2017 IAAF World ChampionshipsAug 9, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Colleen Quigley Disqualified After Making Steeplechase Final
Colleen Quigley Disqualified After Making Steeplechase Final
Colleen Quigley is disqualified from the first heat of the steeplechase prelims after achieving an auto qualifier to the final.
American Colleen Quigley was disqualified from the first heat of the steeplechase prelims today at the IAAF World Championships in London after finishing in third -- an automatic qualifying spot to the final -- for stepping on the white line that distinguishes the infield from the first lane. A replay of the race video reveals that she stepped on the line while coming out of the water barrier on two separate occasions.
Quigley had finished third in 9:40 just behind Gesa Krause of Germany and Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi of Kenya, the defending world champion. She edged out Kenya's Purity Cherotich Kirui, who is now listed as the final auto qualifier from the first heat.
"[There were] a couple Kenyans up front just blocking everybody," Quigley said immediately after the race of the slow early pace . "It ended up being a 400m steeplechase race which is kind of fun! It's fun to steeple when you're running fast. I knew I had a good last 400m so I felt good about that."
A few minutes later, her status in the official results was switched from 'Qualified' to 'Disqualified."
At 1:47 PM CT, USATF tweeted that the disqualification will stand. Lewis Johnson of NBC reported on the live feed that USATF officials watched the video replay and did not file an official protest as it was obvious Quigley had stepped on the line.
Americans Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs both advanced to the final automatically by placing second and third in their respective heats.
After her race in heat three, U.S. champion and Olympic bronze medalist Coburn said that the athletes were not allowed to watch the prior heats from the call room so she was running "blind" in regards to pace needed to make the final. She also seemed unaware of Quigley's disqualification.
"I was just guessing," she said.
Apparently Quigley stepped on the line after the water jump #London2017 https://t.co/X7mLlCCLOp pic.twitter.com/63vv42SZHL
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 9, 2017
more screenshots: #QuigleyDQ #London2017 https://t.co/X7mLlCCLOp pic.twitter.com/TI1B4dp59u
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 9, 2017
Quigley had finished third in 9:40 just behind Gesa Krause of Germany and Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi of Kenya, the defending world champion. She edged out Kenya's Purity Cherotich Kirui, who is now listed as the final auto qualifier from the first heat.
"[There were] a couple Kenyans up front just blocking everybody," Quigley said immediately after the race of the slow early pace . "It ended up being a 400m steeplechase race which is kind of fun! It's fun to steeple when you're running fast. I knew I had a good last 400m so I felt good about that."
A few minutes later, her status in the official results was switched from 'Qualified' to 'Disqualified."
At 1:47 PM CT, USATF tweeted that the disqualification will stand. Lewis Johnson of NBC reported on the live feed that USATF officials watched the video replay and did not file an official protest as it was obvious Quigley had stepped on the line.
After video review, Quigley did step on the line on the curve & gained advantage. Video referee upheld ruling on the field. DQ stands.
— USATF (@usatf) August 9, 2017
Americans Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs both advanced to the final automatically by placing second and third in their respective heats.
After her race in heat three, U.S. champion and Olympic bronze medalist Coburn said that the athletes were not allowed to watch the prior heats from the call room so she was running "blind" in regards to pace needed to make the final. She also seemed unaware of Quigley's disqualification.
"I was just guessing," she said.
Women's 3K Steeplechase finalists:
| RANK | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beatrice Chepkoech | Kenya | 9:19.03Q |
| 2 | Ruth Jebet | Bahrain | 9:19.52Q |
| 3 | Courtney Frerichs | USA | 9:25.14Q |
| 4 | Celliphine Chepteek Chespol | Kenya | 9:27.35Q |
| 5 | Emma Coburn | USA | 9:27.42Q |
| 6 | Genevieve LaCaze | Australia | 9:27.53Q |
| 7 | Aisha Praught | Jamaica | 9:26.37q |
| 8 | Winfred Yavi | Bahrain | 9:28.00q |
| 9 | Genevieve Lalonde | Canada | 9:31.81q |
| 10 | Etenesh Diro | Ethiopia | 9:31.87q |
| 11 | Birtukan Fente | Ethiopia | 9:33.99q |
| 12 | Belén Casetta | Argentina | 9:35.78q |
| 13 | Gesa Felicitas Krause | Germany | 9:39.86Q |
| 14 | Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi | Kenya | 9:39.89Q |
| 15 | Purity Cherotich Kirui | Kenya | 9:40.53Q |