Final frustration for Eilidh Doyle at London 2017 but relays offer another opportunity
University of Bath-based Eilidh Doyle admitted she was frustrated at not executing a better race after having to settle for eighth place in the 400m hurdles final at the London 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.
The British Athletics team captain, coached by Brian Doyle at the Sports Training Village, was roared on by a capacity crowd at the London Stadium as she raced in her fifth successive global final on Thursday.
She had a tough draw on the inside lane, though, and made a mistake on the bend as she came home in 55.71 in a race won by Korey Carter of the United States in 53.07.
“It was always going to be a tough final and I knew I was going into it ranked eighth but for me it wasn’t that great a race,” said Doyle, who had finished fifth and sixth in her previous World Championships finals in 2013 and 2015.
“I mucked up hurdle seven and made a bit of a mess of it, that’s the thing that has really annoyed me. If I’d finished eighth but nailed the race I would probably be OK with that but there was more there that I could have done.
“The consistency is there, in terms of getting to finals, but I just want to make that step up now and try to be somewhere other than eighth.”
Doyle will have another chance to push for a medal this weekend in the women’s 4x400m relay, along with fellow University-based athlete Emily Diamond. Both were part of the British quartet that won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“I feel in good shape going into the hurdles and hopefully all the other girls will bring it as well,” Doyle added. “I think we have a good chance of maybe doing something there.”
She is also looking forward to experiencing the London crowd once again, saying: “The support in the stadium and at home has been lovely, I have really appreciated it. The crowd out there are just so grateful and happy for us, and that means a lot.”
Sports Performance student Cameron Chalmers, coached by James Hillier and supported by a Thompson Education Trust Scholarship, will also hope to make his debut at a global championships this weekend in the men’s 4x400m relay.
He is in a British squad that also includes Sports Performance graduate Jack Green, who reached the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles earlier this week.
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