ATHLETICS: The outstanding performance of Zoe Buckman (Vic) at these IAAF World Championships has ended with a strong 7th in the final of the women’s 1500m. 

In a very tight pack for the first three laps of the race, Buckman, who is coached by Nic Bideau, was checked as she came into the straight and lost her stride. She recovered as best she could to cross outside the medals in a time of 4:05.77. Sweden's Abeba Aregawi (4:02.67) won gold, Jenny Simpson (USA, 4:02.99) silver and Kenyan Hellen Obiri the bronze (4:03.86). 

“That’s the first time that I have run three rounds at this level so I am very tired, but to come away with a top-eight is fantastic after what has been a taxing past few days. I actually feel a little disappointed but that’s why I find myself here in the first place, it’s that drive to keep doing better and it’s something that has helped me at this championships for sure,” Buckman said. 

“It was faster and more physical than any other event I’ve run. That last lap was really hard and I had a few doubts in my head but I was pleased that I was able to fight on and finish well. This whole experience should be a confidence boost; to finish in the top-eight is great. I need to take a step back and say hang on, you should be really proud of how things have gone because a final was my aim coming in.” 

Buckman’s start in the final caps off a fantastic week for the 24-year-old, with her first IAAF World Championships campaign including victory in her heat, another win in the semi-final and a new personal best of 4:04.82. Her semi-final time improves her already strong position in third on the Australian All-Time list and was the fastest ever performance by an Australian at the IAAF World Championships. 

For Buckman, the result proved that she is a world-class athlete capable of competing alongside the world’s best and that gives her great confidence as she prepares to return to Australia for yet another long pre-season of training. 

“This result shows me that I can mix it with the best. I will of course train harder and build where I can but it’s great to be in the mix. I feel as though I am a world-class athlete and that’s something I’m proud of,” Buckman added. 

Buckman becomes the first ever Australian woman to qualify for the women’s 1500m at the IAAF World Championships, and her performance ensures she will be a strong contender at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

“There is still a lot to learn about tactics. I have been talking about them a lot and I think it is good that I can now read a race well. Importantly though I have shown that I can keep up and that gives me a good platform for next year, I’m top-eight in the world and I should be able to build off that. That’s what will drive me in the year to come,” Buckman said. 

Watch the full race here on Youtube>>>

Buckman’s great run came after the men’s 4x400m relay team set the tone for the Australian Flame in the first event on the track by crossing second and automatically advancing to the final. 

Led out by Olympic finalist Steven Solomon (NSW), the team welcomed Australian Flame debutants Craig Burns (Qld) and Alex Beck (Qld) for legs two and three respectively before 400m hurdles semi-finalist Tristan Thomas (Tas) brought the team home like a steam train. 

Sitting in the chase pack for much of the first three legs, each of the first three ran very strongly to the line to ensure the best possible opportunity for Thomas on the run home. Biding his time around the first bend, the 2009 IAAF World Championship relay bronze medallist increased his pace with just over half a lap to go to improve Australia’s placing from 5th to second on the last leg. 

“Coming here and joining these boys after a fairly tough year missing the individual spot is just so pleasing, I am really excited that we get another crack tomorrow,” Solomon said.

“This is a development year and it is a credit to Athletics Australia for giving so many athletes an opportunity to gain experience here in Moscow. This team is one of those group of athletes, and I’m looking forward to what we can do in the future, even as soon as at Commonwealth Games next year.” 

“It was so good to be out there. I am happy with my run, and am pleased that I have come away with a little left to take into the final tomorrow. It is really good experience to just run here and a final is a huge result,” Burns added. 

“It was unbelievable out there. It was a bit of a gift that the Russians were in our heat because the crowd was so amazing. For my first relay at an event like this you couldn’t ask for more and I was very happy with my run. I felt like I showed good composure, came home strong and so happy to pass the baton to an athlete the calibre of Tristan,” Beck said. 

“I was probably the last athlete that wanted to run the final leg, but having run so many relays in the past I knew that it was my responsibility and I was so happy to run like I did. All the boys finished really hard, and even though I was 5th coming into my leg the distances weren’t impossible and it actually played out like how you would write a fairytale,” Thomas said. 

“The biggest thing I was told before the race was not run like an idiot. Remain composed, get into a nice rhythm and then with 250 metres to go I had a crack and hope that I would hold on. I looked down at my legs and said how you feeling and thankfully they were strong enough to hold on.” 

Australia’s qualification for the final delivers its first appearance in the round of eight in the event since the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi (IND), and continues a strong history of success in the event including bronze at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin (GER) and silver from the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (GRE). 

Watch all heat 3 action here from Youtube>>>

The action in Moscow continues Friday with Olympic champion Sally Pearson (Qld) set to make her first appearance on the track in heat two of the women’s 100m hurdles. Pearson will be joined on track by Josh Ross (Vic) in heat two of the men’s 200m, while Kathryn Mitchell (Vic) and Kim Mickle (WA) will throw in the qualifying rounds of the women’s javelin. 

For comprehensive results and schedule, please click here to visit iaaf.org.

Athletics Australia