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Eyes on the prize - Goule focused on bagging medal; more Jamaicans bow into action today

Published:Saturday | September 28, 2019 | 12:00 AMAndrÈ Lowe/Sports Editor
Jamaica’ s Natoya Goule leads the pack as she competes in her 800m heat yesterday at the 2019 IAAF World Athletic Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Yohan Blake of Jamaica won his 100m heat to advance to today’s semi-final.
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DOHA, Qatar:

No Jamaican has ever won a medal in the women’s 800m at the World Championships or the Olympic Games, but after yesterday’s heats at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, history is one step closer.

Natoya Goule, the wiry Jamaican half-miler, arrived in Doha as one of the favourites for a medal in the 800m, and the national champion is not shying away from her growing reputation as a leading competitor in the two-lap event.

The 28-year-old made her intentions clear, turning in a controlled performance to win in yesterday’s first-round action at the Khalifa International Stadium. She was as cool as the controlled temperature inside the venue, stopping the clock at 2:01.01, the second-fastest time in the round.

“I am here to win a medal,” she said.

The Jamaican, who entered the championships as the second best on the planet, both in rankings and time (1:57.90), is, however, not allowing the high expectations to get to her and her targets here.

“I try not to let it pressure me. I put that behind and try to focus on what I came here to do. I am just here to focus on the main task. It’s not easy. I pray a lot about getting rid of the negative thoughts and things that can affect my performances,” Goule shared. “I didn’t plan to take the front in today’s (yesterday’s) race, but we decided if that happened, I should just control it (pace) and come through with a nice time and finish strongly.”

Goule’s chances at a medal here are considerably improved, given the absence of athletes such as Caster Semenya and Francine Niyonsaba, who have been designated as athletes with a difference in sexual development (DSD).

It’s a topic that has, of course, commanded much discussion. Goule, however, prefers to focus on her goal.

“Honestly, I am just focusing on my race and what I came here to do,” Goule offered.

Meanwhile, there has been much talk about his form among Jamaica’s athletes and coaches, and 2011 World champion Yohan Blake looked the part as he crossed the line in first place in the men’s 100m heats in a time of 10.07 seconds – the fourth fastest time among qualifiers.

Tyquendo Tracey was far less convincing as he had to settle for fourth in his heat in a time of 10.21 seconds, advancing to the semi-finals as one of the six fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Medal favourites Justin Gatlin, the defending champion, 10.06; US champion Christian Coleman, 9.98; and South African Akani Simbine, 10.01 all won their respective heats, with Canadian Andre De Grasse (10.13) and Gatlin set to meet Blake in the semis today at 6:53 p.m. (10:53 a.m. Jamaica time).

Tracey will line up beside Simbine and Mike Rodgers in his semi-final.

In the men’s long jump, Tajay Gayle seemed a bit off, but he still managed to qualify for today’s final at 8:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m.) with a distance of 7.89m to secure the final qualifying spot.

Gayle, the third-ranked long jumper this season, promised to deliver a better series in today’s medal round.

“Tomorrow (today), I am pretty sure everything will come together. I am very confident I won’t have the same issues I had today,” Gayle said.

Cuba’s gold-medal favourite Juan Miguel Echevarria (18.40m) leads all qualifiers into the final.

Jamaica’s other qualifier came from the 400m hurdles, where London 2017 finalist Kemar Mowatt’s, 49.63 seconds proved enough to secure his lane in today’s semi-finals at 6:05 p.m. (10:05 a.m.).

Eleven Jamaican athletes plus the mixed 4x400m relay team will be in action on today’s second day of competition, with female sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson and Jonielle Smith featuring in the 100m heats, which begin at 4:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m.)

Also competing today are throwers Fedrick Dacres, Chad Wright, and Traves Smikle in the discus qualifiers, beginning at 4:15 p.m. (8:15 a.m.)

andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com

 

Jamaicans’ Schedule:

8:15 a.m.: Men’s Discus – Qualification Group A

Fedrick Dacres, Chad Wright

 

8:30 a.m.: Women 100m – Heats

Elaine Thompson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith

 

9:45 a.m. : Men’s Discus – Qualification Group B

Traves Smikle

 

10:05 a.m.: Men’s 400m Hurdles – Semis

Kemar Mowatt

 

10:45 a.m.: Men’s 100m – Semis

Yohan Blake, Tyquendo Tracey

 

11:15 a.m.: Women’s 800m – Semis

Natoya Goule

 

12:00 p.m.: Mixed 4x400m Relay – Round 1

Jamaica

 

12:40 p.m.: Men’s Long Jump – FINAL

Tajay Gayle

 

2:15 p.m. :Men’s 100m – FINAL