Limerick hurdler Sarah Lavin powers into semi-finals at Paris Olympics

7 Aug 2024

Limerick Leader

LIMERICK sprint hurdler Sarah Lavin has powered her way into the semi-finals of the women's 100m hurdles at the Olympic Games.

The Lisnagry woman stormed to a second-place finish in her first round heat on Wednesday morning, clocking 12.73 to advance to Friday morning's semi-finals. The top three finishers in each heat advanced to the semi-finals.

Those semi-finals of the women's 100m hurdles are from 11.05am Irish time on Friday.

Thirty-year-old Sarah Lavin, a member of Emerald AC, is coached by Noelle Morrissey.

Two-time world champion Danielle Williams, of Jamaica, won the heat in a time of 12.59 seconds, with Lavin clocking 12.73.

Ditaji Kambundji, who secured a silver at the Europeans in June, could only finish third. This marks the first time Lavin has finished in front of the rising Swiss star.

Speaking to RTE Sport after her heat, Sarah Lavin said: "Feeling good, that's the really scary round and to have that one under the belt feels great.

"I definitely need to be far more aggressive all the rest of the next round but I’m in the mix, all you could get this morning was the big Q (qualification) and I have that.

'Feeling good, that's the really scary round'
- Sarah Lavin talks to RTÉ Sport following her 100m hurdles heat#RTESport #Paris2024
https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
Updates https://t.co/uz2rnhGOm9 pic.twitter.com/FH8qxauhBF

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 7, 2024

"I 100% think that’s the scariest round and the next one is the most difficult because so many girls are capable of making that top eight and you need to be clean, but also just go for it.

"I think the brave will be rewarded - that's a pretty scary thing to do in a heat when all that’s up for offer is a Q, yet you know if you get the Q you get the day off tomorrow.

Sarah Lavin produces an impressive performance in her 100m hurdles heat #RTESport #Paris2024
https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
Updates https://t.co/U2rdNigKqw pic.twitter.com/1R6LQkOmEw

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 7, 2024

"I do need to be a lot more aggressive and keep myself a lot tighter over the hurdles but yeah, job done."

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW