Derval O’Rourke qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s 100 metres hurdles at the Olympic stadium in London this morning. The 31 year old Cork woman finished fourth in Heat Four but her time of 12.91 was the fastest of those who did not automatically qualify by finishing in the top three paces in each heat.
Her time of 12.91 was the 12th fastest of those who have qualified for the semi-finals headed by the Australian phenomenon Sally Pearson. There was heartbreak though for the second quickest women in the world over hurdles this year Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster Hilton who clipped a hurdle and finished last in her heat, won by American Lolo Jones. The semi-finals takes place tomorrow evening (7.15) with the final at 9.0pm that night.
O’Rourke admitted: “I am pleased. The start was good (but) the middle was a tiny bit ropey. I lost concentration perhaps and the end, I still fought but I know there’s a lot more there so it’s all good.
“I looked at my heat and it’s top three to go through and I knew there was about five of us that could be top three so I was just thinking ‘get out as fast as you can and then keep going’ but I lost maybe a tiny bit of concentration. Hopefully that will not happen again.”
She added: “I wouldn’t say difficult (responding to the suggestion that she has had a difficult season). I would say challenging but challenging is fine with me. People have to remember that I’m pretty tough so whatever’s thrown at me I will be absolutely fine and I will fight back: so for me, I’m just like ‘Bring it on.’
