Princeton University Athletics
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Tokyo Olympics: Lizzie Bird ’17 Sets National Record in Steeplechase Final
August 04, 2021 | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
TOKYO – Princeton University Cross Country/Track & Field alumna Lizzie Bird '17 made history at the Tokyo Olympics Wednesday morning, becoming the first British woman to compete in an Olympic final of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, in a race that saw her set a new national record.
Bird finished ninth overall, and her time of 9:19.68 broke her previous national record of 9:22.80, set at the Monaco Diamond League Meet on July 12.
She becomes the second Princeton women's track & field alumna to earn a top-10 finish at the Olympics in as many days, as Julia Ratcliffe finished ninth in the hammer throw on August 3.
In her heat, Bird finished fifth with a time of 9:24.24, which earned her a spot in the final.
At Princeton, 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 finished ninth overall, and her time of 9:19.68 broke her previous national record of 9:22.80, set at the Monaco Diamond League Meet on July 12.
She becomes the second Princeton women's track & field alumna to earn a top-10 finish at the Olympics in as many days, as Julia Ratcliffe finished ninth in the hammer throw on August 3.
In her heat, Bird finished fifth with a time of 9:24.24, which earned her a spot in the final.
At Princeton, 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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