Jessica Hull's Heartbreaking Near Miss at Diamond League 1500m Final
Jessica Hull suffered a stunning loss in the Diamond League 1500m final, finishing just behind the winner.
- • Jessica Hull led the 1500m race until 40 meters left.
- • Nelly Chepchirchir won by just three hundredths of a second.
- • Commentator Jacob Hård called Hull's finish shocking.
- • Hull won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
Key details
In a dramatic turn of events at the Diamond League women's 1500 meters final, Australian athlete Jessica Hull was on the verge of securing victory when she unexpectedly faltered in the final 40 meters of the race. Hull, who had led the race for a significant stretch, was overtaken by Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir, who clinched the win by an astonishing margin of just three hundredths of a second. Commentator Jacob Hård described Hull's near-victory as shocking, likening it to a nightmare where one cannot run toward the finish line.
Previously, Hull had enjoyed success in the event, having won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last summer, which added to the disappointment of this close loss. Following the women's race, Samuel Pihlström competed in the men's 1500 meters final, finishing with a notable time of 3:31.15, his second-fastest recorded time. Pihlström expressed dissatisfaction with his strategy, admitting he was too far behind the leading pack, which impacted his finishing position.
This turn of events not only highlights Hull's potential but also raises questions about her performance under pressure, contrasting sharply with her Olympic success.