Disaster for Nikki Hamblin - Falls in Heats of 800m

After all Nikki Hamblin went through to gain citizenship for New Zealand to compete as a Kiwi at the World Championships came to a shattering end in the 800m heats when she tripped and fell with 300m remaining.

Well placed in the final of six heats Hamblin was through the first 200m in 29s and the 400m in 62.5s. Needing to finish in the first three or one of the six fastest other times Hamblin was in sixth place in a tight bunch when she appeared to catch the heals of the runner in front of her. She tumbled forward and over on to her back. She lay on the track for a few moments before regaining her feet and jogging through to the finish in 2m 31.94s.
A distraught Hamblin, left the Stadium.

Team manager Raylene Bates said that a subsequent check of the video of the race showed that there had been no interference to Hamblin.

"It's unfortunately one of those things. Nikki is now going to run the 1500m, when she had intended to only do the 800m. This has made her more determined to do well in the 1500m," said Bates.

The heats for the 1500m are on Tuesday.

The fastest qualifier in the 800m was Yuliya Krevsun of Ukraine who ran 2m 2.20s.