Sports Headlines

Schmidt Advances In 800 meters

Posted: $util.date("h:mm a MMM d, yyyy",$story.contentLiveDate,$timeZone)
Reporter: Runner's World

Alice Schmidt Interview

Alice Schmidt of Elkhorn has advanced to the semifinals of the 800 meters at the Summer Olympic Games in London. Schmidt finished second in her heat at 2:01.63 seconds. The 31-year-old will run in the semifinals on Thursday.

Ethiopian teenager Fantu Magiso, a perceived medal contender who had a victory over defending Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo of Kenya this track season, did not start. Magiso is reported to be injured, a development that drastically changes the competitive picture in the 800.

Jelimo, meanwhile, won her first round heat in an eased up 2:00.54. Reigning world champion Mariya Savinova of Russia took hers in 2:01.56 with Schmidt right behind in 2:01.65.

The leading American, Alysia Montano, continued her tradition of scorching opening 400s. This time, she completed the first lap in 55.55 seconds and had a leading margin of 15 meters before jogging across the finish line in 2:00.47.

Caster Semenya of South Africa, the 2011 world champion, was second in that heat in 2:00.71. Janeth Jepkosgei Businei of Kenya, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, won her heat in 2:01.04. Geena Gall of the U.S. was fourth in her heat in 2:03.85 and makes it through to the semis as one of those "next fastest finishers."

The quality of performance in the women's 800 was as uneven as we've yet seen. Two of the heats were won in 2:07.57 and 2:08.35, respectively.

Woroud Sawalha, representing Palestine, clocked a 2:29.16. Sarah Attar, a Pepperdine student who is the first Saudi Arabian woman ever to win in the Olympics, completed her 800 in 2:44.95.