London 2012 Olympics: McConnell and Child do their bit as GB reach 4x400m final

The home quartet, in which Shana Cox and Christine Ohuruogu joined the two Scots, came third in their semi-final behind the United States and Russia, and were also third fastest overall, increasing their hopes of claiming a medal this evening.

Running the opening leg in lane eight, just outside the USA, Cox handed over to McConnell in a bunch behind the two eventual qualifiers. McConnell came out of the stagger fourth but quickly raced up to second. She was then pegged back by the Americans, but handed over to Child in third place with a decent safety margin ahead of the chasing pack.

Finding herself 15m down on the leading pair, Child knew her leg was about securing the third place that would mean automatic qualification for the final, and she handed over to individual silver medallist Ohuruogu with a solid lead. The Czech Republic’s anchor-leg runner closed down on Ohuruogu on the back straight, but the Londoner paced herself well and had the strength to maintain her lead with little bother.

The British were third in 3mins 25.05secs, behind the USA’s 3:22.09 and Russia’s 3:23.11. The first semi-final was won easily by Jamaica in 3:25.13, and the Caribbeans look the biggest threat to the home team’s hopes of a medal.

Ukraine and France were the other automatic qualifiers from the second semi, while the Czechs and Nigeria came through as fastest losers. “It was just a case of getting it round safely and securing that spot for tomorrow,” Child said. So job done, really. “Obviously I was a bit disappointed after [the hurdles] so it was nice to come out and be part of such a great team.”

It is probably the only chance that Child will get to have another run here, as Perri Shakes-Drayton, who ran faster than her in the 400m hurdles, is likely to take her place. “We kind of roughly know that they’re going to bring in Perri, and it’s just a case of who they think is going to be most influential in the team,” said Child.

McConnell, who has spent much of her career either anchoring or leading off the relay, said she had liked the variety offered by taking over for the second leg, in which the first 100m are still run in lanes before competitors break for the inside. “I enjoyed it,” she said. “First time on the second leg, so it was a new experience. There was a lot of barging going into the change, but it was good fun. The 4x400 can always be pretty messy, and a little bit unpredictable, so if we run a good race we can hopefully take our chance.”