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      Tokyo 2020: Watch Dutch runner Sifan Hassan FALL on final lap of 1,500m heat but somehow get back up to win race

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      DUTCH long-distance star Sifan Hassan remarkably won her 1,500m heat – despite FALLING on the final lap.Hassan, 28, got involved in a tangle of legs just after hearing the bell for the fourth lap at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
      Sifan Hassan fell to the track on the final lap of her 1,500m heat in TokyoCredit: Getty
      She got back up, composed herself and then overtook the rest of the field to winCredit: Reuters

      She was preparing to make her final dash from near the back of the group in the final 400m.
      When Kenya’s Edinah Jebitok took a tumble right in front of her, Hassan could not react in time and went down with her, rolling on the track.
      That left the Ethiopia-born Dutch runner at least 30m behind the leaders with 375m to go – and plenty of work to do.
      But 1,500m world champion Hassan did not feel sorry for herself and instead dusted herself down immediately then launched a staggering comeback.
      She blitz past the rest of the field – including Australia’s Jessica Hull and American Elle Purrier St. Pierre – to cross the line in first place in 4:05.17.
      And with it, Hassan booked her spot in the semi-finals for the 1,500m and kept alive her dream of a historic 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m athletics treble at the Tokyo Games.
      Former British 100m champion Jeanette Kwakye told the BBC: “There was a bit of panic, she got up and she started absolutely bombing it!
      “She loves the 1500m so she absolutely had to qualify by right, she didn’t want to do that much work, but the fall forced her to do so. It’s all still on for her.”
      One fan wrote on Twitter: “Sifan Hassan is….ready. I’ve never seen anything as impressive as that in a 1500 heat. Falls with 380 to go, rolls, loses 25-30 metres, gets up, still wins.”
      Another said: “Falling on the last lap of a 1500 is only a problem if your name isn’t Sifan Hassan.”
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      And a third added: “This is excellent. What a powerful life lesson.”
      British pair Laura Muir and Katie Snowden both secured their spots in the semi-finals.
      But there was heartbreak for fellow Team GB hopeful Revee Walcott-Nolan who just missed out as one of the fastest losers.
      Hassan lost around 30m on her rivals after the bell but showed true fighting spiritCredit: Getty
      Her dream of winning the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m gold medal remains aliveCredit: Reuters
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      Why is Usain Bolt not competing at Tokyo 2020 Olympics?

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      THE Tokyo Olympics is well underway – and we have a new 100m men’s champion.However, it won’t feel quite the same without Usain Bolt competing.
      Usain Bolt will be playing no part in this summer’s OlympicsCredit: Reuters
      Why isn’t Usain Bolt at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
      Usain Bolt will not be at the Tokyo Olympic Games because he has retired.
      The Jamaican, who would be competing in Tokyo at the age of 34 if he had continued, last raced at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
      There, he picked up a bronze medal after being beaten by American duo Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin.
      That marked the first time he had been beaten in a sprint final since the 4x100m relay at the 2007 World Championships.
      And in the 4x100m in London, Bolt pulled his hamstring and was carried over the line in agony by his Jamaican team-mates in his final ever race.
      Trayvon Bromell is favourite to win the men’s 100m in TokyoCredit: AFP
      A year later, Bolt attempted to live a lifelong dream of pursuing a career in football as he signed for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
      However, after eight weeks he was unable to agree a contract extension and said: “My sports life is over.”
      He added that it was “fun while it lasted,” saying he “really enjoyed just being in a team and it was [much] different from track and field.”
      Bolt concluded: “I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so I’m now moving into different businesses.
      “I have a lot of things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in everything and trying to be a businessman now.”
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      How many false starts are sprinters allowed in 100m? Rules explained for 200m, 400m, relay and hurdles at Olympics

