Round 1 of Women's 800 M in the Books: How Do You See it Now?

Bishop injured her hamstring last week so wasnt 100%

My first impression of Mu wasn't that great - but I re-watched and changed my opinion. She did what she needed to and it looked like a classic race with the best runner going at 85% and trying to gauge how to use as little energy as possible to stay ahead of others giving 100%. I think in faster races she will only look and get even better. She will make the final.

Of the US trio, Rogers looked the best in that first round - she showed the acceleration and power that you really need to (as much as you can in the 800m) guarantee a path through the semi to the final. She always is a little iffy positioning wise but if she get's this right in the semi, making the final is of no concern.

Wilson I don't see making the final and I think she made it far more difficult than it should have been. She got caught sleeping in the most important part of the race and then made hard work of covering at least 2 of the 3 athletes ahead of her that she should have done easily. The Doha final changed her. Prior to that she was assertive and aggressive in her tactics which was running from the front and controlling the pace. Failing in Doha doing that made her (unnecessarily) change this up but she doesn't have the acceleration or awareness to be floating up and down the field in the pack. I suspect this will be exposed in the semi-final.

well, yep

Prediction:

1. Mu

2. Reekie

3. Goule

4. Hodgkinson

5. Rodgers

6. Alemu

7. Wang

8. Bell

Mu for the win!