Day four of the Paris 2024 Olympics was a rollercoaster of emotions, with British hopes facing highs and lows amid a slew of world-class performances and dramatic twists.
The day kicked off with Great Britain’s (Team GB) Elizabeth Bird securing her place in the women’s 3,000 meters steeplechase final with a determined run, clocking 9 minutes 16.46 seconds. Finland’s Krista Tervo set a new national record in the women’s hammer qualification with a throw of 74.79 meters (245-5), setting the stage for an exciting final on 6 August.
The women’s 200 meters round 1 was next on the track, with Gabby Thomas of the USA dominating with a swift 22.20 seconds. Team GB saw strong performances from Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, and Bianca Williams, all of whom advanced to the semi-finals, showcasing the depth of British sprinting talent. The event saw disappointment as Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the current world champion, did not start, leaving the competition wide open. Also missing was Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith due to an injury from the 100 meters final.
The men’s long jump qualification was led by Greek athlete Miltiadis Tentoglou with an impressive 8.32 meters (27-3.75), while Team GB’s Jacob Fincham-Dukes secured his spot in the final with a fantastic performance of 7.96 meters (26-1.5).
Grant Holloway of the USA made a statement in the men’s 110 meters hurdles, clocking a formidable 13.01 seconds in his heat. These heats sparked controversy as the USA’s Freddie Crittenden competed despite a small injury. The American jogged home and highlighted that he needed to compete for a spot in the repechage round, in which he hopes to be fit in the coming days.
The women’s 400 meters hurdles concluded the first session of the day, with effortless qualifications from both Femke Bol of the Netherlands and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the USA. This means the much-awaited showdown is upon us! Team GB also saw Lina Nielsen advance to the semi-finals in 54.65 seconds, while Jessie Knight will have another chance in the repechage round.
In the evening session, Matthew Hudson-Smith of Team GB breezed into the men’s 400 meters semi-finals with a time of 44.78 seconds, joined by youngster Charlie Dobson. The event also saw a standout performance from Michael Norman of the USA, who qualified as the fastest man with 44.10 seconds and may challenge Hudson-Smith for the gold later in the week.
The women’s high jump final was a highlight, with Ukraine’s Yaroslava…
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