Athletics: Child has a medal chance if she nails it

Published on Wednesday 28 July 2010 12:51

Eilidh CHILD will challenge for a medal in tomorrow's 400m hurdles final at the European Championships, but the Scot once again did things the hard way.

The 23-year-old suffered an agonising wait last night after finishing fourth in the first semi-final - only the first three athletes' home progressed automatically - before hearing she had made it through as a fastest qualifier.

Child produced a 55.27 second performance, better than her 55.82 in the heats but the Scot admits she'll need to raise her game further to challenge for medals.

Fellow Brit Perri Shakes-Drayton qualified automatically in the second semi-final.

"I'm a little disappointed to be honest - I wanted to take third and get one of the automatic spots but I knew it would be tough to qualify," said Child.

"I've not got my last hurdles right yet at all - in the heat I messed the last two and I did that again. I ran the first eight okay but then I stuttered before nine and ten and that's what lost it. If I'd finished fourth and ran a smooth race then, fair enough, but it's because I know what I did wrong that makes it frustrating."

Child, who finished second at last year's European under-23 championships, was a relieved athlete trackside after the fourth and fifth placed finishers in the second semi-final failed to eclipse her time.

The final looks to be anyone's but Child knows she must improve. "I would have been very disappointed if I'd have not got through because it was my fault and I should have done better in the home straight," added Child.

"I was in a good position coming off the bend but it's amazing how much ground you lose when you stutter. I should have just attacked it.

"If people are attacking the hurdles and you are stuttering they are just going to come away from you. I know I need to keep improving."

Meanwhile, Lee McConnell was left speechless after crashing out in the semi-finals of the 400m. The 31-year-old Glaswegian finished fourth in the first of three semi-finals, fading dramatically down the back straight in 53.15 seconds.

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