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Team GB's Shara Proctor qualifies for long jump final

 

Guy Aspin,Phil Casey
Tuesday 07 August 2012 22:13 BST
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August 7, 2012: Shara Proctor of Team GB leaps into the final of the long jump
August 7, 2012: Shara Proctor of Team GB leaps into the final of the long jump

Great Britain's Shara Proctor made swift work of qualifying for the final of the long jump at the Olympic Stadium tonight.

The Anguilla-born athlete leapt out to 6.83 metres with her first attempt of the night to secure automatic qualification.

The 23-year-old British record holder cannot compete for her native Anguilla at the Olympics because the Caribbean island does not have its own National Olympic Committee.

It is a British overseas territory and Florida-based Proctor has a British passport.

Proctor's jump was further than the winning mark at last year's World Championships and well clear of the automatic qualifying mark of 6.70m, establishing her as a medal contender.

But there was disappointment for Tiffany Porter in the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles as she could only finish fourth.

Racing in a loaded field alongside hot favourite Sally Pearson and with only the top two guaranteed to progress, the United States-born athlete's time of 12.79 seconds - the same as she ran in the heats yesterday - was not enough to take her through as a fastest loser.

The 24-year-old had been an injury doubt coming into the Games after she left the track at last month's Diamond League meeting at Crystal Palace in tears, a back injury having flared up.

But Proctor was understandably pleased with her impressive showing and targeting a medal.

"This is a dream come true," she said. "All I wanted to do was make it to the final, that was the hardest part.

"I did it, now I have to go back tomorrow, jump far and get a medal.

"I feel like I am in good shape. I want to go for seven metres, but I am not going after distance, I am just trying to get a medal and whatever it takes to get a medal, that's what I have to do.

"There is definitely more to come. I am ready to go and get a medal."

Andrew Osagie produced a hugely impressive run to qualify for the 800m final in second place behind world record holder David Rudisha of Kenya.

The world indoor bronze medallist got his tactics spot on and powered through down the home straight to finish in 1min 44.74secs.

More to follow...

PA

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