Mohamad ALGARNI (QAT)1st in heat 1 3:41.99
For me , it was easy, but it was too fast from the beginning. The Kenyan guys all went fast, but I was following, and I kicked in the last 100m. I’m looking for a good final, for a gold medal.
My plan was to just follow the guys and kick in the last 300.
I had a good year. I have world leading times in the 1500 and 800 and I’m going for a double and also running the 800.
I ran both before at the Arab Championships and Asian Championships, which was two weeks ago in Vietnam. I won two gold medals there and also at the Arab Championships, two gold medals.
Hillary Kipkorir Maiyo, KENYA - 1st in HEAT 1, later disqualified – 3:51.54
The race was nice but very tough. I’m going to have to be very strong. That guy who was following me was very strong. It might be a hard one.
John Paul Mallette – 7th in HEAT 1 – 3:45.57 (PB)
A personal best so I can’t complain. I was hoping to get that final spot maybe on time but it just wasn’t my day I guess. The race went real fast. I’ve never run in a race that fast. I waited towards the back kind of out of trouble. Saw one guy go by me and it was a little rough. An extra half step maybe and it may have been different. But a PB , I’m happy, especially in a championship tactical race like this.
Mohamed BEN EL SAGHIR (MAR) 1st in HEAT 2 – 3:41.99
I’m very happy to have won that qualification round.
The race was very fast for the athletes.
Jeremy Rae, Canada 5th in HEAT 2 (3:47.99)
I got too far in the back. I tried to make it up with a lap to go, but there was too much ground to make up. I felt really good with one to go but I think I was running too wide on the corners; by the time I hit the last straight I was pretty exhausted.
The only thing I'm frustrated about is that I let one guy get past me right at the line. You don't like getting passed in the last hundred.
I can't be disappointed, these guys are all awesome.
I was just hoping it would go fast, but once we saw the first heat go 3:41, it was, like, "uh, oh." When we came through in 61 (seconds), I thought, "well, I guess we're running for place."
My only plan was to try to kick hard. I felt like I did, but these guys have better kicks than I do.
I was surprised down the backstretch, when I was really closing on everybody. With 150 to go, I came up on the leaders and I felt like I had a burst of energy and almost took the lead. But once we got around the corner, I had to run in Lane 3, which was too much.
Caleb Mwangangi NDIKU (KEN) 1st in HEAT 3 – 3:42.32
It was not easy but with God’s power, I’ve won it, and I believe the same will happen during the final.
I won the World Cross Country junior Championships and similarly, last year I was position two at the World Youth Championships in Italy and God has been with me and I believe in Him.
Brett Robinson, Australia – 3rd in HEAT 3 – 3:43.67
I felt good in the warm-up. I was still a little bit tired. My time is three-tenths off my personal best. Felt pretty good. Got pretty rough. Was a lot of pushing around but I was ready for any movement. To get ready for the final, I will go home, eat well, get some sleep.
UPDATE
Heat 3/3
Zebene Alemayehu (ETH) pulled up with an injury during Heat 3 and had to be helped off the field. He was treated for a sprained ankle at the on-site Poly Clinic by Chief Medical Officer Jeff Pike, and is doing well.