Christine Ohuruogu was unable to defend her 400m title but she did run a season’s best 49.70 to claim a silver medal at the Olympic stadium this evening.
Photo Credit: Mark Shearman
The 28 year old ran a storming last 70m to come from fifth to second place on a photo finish. It was her fastest time in over three years, proving once again that she loves to perform on the biggest of stages.
American Sanya Richard Ross took gold in 49.55 with Dee Dee Trotter, also of the USA, getting bronze in 49.72. Ross is one of the most prolific 400m runners in history, running sub 50 seconds in excess of 44 times.
Since winning gold in Beijing Ohuruogu has struggled to find consistent form, but after producing a season’s best in the heats it looked like she may be finding it just in time. And so it proved.
Ohuruogu appeared overcome as the result was shown on the big screen at the end of the race, and laid on her back looking up to the sky, taking a moment to register the result.
Speaking afterwards she said, “I was stunned. I was heartbroken actually to lose a title like that. It was tough, but Sanya (Richard-Ross) ran a good race. I’m happy with what I’ve done. It could have been worse. The line came too soon. I thought ‘it’s gone, it’s gone’.”
She then enjoyed a lap of honour draped in a Union Jack flag to the rapturous cheers of the home crowd.
“I wanted to go back out to say thank you to a great crowd. Everybody has got behind the Games. They did it. We’re just here to perform. It means so much having them behind us.”
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
