silver medal. (Frerichs also won silver at the 2017 world championships.) Meanwhile, her compatriot, Emma Coburn, was well back and had a fall that set her back even further; she was ultimately disqualified for a lane violation. It was Kiyeng’s third consecutive Olympic medal in this event.
Gold: Peruth Chemutai of Uganda in a PB of 9:01.45 (the first-ever Olympic medal for a Ugandan woman)
Silver: Courtney Frerichs of U.S.A. in a season’s best 9:04.79
Bronze: Hyvin Kiyeng of Kenya in 9:05.39
What a brave move by @courtfrerichs8 ! She took off with 3 laps to go, and did not look back! Only Peruth Chemutai could catch her! Courtney has an Olympic silver! Best medal in Olympics by US woman! @usatf, photo:@kevmofoto, @bowermantc, @usatf, @running_network, pic.twitter.com/kEDAcbjo5U
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) August 4, 2021
DeBues-Stafford makes the 1,500m final
In the women’s 1,500m, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford ran a season’s best 3:58 in the very fast first heat, good enough for third place and an automatic qualifier into the final. Her sister, Lucia Stafford, lowered her personal best again, with a 1.5 second PB for 4:02.12 for sixth place in heat 2. She unfortunately just missed out on the fastest qualifier times to get her into the final. Lucia, who is only 22, had a fantastic showing in her first Olympic Games and will be one to watch in years to come.
RELATED: Stafford sisters qualify for semis in the 1,500m
Defending champion Faith Kipyegon had the fastest time, winning heat 1 in 3:56, with Sifan Hassan winning heat 2 in 4:00.23. (As the commentators mentioned, it appears Hassan can win any heat of any race, despite purposely starting at the rear.) With the top five from each heat advancing, the remaining two qualifiers both came from the first heat (Elle Purrier St. Pierre and Kristina Maki of Czech Republic). Cory McGee of the U.S. and Kenyan Winny Chebet both fell during heat 1 and will go home very disappointed.
ICYMI: Gabriela DeBues-Stafford runs a great race to finish 3rd in her 1,500-metre semifinal in a season-best time of 3:58.28 to qualify for the final!#ExperienceGreatness #Athletics #TeamCanada https://t.co/W1dg584ikX pic.twitter.com/KFk8K3XNWd
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) August 4, 2021
RELATED: Sydney McLaughlin wins 400mH gold and breaks world record
The full list of finalists:
- Faith Kipyegon
- Frewenyi Gebreezibeher
- Gabriela DeBues-Stafford
- Jessica Hull
- Nozomi Tanaka
- Laura Muir
- Elle Purrier St. Pierre
- Kristina Maki
Felix makes the women’s 200m final
American superstar Allyson Felix will see yet another 400m final after breaking 50 in the third heat of the semis for the first time this season. Seven others will advance, including Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, Stephenie Ann McPherson of Jamaica and non-automatic qualifier Quanera Hayes of Team USA. Canadian Kyra Constantine finished 15th; she did not advance to the final.
A great showing for Kyra Constantine in her first Olympics. She finishes 5th in her 400-metre semifinal in a time of 51.22 seconds!#ExperienceGreatness #Athletics #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/xztrk6ybhH
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) August 4, 2021
For full results, click here.
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