Starc Soars, Bol Scores | Day Three Review

Brandon Starc took flight and touched down as the fifth best male high jumper in the world, whilst Peter Bol won an Olympic 800m semi-final whilst glancing around and twirling his finger – day three really had it all.

Brandon Starc (Alex Stewart) rewrote the record books with the highest jump in Olympic history by an Australian, clearing 2.35m to finish in fifth place of the Olympic final.

The mark was just one-centimetre shy of his 2.36m personal best and equal national record, with Starc happy to produce his best on the day but quick to acknowledge the incredible depth of the competition.

“That was hard – 2.35m to come fifth. I don’t even know if that’s happened before,” he said.

The Australian beanpole opted to pass after one attempt at 2.37m, heading straight to 2.39m in a bold attempt to clinch an Olympic medal.

“I thought I was a genuine chance at 2.39m to be honest. As soon as the three of them jumped 2.37m the best I would have come was fourth and I wanted a medal,” he said.

“We’ve finally found some form. I’ve only ever jumped 2.36m, so it should be good going into next year with the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.”

The performance improves on his sixth place finish at the 2019 IAAF World Championships and leaves him on the doorstep of winning a medal at a major championship – an opportunity he will get at next year’s World Athletics Championships.

Peter Bol (Justin Rinaldi) is emerging as one of the stories of the Games, with the Australian rising to stardom with an emphatic victory in the men’s 800m semi-finals.

Bol set his second national and area record in as many days, stopping the clock in 1:44.11 as he glanced over his shoulder and twirled his finger in celebration – clearly enjoying the impeccable timing of his career-best form.

“I backed myself and put myself in the best position to qualify. The job is done today but there’s still a lot to go, we can’t underestimate a lot of these runners. We have to stay focussed and stay humble,” he said.

“The feeling of winning is pretty great, I’ll take winning over times any day!”

The 27-year-old becomes the first Australian to make a men’s Olympic 800m final since Ralph Doubell in 1968, and he might just be in with a chance of emulating Doubell’s gold medal heroics.

Liz Clay (Sharon Hannan) produced the run of her life in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles, recording a new personal best of 12.71 at her first Olympic Games to finish in third place in the race.

But the determined hurdler was quick to admit she had greater expectations.

“I know I’m good enough to be there [the final], it really hurts,” she said.

“It’s been such a long journey to get here and I’ve had a lot of support along the way, my coach and my family have been amazing. Every time I have stepped out onto this track I’ve felt at home so look out in three years - I’m going to be there in the final in Paris.”

The Rohan Browning (Andrew Murphy) fairy-tale was not meant to be, with the Australian sprinter running 10.09 after a poor start as the semi-finals witnessed the end of his maiden Olympic campaign.

Turning into an overnight sensation after his incredible heat win in which he ran 10.01 to defeat the second fastest man in history Yohan Blake – Browning’s goal to become the first Australian man to make the Olympic 100m final since 1956 was no secret.

“I’m very disappointed. I definitely had a better run in me than that, but I gave the field too much of a gap and you can’t do that at an Olympic Games,” he said.

“This is championship racing, sometimes you nail it and sometimes you don’t.”

The well spoken 23-year-old will process the result which he deems as underwhelming before looking ahead to the promising career that awaits him.

“There’s always something ahead. The next three years are going to be very busy for major championships. I’m hoping to run world indoors next year, and then Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships,” he said.

“It’s been really nice to get so many kind words from everybody, it’s been really genuine. I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done today but I want to thank everyone for the support.”

Australian co-captain Steve Solomon (Penny Gillies) knows how to produce his best on the big stage, and today proved no different.

Off a limited preparation, Solomon rose to the Olympic occasion when tearing his way around 400m in a time of 44.94 to clinch second place and automatic qualification to the semi-finals – demolishing his personal best in the process.

Seldom are athletes possess Solomon’s ability to produce their best when it matters, making his semi-final showdown a must-watch for Australian athletics fans.

Genevieve Gregson (Nic Bideau) is set to become a three-time Olympic finalist after advancing to the women’s 3000m steeplechase on time, with her performance of 9:26.11 enough to see her through.

A nervous Gregson awaited the results from the final heat, hoping to make the final and knowing she had more to give.

“I think I have more in me, I stuffed up a few water jumps which for me is crucial when I lose that momentum and lose the pack – it’s hard to come back,” she said.

“I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. In the final I think I can compete with the top five to eight girls and that’s where I belong.”

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Gregson made both 3000m steeplechase and 5000m finals.

Brooke Stratton (Russell Stratton) safely navigated the qualifying round of the women’s long jump, with a leap of 6.60m advancing her to a second Olympic final.

With the nerves of qualifying out of the system, Stratton will be able to approach the final with freedom and attempt to produce her best as she looks to improve on her seventh place finish in Rio -  with a mark anywhere near her 7.05m national record more than capable of seeing her achieve the feat.

Alex Beck (Mark Ladbrook) missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals of the 400m by 0.03 seconds, but it was not all bad news for Beck – punching in a 45.54 personal best at his Olympic debut. The time also equals the Queensland state record.

Amy Cashin (Sean Cleary) produced a bold run at her first Olympic Games, finishing 11^th in her heat of the women’s 3000m steeplechase in a time of 9:34.67. In temperature nearing 37-degrees, the time was only six seconds outside her personal best and a solid indicator that she is in career-best shape.

In an earlier heat of the steeplechase, Georgia Winkcup (Ben Liddy) clocked 9:59.29 to finish in 13^th place despite a challenging journey to the Olympic Games through injury – gritting her teeth in the gruelling conditions.

At his fourth Olympic Games, Jeff Riseley (Justin Rinaldi) failed to progress from the semi-finals of the 800m after being caught up in a messy race which saw multiple athletes fall – his time of 1:47.17 not enough to join his Fast8TrackClub teammate Peter Bol in the final.

In similar fashion, Charlie Hunter (Ben Thomas) was forced to the front of his semi-final earlier than planned after being clipped and then shoved by a competitor – causing a swift change in race plans. Hunter fought on to cross the line in a time of 1:46.73.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 1/08/2021