‘I just have to refocus’

TOKYO, Japan:

Halfway into the women's 800 metres final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Jamaican middle distance standout Natoya Goule looked set to create history and become Jamaica's first Olympic medallist in the event.

A 58 seconds split for the first lap was quite solid for the diminutive Goule, who followed American prodigy and eventual gold medallist, Athing Mu, to the bell and looked quite comfortable heading on to the backstretch.

However, this is where things got difficult for the Jamaican, who eventually ran out of gas in the last phase of the race, finishing eighth in a time of 1:58.26.

Goule, who was looking to deliver the gift of a medal to her mother and niece, who were both celebrating birthdays, was obviously disappointed with the result.

Still giving thanks

"I am disappointed, I know a lot of persons are disappointed as they were looking forward to me bringing back a medal and it just didn't happen today. I'm really disappointed," said Goule. "I'm still giving thanks though, I will forever be grateful. It's my first Olympics final, I came dead last but I still ran 1:58."

Goule explained that the compact positioning of all the athletes on the backstretch prevented her from managing her pace better, going into the final 150m of the race.

"The race plan was to get out because I knew Athing would have gotten out and 57 is easy for me to go through but doing that 400m, I got stepped on but that shouldn't stop me," Goule said.

"The problem was going down the backstretch, everybody was there and they all moved, so I didn't have any choice but to move as well, because everyone was there and I think that's what messed me up. Everyone moved and I can't be in a race and sit back and not do anything, so that's what caused me not to be able to finish strongly," explained Goule.

"I am disappointed that I wasn't able to get a medal for my country, for my mom's birthday, because today is her birthday and my niece's birthday as well and I wanted to make it special for them, but it just didn't happen."

The 30-year-old said the focus is now on taking whatever lessons she can from the disappointment and use it going forward.

"I just have to refocus and know that this is how they run and still run my race," Goule said.

Goule is only the second Jamaican to feature in a women's 800m final. Kenia Sinclair, who finished sixth at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is the other Jamaican to compete in the event.