Tokyo Olympics 2020: Riley Day qualifies for 200m semi-finals, Shericka Jackson out

Being too cool for school has cost 100m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson a place in the 200m semi-finals.

The Jamaican arrogantly jogged around in her heat figuring she was assured of an automatic qualifying spot — the first three in each heat plus the next three fastest progress — before easing down near the line.

Her problem was that she’d miscalculated who was around her with Italian Daila Kaddari kicking up from the outside lane to grab third.

Read Next

Jackson and Kaddari were both awarded the time of 22.76sec but when it was expanded out the judges found 4/1000s in favour of the Italian.

The heat was much slower than several others which ruled Jackson, who switched from the 400m to sprints this season, out of sneaking in as one of the fastest qualifiers.

Australia’s Riley Day qualified for tonight’s semi-finals by finishing third in the final heat in 22.94sec behind American Jenna Prandini (22.56sec).

Day spoke to Channel 7 after being physically ill following her race.

“Feeling really good. I’m a semi-finalist, so it’s unreal,” she said.

“I was very overwhelmed before I got on the track. So I didn’t know what to expect. But I think I handled myself well.

“I was trying to just remember that it is just a race.

“The Olympics isn’t going to change how fit I am, how fast I am. And how well I run. If anything, it can make me lift even more. So I feel a lot more relaxed now that the first run is over. I know how everything works. And I can just leave it all on the track tonight.

“(I will) absolute floor it to the end. And see if I can make the final. A PB would be amazing. But I really have done half the things that I wanted to do here. So I have made the semi-final. It’s unreal.”

Channel 7 commentators Bruce McAvaney and Tamsyn Manou lashed Jackon’s effort describing it as “unprofessional” and “cocky”.

“Oh, I mean, she’s not even trying,” Manou said.

“Look at her at the back of the field. It’s good to have confidence in sport but that’s just being a little bit too cocky, you can’t run like that.”

MacAvaney added: “Four one thousandths of a second would have got her through. I can’t believe the unprofessional way she went about that race.”

Defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah backed up from her 100m victory on Saturday night, finishing third in her heat (22.86sec).

Fellow Jamaican and 100m silver medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce impressed with an easy 22.23sec heat victory.

HASSAN DEFIES BELIEF WITH MIRACLE RECOVERY

Miracle woman Sifan Hassan continues to defy belief in Tokyo.

First there is the fact the Dutch star is chasing a historic treble racing in the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m which will require six races in nine days.

To do that you need everything to go according to plan which is exactly the opposite to what happened in the opening 1500m heat.

Just after the bell, Hassan, 28, found herself sprawled on the track after Kenyan Edinah Jebitok fell over in front of her.

For most that would mean the end of their race but Hassan quickly dusted herself off and began chasing the lead pack who were 30 metres ahead.

In a remarkable effort the reigning world champion made up the ground by the top of the straight and then cruised past her rivals to win the heat in 4min05.17sec.

Australia’s Jessica Hull was super impressive, finishing a step behind Hassan in second place (4:05.28sec).

She was joined in the semi-finals by her teammate Linden Hall who qualified after finishing third in the next heat, clocking 4:02.27sec.

Score Columnist – AFL/Athletics writer

Melbourne

Scott Gullan has more than 25 years experience in sports journalism. He is News Corp’s chief athletics writer and award-winning AFL correspondent. He’s covered numerous Olympic Games, world championships and Co… Read more OlympicsAussie cult hero and the most valuable 100m lesson of all

9:51 AMScott Gullan‘It’s a mature man’s event and it takes time to develop into a career.’ At 23, Aussie sprinter Rohan Browning has time on his side as long as a weakness quickly becomes a strength.

LIVE: TOKYO OLYMPICS, DAY 10Refereeing blunder costs Matildas shot at gold

5:55 AMJoe Barton, Scott Gullan, Adrian McMurrayAustralia will face the USA for bronze in the women’s football, as Sweden progress to challenge Canada for gold. But the Matildas have every reason to be furious.

Read Next

Comments You can now view your entire comment history via the My comments link in the subscriber menu at the top right of each page. Click here for more details.

Reader comments on this site are moderated before publication to promote lively, but civil and respectful debate. We encourage your comments but submitting one does not guarantee publication. You can read our comment guidelines here. If you believe a comment has been rejected in error, email comments@theaustralian.com.au and we’ll investigate. Please ensure you include the email address you use to log in so we can locate your comment.