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Tokyo Olympics: Lizzie Bird '17 Advances to Steeplechase Final
July 31, 2021 | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
TOKYO – Princeton University women's cross country/track & field alumna Lizzie Bird '17 became the first British woman to advance to the final of the steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics, after advancing on time in the third heat Saturday inside Olympic Stadium.
Bird, who is representing Great Britain, earned a spot in the final after finishing in 9:24.34 in an extremely close heat where she finished fifth. The winner clocked in at 9:23.17 in a race that went down to the wire. Bird will compete in the final of the steeplechase at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 4, inside Olympic Stadium.
The British record holder in the steeplechase, Bird was an NCAA Honorable Mention All-America honoree in the steeplechase in 2015 and was a four-time NCAA Regional qualifier in the event. She was a two-time Ivy League champion in the steeplechase and part of the 4x800 team that won a conference title in 2017. Bird was also a NCAA Cross Country participant in 2015 and 2013 along with being an Ivy League Cross Country Champion in 2015. She currently holds the indoor school record in the mile along with top-five times in the steeplechase, the 3,000, the 4x800, the 4x1,5000 and a top-10 time in the 1,500.
Bird, who is representing Great Britain, earned a spot in the final after finishing in 9:24.34 in an extremely close heat where she finished fifth. The winner clocked in at 9:23.17 in a race that went down to the wire. Bird will compete in the final of the steeplechase at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 4, inside Olympic Stadium.
What a run, @lizziebird94 ??
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 1, 2021
The British Champion seals her place in the 3000m steeplechase final, clocking 9:24.34 in her heat.
?? Timetable and results: https://t.co/myzl0caNWj
?? Coverage on @BBCSport, @Eurosport_UK and @discoveryplusUK #Tokyo2020 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/4w7k2hvzHg
The British record holder in the steeplechase, Bird was an NCAA Honorable Mention All-America honoree in the steeplechase in 2015 and was a four-time NCAA Regional qualifier in the event. She was a two-time Ivy League champion in the steeplechase and part of the 4x800 team that won a conference title in 2017. Bird was also a NCAA Cross Country participant in 2015 and 2013 along with being an Ivy League Cross Country Champion in 2015. She currently holds the indoor school record in the mile along with top-five times in the steeplechase, the 3,000, the 4x800, the 4x1,5000 and a top-10 time in the 1,500.
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