Sarah Lavin became the first Irish athlete in 12 years to reach a World Indoor Athletics Championship final on Saturday.
The Limerick athlete finished seventh in the 60m hurdles final in Belgrade. The 27-year-old twice broke her personal best in getting to the final, running 8.03 seconds in the heat, and then 7.97 as she finished second in the semi-final.
We're not crying, you're crying 🥲
Cyréna Samba-Mayela 🇫🇷 storms to 60m hurdles gold in a national indoor record time of 7.78 in Belgrade ✨#WorldIndoorChamps pic.twitter.com/QZX49tSWJ8— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 19, 2022
"Honestly, I've been on such a rollercoaster today," she told RTÉ after the final.
"To put out 8.09, I was doing 8.03 in the heat and then [7.97 in the semi-final]...
"I still have to be immensely proud of today. Seventh in the world. I felt a sub-7.90 would make the podium. I thought maybe I could squeeze a 7.95 - 7.95, I don't know. Obviously, as an athlete, you're optimistic at all times because you have to be.
"I want a major medal and for that to happen you have to be in a global final first. It’s my first global final as a senior athlete, I’m proud."
Coincidentally, it was David Gillick - who was the last Irish athlete to reach a world indoor final in Doha in 2010 - conducting the interview for RTÉ.
France's Cyréna Samba-Mayela (7.78) won gold ahead of Devynne Charlton (7.81) of the Bahamas in second and Gabriele Cunningham (7.87) of the USA in third.
"I have to be immensely proud... I mean, seventh in the world..." - Sarah Lavin has had a brilliant day in Belgrade. She spoke to @DavidGillick after her 60m hurdles World Indoor final #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/s3ntyZ4GZx
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 19, 2022
Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
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