Warholm Leads Favourites Into 400m Hurdles Final

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Aug, 2024) Defending champion Karsten Warholm safely progressed to the final of the men's Olympic 400m hurdles after winning his semi-final at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

Warholm, who set the world record when winning gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games, clocked 47.67sec in front of a 69,000-capacity crowd.

The three-time world champion will be joined by unknown French hurdler Clement Ducos, currently based at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Ducos deprived Brazilian Alison Dos Santos of the second automatic qualifying spot in the first of the three semis.

"I got the race that I wanted," said Warholm. "I had control over the race. I saw Dos Santos got third - that is a bit surprising."

Ducos said of racing Warholm: "I love to compete against him. I grew up watching his races. So to be here right next to him means a lot."

The support from the French crowd, the 23-year-old added, was "amazing, I can't describe it. It touches my heart for real".

Turning to the final, Ducos said: "I don't really have any strategy. I am just going to try and keep my stride as long as I can.

"I think I can get a medal. Since the beginning of the season I have dreamed of it. I pushed myself really hard.

"Racing against Warholm is another level, but that is what I need to aim for.

"

Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands won the second semi in 48.15sec ahead of Estonia's Rasmus Magi.

American Rai Benjamin, perhaps Warholm's main rival for the Olympic crown, won the third and final semi easily in 47.85sec ahead of Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke.

- Go, take it -

Benjamin, who won silver behind Warholm in Tokyo, as well as two silvers and a bronze at the last three world championships, eased up 30 metres from the line.

"You've got to go take it," Benjamin said of the final. "No one's going to run slow, or give it to me.

"I've just got to go run my race pattern and I'll be good. I'm confident, but I've got to do it when it counts."

Qualifying for the final as the next two fastest finishers were Dos Santos, who claimed bronze in Tokyo, and Qatar's Abderrahman Samba.

"I need to watch what happened and rewatch it again. I need to talk to my coach and to myself, have a moment and understand what is going on," said Dos Santos.

"I am in the final now, and I am still fighting for the medal, that's it.

"The eight guys in the final are there for the medal and everyone can get it. It is really open. I am just happy, excited, mad and will try to understand the emotions happening right now."

The final is slated for 1945 GMT on Friday.