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      SPRINTERS are allowed ZERO false starts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and if found guilty will be instantly disqualified – if they starter decides they’ve violated it.From January 2010 onward, the official track and field false start regulation indicated that any athlete starting within 100 milliseconds of the gun being fired would be disqualified from the race.
      Usain Bolt’s false start in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in South KoreaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      James Dasaolu holds head in hands after disqualification from 2016 World Indoor Championships, OregonCredit: Reuters
      Research has found that a reaction time faster than one-tenth of a second is impossible for a human, and the runner is therefore deemed to have anticipated the gun.
      On the ‘Track & Field 101: Rules’ on the Olympics website, it states: “If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the Starter’s gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.”
      How can they detect a false start?
      False start detection systems were introduced in 1979 and Omega’s false start detection system made its Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympics Games.
      In major athletics competitions, reaction times are currently detected using IAAF accredited false start detection systems.
      These systems determine athletes reaction time using encased accelerometers or force sensors fixed to the rear of the starting block rail to detect changes in force or acceleration exerted on the blocks through the feet.
      RT’s can now be instantly calculated accurately to 0.001 of a second, but for results, are recorded to the nearest 0.01 second.
      For athletics and specifically sprint athletes reaction times and overall sprint time detection methods have improved dramatically since the original 1896 Olympic Games.
      Were false starts previously allowed?
      Originally, before 2010, the “one-and-done” regulation was implemented meaning one false start per race in events up to 400 metres would be allowed rather than one false start per athlete as in the past.
      This means the athlete making the second false start of a race, breaking the accepted reaction time of 0.10 seconds, will be disqualified regardless of whether he or she was responsible for the first one.
      However, sprinters would often take advantage of the previous false start rules, purposely jumping the gun either to play mind games with their competition and set them on edge before the race or use the extra leniency to predict the gun and gain bonus milliseconds from their efforts.
      So, World Athletics just decided to just ban any false starts – it’s one and YOU’RE OUT.
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      Famous false starts at previous track and field events
      Usain Bolt
      At the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Usain Bolt, 100-meter world record holder, jumped the gun in the 100-meter final over a year after the new regulations had been put into place.
      Bolt walked off the track, head in hands, only to watch his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake take the gold.
      Usain Bolt after disqualification at 2011 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
      Jon Drummond
      Drummond’s infamous “I did not move!” plea after his disqualification at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris.
      Drummond protested his disqualification by storming into the infield, repeatedly yelling in front of officials and laying on the track.
      His tantrum delayed the 100-meter final by ONE HOUR. 
      A race official shows Jon Drummond the red card after his false start at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Linford Christie
      The 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion was disqualified under an even older false-start rule.

      Before 2003, any sprinter could false start once and get away with just a warning however Christie reacted early twice, delayed the competition and refused to leave the track.
      This was the first time a previous champion was unable to defend his title live on TV.
      Linford Christie walking back to his starting blocks after disqualification at the 1992 Barcelona gamesCredit: Reuters More

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      Why is Usain Bolt not competing at Tokyo 2020 Olympics and who’s favourite for men’s 100m?

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      THE Tokyo Olympics is here with no event more eagerly anticipated than the men’s 100m sprint.However, it won’t feel quite the same without Usain Bolt competing.
      Usain Bolt will be playing no part in this summer’s OlympicsCredit: Reuters
      Why isn’t Usain Bolt at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
      Usain Bolt will not be at the Tokyo Olympic Games because he has retired.
      The Jamaican, who would be competing in Tokyo at the age of 34 if he had continued, last raced at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
      There, he picked up a bronze medal after being beaten by American duo Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin.
      That marked the first time he had been beaten in a sprint final since the 4x100m relay at the 2007 World Championships.
      And in the 4x100m in London, Bolt pulled his hamstring and was carried over the line in agony by his Jamaican team-mates in his final ever race.
      Trayvon Bromell is favourite to win the men’s 100m in TokyoCredit: AFP
      A year later, Bolt attempted to live a lifelong dream of pursuing a career in football as he signed for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
      However, after eight weeks he was unable to agree a contract extension and said: “My sports life is over.”
      He added that it was “fun while it lasted,” saying he “really enjoyed just being in a team and it was [much] different from track and field.”
      Bolt concluded: “I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so I’m now moving into different businesses.
      “I have a lot of things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in everything and trying to be a businessman now.”
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      Who will win the 100m in Tokyo?
      American Trayvon Bromell is the favourite to take up Usain Bolt’s mantle as the fastest man on the planet.
      On Monday, July 19 the latest odds from Paddy Power were as follows:

      Trayvon Bromell (USA) Evens
      Ronnie Baker (USA) 7/2
      Akani Simbine (RSA) 9/2
      Andre De Graase (CAN) 5/1
      Fred Kerley (USA) 12/1
      Yohan Blake (JAM) 17/1
      Marcell Jacobs (ITA) 17/1
      Zharnel Hughes (GBR) 22/1 More

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      Simone Biles withdraws from Tokyo 2020 Olympic floor final due to ongoing mental health struggles and unsure

