Hodgkinson into 800m final and Werro through despite nasty fall
Werro Survives Dramatic Fall to Join Hodgkinson in 800m Showdown
Ninoda.com – Keely Hodgkinson's pursuit of European championship glory advanced as she secured her spot in the women's 800m final, arriving just moments after rival Audrey Werro experienced a spectacular tumble that threatened her progression to Friday's headline event.
The Swiss competitor, who recorded the quickest time globally over 43 years earlier in the campaign, controlled the opening semi-final from the opening stride. However, disaster struck on the final curve in Birmingham as she crashed to the track surface. The 22-year-old recovered quickly, rising to complete the race in last position while visibly grimacing and holding her chest.
Werro will now contest the eagerly awaited final against Hodgkinson after her appeal succeeded. Video evidence revealed that France's Anais Bourgoin made contact with Werro's right foot using her left hand. An alternative camera angle initially suggested Werro may have clipped her own leg prior to the fall.
Hodgkinson Advances with Comfortable Victory
The second semi-final proceeded without incident as Hodgkinson crossed the finish line first with a time of one minute 57.38 seconds. The Olympic champion maintained her lead throughout and resisted pressure from Femke Broeders-Bol, a double world 400m hurdles champion who transitioned to the 800m this season.
When asked whether she witnessed the incident before her race, Hodgkinson told BBC TV: "I heard an 'ooh' [from the crowd] which is never a good sign. I don't know what it looked like."
Before Werro's appeal was decided, Hodgkinson commented: "Obviously it's a real shame and I hope she's OK. I hope she's in the final tomorrow [Friday], that'd be a really exciting race."
Commentators Weigh In on Dramatic Fall
The women's 800m has emerged as the premier event at these championships, largely due to the anticipated three-way contest between Hodgkinson, Werro, and Broeders-Bol.
"The excitement makes me excited. I can't wait to step out there. It brings out the best in me," Hodgkinson said. "I love a good challenge. Hopefully it'll be a good race, a clean race, nobody falling over."
Hodgkinson will share the final with fellow British athlete Jemma Reekie, who benefited from Werro's misfortune to claim victory in the opening semi-final. The final field will comprise ten competitors rather than nine, with Lithuanian runner Gabija Galvydyte also advancing after being clipped by Werro during the fall.
The opening semi-final appeared to be unfolding normally until Werro stumbled and landed face-down on the track with approximately 140 metres remaining. Former Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford observed on BBC TV: "It was a hard hit on the floor. These tracks are incredibly hard, especially when they've been sun-baked. It really was a difficult thing to watch, and you're just hoping at that point [that] there's no serious injury."
Werro showed signs of discomfort, rolling onto her side and clutching her chest before continuing at a slow jog. Paula Radcliffe, ex-marathon world record holder, explained: "Athletes know if that happens and you go down, you have to get up and finish. That is the only criteria that you're going to make it through. If you don't do that, you have no chance of being advanced through to that final. You could see she was not comfortable."
Confusion surrounded whether Werro tripped independently or was impeded by another runner. Rutherford thought Werro "kicked her own leg," while former men's 1500m world champion Steve Cram suggested she "tripped herself." Werro admitted uncertainty, telling BBC TV: "I was feeling great but unfortunately I don't know, something happened and then I was on the ground."
Close examination of footage indicated Bourgoin, who had been positioned alongside Werro for much of the race, disrupted the Swiss athlete's rhythm with a light touch to her foot using her left hand.
"The question is whether Werro is OK - it was a really hard fall," Cram noted. "But we are getting the final we wanted. That's one way to look at it."
Werro's successful appeal ensures spectators will witness a blockbuster final featuring three of athletics' most prominent figures, including home favourite Hodgkinson. The 24-year-old has captured the previous two European titles and aims to retain her crown following a remarkable season that saw her break the long-standing indoor 800m world record, secure her maiden world championship, and set a new British outdoor record.
Additional motivation awaits Hodgkinson in the form of an opportunity to claim the most enduring world record in the sport.
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