Strong finish guides Jemma to victory – and World Champs final

Friday 25th August 2023

Photo by Mark Shearman

Jemma Reekie is through to the final in the Women’s 800m at the World Champs.

The Scot survived a rollercoaster in her Budapest semi-final to finish strongly and win the race to qualify automatically for Sunday’s final.

Jemma was boxed at the back of the field with 200m remaining but found one gap and then another – as she applied superb finishing speed (clocking 28.69).

‘It was not at all the way I had hoped to do it,’ she smiled, with the 2:00.38 winning time the slowest of the three races on Friday night but not relevant.

‘But top two was the target and I’m into the final now. I wasn’t happy being at the back, no, but I’ve learned you have to be happy, stay calm and try and find a gap.

‘I did that and I’m pleased with how I managed to finish the race. I’ve been working on physical and mental approach with Jon (Bigg) and Sally (Gunnell) and feel confident.

‘I think I am in really good shape I just can’t run like that in the final and I will be fine!’

Keely Hodgkinson is in the final, too, to make it two British athletes in the eight-strong field.