Ollie wins Comm Games 1500m heat – Fastest qualifier for final
Ollie Hoare was in sparkling form as he won his heat and secured a spot as the fastest qualifier for the Commonwealth Games 1500m final.
The 25-year-old Trinitarian has a point to prove after missing out on a finals berth in the just-completed world championships in Oregon.
He was all business as he quickly established himself in the leading group from the outside lane in the first of two heats in Birmingham.
He moved into second place at the halfway mark, and stayed there until the final straight, when he clicked into top gear and won comfortably ahead of Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya and pace-setter Jake Heyward of Wales.
Hoare cruised home in a time of 3m 37.57s, some five seconds outside his personal best, but was the quickest of all 12 qualifiers for Saturday’s final at 10.10pm Sydney time.
The Class of 2015 runner, a 1500m finalist at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, is attempting to become the first Australian since Herb Elliott in 1958 to win the men’s 1500m or mile event at the Commonwealth Games.
