24.08.2009

Berlin Day 9 - Evening session - LIVE

Collis Birmingham and the Australian 4x400m relay team are in action on the ninth and final day of competition at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

On the last night of one of Australia's most successful world championships, Collis Birmingham lines up in the 5000m against world record-holder Kenenisa Bekele and our one-lap wonders take on the powerful US team in the final of the men's 4x400m.

Australia's two winners, still with two events to go on the final day, equals our best ever gold medal count at a world titles. Nathan Deakes and Jana Rawlinson, who won gold in 2007, could not defend their titles here in Berlin due to injury.

Men's 5000m - Final

Collis Birmingham becomes only our second finalist after Craig Mottram's two appearances in 2005 and 2007. The Victorian comes into the race fresh from a personal best over the mile (3.54.30) in London and over 5000m (13.14.53) in Oslo.

At 1000m Birmingham, the second-fastest Australian ever at this distance, is eighth. Bekele leads through in 2.54.35.

Through 2000m and the pace has picked up with the Aussie just off the main pack. They split 5.34.17.

The Kenyans tried to pick up the pace in the last kilometre and reached 3000m in 8.14.63. The Australian still maintains touch with the leaders.

Just after reaching the 3km-mark Birmingham started losing touch and reached 4km in around 11 minutes, trailing the leaders by 100m.

A truly memorable final lap as a group of 12 took the bell with only a few metres separating them. Bekele and Lagat fight it out down the home straight with Bekele edging ahead over the final metres to win, believe it or not, the 5000m for the first time at the world championships.

Birmingham crosses in 16th and last place in 13.55.58.

The Victorian Institute of Sport athlete said later: “We just wanted to be with them when it counted and just try to get as many blokes as I could. But it didn’t happen that way so I’ll just go away and get better.

“I think I’m heading in the right track, it’s just that all of those guys have been doing the type of training I’m doing for a couple more years. That’s what distance running is, layer on layer, training year on training year. I think I’m heading in the right direction, I’ve just got to keep at it and get stronger.”

Men's 4 x 400m - Final

Australian colours appear on the start line for the men's 4x400m relay for the first time at a world championships.

In running order John Steffensen, Ben Offereins, Tristan Thomas and Sean Wroe have a chance of winning a medal in this event. Three members of the quartet appeared in individual semi-finals earlier in the week, with Offereins coming in fresh for yesterday's heat.

The Australian record of 2.59.70 has stood since 1984, although in Beijing it was given a close shake when the men went round in 3.00.02.

John Steffensen led the team off with a controlled first leg and passed the baton even with expected leaders the USA.

Offereins, who flew down the backstraight in the heats to get in front at the 200m mark, did the same again here to put Australia into second behind the US. The West Australian passed to Tristan Thomas but by that time the Brits had struck ahead.

The Tasmanian, known for some incredible relay splits throughout his junior career, maintained hold of third place, and didn't let the Brits get too far away.

At this stage the US had an unassailable lead and Australia and Great Britain were battling for the silver.

Anchoring the team home, Wroe ran gallantly as he tried to peg back some ground on Olympic finalist Rooney. Although he fell short, he crossed the line in 3.00.90 for a fabulous bronze medal.

The final medal haul of two gold and two bronze medals rounds out our best result at a world championships.