Hull and Griffith Lead Aussie Track Attack in Paris on Day Six

Middle distance runners Jessica Hull and Georgia Griffith led an action-packed Day Six of Athletics action in Paris with flawless 1500m heats, while Reece Holder and Alanah Yukich added Olympic semi-finalist to their growing list of achievements.

Hull (NSW, Simon Hull) and Griffith (VIC, Nic Bideau) comfortably progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s 1500m. Linden Hall (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams) just missed out on progressing automatically and will look to recover for the repechage.

In heat one, Georgia was impressive to finish fourth in 3:59.22. The 2023 World Championship finalist looked comfortable throughout and her time was just outside her personal best of 3:59.04 from April.

When Ethiopian 5000m world record holder Gudaf Tsegay moved forward after just 300m, Georgia quickly responded and was then positioned herself perfectly for the rest of the race. 

“I wanted to be aggressive at the start, and then in the last hundred just make sure I ran right to the line,” Georgia said.

“Hopefully there's more to come and nice to get the nerves out now. I feel a lot more relaxed and am keen for the semis.”

Jessica conserved energy and covered the moves to comfortably finish second in her heat in 4:02.70. Although Hull broke her own Australian record (3:50.83) last month in Paris, that meet was not held at Stade de France.

“That was my first time here and I've never raced in a full Olympic stadium like that, so it was pretty cool. I just went on to feel in the race, and I felt great,” Jess said.

“I can't falter my prep at all. I've been healthy, I've hit every workout. I'm really fit. I've got great races behind me that make me confident. I couldn't be in a better position coming in. So now it's time to unlock that and see what that looks like as we go through the rounds.”

Linden moved to the front pretty early in heat two to keep the pace solid. She looked good, however when the moves started after the bell she was passed and was soon sitting sixth with 250m to go. She finished eighth in 4:03.89, with the heat won in 3:59.73.

Linden, who was sixth at Tokyo 2020, was positive after the race, considering she injured calf 10 days ago. 

Although his maiden Olympic campaign concluded today, Reece Holder (QLD, Chris Dale and Sharon Dale) remains a beacon of light for Australia’s sprint resurgence, clocking yet another sub-45 second performance in the 400m Semi Final.

Sprinting around the track in 44.94 for fifth place and the third fastest time of his career, Reece was strong in his quest, making up the stagger in time for the final bend before running out of steam in the final 100m.

“I just love racing. I injured my hamstring at Nationals but it hasn’t stuffed up my prep for this, but mostly, it’s great to be back out on the track and doing my thing,” Reece said.

After a dead-heat in the Women’s 400m Hurdles repechage round, Alanah Yukich (WA, Rose Monday) found herself up against it in Semi Final three, facing world number one Femke Bol (NED), and top-10 world ranked Anna Cockrell (USA) and Shiann Salmon (JAM).

Giving it a red-hot crack despite, the Western Australian stuck to her race plan from the inside lane, passing China’s Jiadie Mo into the home straight before crossing the line seventh in a time of 55.49.

“This whole journey getting here, being able to put on the uniform is an absolute honour. Yesterday for me was what the Olympics is all about – which is bringing countries together and uniting and I was able to experience that first hand in the absolute dead heat,” Yukich said.

Tayleb Willis (VIC, Kyle Vander-Kyup and Sam Leslie)  finished fifth in his 110m hurdles repechage in 13.67s. He was disappointed to not progress.

His first feeling after the race was relief after what has been a breakthrough season, setting his sights on Kyle Vander-Kuyp’s Australian record and the final at Los Angeles 2028.

‘That hurts but it’s a journey. You’re not going to be Olympic champion your first year on this hurdle height. So give me four years and I’ll definitely be in the final, going for a medal. Mark my words!” Tayleb said.

Ellie Beer (QLD, Brett Robinson) ran another impressive 400m. She was fourth in 51.65s but wasn’t enough to progress to the semi-finals. She ran a personal best of 51.47 in her heat.

“I wanted more. I really had a goal coming in doing a PB, and I did that PB in the heats, but I guess I was still a little bit disappointed because I really wanted to make that semi,” Ellie said.

Cameron McEntrye (NSW, Angus McEntyre) on Olympic debut in a stadium with an amazing atmosphere threw 81.18m.

The last time an Australian threw further at the Olympic Games was Jarrod Bannister in 2008. Unfortunately, he was 1.71m short of making the Olympic final.

“My biggest goal with this comp was to leave everything out there and I feel like I achieved that,” Cameron said.

Triple Olympian Brooke Buschkuehl (VIC, Russell Stratton) was unable to find her best form and qualify for the long jump final. She was disappointed to not be able to jump near her best and make the final. 

Calab Law (QLD, Andrew Iselin) didn’t race the 200m repechage round. He decided to save himself for the 4x100m relay where the Australians are targeting the Australian record and a place in the final later in the week.

By Andrew Reid and Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia and Australian Olympic Committee
Posted 7/08/2024