Beijing: American 10,000 metres star Molly Huddle lost out on a world championships bronze medal on Monday after she slowed to celebrate too early and was pipped at the finish by her team mate.
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Huddle admitted it would ‘take a long time to get over’ after throwing her arms in the air, before being overtaken by Emily Infield.
“In that last half step, I just let up too much,” said a hugely disappointed Huddle.
“Emily was right there the whole time with just more momentum. She got that bronze. It’s going to take a long time to get over.
“I just didn’t want to mess up on the last lap and I did. I don’t know when that chance will come again.”
Infield’s was the first world championship medal for a non-African born runner in the women’s 10,000m since her compatriot Kara Goucher won bronze in Osaka in 2007.
“I just ran through the line,” she said. “I feel a little guilty because I feel like Molly let up a little. I don’t think she realised how close I was. I was just trying to run through the line. I’m really thrilled.”
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won a thrilling last lap sprint to claim the gold medal, beating Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka, who took sliver.
