If you’re wondering what THE event to watch at the Olympic Games in just a few weeks, I’m telling you now: it’s going to be the 1500m. And one runner you’re going to want to keep your eyes on is Australian Jessica Hull.
Just five days after running the fifth-fastest 1500m of all time, setting an Australian national record, and placing second just behind Faith Kipyegon as she set a new world record, Hull wrote her own name in the history books. Hull clocked 5:19.70 in the 2000m at the Monaco Diamond League to set her own world record.
Hull broke the previous record of 5:21.56, set by Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba three years ago, by almost two seconds.
Although the 2000m is not an Olympic event, Hull will be heading to Paris for her second Olympic Games, representing Australia in the 1500m.
“I ran at a different pace and level of fatigue I have never been before,” Hull said. “It was incredible; when I was on my own in the last lap, everyone was cheering for me. It is amazing to be called a world record holder now.”
Hull won the race by 6.4 seconds, with Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant finishing with a British record of 5:26.08. Edinah Jebitok rounded out the podium with a Kenyan record of 5:26.09.
“I ran hard for this record; I worked extremely hard for this, too. There are for sure some women who can run that 5:19, but for now, I have my place in the history books.”
In her last Olympic Games, Hull finished 11th in the 1500m. However, following a week of record-setting performances, she will be hoping to improve on the and surely will be eyeing a spot on the podium.
