In the night from Wednesday to Thursday, Sifan Hassan qualified for the final of the 5,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. Femke Bol convincingly reached the final battle in the 400 meter hurdles.
Hassan finished third in her series and that was more than enough to continue. The Dutch wanted to waste as few forces as possible. She hung in the back of the group for a long time, but never got into trouble. On the final lap she moved forward to finish third in a time of 14.52.89, while finishing in the top five was enough to continue straight away.
“The goal was to get to the top five and we succeeded,” said Hassan, looking back on an easy race. “I didn’t even have to really accelerate. This was good.”
Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, who became world champion in the 10,000 meters on Saturday, was the fastest in 14.52.27 and Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui, who runs for Kazakhstan, was also slightly faster than Hassan in 14.52.54.
Sifan Hassan hung in the back of the group for a long time to save strength.
Sifan Hassan hung in the back of the group for a long time to save strength. Photo: AP
Koster grabs next to final place
Maureen Koster ran in the other series of the 5,000 meters and she missed a place in the final. The 30-year-old South Holland finished ninth in her series in a time of 15.18.17. That was the 21st time across the field, while in the final there is room for fifteen athletes.
The final battle is in the night from Saturday to Sunday and then 29-year-old Hassan goes on the hunt for her first medal of this World Cup. She finished fourth in the 10,000 meters.
Hassan was defending champion in the 10,000 meters and she is also in the 5,000 meters. She is also the reigning Olympic champion in both distances.
Disappointment with Maureen Koster.
Disappointment at Maureen Koster. Photo: AP
Bol the fastest in her heat
In the 400 meter hurdles, Bol placed himself as expected without having to make any real effort. She was the fastest in her heat with a time of 52.84.
The 22-year-old Bol is chasing her second World Cup medal in Eugene, after she won silver last weekend with the relay team in the 4×400 meters mixed. A medal from Bol can also be expected in the 400 meter hurdles. The Hilversumse already won bronze at the Games in Tokyo last year.
The final of the 400 meters is Friday.