Kallur falls at first hurdle
Swedish medal hopeful Susanna Kallur has tumbled out of the Olympic Games after falling at the first hurdle in Monday's 100 metre hurdles semi-final in Beijing.
Kallur - one of Sweden's biggest Olympics hopes - left the arena in tears after failing to qualify for the final.
"I didn't have a chance to think. I was a little too close, couldn't get my leg over - and fell down. I was unlucky, but I will carry on for another four years", she told public television broadcaster SVT.
American Lolo Jones won the first semi-final heat. The gold favourite's time of 12.43 seconds was a personal best and the best time recorded by any female hurdler so far this year.
Jamaicans Delloreen Ennis-London, second at the 2005 worlds and third at last year's worlds, and Bridgitte Foster-Hylton advanced to the final but Kallur's fall ended hopes of another Jamaican sweep.
Neighbouring Vonnette Dixon was thrown off stride when Kallur stumbled over the first hurdle. The Jamaican struck her fourth hurdle and finished fifth in 12.86, .02 behind Britain's Sarah Claxton for the last spot in the finals.
Commonwealth Games champion Foster-Hylton hesitated when Kallur tumbled but still hung onto third place and a finals spot.
"I paused when Susanna went down. I was aware that somebody had fallen and I paused slightly," Foster-Hylton said. "I feel sorry for her. But that's sport. Bad things happen. She will come back from this."
Kallur has battled hamstring injuries this season but is confident she can bounce back.
"I hope I will be back on the track in a few weeks. It's not as bad (physically) as it is mentally," Kallur said. "I guess I tried too much. I wanted to run too fast."
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Kallur - one of Sweden's biggest Olympics hopes - left the arena in tears after failing to qualify for the final.
"I didn't have a chance to think. I was a little too close, couldn't get my leg over - and fell down. I was unlucky, but I will carry on for another four years", she told public television broadcaster SVT.
American Lolo Jones won the first semi-final heat. The gold favourite's time of 12.43 seconds was a personal best and the best time recorded by any female hurdler so far this year.
Jamaicans Delloreen Ennis-London, second at the 2005 worlds and third at last year's worlds, and Bridgitte Foster-Hylton advanced to the final but Kallur's fall ended hopes of another Jamaican sweep.
Neighbouring Vonnette Dixon was thrown off stride when Kallur stumbled over the first hurdle. The Jamaican struck her fourth hurdle and finished fifth in 12.86, .02 behind Britain's Sarah Claxton for the last spot in the finals.
Commonwealth Games champion Foster-Hylton hesitated when Kallur tumbled but still hung onto third place and a finals spot.
"I paused when Susanna went down. I was aware that somebody had fallen and I paused slightly," Foster-Hylton said. "I feel sorry for her. But that's sport. Bad things happen. She will come back from this."
Kallur has battled hamstring injuries this season but is confident she can bounce back.
"I hope I will be back on the track in a few weeks. It's not as bad (physically) as it is mentally," Kallur said. "I guess I tried too much. I wanted to run too fast."
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