ATHLETICS: Brooke Stratton may have been the only person in Rio’s Olympic Stadium tonight who did not watch Usain Bolt streak to victory in his 200m semi-final.

The Australian long jumper was about to launch her second last leap into the sandpit when the world’s greatest sprinter was getting into the blocks nearby to strut his stuff.

She decided to wait until the Bolt hullabaloo was all over before continuing – and Bolt being Bolt, she didn’t have to wait long.

“He’s an incredible athlete but no, I didn’t watch. I just composed myself,” Stratton said.

She was unable to improve on her best jump of 6.74 metres, however, and had to settle for seventh place in the women’s long jump.

The 23-year-old Melbourne athlete went into these Olympics as the third best in the world this year, with 7.05m, making her a genuine contender to become Australia’s first female medallist in the event.

But she could not replicate that form, although she made the cut when the field was reduced from 12 to the final eight jumpers with 6.69m on her third jump.

She bettered that with 6.74m on her fourth attempt, which at that point put her in sixth position.

Victory went to American Tianna Bartoletta with a personal best of 7.17m on her second last jump.

The silver medal went to fellow American and defending Olympic champion Britney Reese, with 7.15m, and bronze to Serbian Ivana Spanovic on 7.08m, also a personal best.

“I would have liked to jump a little bit better but I gave everything I had in me and 6.74 was the best I could do,” Stratton said.

“I would have had to jump a personal best to medal. I’ve only gone over seven metres once, so I can’t expect to do that every time.

“I’m only 23 so hopefully I will be at the next Olympics, and I definitely know there’s more to come.”

Stratton said she had learned some valuable lessons from her “amazing” Olympic debut in Rio.

“I learned I belong out there and that I can match it with the best jumpers in the world,” she said.

Doug Conway

olympics.com.au