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      GYMNASTICS superstar Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday’s floor final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.The Team USA ace withdrew from the women’s team final and all-around final earlier this week after posting her lowest Olympic vault score in the opening rotation.
      Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday’s floor finalsCredit: AFP
      Biles, who has been struggling with her mental health during the tournament, then opted not to compete in the vault and uneven finals.
      And the 24-year-old has decided against taking part in the floor final.
      A USA Gymnastics tweet read: “Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week.
      “Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.”
      Following her surprising display in the opening rotation, Ohio’s Biles admitted she doesn’t ‘trust herself’ as much as she used to.
      She said: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health.
      “I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
      “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
      “I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.
      We’re all behind you, Simone.Gymnastics USA
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      “We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
      Biles, who is considered by many to be the greatest gymnast of all time, has received plenty of support from her fellow athletes.
      Some, however, have been critical of the American, who recently shared a video of herself landing on her back when attempting a twistie on social media.
      The accompanying caption read: “For anyone saying I quit. I didn’t quit, my mind and body are simply not in sync.
      “As you can see [in the video]. I don’t think you realize how hard this is on hard/competition surface.
      “Nor do I have to explain why I put health first. Physical health is mental health.”
      She added: “No, this was not happening before I left the USA.
      “It randomly started after prelims competition the very next morning.
      “By that time no an alternate was not allowed to be placed in my position for you ‘know it alls’.
      “We have four on a team for a reason. I chose not to continue team competition [and risk] losing a medal (of any color) for the girls/US.
      “Also for my own safety and health.”
      “COURAGEOUS”
      IOC president Thomas Bach has praised Biles for prioritising her mental health over personal and team glory, saying: “I can only say, you know, we are with her,
      “I must personally say I had the opportunity to at least briefly talk with her after the team competition.
      “I’m really admiring how she’s handling the situation. She admits to having this problem. This is already courageous.
      “Who one year ago would have admitted to say (they) have mental health problems?
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      “And at the same time then cheering on (her) team-mates.
      And then being there, and supporting when her successor is in the all-around final?
      “This is, you know, great human quality and this is Olympic spirit at its best.”
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      IOC boss praises Simone Biles for speaking up about mental health More

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      Why isn’t Usain Bolt competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and who is favourite for men’s 100m?

      by

      THE Tokyo Olympics is getting underway and no event will be more eagerly anticipated than the men’s 100m sprint.However, it won’t feel quite the same without Usain Bolt competing.
      Usain Bolt will be playing no part in this summer’s OlympicsCredit: Reuters
      Why isn’t Usain Bolt at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
      Usain Bolt will not be at the Tokyo Olympic Games because he has retired.
      The Jamaican, who would be competing in Tokyo at the age of 34 if he had continued, last raced at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
      There, he picked up a bronze medal after being beaten by American duo Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin.
      That marked the first time he had been beaten in a sprint final since the 4x100m relay at the 2007 World Championships.
      And in the 4x100m in London, Bolt pulled his hamstring and was carried over the line in agony by his Jamaican team-mates in his final ever race.
      Trayvon Bromell is favourite to win the men’s 100m in TokyoCredit: AFP
      A year later, Bolt attempted to live a lifelong dream of pursuing a career in football as he signed for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
      However, after eight weeks he was unable to agree a contract extension and said: “My sports life is over.”
      He added that it was “fun while it lasted,” saying he “really enjoyed just being in a team and it was [much] different from track and field.”
      Bolt concluded: “I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so I’m now moving into different businesses.
      “I have a lot of things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in everything and trying to be a businessman now.”
      BETTING SPECIAL – CLAIM £180 IN FREE BETS FOR THE OLYMPICS

      Who will win the 100m in Tokyo?
      American Trayvon Bromell is the favourite to take up Usain Bolt’s mantle as the fastest man on the planet.
      As of Monday, July 19 the latest odds from Paddy Power are as follows:

      Trayvon Bromell (USA) Evens
      Ronnie Baker (USA) 7/2
      Akani Simbine (RSA) 9/2
      Andre De Graase (CAN) 5/1
      Fred Kerley (USA) 12/1
      Yohan Blake (JAM) 17/1
      Marcell Jacobs (ITA) 17/1
      Zharnel Hughes (GBR) 22/1 More

