Women’s 1500m heats
The elfin Romanian distance ace Gabriela Szabo, who won the 3000m at the 1995 and 1997 editions of this Championships may well win gold in the 1500m as well tomorrow, judging from her display today. Following the pace set by Maite Zuniga and Kutre Dulecha, Szabo kicked with 400m to go and stopped the clock at 4:14.99. Szabo’s toughest rival is likely to be her countrywoman Violeta Beclea-Szekely – the world’s fastest this year with 4:04.37 – who was the fastest heat winner in Maebashi with 4:07.66. Others to impress with their running were the Russian Olga Komyagina, a heat winner in 4:08.49, and Poland’s Lidia Chojecka – another winner with 4:08.71.
