| The world list was headed by Williams (53.28) and Johnson (53.29), but neither athlete had run quicker than 54.40 since June, while the enigmatic Pechonkina had won the Russian title at the end of July in 53.61. Also rounding into form was Rawlinson (née Pittman), the 2003 winner, who had won in Monaco on July 25 with 53.46. Williams had been the fastest in the heats, Rawlinson, Pechonkina and Jesie were the semi-final winners. Williams, in the outside lane, started fastest in the final, but soon faded, and the gold was fought out between Rawlinson and Pechonkina. The Australian was ahead of the Russian from the second hurdle on, and it was only at the last barrier that Pechonkina was able to close within 0.20 of Rawlinson. Showing great ability to run her best when it mattered, Rawlinson’s time was the second best of her life, the best coming when she won the 2003 title, and in doing so she tied Nezha Bidouane as the only athlete to win two 400 hurdles women’s titles, but still no-one has defended this title (or the women’s marathon) successfully. |
