4th August 2024

Fincham-Dukes books place in Olympic long jump final

Long jumper Jacob Fincham-Dukes (Matt Barton, Leeds City) qualified for the Olympic final on a successful morning for Team GB at Stade de France.

The Yorkshireman is enjoying the best season of his career having improved his personal best to 8.20m in April and jumping a wind-assisted 8.30m in May.

Making his Olympic debut, the 27-year-old uncorked a leap of 7.96m in the third and last round of qualification to progress as the eighth in a field of 12 for Tuesday’s final.

“It is kind of unreal,” said Fincham-Dukes.

“I have been working really hard this year, and to get over that final hurdle and reach that pinnacle feels absolutely incredible.

“Especially on that last round, it was spooky, I did a really good jump on my first attempt but it was a foul, I messed it up on the second round, so it was all or nothing in that moment, and I did it. Give me some more pressure because clearly I shine.”

Meanwhile, Lizzie Bird (Pat McCurry, Shaftesbury Barnet) made her second Olympic final in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.

Bird ran 9:16.46 to snag fourth place in a photo finish.

“I am relieved,” said Bird. “I was a bit worried when I finished that I hadn’t made it. I was expecting to have to run fast to qualify. I think with a smoother race I can run a bit quicker.

In the first heat, Aimee Pratt (Thomas Dreißigacker, Sale Harriers Manchester) marked her second Olympic appearance with a time of 9:27.26 to finish 11th in the first heat, having only competed in one 3000m steeplechase this year.

Earlier, Daryll Neita (Marco Airale, Cambridge Harriers) was back on the purple track just over 12 hours after achieving Britain’s best result in the women’s 100m for 60 years.

She signalled her intent to challenge in the 200m by crossing the line first in her heat with an excellent time of 22.39 in still air.

“The crowd was amazing, as it has been so far, and it feels really good,” said Neita. “It is nice to have a few hours’ sleep and still come out and be able to produce a solid run.”

Another negotiating a quick turnaround from the rounds of the 100m was Dina Asher-Smith (Edrick Floreal, Blackheath and Bromley).

Asher-Smith surged through to the semi-finals as third-fastest qualifier, clocking a mightily impressive 22.28 (+0.5) to finish second in a quick heat won in 22.24.

“My body is fine – I’m really happy with that, it was really easy – a good 22.2, probably the easiest 22.2 I have ever run,” said Asher-Smith.

Ten years after her major championship debut, Bianca Williams (Linford Christie, Thames Valley) made an impressive entry into the Olympic arena with 22.77 (+0.2) to grab the third qualifying spot.

“It was a good race but I was nervous coming into this one,” said Williams.

“You always get nerves when you haven’t been in the stadium, I just didn’t know what to expect. But I’m proud of myself for coming out there and qualifying.”

In the men’s 110m hurdles, Tade Ojora (Joanna Hayes, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) got the job done and reached the semi-finals.

Ojora came fourth in his heat in a stellar season’s best of 13.35 (+0.3) to grab the first fastest qualifier spot.

“As we know the season hasn’t been the best so far, but it’s nice to have a time that is reasonably quick so I can go into the semi-final a lot more confident,” said Ojora. “It helps having done it before.”

Lina Nielsen (Tony Lester, Shaftesbury Barnet) secured a semi-final spot in the women’s 400m hurdles, with 54.65 good enough for fourth in her heat and the eighth-fastest clocking across the field.

Jessie Knight (Marina Armstrong, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) will race again in the repechage after 55.39 placed her fifth in the third heat.

For Olympic Games results, click here.

 

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