Barr delivers on day 1 in Doha
Barr delivers on day 1 in Doha
Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) delivered advanced automatically in second place in his 400m hurdles heat in 49.41 to book his place for tomorrow’s semi-final (September 28) at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha tonight (September 27).
Running from lane 7, Barr was smooth throughout, even with the defending world champion, Karsten Warholm, coming up his inside in lane 4. Heat was no problem in the air-conditioned Al Khalifa International stadium. Athletes were mainly able to warm up in an indoor air-conditioned track also.
“The track is nice. It’s a fast track,” said Barr afterwards. “You’ve to go in between hot and cool temperatures between the warm-up areas.”
Barr was quietly prospect of his chances in tomorrow’s semis but recognises that he will have to be at his best to advance. “I’m going to need one of the fastest times of my life. It’s going to take a 48 low.”
Michelle Finn (Leevale) was the first Irish athlete on the track in heat two of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. After being obstructed at the first barrier, Finn bounced back to finish 9th in her heat in 9:47.44.
"I'm disappointed with that but I'm happy that I tried to get into it and I didn't give up," said Finn afterwards.
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