Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Laura Muir believes she can keep her place on the Olympic podium in Paris despite finishing sixth in the women’s 1500m at the World Championships.
The 30-year-old fell short of the podium as Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon won her third world title over the distance.
Despite this, Muir has successfully navigated a first coaching change in 12 years and is confident of building on her Tokyo silver medal next summer.
“The 1500 metres is crazier than ever at the moment but I feel like I’m still part of that,” said the Scot. “With sixth, I’m still in the mix.
“The Olympics is the big one and I want to get on that podium again and be a double Olympic medallist.”
Muir’s track record of peaking when it matters most saw her win medals at five successive major championships, a record that began with silver in Tokyo and ended in Budapest.
She has negotiated a year of personal upheaval having moved from Glasgow to Loughborough and started again under new coach Steve Vernon.
“Things changed very suddenly this year and after 12 years, nothing’s the same,” said Muir, who is supported by UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme’
“It’s been a lot to take in and it’s been very up and down. I’m in a really good place now and I’m excited for the future.”
There were three British athletes in the women’s 1500m final, more than any other nation with middle-distance giants Kenya and Ethiopia only qualifying two.
World record holder Kipyegon won gold in a brilliant 3:54.87, with bronze giving Sifan Hassan gaining a measure of retribution for her 10,000m fall and Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji taking silver.
Kipyegon’s bid to do the 1,500m and 5,000m double - a feat never before achieved by a woman at any Worlds or Olympics - continues with the 5,000m heats this evening.
Earlier, Matt Hudson-Smith took down the 36-year-old European men’s 400m record with an astounding semi-final run.
The Wolverhampton star, who has had a stop-start season, clocked 44.33s to bring down German Thomas Schonlebe’s record.
Hudson-Smith will be aiming for no less than a medal in tomorrow's final, particularly after Olympic champion Steven Gardiner pulled up injured in his semi-final.
“I will be happy when I get that medal, as for (the record), that is just job done,” he said.
“Coach told me to execute 300 and make sure the job was done, and then when I knew I was clear, I was saving something for the final, and I did that. I just need to get that medal now.”
:: National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments