Stephanie Reilly turned in a plucky performance today in the second qualifying heat of the women’s Olympic steeplechase competition but her 9th placing in 9:44.77 was not good enough to advance to the semi-final.

Reilly looked fluent over the early laps but struggled over the final 800 meters. The heat was won by Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia in 9:25.42. Felicitas Gesa Krause of Germany won the first heat in 9:24.91 and the third qualifying heat was won by Hiwot of Ethiopia in 9:24.01.

“I’m happy and at the same time a little disappointed, “ Stephanie Reilly said. “I tied up in the last 600 meters. I went for it and I feel that I am in well under nine minutes 40 seconds shape and I could have done with having a few more steeplechase races before the Olympics. I know that I am in good shape and I am a little bit disappointed that I did not get to prove that here today. I gave it absolutely everything I had I went out trying to get a personal best and on another day it could have panned out for me.”

Earlier in the day there was real dissapointment for Tori Pena who failed to record a measure going out at 4.10m in the Pole Vault.