How much did Team GB need Dai Greene to win?
It’s the first gold for Britain – a Welsh world champion, David ‘Dai’ Greene wins the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships.
What a day it’s been.
Dai Greene – European champion, who shaves his head to scare his rivals – credited his victory to one of his team mates – less than half an hour earlier, Hannah England who unexpectedly won silver in the 1500.
Greene excitedly tweeted his fans shortly after winning:
And not before time. The tough talking British head coach has excoriated his team for not believing – the time to start delivering is now. It is all about confidence now.
Today’s results – lining up in a tough heat against South Africa and Oscar Pistorius in the 4×400, GB’s men persevered to the end, qualifying for the final as fastest losers.
All three British women progressing in the 800m – including an electric run from Jenny Meadows.
Chris Tomlinson – although with strapping on his knee – made it to the long jump final.
Goldie Sayers doing enough to stay in the javelin and 39-year-old Yamile Aldama coming fifth in the triple jump.
And of course Mo Farah, who came so so close to that gold in the 10,000m last Saturday – breezing through the heats of the 5,000m.
Farah is one of four Brits who were in the frame for a win. Today former 5,000m world record holder David Moorcroft told Channel 4 News that Mo was the “real deal”.
The official GB target was to come away with one gold, seven medals in all, and a total of 15 athletes finishing within touching distance of the podium.
With possibly two gold medal prospects to come, GB have won:
One gold, three silvers, one bronze, and two fifth places.
It’s a shot in the arm for Team GB with three days left to go.
Dai Greene knew he had won gold. He still dipped for the line.
If the coach is looking for a talisman, Greene is it.