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      How many false starts are sprinters allowed in the 100m? Rules explained for 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay at Olympics

      by

      SPRINTERS are allowed ZERO false starts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and if found guilty will be instantly disqualified – if they starter decides they’ve violated it.From January 2010 onward, the official track and field false start regulation indicated that any athlete starting within 100 milliseconds of the gun being fired would be disqualified from the race.
      Usain Bolt’s false start in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in South KoreaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      James Dasaolu holds head in hands after disqualification from 2016 World Indoor Championships, OregonCredit: Reuters
      Research has found that a reaction time faster than one-tenth of a second is impossible for a human, and the runner is therefore deemed to have anticipated the gun.
      On the ‘Track & Field 101: Rules’ on the Olympics website, it states: “If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the Starter’s gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.”
      How can they detect a false start?
      False start detection systems were introduced in 1979 and Omega’s false start detection system made its Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympics Games.
      In major athletics competitions, reaction times are currently detected using IAAF accredited false start detection systems.
      These systems determine athletes reaction time using encased accelerometers or force sensors fixed to the rear of the starting block rail to detect changes in force or acceleration exerted on the blocks through the feet.
      RT’s can now be instantly calculated accurately to 0.001 of a second, but for results, are recorded to the nearest 0.01 second.
      For athletics and specifically sprint athletes reaction times and overall sprint time detection methods have improved dramatically since the original 1896 Olympic Games.
      Were false starts previously allowed?
      Originally, before 2010, the “one-and-done” regulation was implemented meaning one false start per race in events up to 400 metres would be allowed rather than one false start per athlete as in the past.
      This means the athlete making the second false start of a race, breaking the accepted reaction time of 0.10 seconds, will be disqualified regardless of whether he or she was responsible for the first one.
      However, sprinters would often take advantage of the previous false start rules, purposely jumping the gun either to play mind games with their competition and set them on edge before the race or use the extra leniency to predict the gun and gain bonus milliseconds from their efforts.
      So, World Athletics just decided to just ban any false starts – it’s one and YOU’RE OUT.
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
      Famous false starts at previous track and field events
      Usain Bolt
      At the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Usain Bolt, 100-meter world record holder, jumped the gun in the 100-meter final over a year after the new regulations had been put into place.
      Bolt walked off the track, head in hands, only to watch his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake take the gold.
      Usain Bolt after disqualification at 2011 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
      Jon Drummond
      Drummond’s infamous “I did not move!” plea after his disqualification at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris.
      Drummond protested his disqualification by storming into the infield, repeatedly yelling in front of officials and laying on the track.
      His tantrum delayed the 100-meter final by ONE HOUR. 
      A race official shows Jon Drummond the red card after his false start at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Linford Christie
      The 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion was disqualified under an even older false-start rule.

      Before 2003, any sprinter could false start once and get away with just a warning however Christie reacted early twice, delayed the competition and refused to leave the track.
      This was the first time a previous champion was unable to defend his title live on TV.
      Linford Christie walking back to his starting blocks after disqualification at the 1992 Barcelona gamesCredit: Reuters More

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      Heartbreak for Team GB star Jessie Knight as she collides with first hurdle and out of Olympics following Covid hell

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      TEAM GB star Jessie Knight suffered Olympic heartbreak after falling at the first hurdle of her 400m heat.The 27-year-old’s Games got off to the worst possible start, when somebody on her flight tested positive for Covid-19 12 days ago.
      #GBR  Kneels before 1st hurdle Jessie knight. She okay. Not cool that this was a restart. She would have rocked it on the first start. First start called off for echo pic.twitter.com/bAerT2qLC6— G G (@tweetgregory) July 31, 2021

      Jessie Knight stumbled into the first hurdleCredit: AFP
      The Team GB star was left tearful on the groundCredit: AFP
      The 27-year-old was left devastatedCredit: Getty
      This meant that, upon arrival in Japan, Knight was forced to isolate.
      She could train once a day, but was denied freedom to roam the village and properly prepare for her event.
      And when the day finally came around for her to compete, it couldn’t have gone any worse.
      Knight tripped heading into the first hurdle, following an initial false start, hurtling straight into it.
      The heartbroken star was understandably a picture of anguish as she rose from the ground, her opposition disappearing into the distance.
      She was left in tears, and didn’t want to speak after her immense disappointment.
      A primary school teacher by trade, Knight had given up her job in order to chase her Olympic dream on a full-time basis.
      After her inauspicious arrival in Tokyo, Knight tried to make the best of things – joking that having all her food brought to her made her feel like royalty.
      But frustrated team-mate Zak Seddon, who was also having to isolate upon arrival, couldn’t help but having a pop at her doing so.
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      He wrote, in a now deleted social media post: “Article makes me so mad.
      “So undermining of us who are struggling with this situation, thrive off social interaction, and perform our best when we get the stimulus from the championship environment.”
      All hope is not lost for Knight, however, as she will be back competing the 4×400 women’s hurdles relay on Thursday.
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
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      £100,000 in prize money up for grabs
      £50million budget to build your best XI
      Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
      Click here to play for FREE
      Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store

      Jonny Brownlee shares his emotions after winning Triathlon mixed relay gold at Tokyo 2020 More