The Sudanese born 27-year-old gave himself the best chance of winning and led the world’s best athletes for most of the two lap contest. He was positioned well and when the pace wasn’t quick, he took up the running after 300 metres and pushed the field for the next 400m before being overtaken at the top of the home straight.  

With the finish line in sight, Bol knew the medals were gone but testament to his character he kept fighting and bravely held off the world’s best athletes to finish a fantastic fourth. 

Of course, he was disappointed because he had come to win. But he spoke so wonderfully after the race and his eyes lit up when he saw all his extended Sudanese family watching on from Perth. 

“I gave myself every chance. I think the only thing I regret is tightening up a little in that last 100,” Bol said to Channel 7 trackside. 

“I came here to win and that’s what I tried to do. And I came up short but it was the Olympic final and there’s more to come. 

“I’d be lying if I said I’m pretty happy right now. The goal was to win so we’ll need to reflect up on that. But at the same time, I didn’t know if I was going to win but I knew one thing for certain that the whole of Australia was watching and cheering me on. And I love that part about it. 

“I’m grateful, I’m thankful and to everyone in Australia we wanted to inspire the whole nation and that’s the goal.” 

Bol had become a household name, having broken the Australian record in the heat and semi-final in Tokyo. The expectation for something special was being felt around the country and he did not disappoint anyone. 

He was the first Australian finalist in this event at the Olympics for 53 years and in his first major championship final Bol almost added an Olympic medal to his wonderful story. Kenyan Korir won in 1:45.06 from countryman Rotich in 1:45.23. Dobek of Poland won bronze with 1:45.39. Bol was fourth in 1:45.92. His Australian record is 1:44.11, from the semi-final, but it was a totally different tactical race.  

Bol’s training partner Joseph Deng held the Australian record until this week. Along with Deng, their coach Justin Rinaldi and squad, Bol is proud that Australians are now mixing it with the best. 

“We are a nation of champions, we are courageous. We came here and did our thing at the same time. We can produce champions just like they can, we’re all humans at the end of the day. I respect the Kenyans, but I don’t fear them.” 

Hall and Hull into 1500m final, Hull breaks Hall’s Australian record 

Australia will have two finalists in the women’s 1500m for the first time at an Olympic Games. Jessica Hull and Linden Hall were superb in their semi-finals. Before Tokyo, Australia only had two previous finalists, Margaret Crowley in 1996 and Jenny Orr in 1972. Australia is the only nation to have two in the final. 

In semi-final 1, Jessica Hull not only qualified for the Olympic final but she broke the 4-miniute barrier for the first time and in smashing her personal best by 1.23 seconds to run 3:58.81, she broke the Australian Record held by Linden Hall (3:59.67) set in Melbourne in April. 

Hull pushed forward hard from the start and was positioned perfectly throughout. The pace was on and she managed to stay out of any pushing and shoving.  

She was thrilled to make the Olympic final at her first Games. 

“The last 100 metres wasn’t pretty, but I put myself in a great position for 1400 metres and I came away with the big Q (Qualified). I’m so stoked to be going through to the final,” Hull said. 

To run 3:58 and get back the Australian Record was icing on the cake. She knew she could do it in the right race. 

"I think since 2019 World Championships we knew I was ready to do it (dip under 4 minutes). Probably back then I was 3.59.99 and today I skipped the 3.59s and went straight to 3.58 and Pete (Julian) joked the other day that I was in 3.57 shape and 3.58 and 3.59 never needed to know. But today when talking to my dad, I said to him, ‘I feel like it’s 3.58 today’ and I think I spoke it into existence," Hull said. 

"I’ve been waiting for a race like this for so long now. I was so excited. Last year when I went to Europe, I was in better 3k, 5k shape and I was able to run a couple of good 15s, but this year I’ve stayed on the 15s, so to get the opportunity to race with these women, I was so excited. And I think when you know you’re ready – I wasn’t nervous today. I was just excited. I knew I was ready for this and I get to go out and see what I’m capable of." 

Hall became the first Australian to break the 4-minute barrier but tonight she was focused on being in the top five and seeking redemption after missing the Rio final by one place. 

The 30-year-old from Melbourne ran bravely and left nothing to chance by leading out the field through until the challenges started coming with 200 metres to run.  

Hall held her form under pressure and the pace she had set meant the flood of challenges didn’t eventuate. She was comfortably third in 4:01.37 - the disappointment from Rio five years ago was gone.  

“I was prepared to do a fair bit of leading, there wasn’t anyone that I knew would go to the front and hammer, and I’ve been doing that at home during the summer so why not do it at the Olympics,” Hall said. 

“I’d hoped to ease back for at least a lap or so, but it wasn’t to be. The excitement and the adrenalin kept me worked up, the first was quick so we had to be on if we wanted a chance at those time spots.” 

“My race motto was top five, stay alive – I’m still kicking so we’ll take it,” Hall joked. 

Heartbreaking injury for Gregson in steeplechase final 

There was devastation for Genevieve Gregson in the 3000m steeplechase final. On her 32nd birthday she was fighting on bravely in the closing stages and within reach of her goal of a top 10 finish, when she ruptured her right Achilles at the final water jump. She fell face down and was taken from the track in a wheelchair. 

Gregson made two Olympic finals at her second Games in Rio and she had trained so hard to improve on that ninth place from 2016. She had just missed her Australian record, set in 2016, at her last meet before the Olympics so she had done everything right to give herself the best chance of success. 

Gregson is extremely popular with teammates, competitors and fans. They are all wishing her a speedy recovery from this heartbreaking result.   

Moloney 2nd and Dubler 15th after great day of decathlon 

Ash Moloney, 21, is the youngest competitor in the men’s decathlon and after 5 of the 10 events he is sitting second with 4641 points, behind Canadian Damien Warner on 4722 points. Pierce Lepage (CAN) is sitting third with 4529pts and French world record holder Kevin Mayer is on 4340 in fifth.  

It was a personal best first day total for Moloney. In his first event he secured himself a new personal best of 10.34 in the 100m, followed by a 7.64m leap in the long jump and a 14.49m throw for the shot put. In the evening session he was the best in the high jump with 2.11m and he also won the 400m in 46.29 seconds.  

“It’s been a really bloody long day. It’s my first Olympics and the schedule is way out of my comfort zone. I’m used to bang, bang, bang – next event, next event, next event. Having a break during the day has been kind of refreshing actually. I can kind of turn off and have a half day. It’s been an awesome day,” Moloney said. 

“I’m going to really need to pick up on day 2 to keep that place.” 

His training partner Cedric Dubler came into Tokyo battling a hamstring injury however the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist also had a strong day and looks poised to improve on his 14th from Rio 2016.  

Dubler’s best performance thus far has been his 13.35m shot put - a personal best for the 26-year-old. He also performed well in high jump 2.05m and wasn’t far off his best. 

It is a testament to Dubler that he made it to the start line and was able to produce such a strong day. 

“It’s been an interesting two and a half weeks since I tore my hamstring and just to get here was quite a surprise,” Dubler said. 

“We’ve just been ticking off one event after the other and we’re still in one piece so we’re happy. 

“The hurdles is going to be the real test depending on how I wake up in the morning and if I have range in the hamstring at all. So that’s going to be the main test and after that it should be pretty free-flowing if I can get through safely.” 

The final decathlon events on Thursday are the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1500m. 

Andrew Reid with Cody Lynch, Sascha Ryner and David Tarbotton