No Kenyans in 800m finals as Moraa misses mark in semi-finals

Mary Moraa winning the 800m Women race during the national trials for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games at The Moi International Sports Stadium, Kasarani, June 19, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

There will be no Kenyans in the 800m final after Mary Moraa failed to qualify despite a good run in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Moraa, who was battling a lone battle after Eunice Sum and Emily Tuei were eliminated in the heats on Friday finished in third place in the first semi-final after clocking 2:00.47 and was forced to wait to know if she was among the two fastest losers after the three semi-finals.

Moraa, a former 400m specialist was however not disappointed, pointing out that it was a good experience for her in Tokyo.

“It is my first 800m race at a major global event and reaching the semi-finals is a big achievement for me. I am going back home to look at where I did not do well and rectify the mistakes before other global events like the World Championships,” Moraa said.

Briton Alexandra Bell, however ran 1:58.83 in semi-final two in third place with Switzerland’s Lore Hoffman finishing fourth in the same heat in 1:59.38 and even fifth placed Renele Lamotte was still faster than Moraa.

The top two runners in each semi-final qualify for the final plus another two fastest losers from the three semi-finals.